From Russia With Love

In 2009 I traveled to Moscow. A rather radical thing to do since I had never even been to Europe. But it was lovely. With an exchange student as a mostly full-time translator, I discovered Moscow and even her dacha (house in the country). I traveled on planes, trains, subways, cars, boats, vans and everything that moved in Russia. I am glad I did it then, because I don’t think I would do it now. I went to the theatre and the ballet, and was asked directions by tourists (which was odd—never thought I looked Russian). My phone was stolen, and I fell out with the friend I went with, but even still, I have never been sorry I went. I will say unequivocally, Moscow itself is gorgeous and so was almost every woman I saw there. It was a nice place to visit. I don’t remember how I made this self-portrait, and I buried it for years, but now I just appreciate it for the time and place.