volgograd, 7

so the pushkin concert was awesome
the first half we listened to was the ariya zaremy, or 'zarema's aria'
i didn't particularly care for it
but the last half was awesome
it was the poem metel' with a 'musical illustration'
so far all of our concerts have been awesome
i really need to go to more when i get back to the states
i don't go to nearly enough

our group has begun our own little weekly ritual
every friday we go to makdonalds for lunch
it's the only one in volgograd
it's just like all the mcdonalds in the us
just a little less expensive, and with a few different choices
it's our little reminder of home

our sunday trip with the nigerians was five different types of awesome
we rented out this little pavilion and a couple beach houses
we cooked shashlik and had salat and some weird juices
we played volleyball on the banks of the volga
[we went to the otherside where there were actual beaches]
we sat out and played cards, and of course went swimming
the volga, by the by, is great lakes cold [upper ones, not the lower ones]
it was surprisingly [but refreshingly] cold
i loved it, and i even got some color on my skin
it was a really fun day, and it got me out of the house for the entire day
it was glorious fun, i should try to get something like that happening back home
maybe in august at some point

classes are still going, though they're beginning to wrap up
apparently we have some combined classes on tuesday
we also have a graduation party next friday after classes
our grammar teacher today recommended a place to eat
she said it had the best kotlyeti po-kiyevski in volgograd
and after having it, i'm slightly inclined to agree
it wasn't loads better, but it was marginally better

also, it was 93 degrees today
it was in the nineties all weekend
it's gonna be in the 90s all next week