I Just Can't Get Used to This

I have to share my day with you to explain my topic this week. I had a meeting this morning at 9:30, so I was part of the morning rush hour here. First of all, I think that most people start work about 9:30 or 10:00 in Russia. That's when the metros and buses are the most crowded. There's no early morning for most workers - I don't think.

Anyway, I was part of the morning commute and left the house at 8:15. That's late by US standards, but this morning it was still as dark as 2 AM - as you can see by the photo on the left.

There were people scurrying on the sidewalks toward the metro station or toward their offices after riding the metro, so it was a normal commuting morning. The bus stop had the usual commuters also waiting for their bus, but total darkness. I waited at the stop until the arrival of my bus at 8:30 - still total darkness.



After a thirty minute ride (9:00), I exited the bus to find that a hint of light was appearing in the sky. I knew that the day would eventually arrive in St. Petersburg - as seen in the picture on the right.


Then I had my fifteen minute walk to the location for the meeting. The sidewalks were just as crowded in the inner city as they were out by our location with only a smidgen of light in the sky.



At 9:15, I knew for sure that the dawn was approaching because the sky definitely was growing lighter. I arrived at my destination in plenty of time and watched the sky get a bit brighter before entering the building.


My husband told me later that he could actually see the sun rise this morning because there weren't any clouds in the sky. Of course, I didn't experience that because we were in the middle of the meeting at 9:48.


This is our second winter here, but the dark mornings don't get any easier. It can get very depressing being dark until after 10:00 in the morning. There are days when it's hard getting out of bed. Thank goodness for Vitamin D.


It does actually have a couple advantages for me, however. I can tell my mother that I washed dishes, started the laundry and cleaned the entire apartment before dawn this morning. She's impressed by that.


The pre-dawn lighting also allows for some very picturesque photography. You'll have to trust me on this. I really don't want you to experience this firsthand.





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