Kind of Miss Wal-Mart

Today was the Day of Defenders of the Father Land or patriotism or something like that. Also known as Men's Day. At any rate, it's a national holiday so I didn't have any classes. Instead I headed downtown to do a little shopping/get out of my apartment. All I really needed to get were some hair clips because I've gradually lost all that I brought with me over the past 6 months. This seems like it shouldn't be much of a task, but it was surprisingly hard, and brought me face to face with one of the most annoying things about Russia.

First of all, I couldn't find anything without rhinestones or roses or butterflies or other weird girly stuff on it. But more frustratingly, even if I had found something suitable it would be behind a glass case somewhere amidst a pile of other crappy little trinkets, and I would have to have a long awkward conversation with the saleswoman in order for her to give it to me:

me: "Give me hair thing, there" [btw it's totally appropriate to say "give me"]
lady: "this one?"
me: "no over there"
lady: "this one?"
me: "no those silver ones"
lady: "these?"
me: "no under those" etc.

EVERYTHING in this country is behind a glass case. It doesn't matter if it's a nail file or a pearl necklace or shaving cream. Buying stuff generally involves pointing and knowing the name of that thing. In fact, I had an embarrassing episode in Egypt when I was trying to buy lotion. The lotion was in a case and I did my usual point and mumble routine, but the sales lady thought I was a weirdo because the case was unlocked and I was supposed to just take it out myself.

Anyway, today I really wished I could just go to Wal-Mart, where I know I'll be able to find some normal hair clips, as well as shampoo and nail polish and whatever else I need, and I won't have to point at anything, and I will only have to go to one cashier with whom I will not need to have any kind of a conversation.

In the end, I didn't get any hair clips, but I did get a pair of shoes that I like a lot. So that makes me happy. Also, both of the Hungarian boys are finally back and in action. I met them for Man Day sandwiches and that also made me happy.