when it rains it pours

Tonight is my last night in Russia. On this last night something happened to me that hasn't happened to me all year, and in fact, it happened to me twice in the span of 5 minutes - I was hit on by a Russian man.

I'm not announcing this because of I'm proud of it, but it is interesting that they decide to notice me my last night in this country. I normally pass under the radar (thankfully) because, well, I don't dress like a ho. And I don't wear make-up, and you can't see what kind of underwear I have on through my clothes. I am often mistaken for a 17 year old. And today actually, I was wearing my blue and white plaid skirt with my somewhat ratty magenta running fleece, because its chilly here already (a similary combination of colors which prompted John to ask in Finland, "you know you don't match, right?")

Riding the escalator up from the Metro after coming home from dinner with friends', 2 security guards get on the metro behind me and come right up to my step. I notice them but ignore them until one of them says hello to me. I turn around and politely, but formally say hello back and turn back around. "What's your name?" a really tall and skinny one asks me. "Its not important" "Why isn't it important? You're very pretty, tell me your name" "Its Desi" [Now this provokes some confusion, and they consult, and ask for clarification. I explain its my nickname and when I give them my full name they ask "what kind of name is that?"] By this time, we've reached the top of the escalator and a take a step up. They react, "Oh no! Don't worry, you don't need to step away!" The tall skinny one says "I'd like to have a wife as pretty as you" I smile, thank him for the compliment and as we walk out the door they ask if I am going the same direction they are. When I say no, and the skinny one says, "It was very nice to meet you, you are very sweet and I wish you the best, in fact, all will be well with you"

I thought this was very sweet, as the guy was obviously pretty young, early 20s I guess, and it was just very sincere and non-threatening. I start walking home, cross the pedestrian over the ring road and head down the street. Then there's this guy who crosses the street at the same time I do and is walking next to me, chain smoking. He's older than the other ones.

"Hello, what is your name? Let's get acquainted, my name is [so-and-so]" I keep walking without really saying anything, kind of trying to wave him off, and not making eye contact. "I like to walk the streets at Moscow when I am bored. You're very pretty, what is your name?" I don't answer, "Do you study here?" I nod yes to this because I'm still 2 blocks from home at this point "Oh really, what faculty?" I say history "Oh, I finished [something having to do with physics]" "Do you live here? Would you like to go out sometime?" At this point in time, I realize I have my out so I answer, "no I'm not from here, I'm going home soon" He answers: "Oh I'm not from Moscow either, where is home?" I lie and say England. "Oh! My father lives in Belgium, I can come visit you from Belgium and bring you flowers. Would you like to go out sometime?" I lie again and point to the ring I wear on my right hand and say that I am married. "But its not possible! I would sell the shirt off my back to buy you flowers and I would right you poems and sing you songs. I will go on the television show "Wait for me" [a show for people looking for lost and missing people] and say that I met a beautiful girl in Moscow and she left to go to England. Can I have your number? We can have dinner sometime, just dinner, just as friends." Then I explain, that no, I am literally leaving the country tomorrow. At this point, I reach a small shop where I need to buy some stuff, and so I tell this man thanks and wave him off, assuring him that, no really, my husband [in England] is a nice guy and he gives me flowers, but that he was very nice, and he waves and leaves.

Its funny really. Maybe they knew I was leaving and wanted it to be on a sweet note. :-)