Mama in Moscow!
Written by Malisa Manning, a Louisiana State University Sophomore
In some study abroad programs family is discouraged from visiting their student because it is said to damage the cultural experience. The complete opposite is true of this program. From the very beginning, all of the staff involved in this program encouraged me to ask and even offered to help my parents come visit. So it was that my mother, Amy Manning, and her teaching colleague, Terry Wickman, made plans to visit during their spring break. After some fancy finagling with the Russian embassy (my mother was especially grateful to Dr. Layfield for all his help with the visas), travel agents, and last minute requests from candy-hungry students, the two women were set for their trip to Russia. Katya, one of our Russian classmates, went with me to pick them up from the airport, for which I am eternally grateful because I would probably still be sitting in the metro, wondering how to order a bus ticket to the airport when I finally found the right stop. As it was, we met up with them right on time. They had a choice between staying in the hostel with us (for a relatively cheap price) or staying in a hotel. They opted for the hotel, not wanting to bother us during
our studies. The Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya is a beautiful hotel that has English speaking staff and deals with international customers on a daily basis. Not only did they make the stay enjoyable for Mom and Mrs. Wickman, but they also helped plan excursions, gave directions, and were very informative about where to visit.
Now, we Americans found ourselves in an interesting position during that week. Our Russian classmates had classes and while we had classes too, most of ours were cut short or ended up canceled. This led to the American students playing tour guide in Moscow! We used what we had learned about the city to show the two adults around whenever we were out of class. I had the pleasure of leading them around Red Square, through G.U.M. and St. Basil’s Cathedral, and even through the Armory inside the Kremlin! It was quite the week, winding down to a last farewell dinner, held at the Hilton’s restaurant at my mother and Mrs. Wickman’s request. All of the American students came and we spent a lovely evening with lively conversation and excellent food.
Also in this Issue...
- Vperyod Rossiya! My S Toboy!by Chris Olvey
"The World Cup is the biggest soccer tournament in the world and every country gets a chance to win it... We took the metro to get to the match and that is where I began to see the true passion Russians have for their team. Scores of people were packed into the metro cars that were heading for Luzkniki and were singing and cheering all the way to the stadium." - Coke Floats for the World! by Blaise NIcklas
"When we arrived at the program, on the second floor of our canteen, we found that the visiting students each had a table representing their respective country. In attendance were students from Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and China." - Undecided Weather by Aidan Lowe
"Just last Sunday, I was strolling around Red Square in a light jacket and jeans. Now, I feel that I cannot leave the hostel without a hat, gloves, and my winter coat."
Issue Photographer: William Nelson
Issue Reviewer: Blaise Nicklas
Vperyod Rossiya! My S Toboy!
Written by Chris Olvey, a Clemson University Junior
The World Cup is the biggest soccer tournament in the world and every country gets a chance to win it. This tournament is truly unique because it unites everyone throughout an entire country and everyone in the world watches every four years with great interest. Russia, like with everything else, brings a lot of passion and support for their national team, who is in the qualification process now. Last year Russia shocked the world in the European Championships by making a third place finish, beating the Netherlands, and losing to eventual winners, Spain, 0-1, in the semifinals. Currently the national team is loaded with young, talented players who are clearly taking Russian soccer in the right direction. Last Saturday was match day 7 and I was invited by my friend Valyera to Russia’s qualifying match against Azerbaijan.
The match was held at the beautiful Luzhniki Stadium in the southwest of Moscow; Luzhniki looks like a stadium taken right out of Roman times.
We took the metro to get to the match and that is where I began to see the true passion Russians have for their team. Scores of people were packed into the metro cars that were heading for Luzkniki and were singing and cheering all the way to the stadium. When the players marched onto the field to start the match, the fans on the far side of the stadium unraveled a gigantic Russian flag that covered thousands of people during the singing of the national anthem. The most common cheer is Вперёд Россия! Мы С Тобой! (fpee-ryot ross-ee-ya, mooee sta-boy), which means «Forward Russia! We are with you!». And I heard plenty more of that when we found our seats in the stadium. We were actually very close, packed in with Russian supporters ready for a victory. I have been to other soccer matches, but this match was different from others that I have seen.
When the announcer announces the names of the players at the beginning of the match or after a player scores, as he says their first name, all 65,000+ Russian fans would yell the player's last name in unison.
