See the world!

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