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I told you I would post the story about paying for school and finding out that we didn’t start school when we thought we were supposed to, so…. Here it is!

Yesterday (Wednesday), we had our first major cultural experience…

The first thing we had to do was paying for school.  We turned the corner and saw an incredibly Long line that stretched down the hall from the door to the bank (side note: we have to pay for school at the bank and take a receipt back to the school). So we stand in line for about 30-45 mins before we make it to the door to the bank.  Then when we get to the door, we can see that there are at least 100 people packed into probably a 12x20 room.  There were 3 open tellers, but there is no such thing as a line behind each teller window.  There are just crowds of people pushing and shoving towards the front.  With that many people stuffed into this small room, of course it is incredibly hot.  I had to get in the middle of this and push and shove my way through all these sweaty people to get to the window to pay for both Shannon and I.  But we managed to get it done in a little over 2 hours.

Then we headed to the university to give them the receipts and try to work up our contracts for school.  But they start telling us that the amount we paid was not enough and that we would have to write a letter to the director and ask for permission to pay more later and that the director could say yes or no.  But after a few minutes of trying to write this letter (and some quick praying), they told us that the director probably wouldn’t even see the letter until after we’ve paid.  Then as we are leaving, we ask about when and where we are having class the next day and they tell us that  we don’t have class tomorrow because they don’t have a classroom for us yet. 

So, in our first major cultural experiences we have discovered that while in Russia, there will be much less regard for personal space, and there is less of a strictly-followed structural order.  Things that seem definite may not be and plans can change.  We are definitely going to have to be very flexible and just go with the flow! 

But then, after teaching us these lesons, God chose to bless us for the rest of day.  We were able to get a jar of Peanut Butter and American style bread!  Then we were able to finally get our internet set up in our apartment.  Then we went to Kelly’s to watch a movie.  We were able to watch 10 Things I Hate About You in Russian!  Shannon and I both love this movie and it was just as good in Russian!  After the movie, we had a good time walking home with some of our new friends.  We were able to have some really good conversations and get to know some people better.  I could not have asked for a better ending to that day!!