22. For example, did you know that the omission of the L sound can transform the Russian word meaning “to pray” into the one meaning “to take a bath”? Turns out, that is a very important distinction if you’re asking perfect strangers to pray with you.

23. Vladimir attempted to convince a few American girls that it was good luck for foreigners to kiss native Russian men at a “famous” location on the sidewalk. As luck would have it, Vladimir always seemed to be standing at that particular location—no matter where we went.

24. Remember Shannon’s heart-shaped keychain?

25. From Red Square to Temple Square, from one experience with a Russian to another—parallels flying all over the place!