the other side

So Tom and I arrived in Saint Petersburg yesterday afternoon,. We walked to our apartment from the train station (even though it's not at all close to the train stations...) and awkwardly made our way into the apartment of a stranger. Our apartment is pretty nice, only one older lady lives there and probably rents out her as a business venture - meaning I don't think she has any particular interest in us at all... She does fix us breakfast though and I successfully told her that I don't east meat, so I got toast with cheese and no meat! Great success! On the other hand, we asked to use the kitchen and she said no, so Tom and I are a bit panicked about how we're going to survive. We can't at all afoard to eat out twice a day (and wouldn't want to) but we can't cook there either... Does anyone have a list of meals that require no preparation? I'd pay big bucks!

We are going to the university in the morning, where we will supposedly take a placement test and then start classes. Who knows, though? We know where to go, but don't ahve a time or anything. The website says to show up when you have had a good night's sleep and are in a good mood. Seriously, that's what it says.

I'm excited about starting classes. Tom and I are both feeling a little less excited about this whole thing today. I'm sure it's just the ups and downs of living in another country. I'm not saying we haven't wondered if we're still allowed to study Russian history if we won't like Russia though... Saint Petersburg reminds me a lot of Rome (Italy). It's huge, crowded and dirty and then you come upon something so beautiful or old that you can't help be impressed. We'll see. It's just day 2. I'm staying positive for now.

I'm serious about the no-preparation food ideas, though.
Also, I don't have any pictures from Saint Petersburg yet, but here is one from Helsinki (oh, how I miss that clean, fresh Finnish air). It won't let me put any more pictures up...