The sun was shining brightly against the fallen snow on the ground as I took my first steps in Russia. I was the last off the train, and what I was expecting was a family of four to greet me. What I got was a man who said, "Shay…you must come with me!" I was badly missing my family in Raleigh at that moment. The roads in Russia are in rough shape -- holes everywhere, so the ride to the flat was a bumpy one. But, my host family (mom, dad and two sons) greeted me when I arrived in their home. Nansy was the family's cocker spaniel, and they had a pet turtle, who slept by the kitchen stove for warmth. Their apartment was on the sixth floor of a building with NO ELEVATORS! They live in a four-room apartment with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room, which is also the parent's bedroom. The youngest son is taking English lessons in school and I was his "practice" conversation for nearly an hour. We arrived in Petrozavodsk at breakfast time, so my host mother had prepared a large feast. The main course consisted of cooked eggs, blinis, which are spongy pancakes, cucumbers, tomatoes, meat (bologna?), and cheese. Bread was served with the meal. As soon as the plates were cleared, hot tea was served. Instead of putting sugar in the tea, my family gave me a piece of Russian chocolate to eat while I drank. Tasty! Thankfully my family gave me some time to take a long nap. I slept for three hours because I was tired, nervous about interacting with my host family, and homesick. I felt much better when I awoke, good enough to take a walking tour of the town.