Photos: 1995 Russia -- Moscow: Misha and Larissa

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Misha and Larissa

In September 1995, at the age of 29, I finally went abroad myself. My first time off the west coast even, except once to Illinois. Inspired by my Russian roommate Mike/Leonid, I took 2nd-4th years of Russian through the Summer Intensive course at the university, and went for six weeks.

This is Misha, Leonid/Mike's brother in Moscow. Yes, "Misha" also means Mike. Too many Mikes! Larissa is his wife. They do "real estate", meaning they match up landlords and tenants. Misha met me at the airport and took me to the hostel, but after a few days I was staying at their parents' flat instead.

It was really weird to go from a Russian-American situation, where everybody knows at least some English, to a real Russian one, where they don't. You forget and start saying something in English, and realize half a sentence later that they really don't understand. I learned that there's no better way to pick up a language than to be in an environment where people don't speak yours.

Moscow, Russia -- September 1995

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