Introduction

Hello, my name is Hiroka Machida. I'm first year student in Kanazawa University.
I did a short-term exchange in Russia for two weeks last summer vacation, and my theme was "Relation between human and nature". I will tell you what I learned in three topics.

1st, Nature and urban people

At first, I noticed that Russia was very balanced country between nature and art. When I visited Moscow, I was surprised very much, because I saw a lot of space where people can relax such as park, lake, or forest near central of Moscow. And it does not mean Moscow is rural. For example Moscow City has many tall buildings higher than Japan's one, and in residential area, there are big shops and large stone apartment looks traditional.  Moscow people live urbanized, and can enjoy nature.

↑ Nature spreads near the city.

About custom related nature in Russia, you should know about "Dacha". Dacha is a kind of villa in rural,  and many Russian people have it, and go there every weekends. I heard that they grow crops, do barbecue, or live quietly with nature there. I think it is very nice, because I like camping.

2nd, Terrain and Transport

Next, I am impressed that terrain change how people transport. When I was walking on Moscow street, I saw many people ,include adults, riding kick scooter. I wondered why people do, because I usually see that it used only by little child and in park or kindergartens in Japan.  However according to my teacher, people can ride it for moving because the ground is flat. Come to think of it, I always be tired when I ride bicycle in Japan because of a lot slopes!

↑ Scooter rental station. It seems that many people use it though it needs payment.

3rd, The best way to cure a cold

Third, I learned about culture and nature. Specifically, it is how to get over a cold. In Russia, people  get over their cold by using nature power! For example, they drink hot tea with many berry jam or honey, and lemon slice. Actually I know it because I caught a cold in St. Petersburg. However Ms. Aida made it for me.  It has great power to cure a cold. The cold lasts only one and a half days, even though normally it last one week in my case. I think Japanese People tend to use medicines for just colds. I don't know about truth, but I think it may be good for good for our body and the Earth we live in.

↑ what I eat when I had a cold. what in under left is vegetable soup. Ms. Aida made chicken pasta, too. In fact, drinking tea and licking jam is separated at true Russian tea. That's why there is a Jam's glass.

Conclusion

↑ There was great nature.

I could see grand nature in parks or wilderness, and also saw the relation between people and nature in urban. Wherever we live in,  we can feel nature, and the nature show us different state depends on where we are. Therefore I think nature is interesting. The Russian great land show me many kind of nature. I thank for everything I was involved in this exchange.