As an exchange student I am finding out a lot about myself. I have known for a very long time that I am interested in body modification through piercing and tattoos. When I was a baby my parents decided to get my standard lobes done. When I was about 14 I went for the double ear piercing, but it didn't last. When I was 17 I got my belly button pierced as a birthday present from my mother. That was the last piercing I got before leaving the States. I decided not to do anything to my body while I was overseas for a year because it might be risky, and I didn't want to do anything I would regret. I knew it was time for me to get out into the world and discover what was important in my life. Little did I know it would lead me right back to where I started from.
At A Glance Author dippadow Contact mally_gally13@hotmail.com When A month ago Location St. Petersburg A few months into my exchange I found myself bored and incomplete. It seemed like everyone else was doing something special with their time but me. I decided to fill that void by getting a piercing...or 5. As a long time reader of bmezine.com I knew the steps to take in order to have a successful self-piercing experience. Earlier on this site I wrote a story about how you should get deeper tissue or tricky piercings done professionally, and I still stand by that belief today. However, these were still in the region of my standard lobe, so I decided to go for it.
After my ears had healed from the new holes, I began researching other piercings as well. I realized that they not only made me feel more unique, but they marked times in my past that I didn't want to forget. I was always looking for a new event that I would want to document with more than a few pictures. Sure enough the exchange students were about to take a tour of St. Petersburg, Russia, and I decided that my next piercing would come from there. I began researching for the part of my body that would forever remind me of that time. I didn't want anything too extreme, but I also didn't want something too subtle either. I decided a standard eyebrow piercing was the perfect souvenir.
When arriving in St. Petersburg it was apparent that the streets were dirty, the people were less than friendly, and if you bought anything it would be overpriced even after you haggled. I began to get nervous about my risky attempt. What if I couldn't find a place to get it done? What if it was insanely expensive? What if it got infected because the piercer had no idea what he was doing? Luckily, though, all of my fears came to a halt when we not only met other exchange students from the area, but one of them had recently gotten his lip pierced in the part of town we'd be freely shopping in. I realized that was my chance. On our last day of the tour I located the shop, and stepped in with complete excitement and anticipation. The only thing that worried me was the cleanliness of the shop. Like I said, the city streets were less than desirable to look at. I made a promise to myself that if the piercer did not wear gloves, use a new clean needle, clean jewelry, or if the parlor was in a general state of filth I would give up my souvenir for my health. To my surprise though the parlor was an extra room of a beauty salon! All of the walls were the brightest white, the floors were clean, the jewelry was sterilized, and the needles were brand-spanking-new. I knew I was in good hands.
The piercing itself didn't hurt one bit. My piercer let my friends take pictures through every step, and he was laughing with us as we made jokes and what-not. He was a great guy, and I could tell he knew what he was doing. Once I was done, he pierced my friends as well: a belly button, and matching nipples on a couple that tagged along. We knew at that time that we would never forget our experiences. When I look in the mirror now I remember the good times shared with people I will most likely never see again. I remember a city of great history, friendships that still have an everlasting bond, and the girl who became a woman in 11 months. I also know now that body modification will forever be a part of my life. I'm not satisfied with pictures, memories, or stories of the good times. I like the fact that I could look at myself, and be immediately reminded of the best parts of my life.
To Russia With Love,
Dippadow