We talked about her hometown, Kaliningrad, for the vast majority of our meeting today. She introduced it as the "Alaska of Russia," meaning that it is separated from the rest of the country. Anastasia goes back to mother Russia about 2-3 times a year, as it requires a 2-hour plane ride or an all-day train ride from Kaliningrad.
Mostly destroyed in World War II, Kaliningrad is currently more than 700 years old. Despite the destruction of many buildings, it has a rich history riddled with conflict. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I am fascinated by cities with such a long, deep history, something we lack in the majority of the United States.
The Cathedral of Konigsberg is the most visited and meaningful attraction in Kaliningrad. The city's most famous resident is the philosopher Immanuel Kant. He is buried in Kaliningrad and many travel to his tomb every year.
Perhaps the biggest difference between Anastasia's hometown and Texas is the weather. Yes, Americans envision every part of Russia as Siberia and a constant blizzard, but there happens to be some truth in that. Because Kaliningrad is positioned on the sea, it is the recipient of a great amount of precipitation every year, paired with freezing temperatures.
An average day in Kaliningrad
She asked me about my hometown, Dallas, and I described the differences between it and Fort Worth, which was more difficult than I anticipated. You really just have to experience the vibes of the two cities to understand it.
All in all, this date was an enlightening one. I got to learn so much about her city and hopefully she learned about mine. I'm excited to see what our next meeting has in store!
PS. She made fun of us for freaking out about the possibility of sleet...which I guess is fair if I think about it...
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