Sunday, July 3, 2005 5:50 pm

After doing our internet stuff, Sasha and I decided to eat. It was already 8:30, and we were really hungry. The entire food court had been inexplicably walled off, so we were forced to go to McDonald's. Me met Chad (new) and a girl (new) there. The girl said something about going on a date with me or Sasha. We weren't sure how seriously to take her.

Sasha and I went back to Vykhino. I wanted to see the fireworks at Muzey Kuskovo, but Sasha decided to go home. It was only 10:00, and I figured I would have an hour to get there. I figured out that I needed to take bus 620, but that bus didn't seem to be anywhere.

Then something awful happened. I don't want to think about it, but I'll tell briefly. A man asked me a question that I didn't understand, so I thought I'd ask him about the bus. But then he followed me aruond for an hour and a half, kissed me, and asked me to spend the night with him. I decided I'd have to walk to the museum, and he followed me the whole way. I was late for the fireworks. He wouldn't go away without my phone number, so finally I asked for his and promised to call. Now I feel guilty for lying. Finally he went away, thank goodness before he found out what bus I took. I was really scared, but I couldn't ask anyone for help without him knowing what I was saying; anyway, the person I asked might turn out to be even worse. I guess I might have seemed willing, since I did talk to him at first. I think he may have been drunk--he kept saying the same things over and over--and he probably wasn't aware of social cues. I hope he was so drunk that he doesn't remember this morning; I don't want his feelings to be hurt when I don't call. I don't think he'll remember my name, as he couldn't pronounce it anyway. I'm really scard that I'll see him again. Mary seems to think I should feel indignant and scornful of him, but I don't, only afraid. I never want to go anywhere alone again. I hate Russian men.

Why does this keep happening? Do I have "molest me" written on my forehead? I'm definitely not sexy enough to attract all of these people, so do I look exotic, or vulnerable, or what? Or is it that they approach everyone and I'm the only one who doesn't tell them to "f--k off"?