At first when I moved to Moscow I lived alone in my old Soviet flat for 3 weeks before I eventually got a flat mate. I was busy settling in, getting to know the area and spent a lot of evenings at home watching a bit of TV and studying some Russian after walking around the neighbourhood. Most nights I went to bet quite late and then my neighbour from downstairs would bang against my floor with something.
This scared me a bit so I tried not to make noise and was really quiet; I made certain that my music was turned down low but still most of the time he would bang as I was getting into bed. According to me I gave him no reason to complain.
Scarcely here for a week and one night after getting into bed the neighbour comes and bangs on my door, shouting and nearly breaking down my door. I thought someone was attacking me! I ran into the kitchen and got the biggest chopping knife I could find. I then called the school emergency number but there wasn’t much they could do so I ended up sitting on my bed with a huge chopping knife as my defense, listening to the crazy Russian guy shouting stuff at me and hoping that the door holds. At the time I didn’t know who he was or why he was trying to break down my door.
He gave up after half an hour and stomped off, but I didn’t get any sleep that night as I was scared he would actually come back.
Not even a week later a policeman came and banged on my door, while I was already in bed half asleep, shouting that I should open up otherwise he would break down my door. I was told never to open the door, even for a cop in Moscow so wasn’t planning on doing anything of the kind. I kept asking him what he wants, all he kept shouting was “I don’t speak English, you open door or I break it!” Really not something I want to hear while in my Pajamas and all alone in this old flat on the other side of the world. Again I called the work emergency number and this time they called the police for me. The policeman kept on banging and shouting and finally he got a phone call and then left. I was left all jumpy and scared, had the huge chopping knife as bed buddy yet again.
The housing administrator called the police the next morning and they explained to her that it was my neighbour complaining about me because I walking around in my flat and according to him I walk like an elephant which makes his chandelier below swing so he called the police on me. I couldn’t believe it; it was too ridiculous to be taken seriously.
At least after this I got a flat mate who could speak a bit of Russian. The neighbour started calling us on the phone complaining every time we walked around, or moved in the flat. This banging on the door in the middle of the night and calling us kept up for a while, He actually asked us to please watch where we walk and to make sure we don’t walk over the area where his chandelier is, as if we could see through the floor.
He also suggested that if this is not possible that we should please refrain from walking in our flat. So not only does he expect us to have ex-ray vision, we should also miraculously acquire the ability to float or fly.
One evening I ran to pick up the phone and was busy talking to my mom when the neighbour came banging again. He actually banged the door open and charged into the kitchen shouting at me. I put down the phone, picked up that huge chopping knife lying next to the sink and then charged at him. He shouted and looked as if he was going to attack me.
I shouted back at him and in my anger switched over to some Afrikaans words that I knew he would not be able to understand. I then made stabbing motions at him; I just wanted to get him out of my flat.
He left screaming that I was crazy and that he was going to call the police because I attacked him!
The nerve, I told him to please call the police I want to tell them he broke in and attacked ME!
My neighbour left me alone after this; I never heard another peep out of him! I think he was convinced that he had one VERY crazy South-African living up stairs, and was not going to get her mad again.
Janaline's world journey 
Phew, not an experience I’d ever want to have. You have guts, girl!
LikeLike
While a frightening story indeed, I have to admit I was very interested in your pics of the neighborhood. I visited St. P during my exchange year in Finland. My Finnish friends, who were living there for the summer, took me. We stayed at the apartment still owned by the parents of the boyfriend of one of my friends. I loved the neighborhood, especially all the highrises, the crumbling grocery store a few minutes away, and the abandoned cars.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does feel like you have stepped back into time or into a movie world where things have stood still although the world arpound it has modernized.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness! Not the best build, then?
Out of interest, if the cop couldn’t speak English, what was he hoping to achieve by gaining access to your flat?
LikeLike
I really dont know and it was quite scary as I couldn’t speak any Russian yet.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Allerlei Kunterbunt… and commented:
Aus aller Welt…
LikeLike
A massive thank you for the re-blog!!
LikeLike
You are much Braver than I 🙂
LikeLike
I believe this toughened me up for the rest of my Russian experience!
LikeLike
Viva Suid-Afrika!
LikeLike
Dont think he is ever going to mess with a South African again!
LikeLike
Good thing you found a flatmate. I would be so scared. Was he drunk?
LikeLike
I think he was just a bit crazy…some of the other people in the building told me he would sometimes come and complain about noice when there was nobody home!
LikeLike
That’s a nutty experience! You had to call the police to tell the police to go away? Wacky! I’m glad you’re ok.
LikeLike
Luckily I never had to call the police….after I threatened him with the knife I never heard from him again!
LikeLike
It was pretty ridiculous that he had the nerve to call YOU crazy after all the insane behavior he displayed toward you.
LikeLike
Love the little red church, but I’m not so keen on the high rise tower blocks. Your neighbour sounded pretty scary, good for you holding your own there.
LikeLike
It was quite a sight arriving in Moscow and having the whole place filled with high rise apartment blocks! I ended up trying to enter the wrong one a couple of times during my first month there.
LikeLike
Hardly surprising since they all look alike!
LikeLike
OMG! That’s scary! Sheesh! Glad you lived through it.
LikeLike
Thanks Laura! It definitely toughened me up for my Russia adventure but didnt scare me away!
LikeLike
Good for you! 🙂
LikeLike
Crazy!!!!!! Hope everything has gone well since! Love the painted doorway idea. We need some of those here in Toronto!
LikeLike
This start prepared me for my Russia adventure! I also love the painted doorways, especially in a place with so many buildings that look alike!
LikeLike
This is crazy! You’re not supposed to even walk in your apartment? Insane.
By the way, I love the picture of that little red church. How quaint!
LikeLike
Thank you!! Luckily after my last encounter with my neighbour I never had another complaint about my “walking like an elephant”!
LikeLike
What a crazy story! I don’t know how someone could keep a straight face and insist you not walk around your flat. Good thing you didn’t open up for the Moscow police. I wouldn’t either. Fantastic pictures as always.
LikeLike
Thanks! I think my neighbour expected me to be super human! Not only should I be able to flaot but I should also have ex-ray vision!
LikeLike
This could have had a very bad alternative ending. But you have a great story to tell in the end
LikeLike
Thanks! I am quite glad that it didnt turn ugly and ended up being a very funny and spicy start to my Russia adventure
LikeLike
scary stuff!
LikeLike
I think this definitely toughened me up for the rest of my Russia adventure!
LikeLike
Ripping story – I think I will stay at home!
LikeLike
It was definitely a very interesting introduction into Russia….
LikeLike
Makes my life seem tame….
LikeLike
Its these little things that make spice up a foreign country….this has turned into one of my favourite stories to tell people about my first impression of Russia!
LikeLike
Great story!
LikeLike
Yeah, but did you ever learn to float? 🙂
LikeLike
Unfortunately not…I am definitely still working on my levitation as at the moment I cant seem to stay in the air for more that 2 seconds at a time.
LikeLike
Hmm. Maybe you need lighter shoes. 🙂
LikeLike
great story and lovely photos.
don’t mess with South Africans 🙂 you sure showed him! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! I must have really scared him off because after this he wouldnt even get into the lift with me…..
LikeLike
it would have been hilarious had it not been so scary!
LikeLike
Afterwards I definitely saw the funny side and it definitely gave spice to my first impression of Russians!
LikeLike
Oh wow, what a nightmare! You’re probably no louder than the previous occupant of your apartment, so what did he do before?
LikeLike
I heard that before us a couple of guys lived there so he was probably to scared to mess with them. Think he thought that a couple of girls should feel intimidated by him. Don’t think he is ever going to make that mistake again!!
LikeLike