Affection, Russian Style

"She gave me a hug and a slap on the ass. I think that means she likes me."

Annie just got home from a semester abroad in St Petersburg Russia where she lived with a host family in their Soviet era apartment. This comment was about saying good-by to her host Mother. There had been some friction with the host Mom over a couple misunderstandings, but I think they all got worked out.

It was very nice for me, her Dad, to hear Annie call her host Mom on the phone and, speaking all in Russian, let her know she arrived back home safely. Annie knew zilch Russian when she left here four months ago, and here she was chatting away like a pro with the host Mom, who speaks no English.

I'm so pleased that Annie has had this wonderful experience of being in Russia and all that she has gotten to do, see, learn, and experience there. However, there some Live Journal postings of hers that gave me pause. Here is one such sample ...

During class….
Me: So, did anything go down this weekend?
Lonardo: Ya, Nate and I went to a ska concert
Sarah: Emily and I saw a dead person on the street
Me: WHAT?!
Sarah: Ya, he was definitely dead. I’ve seen drunk people passed out, but this guy was dead.
Prof. Browne: I’m not surprised. I often see people cleaning up blood outside of bars. And the other day when I was walking along the Haymarket area, I looked down and thought “Wow, somebody got nailed last night!”