Turning 21 in SPB

Since I worked out I was to be spending my 21st birthday in Russia, my friends and family have heard nothing but my whinging and whining. “I’m so livid I was born in June - why do I have to have a miserable 21st in Russia? What have I done to deserve this?” In hindsight, it was a spoilt brattish thing to say and someone should have told me to get over myself (or maybe one or two did…)

However, I turned 21 two days ago, and I must ask myself; what the hell was I whinging about?
Having been here for a month, I knew where and how I wanted to spend the day. This mainly consisted of drinking champagne and wine, eating (a lot) and taking ridiculous pictures on my new toy. At this point I would like to mention that I now own a hefty amount of Apple products, to the point where I’m having to divide tasks and activities between them all just to make it seem worth it.

I have a great friend here who was equally as excited for the days plans, who bought tickets for the ballet tomorrow, and who I’m grateful was with me. I was also lucky enough to have my dad come out to St Petersburg for a few days over my birthday, not only did it mean I had family to celebrate with, but more cards and presents were brought out! Okay, now I’m a spoilt brat. We ate sushi and drank champagne for lunch, then an hour and a half later drank more wine and ate the biggest and most delicious steak I’ve ever had/the only steak I’ve ever had (guilty). The restaurant was oh-so-posh, we were given a large shot glass full of some beetroot concoction that i had no idea how to eat. I tried the only thing I knew to do with such equipment and tossed it back like a shot, but it was too thick and I ended up suspending my head in the air for longer than is socially acceptable.

What’s more, it seems that the Russians are big on birthdays too. I was showered with congratulations (on being alive?!) and small gifts from my host and her sister whom I’d said hello to before, her best pal Tanya, my teacher at school and even the woman who takes us on excursions. Apparently the day you were born is pretty big here - a nation after my own heart.