I’m in Moscow for the mid-year Fulbright seminar, which meant an overnight train ride from Moscow. Usually I ride platzcart, 3rd class. The cars are completely undivided, but the tickets are cheap. This time I was treated to a luxurious 4-person coupe — me and three Russian men. I must say, my quickly pessimistic mind went through all the worst scenarios that could take place during the eight-hour journey.
Nothing terrifying happened. To the contrary — one of the men finally asked about my accent, thinking I was German, and then set into a long series of reflections on his travels in Germany and Turkey, the Tao, and the memory of water. He showed me the correct hand positioning for meditating and admonished me when I said I didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions and didn’t know who I wanted to work as.
When I actually talk to my cabin-mates, I sleep a lot better. Who knew.
Tomorrow our seminar starts, so I’ll share what the other Fulbrighters have been up to in their far-flung studies and professorships.
