Being Muslim in Russia

According to wikipedia, Islam is the second largest after Christian Orthodox. It is around 25 million muslim. But compare to Indonesia, the number is nothing. In Indonesia, 85% of the population are muslim.

There are lots of things between being muslim in Indonesia and in Russia. 

1. Masjid

In Indonesia, I can find masjid easily to pray. In my neighbourhood, there are 5 masjid. I can go to any masjid I want. But in Russia, especially, Izhevsk, there are three masjids. They are Izhevskaya Sobornaya Masjid, Masjid Imam Nury, and

воткинск, The City Where Swan Lake Born

Votkinsk is located in Udmurtia Republic, Russia. From Izhevsk, you can go to the north. It takes around one hour to go there.

Votkinsk is the city where the famous composer, Tchaikovsky, born. This city is not big. The number of people who live in this city is not more than 100 000.

There are some places to visit when you are in Votkinsk.

1. Tchaikovsky Music School

This music school is the most famous music school in Udmurt Republic. If you want to be a musician, this school is the right place.

There is a monument of Tchaikovsky in front of the school. If you are lucky, you can listen to some students playing their instruments.

2. Tchaikovsky Monument

This monument is dedicated to remember the great composer Tchaikovsky. It is located near the lake

Hitchhike: сарапул, Meeting ex KGB Officer

The next morning, we went to сарапул. This city is located at the south of Izhevsk. This city is kind of far. We agreed to meet at the южная автостанция at 10.30 am. The weather was not very nice. It was cloudy, cold and kind of dark. I even brought umbrella in case it would be raining.

And it was. hehehe. When we started to hitchhike, the day started drizzling. We were kind of worried since we haven't got any ride. Then, Rinat said we needed to walk further. There is a T-junction ahead. We crossed it and waited.

Around 45 minutes, there was a car stopped for us. Rinat had a talk with him and he gave me a sign to get in the car. First thing first of hitchhiking is talk to the driver and be as friendly as possible. Though I dont speak Russian, I can mark up some words.

The driver is kind of old, I bet he has some grandchildren. From what I understand, they talked about me, where I am from and what I was doing in Izhevsk.

What shocked me is the driver was an KGB

TNT Interview

In May, I had an internship in Arboris Club in Izhevsk, Russia, there was a local station television, TNT, interviewed me. I was so nervous like hell. It was my first time being interviewed by someone.

The process of the interview was not so long. Maybe around 10 minutes. There were two guys from the TV, one cameraman and one interviewer. I was accompanied by Taras, the head of my exchange program and Yulia, she works for that tv too and as my translator.

Here is the link of the video. тнт ижевске . I dont know why I couldn't embed the video from youtube. It's clearly that the video is there but I couldn't find it.

Enjoy the video :)

Here I am (1)

Yep. When you read the title, you are right. I am in Russia, right now. It has been almost two months. The journey is kind of fast. And now, I dont know where to start. Maybe it would be easier if i divide into several important dates or weeks.

14 March, 2014

I arrived in Domodedovo Airport at 3pm. The captain says it was 10 outside. I started to wear my thick jacket and prepare to got off from the plane. I knew that there would be an immigration checking. Since i am a foreigner, I have to go to foreigner line. But, there was no such a thing. all foreigner and local people are in the same line. The worst thing was the awful line. Lots of people cut the line and nobody protested about it. I met another foreigner. He said that this aweful line is nothing compare to Bombay, India. I was like what the ...

Then the security lady said something in Russian and her gesture showed to go to the second floor. And some people suddenly went up including me. Ofcourse the line was not much different but this one was faster.

I saw people just stood like 2 or 3 minutes in the immigration gate. It was the time for me to go to immigration gate. The officer asked what the purpose of my visit was. I said I joined social project for AIESEC. She checked over and over again. I was asked to take off my glasses since the picture in my passport is without glasses. I stood there more than 15 minutes. I was thinking that whether I would go home directly from the airport.

I am Coming, Russia!!!

Yepp, when you read the title. I am going to fly to Moscow tonight. After looooooong journey of waiting, and Alhamdulillah, everything went smoothly from taking care of visa until the D-day. Emm, I will try to give you the details.

At the end of February, I was informed that there is something wrong with my newest IL (Invitation Letter). I was so furious at that time coz I have waited for three weeks. Then, I tried my luck to use the old IL. I knew that probably I won't get 90 days of visa.

I couldn't decide whether to use an agent to take care of my visa or, I do that by my own. The problems are I am from Semarang, of course I barely know Jakarta. Then if I use agent in Jakarta, it will take 10 days to be here in Semarang. And I couldn't know the length of my visa. So that, I couldn't book the airplane ticket ASAP.

Then, I decided to do that by my own. I asked some help from my friend, Agata. She and her little family live in Jakarta. She said the Russian Embassy is not that far from her house.

It was Friday. I went to Tawang Train Station to buy the ticket to Jakarta. Unfortunately, the ticket for Sunday is already sold out. The available one was on Saturday morning. Directly I bought one and went home quickly. I packed my things and ready to go to Jakarta in the morning.

I was there for four days. She has a cute four months baby, Otniel. On Saturday and Sunday, I helped her to clean the house, play with Otniel, and cook for the member of the house.

On Monday, Agata and I went to the embassy by motorcycle. Her husband, Bayu, is sick. He will stay at home to recover and be with Otniel. Well, it is not a culture shock but urban shock. Jakarta is that hectic. Honestly, I almost pass out because of the heat and the hectic.

Red building was the one we look for. I pressed the bell and the door opened automatically. *that's interesting. Then, We gave our ID to security man. I put my bag in the locker. I applied and waited.

I can get my visa in three days. ^^,

Butterflies in My Tummy

I am going to have an internship in Izhevsk, Russia. I am going to work in one of Arboris Club as a teacher. The job description is teaching English through culture. The periode of teaching is from February to April. Therefore, I plan to fly there on 29 January.

But it didn't run as I expected. The process of making IL took longer than usual due to Russia will be the host of Winter Olympics. I needed to send additional papers such as CV and recommendation letter. They promised my IL will be done on 27 of January. Aamiin.

Today is Thursday, 23 January. It means four days to go. And what makes me feel unease is Jakarta's flood. I am so afraid that the Embassy office is closed because of the huge flood. Since I am in Semarang, I need to send my papers (the passport and the rest requirements) to the agent. I can not do it by myself. I don't know a thing about Jakarta. It is way easier for me to hire an agent to do in my behalf.

The butterflies are actually my nervous feelings. This will be my first time to fly by air plane. Nervous for being alone traveller. Nervous for being a foreigner there.

Most of Russians do not want to speak English. It will be a huge challenge for me. Alhamdulillah, because of the internet and technology, I can contact the PPI Rusia. I asked some helps.

Well, I think that's for now. I will share more if my IL has come and I start making Russian Visa.

Assalamuálaikum.

One step closer

Hallooo guys. Long time no see. Ups. I mean write. hehe. I want to share a good news.

From the title, you can guess. It is about my dream. One of my dreams will come true. I will have internship in Izhevsk, Russia for three months. It is becaused I join AIESEC GIP Program. It provides a chance to have internship in world wide. But this program aint a scholarship or so. So, you will use your own money to pay the airfare, visa and accomodation for the first month.

I am a teacher, mathematics teacher. I need to develop my skills both in teaching and handling the students. By joining this program, I am not only get both advantages, but more. I will got paid and I will have experience in teaching abroad. :)

The process of matching and preparing everything to go are not easy. Now, what I am feeling is, confused but excited.

CIAO :)