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One time my family and I were flying back to America for home assignment in 2003 and had to catch one of our connecting flights through the O'Hare airport in Chicago. Our plane arrived late, so we were running to catch our next flight. When we got off the plane, we found that our next flight had been canceled. Fortunately, there was an alternative flight, but it was leaving in ten minutes. We were on the opposite side of the airport from our gate (as most of you know, O'Hare is a HUGE airport!), so we all started running. We came to a security check looking very suspicious because we were in such a hurry. The security guards decided to check every single one of our carry-on bags, seven of us times two bags each. My parents had to remove their shoes and get checked over with a metal detector. My little brothers were crying because they were separated from my parents and all our things were spread out all over the area. We told the guards that we had a flight to catch, but that did not seem to hurry them. Close to the last bag, they asked what flight we were on, and we told them again. They then finally decided to release us and gave us the very ‘helpful’ advice: “Run like crazy!” Thankfully, they called the gate we were headed towards and told them to wait for us. -By Lauren Lahr
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Europe
St. Petersburg, Russia
Hey Ya’ll! It’s amazing to see our third issue of NSA Tourism come out of production, and hot off the press…if you know what I mean ;D. We’ve gone from Africa to the Middle East, and now we turn to visit the cold north of Europe with Emily Stewart. Once again, she like all of our interviewees has put a lot of effort into her answers. A round of applause for Ms. Stewart, if you please!
This issue, unlike the other two, is very personal to L.B. and me. We both have lived in Russia, and it is a country that I know we both cherish. From its tiny Lada automobiles, to the sophistication of the language they call Russian, it never ceases to puzzle and intrigue me. It’s a land where cultures collide, and president Putin conquers and divides.
So, without out anymore boring ado, here is our interview with Ms. Emily Stewart.
Interview
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Nathan Tilton: Hey Emily. How about we start off this interview with you introducing yourself to us?
Emily Stewart: Howdy! <):b ok, so of course my name is Emily. I’m 13, live in St. Petersburg, Russia, and am LOVING it!!! I’m really artistic-like, musical…well I guess I do live in Russia, so it’s kinda hard not to be musical <):bb…I’m a strong Christian, and a proud TEXAN!! (WHOOT WHOOT!!! <)xbbb). This is my second year on NSA, but there’s a chance not many people know me because I’m kinda quiet….most people know me as ‘Ethan’s little sister’ <):bb well I guess that’s me…<):))))
Nathan: Russia’s a big country, I know, so this next question may be a little hard. Could you tell us about what Russia’s scenery looks like?
Emily: Well….in the summer everything is green and colorful because there are lots of gardens here where I live…Very green…In the winter, everything is white…Very white <);) … There aren’t many hills here in the city, so if there aren’t buildings in the way, you could see a good ways. In the country there are pretty grassy fields, trees, and even some small gardens because the older women (Babushke) are very, very attentive to their flowers and other things they grow. That’s how my city and the outskirts of the city are… In most major cities you really either have to go to a park or outside the city to see much scenery, but there are A LOT of parks to go to, so I guess they make up for the lack of trees and flowers in the actual city <);) . But really, if you so much as pull a leaf off of a tree, you will get fussed at by the older women. The trees are beautiful, so you shouldn’t hurt them.
Nathan: What is the culture like in Russia; what are the people like?
Emily: Oh. That’s a good question. The people here are very skeptic and superstitious. They don’t really smile much in public. I know when I went to the states this winter, when I walked into malls and stores, just random people you pass would say, “Good morning!” or “Hi!”. It made me think, “Man…these people are so nice!” <)XD But I think it is getting a lot better as time goes on. The younger people are less skeptic, and a little friendlier, so I think eventually people will become more open. Though if they know you, they are just as kind as people in America <):) .
Nathan: Could you tell us what the sport programs are like in Russia? I live in Russia, so I know, but I think this is one subject that may be rather interesting to our readers.
Emily: Well, I don’t think you can serf through the channels without seeing some sort of soccer game on! Soccer, I think, is 99.99% the most-liked sport here. In St. Petersburg, there is only one big stadium: a soccer stadium. There are ice skating programs on, and sometimes hockey, but I still think that soccer is the most popular. Moscow and St. Pete are very different though… I believe that hockey and ice skating are more popular there than they are here, including on TV.
Pictures: In this section, where we usually ask the interviewee to provide some pictures of where they live, has been changed somewhat for this article. We felt that because Russia is such a big country, that it would be a shame to only provide you with a limited view of the country itself. So, Laurel has provided some from Southern Russia, and another friend of ours has provided some photographs of the even colder northeast of Siberia. Enjoy!
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Nathan: Well, I suppose that’s it for my part. I’ll be handing this over to Laurel now ;). Thanks for all your effort and time Emily. I’d love to go farther into explaining Russia with you, just because it’s like my home country to me. Unfortunately, the interview has to end some time. :P. I’ll see you around then, Emily.
L.B.: Hi Emily!
Emily: <)XD howdy!
LB: What are you’re favorite Russian foods?
(Note: this is going to be a really hard one! XP)
Emily: haha, that’s a tough one…uum…I think my favorite would be blini (a pancake-like thing)…I also really like all the vegetables and stuff they eat there because everything is so fresh…I like fresh <):bb
LB: What do you like better about the Russian culture than the American culture?
Emily: I think something I like is that they hardly take anything for granted. In the states there’s mac and cheese and water fountains and stuff like that…to me it seems like they don’t realize how good they have it. While I was in the states, I even noticed they had water fountains in parks!!! …also I like how Russians are so artistic, because I’m that kind of person (as mentioned earlier).
LB: Can you describe what “White Nights” are like?
(note: is that what it’s called when the sun doesn’t set in the summer? I wasn’t sure.)
Emily: I think I like the ‘white nights’ better than the winter time when it’s always dark. I really enjoy them actually. Since it’s during the summer (when you can sleep all you want all day and stay up as late as you want <):bb) it makes the day longer, so you can do more. I’ll find it that Ethan and I will start a movie at two in the morning and it’ll still feel like it’s nine! It’s the weirdest thing, but like I said, I love it <):bbb more quality time <):)))
LB: What do people like to do in their free time?
Emily: Well I’m sure they do this where you live, but here in St. Pete, the Russians (and I as well) like walking for fun. I know it sounds weird, but since there are tons of beautiful churches and sidewalks and stuff, it’s so beautiful just to walk around. Also something that all the guys do is they play soccer ALL THE TIME….but sports ‘isn’t for girls’ so the girls mainly just walk…<);b
LB: What are the biggest prayer needs for Russia right now?
Emily: Well, for our mission, personally, it would be that the Russian Christians would be more open to opening up their homes for house churches. I think a need for the Russian people in general would be that they would stop drinking and smoking all the time. I mean, of course the number one need would be for them to accept Christ, but I think that first they would need to give up alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. Kids my age at the school I go to are drinking and smoking…it’s so sad to think that my friends probably drink at night with their parents. I think that is a really big prayer request: that the Russian people would give up the ‘joys of this world’.
LB: Well Emily, it was nice getting to know you and learning more about St. Petersburg. Ttyl!
Emily: It was fun telling you! <):)))) bbye! *tips hat*
