See the world!

EliEli Posts: 13
edited June 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
Hello from Moscow, Russia!

Hi everyone! Thanks a lot for your time and for reading my words. This is actually my very first thread on Pearl Jam’s message board. I did not know exactly where to post it but thought “All Encompassing Trip” was a cool title for what I wanted to share.

I currently live in Moscow, Russia. This might sound like a rather unusual country to be in for most people, but definitely not for me as I had always wanted to come to this vast and ice-bound country. Not much ice here right now, though, as summer is just around the corner. “What the heck are you doing in Russia?” You might be wondering. Well, I have a teaching job here in Moscow and I am really enjoying my teaching experience. It has been fascinating, really, so I am going to stay for a little longer than I had planned.

Anyway, I love Pearl Jam so much. I am totally fascinated by Pearl Jam’s music and have felt that way since I heard “Oceans” for the first time way back in the day. Their songs have been indeed a great inspiration for me. I have never seen them live but I am sure it will happen one day. I was very close to seeing them when I lived in southern California in 2004-2005. I was in Canada in 2005, which is when they toured said country from West to East. I left Canada in late August as I had to go back to Graduate School in California and they arrived there in early September. When I look back on that period of my life, I would have definitely stayed in Canada a week longer. They then went down to South America and toured in some cities in Brazil, which is the country where I come from. They were in Brazil for the very first time and I was in the US! I was very upset but there was nothing I could do about it, really. It seems to me that all these years Pearl Jam and I have been going to different places. It’s like, “Hey, are you headed that way? Cool, so I’m going this way over here.” Of course I am just kidding. But that’s how it feels at times. And to top it all off, I am in Russia now! I do not see Pearl Jam coming this way any time soon. I am a very optimistic person but it is just hard picturing them here at this point. So I think I am in the least likely place they will ever tour in the next few years or so. Isn’t it ironic? As far as I know, Pearl Jam has never been to Russia. I have a few of their live CDs (PJ bootlegs) and I have never come across one that says “live in Moscow” or any other city in Russia for that matter. They have been to Poland, though, which is not that far away. It would definitely be a big surprise to see them in Moscow while I am still here!

But while I am here I will tell everyone I know about them. I have actually been spreading their music and telling people about the greatest band in the world. I was somewhat surprised when I asked my students if they had heard of Pearl Jam and the response I got was a “no.” They have been missing out on a super band, that’s for sure. A few days ago, it was a warm day out so I decided to put on my Pearl Jam T-shirt, the only one I’ve got. I wore it to work and the receptionist at the school where I teach asked me about the shirt. I said it was my favorite band and promised to bring my iPod the following week so I could have her listen to some songs. On the same day, while at another school, I told this one guy in my class about Pearl Jam. I sent him an email to remind him to listen to them. He listened to some songs off the latest album and really liked what he had heard. I am so happy I have been able to introduce Russians to this truly amazing band! I’d like to wrap this up by thanking Pearl Jam for their wonderful music. Thank you for your company on this "all encompassing trip"! I would also like to thank you for reading my thread, and sorry this is a bit long.

Hope all is well in your part of the world. :)

Peace & Love,
Eliana
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • EvilMerlinEvilMerlin Posts: 1,865
    Eliana! It's so great to hear from you! It's wonderful to hear about another great thing you're doing and that your move transitioned well enough for you. I hope you're having a wonderful time and keep posting updates. California is still the same as you once left it back in the day. :)

    <3

    Bryson
  • libragirllibragirl Posts: 4,632
    huh..I took it for granted that people knew Pearl Jam everywhere. That is interesting. This is great Eliana.
    These cuts are leaving creases. Trace the scars to fit the pieces, to tell the story, you don't need to say a word.
  • FifthelementFifthelement Lotusland Posts: 6,963
    Hiya Eliana,

    I know exactly what you mean about being in the wrong place at the wrong time for PJ. Welcome to the Pit.

    Cheers!
    "What the CANUCK happened?!? - Esquimalt Barber Shop
  • pouch15pouch15 Posts: 436
    Hi and welcome!! interesting story, how about recomending us some cool russian rock bands!!! Ive never heard any russian music. Keep in tuoch
  • writersuwritersu Posts: 1,867
    Eli wrote:
    Hello from Moscow, Russia!

    Hi everyone! Thanks a lot for your time and for reading my words. This is actually my very first thread on Pearl Jam’s message board. I did not know exactly where to post it but thought “All Encompassing Trip” was a cool title for what I wanted to share.

    I currently live in Moscow, Russia. This might sound like a rather unusual country to be in for most people, but definitely not for me as I had always wanted to come to this vast and ice-bound country. Not much ice here right now, though, as summer is just around the corner. “What the heck are you doing in Russia?” You might be wondering. Well, I have a teaching job here in Moscow and I am really enjoying my teaching experience. It has been fascinating, really, so I am going to stay for a little longer than I had planned.

    Anyway, I love Pearl Jam so much. I am totally fascinated by Pearl Jam’s music and have felt that way since I heard “Oceans” for the first time way back in the day. Their songs have been indeed a great inspiration for me. I have never seen them live but I am sure it will happen one day. I was very close to seeing them when I lived in southern California in 2004-2005. I was in Canada in 2005, which is when they toured said country from West to East. I left Canada in late August as I had to go back to Graduate School in California and they arrived there in early September. When I look back on that period of my life, I would have definitely stayed in Canada a week longer. They then went down to South America and toured in some cities in Brazil, which is the country where I come from. They were in Brazil for the very first time and I was in the US! I was very upset but there was nothing I could do about it, really. It seems to me that all these years Pearl Jam and I have been going to different places. It’s like, “Hey, are you headed that way? Cool, so I’m going this way over here.” Of course I am just kidding. But that’s how it feels at times. And to top it all off, I am in Russia now! I do not see Pearl Jam coming this way any time soon. I am a very optimistic person but it is just hard picturing them here at this point. So I think I am in the least likely place they will ever tour in the next few years or so. Isn’t it ironic? As far as I know, Pearl Jam has never been to Russia. I have a few of their live CDs (PJ bootlegs) and I have never come across one that says “live in Moscow” or any other city in Russia for that matter. They have been to Poland, though, which is not that far away. It would definitely be a big surprise to see them in Moscow while I am still here!

    But while I am here I will tell everyone I know about them. I have actually been spreading their music and telling people about the greatest band in the world. I was somewhat surprised when I asked my students if they had heard of Pearl Jam and the response I got was a “no.” They have been missing out on a super band, that’s for sure. A few days ago, it was a warm day out so I decided to put on my Pearl Jam T-shirt, the only one I’ve got. I wore it to work and the receptionist at the school where I teach asked me about the shirt. I said it was my favorite band and promised to bring my iPod the following week so I could have her listen to some songs. On the same day, while at another school, I told this one guy in my class about Pearl Jam. I sent him an email to remind him to listen to them. He listened to some songs off the latest album and really liked what he had heard. I am so happy I have been able to introduce Russians to this truly amazing band! I’d like to wrap this up by thanking Pearl Jam for their wonderful music. Thank you for your company on this "all encompassing trip"! I would also like to thank you for reading my thread, and sorry this is a bit long.

    Hope all is well in your part of the world. :)

    Peace & Love,
    Eliana


    you are a brave girl Eliana. I am thrilled to read your post and I would love to see what else you find in your travels. Good for you.
    Baby, You Wouldn't Last a Minute on The Creek......


    Together we will float like angels.........

    In the moment that you left the room, the album started skipping, goodbye to beauty shared with the ones that you love.........
  • EliEli Posts: 13
    Thanks a lot for all your replies.
    “You are a brave girl” Yes, indeed I am. You know, I heard this comment a lot when I decided to come to Russia. Everyone back home kept saying I was really brave to want to live so far away, in a country where people speak a language I do not know, and to top it off, they do not use the Roman alphabet! The Russian alphabet consists of 33 letters! They use the Cyrillic alphabet and it is really important to learn it or else you won’t be able to read the road signs or subway station names, although they also have the names in the Roman alphabet on the subway map, which makes it a lot easier to read. For instance letter “H” in Russian has the same sound as “N” for us. So it is so confusing at times. You look at “H” and you think it is “H” but actually it is “N!” Crazy, eh? And there’s the backward “И” pronounced (/i/) So Eddie in Russian is something like “ЭДДИ.” That is just my rough translation, though. I’d have to ask a Russian speaker if it sounds right. (*smiles*) The letter “D” ( Д ) looks like a little TV set, doesn’t it?

    That’s about it for now. I don’t want to bore you to death with these Russian letters. ;) Take care!
    Stay safe.
    Eliana
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    Sounds awesome and welcome!

    I'm taking an introductory course in Russian next year, I'm thrilled! I'd love to go to Russia some day.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • EliEli Posts: 13
    I have asked a few students to tell me about some of the most popular Russian bands they like. Some of them are not rock bands per se, I think, but it’s still worth checking them out just so you know what some Russian bands sound like.

    Here’s the list: Zemfira (земфира in Russian ) Mumi Trol (Мумий Тролль), DDT (ДДТ), Zveri (Звери), Kino (Кино), Mashina Vremeni (Машина времени)

    I personally like DDT and Mashina Vremeni. Check them out on YouTube if you like, and let me know what you think. :)
  • Thumbing_My_WayThumbing_My_Way Posts: 1,425
    And now you're gonne do some more traveling and meet me in the Netherlands.
    I'm looking forward for us to meet and you staying over.
    See you in August my friend =)
    Hold me, and make it the truth,...
    That when all is lost there will be you,...
    Cause to the universe I don't mean a thing
    And there's just one word I stil believe
    And it's Love

    29-08-06 (Arnhem)
    28-06-07 (Nijmegen)
    27-06-10 (Nijmegen)
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