Moscow: Working all day, "partying" all night 121605

Привет, семья и друзей!
To recap: For those you that I just added, this is my travel log. I am currently in Moscow, Russia. It has been an interesting trip so far. I had tons of visa issues. I had to fly home from Sweden just to get a visa. It was an extra 24 hours of flying! Then I almost didn't get it at home as my "invitation" to Russia was sent to Sweden. The airline lost my luggage when I got here, and my coat was in it! It was brutally cold at the time, but I survived. I did get it back a few days later. My driver didn't show up one day, and I ended up getting really lost in Moscow (Someone told me the wrong Metro (subway) station). I found my way home eventually. Everything else has been okay though.
Apparently, I have everyone concerned that I am about to die of hypothermia and starvation. Please rest assured. I am fine. I have my coat, and Yuri now picks me up on time every morning. He learned his lesson! =-) And, I have broken down and started ordering room service. Of course, the food here is crap, unless you get real Russian food. Most of what is at the hotel is not real Russian food.
Yes, I have been working all day and "partying" all night. That is of course, if you define party as sitting at my computer and working (well, and some procrastinating, i.e. writing e-mails to my friends and family). This is one of the biggest draw backs of working internationally. I work all day, go home, and the US is just getting up. Then they all want to talk to me. Last night, I went to the company holiday party. It was quite fun. I must say it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, except for the meat jello. That did not surprise me! I was expecting everyone to get drunk, but no one did. It was actually very similar in format to an American Christmas party. They talked about the year, gave out presents, and danced. The food was interesting. It was Russian fare… different salads (I can't understand the affinity for mayonnaise, but hey! whatever makes them happy), meats (of course meat jello and lots of pork), desserts (chocolate macaroon rolls, and this stuff that is kind of like a mix between mousse and flan, but with way less sugar), and beers, wine, and juices. The dancing was interesting… we shall say that they dance to their own beat. Also, way more men danced than in the States. It was still a 4-1 girl to guy ratio though.
It has been an interesting week. I have gotten into arguments with a taxi driver (He kept telling me that the address I was giving him for the hotel was wrong and he didn't know where it was to run up the meter!) and the hotel (hence, why I changed rooms. They told me that they had overbooked the hotel and I no longer had a room. The travel manager here cleared things up though; however, this is after I had packed my stuff, checked out, and brought my bags to work!). Russian inefficiency drives me up the wall!!!
The accounting department at the company that I've been auditing threw me a birthday party. It was really nice of them. They brought me some gifts and sang me happy birthday. It was really nice of then. Then, tonight, the other American from the company I'm auditing and I went to dinner. We went to a Georgian restaurant. Georgian food is really good. It is very similar to Greek food, but definitely has some Russian influence.
Fashion Report: As you know, I report on the fashion in each city. In Moscow, there is some of the "Tattered Eskimo" look that I saw in London, but mostly, it is "Cold Tramp". This look involves tall boots, fur coats, and lots of makeup. Under the coat, the see-through shirts are still around. There were quite a few of the infamous see-through shirts at the holiday party last night. Everyone was considerate enough to wear undergarments under them though. There is a haircut that I see a lot here on the boys my brother, D's, age. I will call it the "Punk Mullet". The punk mullet is Billy Ray Cyrus crossed with Syd Vicious. It is long in the back (not quite Nascar long though) and shaved on the sides. I have seen the Punk Mullet elsewhere in Europe, but they are way worse in Moscow. I have to agree with those that have said that the Punk Mullet is way worse than the Faux-hawk of London.
Music Report: MTV Russia is soso. It is nothing special. I tend to watch MTV UK which I can get here in Russia. I will attach the links to the videos that I like. The songs are okay, but it is the videos that are funny. We don't have them in the States.
http://www.altsounds.com/vbulletin/hangout/upload/lastpostinthread42593.html
http://www.clickmusic.com/videos/articles/video_hardfi__cash_machine.cfm
http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp
Anyway, sorry that I have lax on my e-mails. I haven't been doing anything but working. I hope all is well in the US.
I'll be back soon!
Cheers!
Аманда