Things that would improve Russia

While I am completely loving my time here, there are definitely things that I miss about home that would make Russia a million times better:

• Vegetables. They don't seem to care about healthy food. At all. Every once in a while we get cucumbers and tomatoes, and we eat cabbage fairly often, but I would kill for some broccoli or celery.
• Driving. I miss it every time I don't have my car. Since I won't be driving for the next two years in the Peace Corps, I should get used to it. But, it was even difficult when I was in New York for me not to have my car. I just like driving too much.
• Mexican food. Yes, I have found Mexican food in Russia. But it was so hard to find and there is so little of it (even though the burrito I had at La Cantina was delicious). I think if someone were to bring/popularize Mexican food here, they would make a ton of money. 
• Taco Bell. Not the same as Mexican food, but it's up there. The only fast food we really eat here is McDonalds. There is no competition between Taco Bell and McDonalds. I'm going to get a Taco Bell burrito as soon as I see one.
• Cold water. Russians seem to think that drinking cold water will make you sick. My host mom thinks it is really odd that all I want to drink with my meals is water. But I can't drink coffee and tea instead of water. I don't know how to use our water filter, so I usually get water when my host mom filters it for me.
• People wearing deodorant. Things are smelly a lot of places, especially the metro. I think Russian deodorant must not work. That, or they just don't wear any.
• Being able to order at Starbucks. I would love to have my Iced Venti 4-Pump Nonfat Chai. It's delicious.
• Ice. Again, Russians hate anything cold. Odd since Russia gets so cold. Most drinks don't come with ice. Except at McDonalds.
• Free (almost) texting. All the cell phones are prepaid, so we pay about 10 cents per text. I miss my texting plan.
• Clean air. Everyone smokes. And when people aren't smoking, they are driving cars that put out really gross exhaust. My lungs are going to love the Northwest when I get back
• Cooking. My host mom makes good food, but I miss cooking for myself. I'm going to make her Indian tacos sometime soon. And maybe I'll make burritos if I can find tortillas.
• Smiling people. People don't smile in public. We do our "metro faces" to each other, imitating the girls on the metro who go from looking normal to looking super mean in a matter of seconds.
• Good milk. The milk here tastes so weird. I don't know what it is, but it just tastes off.
• American dollars. I've figured out the exchange rate, but I definitely spend more than I should and just figure that the exchange rate will make up for it. Not a good way to watch your spending
• Real service at restaurants. This kind of goes along with smiling people. There isn't a culture of service, so waiting for food at restaurants takes a really long time. Sometimes they're good, but it usually takes forever.
• And, of course, friends and family. I have my friends here, but I wish everyone else could come to Russia, too. We could teach Russia how to be awesome :)

When it gets closer to the end of my time here, I'll write about the things in Russia that I'll miss, but I don't want to think about that now. I like it too much to worry!