Food Update

I've worked out that my staple diet here is cheese sandwiches.. this post doesn't reflect that. But I have found lots of interesting things..

Russian potato chips. Russians seem to
love sour cream and onion or some
kind of variation of that. Finding other flavours
has been a challenge. I think these are pretty much
the Russian equivalent of Quavers.

No idea why Ice Age have their own brand of crisp,
but these are salt flavour. And salty they definitely are. 

Very similar to Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes

Ketchup. Decided to be adventurous and not buy Heinz.
We also decided not to read the packet, this one contains
meat pieces. Strange!

Bacon Lays and (unsurprisingly) sour cream and 'greens' Lays.

I bought these in the uni canteen. I was going
to have them with either rice or potatoes, but
the lady just handed me my plate and moved on
to the next person. The steely look in her eyes told me
not to interrupt her. I think(/hope) I'm right in saying
that these were fish. In Russia when it comes to
meat etc, ignorance is bliss.

Closer shot of the fish cake balls

First cake that I've had that was actually
quite nice. Pastry with vanilla cream and nuts.

Excitedly bought these thinking I'd found
doughnuts. Technically they were doughnuts, but
they had nothing in the middle. They were just dry
balls of bread in the shape of doughnuts with a
scarce sprinkling of sugar. It broke my heart.

Once again, the 'faux-nuts'

 

Decided to give the hot dog sausages a try. They're hugely popular here.

Hot dogs again, but this time with the traditional plain pasta.
Last time I was in Russia, I was given these sausages and
plain spaghetti for breakfast almost every morning, so this took
me back!

The Sausages - 'Dad can!'

Cheese triangles! Manages to make toast in the oven today
(no toaster and no grill in our flat) and have this cheese
on it for lunch, not bad!

I'm too fussy to have pâté here, but Stefka bought some.

Stefka also bought Smetana, which is sour cream.
This is served on almost everything.

While I waited for the pics above here to load I went shopping
I bought 2 bottles of Baltika (70p each), 1 bottle of
Stolichnaya vodka (£5.40), 1 bottle of Kalinka vodka (£5.40),
1 bottle of Mirinda (£1), 1 bottle of fresh fruit juice (£1.50),
1 half loaf of bread (£1) and a Magnum/Russian version called Magnat
 (80p) which is not photographed because obviously it got
eaten on the way home from the supermarket.. in the rain.
When a 500ml bottle of branded beer is cheaper than a loaf
of bread, you know you're in Russia.

Managed to find a doughnut that actually had a filling. Sadly, it was an
over-sugared strawberry paste/jam.

Canteen lunch. Chicken, potatoes, chocolate milk (because I am 5)
and a sugared bread roll filled with poppy seeds.

Quick soup. Very salty.

BEANS ON TOAST!

English food happened. It was needed! I saw Heinz beans and NEEDED to buy them, you know, 'cause.. beans. I even managed to find half a loaf of 'American Sandwich Bread', which is seemingly normal, but it does have a two month expiration date... I'm not even going to ask what's in it to make it last that long!  So tonight I enjoyed beans on toast (well bread, because we don't have a toaster or a grill) and a good cup of tea. I then sat and watched Coronation Street, to make the occasion even more British.

The Mighty, Mighty Beans

Note: Ugly cat mug never leaves my side

XxX

Hairy pizzas, finding out the hard way what is meant by 'эксперта' and how I've unknowingly come very close to poisoning myself...

Today is day 10 in Tver. I feel pretty settled now, I’ve met some lovely people and I’ve gotten into a bit of a routine, which I like. Life here is interesting and everyday is different. Yesterday, I planned to go straight back to bed after lectures, yet it ended up being my most productive day so far. I'm not feeling well at the moment, even after eventually managing to shake the hangover-from-hell that I had on Saturday, (without any help from my stuffed cabbage leaves I’d like to add –thanks Russian cuisine!) I’m not feeling fantastic. I’ve got the ‘freshers flu’ type thing that’s going round everyone here at the moment and it is so draining, especially when every lecture is as interactive as ours!

I’ll explain the title of this post, bit by bit:

The Hairy Pizza...! - I am fussy enough with food as it is, so when picking the mushroom off my store-bought, packaged, branded pizza I didn’t expect to find a long white hair buried in the cheese. The worst bit is, after a few ‘ew hair’ squeaks, I still cooked it and tried it! And that hair definitely belonged in the 'should put you off' category. 

See, look how appetising it looked once the hair was removed!
The pizza did taste awful, but it looked okay.

I know my Mum will be reading this with her head in her hands, sorry Mum! I’ve been brought up in a very, very clean environment, especially when food preparation is concerned and I even somehow manage to keep this up at uni, but here it’s different! I’ve lowered my food standards significantly! I’m currently eating something in my sandwich that I’m told is ham, but I’m not so sure. However, it’s tasty and it was the best pick of the meat section in the supermarket so I’ll allow it. 

Anyway, to brighten this hairy pizza story up, I managed to order takeaway pizza yesterday with some friends and the help of Diana! 

After being told that there are pretty much no takeaway places here, it was a nice surprise to be able to order something nice and not have to cook. We also timed it well, so it arrived just as the guys in the flat opposite were about to start a game of centurion (a drinking game where you drink a shot of beer every minute for 100 minutes), so we sat with our pizzas and watched. –Very funny!

During an explore we actually came across a Papa John's!! It's not open yet, and probably wont until after we've left
but it's very exciting to see something Western here joining McD's and Baskin-Robbins.

The 'эксперта' Confusion -  Okay, so like I've said in past posts, the language is slowly falling into place, but there are still bits of information that get lost in translation every now and then! My first lecture here was a Russia Today lecture and if I’m being honest, I understood the key things like the yearly temperatures in Tver , its square footage, population and so on, but I pretty much missed what the homework was. And it wasn’t just me. We all did! The Russian overload during that lesson must have definitely taken its toll. We’d been given a newspaper article each and together we’d decided that we were supposed to summarise it for the class. But that didn’t explain why he kept saying, ‘Hannah, James and Frances’ while he was explaining it. Anyway, my article was horrendous (from an English-girl-trying-to-understand-Russian point of view anyway)! It was about the 800^th Anniversary of the founding of a town in Tver called Rzhev. It had words like ‘legislation’ and ‘financial infrastructure’ in it... I wasn’t a fan. Anyway, this morning I walked in and got called up to the front to do a presentation on it, I was given a whiteboard pen and everything. It didn’t go amaaaazingly, but it was fine.  At least we’ll all be more prepared for next time! 

Miscommunication leading to possible poisoning -  Before coming to Russia, we'd been told about the tap water. Some people said use it to brush your teeth only, other's said it's also okay to use boiled, however yesterday we were told by the Russian lecturers here categorically NOT to use it, boiled or not! Apparently it can make you really ill... shit! We also did a bit of research online and yeah, we reeeeeally shouldn't be using it! I've been boiling it for the millions of cups of tea I've been drinking, cooking with it, brushing my teeth in it, everything short of actually drinking it straight from the tap! If we wanted cold water then we'd been buying it in, but for everything else, we'd been using the tap. Apparently it's not the water itself, in most cases it's due to the awful, awful quality of the old pipes that it travels in. It does smell strongly metallic and it's got a very high iron content so, although it runs clear (...now, was originally a bit brown when we moved in, but obviously, we didn't drink it when it was brown), it does leave brown stains behind in the sink if it's left dripping. We've now been pointed to a pump across the road where we're to get our water for boiling and cooking with, and the lecturers have said that they all drink that water, and we can too if we're brave. I'm not sure how brave I am just yet. I normally take my water in cup-of-tea-form anyway! 

I took a trip to the pump today to refill my water bottle. This is all completely different from what life's like at home, but it's amazing!! I love it. 

The Water Pump

Refilling our water bottle. Yes, this is my
life now hahaha!

At the start of this post, I mentioned that I'd had a my most productive day yesterday! I'll leave you with a few pictures to show what I got up to! 

I went to the international office and got my student card!
OH PRIVYET DISCOUNTS!

I registered at the University Library and I've decided I'll be
going there for German and Chinese and possibly French lessons
while I'm here.

I actually got this a few days after I moved in, but it fits in with the
theme of Uni related cards. This is my propusk and it's what I need
to flash at the Babushka's who sit on the door of our accommodation
whenever I enter the building. 

Russia is CRAZY for cats, and
I found this ugly cat bag. I am slowly
becoming a Russian cat lady.
But don't worry, I haven't
bought it... yet.

I went to a place called Anti- Café on my way
back from the library which is affiliated with the university.
 It's where we're supposed to go to meet locals/internationals
and practice our languages! I went with Stefka, Anna and
Rebecca yesterday and it turned out to be really funny! We
played games like Jenga, took advantage of the all-you-can-eat
biscuits and had conversations with locals in English, French,
German and Russian. 

XxX

Cabbage does NOT cure hangovers.

If ever I'm hungover, I usually crave stodge. I'm talking Chinese food, Dominos Pizza, French sticks, basically just all the carbs. In Tver I haven't found anything so far that fits this brief, other than potatoes and the food from Chicken House, but I'm not a huge fan of Chicken House. So last night, I finally felt well enough to get some food and decided to go to 'Pan' in search of some mediocre mash.

In the queue I felt hungry. I felt brave. I chose puréed potatoes and pork, but also ordered 'Голубцы' (Golubtsi) which are cabbage leaves stuffed with meat and rice. WHY did I choose them. I literally have no idea. I think I was suddenly overcome with a wave of bravery and ravenous hunger and I wanted to eat something more Russian. This definitely wasn't a good idea. I just felt so ill once I sat down with my tray of food. Also, if you know me well, then you'll know about my aversion to certain food textures etc so stuffed cabbage leaves were definitely not the right choice. On another day maybe. Definitely, DEFINITELY not when hungover. Stick to plain foods!

Vodka, we need to talk..

Last night at about 8 o’clock, I was sat at the kitchen table in sweatpants doing some work with Stefka when two students from Glasgow Uni came around to persuade us that it was time for our first night out in Russia. After a very quick makeup session with a few of the other girls, we were on the vodka and ready to go. Vodka is, as you'd expect, incredibly cheap here. You can get a decent half-litre 40% bottle for around the £3-4 mark. I just need to remember that, despite how good value for money it is, I don't need seven million glasses of it.

The club was quite good. It looked crazy and derelict from the outside but we actually went into it through a fancy hotel entrance instead which made it all a bit nicer to look at.

The club, unsurprisingly named Zebra

They played a mix of Russian and English music which was interesting. Not my type of music, but not bad. (Just as I write this I have put my hungover lack of coordination to good use and I have managed to kick my cup of tea over. That’s one beloved PG Tip teabag that I won’t get back.)

Normally after a night out in Manchester, I meet up with my friends in a little bar called ‘Font’ for brunch and the standard post night out debrief. Sadly we’ve not located anywhere for our debriefs here. Instead the kitchen had to do. We recalled, slut dropping. That’s never a good thing to remember. Stefka told me that she’d stopped off at Chicken House on the way home to get food, at which I was outraged because I thought I’d missed out on some night out grub, but then upon opening my bag to get my camera out this morning, I realised that my handbag was actually full of cold chips. Now everything in my bag smells a bit like a chip. Something I could definitely do without today in my fragile state. Also bizarrely I had a ketchup in my bag, something that I’d tried and failed to get last time I was there (when I was sober!), so I have no idea how I managed to get it this time when drunk.

It probably goes without saying but I currently feel GRIM. So so so so so grim. This is actually the worst hangover I've ever had. Today is a day of toilet hugging and spending time debating whether food will make me feel better or worse. I'm strangely craving mashed potatoes so I might venture out for some when I'm feeling braver. Mashed potatoes could solve everything.

So, it was a good night, but this monster hangover that I'm having to deal with today is why Russia gets a point. Well done Russia, you have destroyed me already.

Current score: Russia 1 – Hannah 0

WELCOME TO TVER

I have arrived!! And after my first full day at uni and single handedly washing every piece of cutlery and crockery provided in our flat, I think it’s time to write an update!

Summary of the Journey

Manchester to London: Fast. Opted for a shuttle flight. Best idea!

London to Moscow: Able to stay in a friends hotel room which was right by Heathrow instead of having to spend the night in the airport. Bliss! Got to meet all the other Manchester Russian students in Heathrow, had a cooked breakfast and then started drinking at about 8am (of course). Almost missed the flight by not realising how big Heathrow is and how early the gate shuts, resulting in a huge herd of about 15 of us all running through Heathrow in search of Gate B38 - Madness!! Luckily, we all managed to get there with about 2 minutes to go until it shut. That has to be the most stressful part of my Russian adventure so far!

Moscow to Tver: Expected to be travelling in a coach. We definitely were not in a coach!! It was one crazy minibus journey. Expected it to take about 2 hours, 3 hours max. It took over 4! But we did manage to nip to McDonald's when the driver hopped off the coach for some reason (lost in translation). Also, Russian roads are insane. There are about 6 lanes of traffic in each direction and it would appear that there are also no rules. None. Our driver only brought the minibus to a complete stop twice during the whole 4 hour journey. Twice!! AND ONE WAS FOR THE MCDONALD'S!!

A group shot at the start of our minibus journey to Tver.

Summary of the First Two Days

Yesterday began with a surprise grammar test which I wasn’t expecting at 10am on the first day, so that didn’t go too amazingly. I expected we’d have one, but I thought we’d be given a day or two to settle in before we had it! But, no. So I came out of it feeling really frustrated! However, today we were put into grammar groups based on our results and I love the group that I’ve been put in. There are eight of us in my class, everyone seems really nice and I love being taught in small groups! We have lectures Monday-Thursday 10am-1.30pm and we get Friday off!! TAKE NOTE MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY, late start, early finish and a three day weekend!! Russia knows how to do it.

The language aspect is difficult to get used to. Very, very few people in Tver speak English so you have to concentrate all the time to try to understand everyone and they all speak so quickly!! It seems to be going okay so far though. Although, today I did noticed that I seem to think I’m understanding everything, when really I’m understanding a few odd words and making up the rest in my head. I’m sure it’ll all fall into place soon though.. surely...? It's definitely getting easier anyway.

Tver is also really cheap. We went to the little shopping centre yesterday and got sorted with sim cards and phones for those who needed one (me). We then got taken to a supermarket which was huge and super cheap! I did a big weekly shop including buying loads of cleaning products for the flat and it came to less than £15. I could get used to this!! I also bought 5 bottle of 500ml Baltika beer for 34 roubles each, totalling 170 roubles for them all...£3.40(ish). Amazing! I am definitely succumbing to Tver’s charms.

The accommodation is very basic, but it’s also very Russian and after a good clean, it's definitely liveable. The beds don’t have duvets though, which I find crazy! With the Russian winter that’s ever coming, surely they need more warmth than what the three thin blankets can offer? Also, I haven’t seen any cockroaches yet!! (Watch while I jinx it now and wake up with one on my face.)

On Sunday night, after the two days of travel, I thought I'd film a little guided tour of the flat which I share with Stefka, so you can all see what it looks like and so my loving family can see that I'm still alive and well. Please take note of how beautifully it is decorated and how modern and clean it is... NAAAAT!!

XxX

The First Meal.

Okay, well if I'm being honest, my first meal was a Макдональдс (McDonalds)! During our crazy minibus drive from Moscow to Tver, our driver had to stop to either use the toilet or fill his car with something (it all got a bit lost in translation) so we took it as an opportunity to get some food. Forgetting that we'd have to order in Russian, but it all went surprisingly well! But as it wasn't my real first taste of Russia I'm not going to count it.

McDonalds Receipt (233 Roubles is about £4.50,
so it was pretty much the same price as in the UK)

 But my first official meal was had today at a place called 'Cковородка' which means 'Pan' (very inventive). I choose something that I hoped was chicken, praying that it wasn't battered cabbage(!!) and some mashed potatoes. It wasn't the best thing I've ever eaten, but it was a lot tastier than I thought it would be. Also, very cheap.

Pork and Potatoes

'Pan' receipt. (118.00 Roubles, £2.30ish SO CHEAP)

Got mik? No? Us neither.

Oh my god. Milk. Who knew it would be so hard to get your hands on!! Sour milk is hugely popular here in Russia, but it disguises itself as normal milk, so we have been fooled. Several times. My decision to stay in last night and settle down with a good cuppa tea was let down hugely by the discovery of the sour milk. Poured it in my tea, only for it to curdle and separate (see video on the bottom of Welcome to Tver post ). No amount of stirring could convince it to mix in. However, today I managed to pick up a carton of normal, pasteurized cows milk without a lump in sight. I know that some people, especially here, love sour milk. But it is just not for me. Not my cup of tea.

The offending sour milk. Proudly claiming to be milk.

The miracle milk that we found after a day of
searching high and low.

 After writing this post, I decided to pour the sour milk away. The smell coming from it was almighty and it had separated out even more so a clear liquid poured out first, followed by a thick white yoghurty substance pictured below. Had to photograph it.