Tenderheartedness

I think Russians have a very warm heart. At first I didn't understand though. In many regions of the States it is very common to smile, even as a greeting to people you don't know. In Russia though, the culture is different, and it's seen as very strange to smile in the street to people you don't know. The reason is something like this: "if it's a very cold outside (and it usually is) and I don't know people in the street, then why would you smile? People will think you're strange to smile, or they might suspect you as having an ulterior motive or bad intention." When I was in America, and a Russian told me this, I couldn't understand and thought they were exaggerating, but having lived in Russia, I can assure you that it's true. But to my surprise, I now like it, and I think it makes sense, especially in Russia.

I think a number of historical circumstances contribute to this caution with foreigners and strangers. (But more on this in a minute.) There's no doubt that Russians certainly have a warm heart. It's only that they protect their hearts, until they find that a friend is sincere. And as you begin to be close friends, it's so important to really cherish that friendship, to have purity of heart and to never be unworthy of trust. When a Russian friend opens their heart, it's a very sacred matter. Of course friendship is always sacred and something to take great care with, but this is especially true in Russia. Maybe this tenderness of heart springs from some particularly difficult historical circumstances.

Russians have had an unfortunate historical experience with foreigners or strangers. For decades, in the culture of communism, people developed a deep belief that religion wasn't necessary, and perhaps even harmful. At the end of the Soviet Union though, the doors of Russia opened and religions and sects of every kind entered, some with true sincerity, but others with ulterior motives. Some sects came to take advantage of the curiosity of Russians, and some swindled money from Russians and perhaps even disrupted family unity. Many Russians had previously believed religion to be nonessential, and after this period of exploitation by certain sects, Russians developed a powerful superstition regarding religion, and they begin to feel a deep suspicious of any effort to bring Russians together in a common religion or cause. History showed that this made a person vulnerable, and examples abounded of individuals who had been hurt when they developed a strong connection to a different religion. The Orthodox church had already to been established in Russian for centuries so regardless of whether they considered church necessary in their lives, Russians usually didn't have the same suspicion in relation to the Orthodox church.

This is quite an aside, and you've probably find that every detail of life in Vladivostok is very interesting to me. But I love Vladivostok and those who I've met, so I can't help but share in the hopes that you can love them too. :)

Sharing worlds

Long time no see! I’m writing after having spent a lot of time in my new home Vladivostok. I’m learning Russian and participating in the community building process. It’s all new and I feel lucky to be able to come and play some small part in contributing to a sense of community in Vladivostok, but I’m also very in touch with a sense of vulnerability. I’ve come very far from my hometown of Franklinville, New Jersey, to learn a new language, make new friends and help in a community building process in a new culture. Writing is a release and a point of connecting with all of you who I miss so much. Please accept my apologies for a long gap in writing. But there is so much to say. With pictures and stories I’m looking forward to sharing our worlds!

With so much love,

Linnea

The start of a journey

Thanks for visiting!

Come on an adventure with me! As a South Jersey-ite and student, I was of the so-why-did-I-major-in-physics variety until about a year ago. Fast forward a little bit, and now I'm taking a one-way ticket to Vladivostok in the Russian Far East and spending the next undefined period of time joining with an incredible and diverse Vladivostokan youth (by birth or by attraction!). We're taking our place in a community building process. Particularly, we're working with a Baha'i-inspired program that aims at releasing the powers of junior youth, powers such as compassion, courage and the ability to translate intellectual and spiritual excellence into meaningful service to the good of society. I'm thrilled to death about it!

I'm writing for 3 reasons:

1. Stories are important and I think no learning should be lost to the world. This blog is for chronicling the journey of a group of friends in Vladivostok as we try to better the world "through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct." 
2. I'll miss you, dear friends. :) If you haven't googled it yet, Vladivostok is 9 time zones from South Jersey and 7 time zones from Moscow. Needless to say, I won't be taking weekend trips to visit the extraordinary people who have blessed my life for the past twenty-four years. So I'll keep in touch this way, and please write back if you'd like! 
3. Some say Vladivostok is a "mystery land." (And I thought so too before I learned I'd be coming here!) If it's a mystery, it's certainly a lovely one. This is a window into the life of a city and community that enraptured my heart from first sight. I hope you'll fall in love too!

More posts to come. I'm not the most verbose writing-wise, but I'll try to be consistent with writing once a week. So check back often!

Sending my love from South Jersey. (Flying to Moscow tomorrow afternoon.)

With love,

Linnea