Moscow: Inside the Kremlin

Walking into the Kremlin

Both the Enterance and Exit to the Kremlin

The Tsar Bell
Behind the "The Tsar Bell" is the Ivan the Great Bell Tower.

Close up of the Tulip Gardens

Tulip Garden

Tulip Gardens

Gardens in the Kremlin

Annunciation Cathedral: close up of the depicted Icons on the outside


Annunciation Cathedral

This Cathedral had been home to the Tsars of Russia

The Tsar Cannon

The Cannon was created in 1586 by the Tsar Feodor Ioannovich.

These are the buildings of the Russian government.

The government buildings are to the left as you walk into the Kremlin.

Moscow: Outside the Kremlin

Synopes of Events

Over the past 4 weeks a lot has happened and I have unfortunately been rather poor about updating my blog. So, I sincerely apologize and I hope to make it up to everyone!

Synopses of Events:

• Volunteers leaving
• Russian Lessons
• Rostov
• Moscow
• Volga River Cruise
• New Volunteers
• New Placement
• Weather
• Victory Day of The Great Patriotic War

Only In Russia

"Only In Russia" This is my new saying for Russia. In fact, this is the best way sometimes to explain something/to understand Russia. I say this because sometimes there is no other way to comprehend a situation or idea.

Setting
Saturday night in Yaroslavl at the CCCP restaurant that included Myself, Caroline, Cathy and Jess.

CCCP Restaurant
The CCCP restaurant is stylized as a soviet restaurant. However, the restaurant mostly had posters on the wall depicting soviet ideas.

And so are night began...
We got to the restaurant, sat down, got our menus, and proceeded to "read" the Russian menus. There were no English menus, just Russia. "Oh, boy," what to do now. After a few minutes of fumbling around, we looked at our neighbors who had already gotten their food. It looked rather appetizing, however, no idea of how to communicate that to the waitress without sticking out like a sore thumb. So, the Sweet (Caroline from Sweden) takes it upon herself to speak with our neighbors. She sits next to them and begins pointing at the various foods on the table. Lucky for us, our neighbor indulges her and helps her pick out the various items. After this point we thought we would be okay, right? Wrong! Our neighbors then begin ordering food for us! We didn't quite want that. So after more fumbling between the waitress, Caroline, and the Russians, we just order Soviet Beers for the moment.

Since the waitress couldn't understand us, she brings a 1980's dictionary/phrase book out to us! Could we be any more Foreign! But alas, this did help with our communication. We eventually ordered after some more of fumbling. After all the fumbling, it was worth it because the food was amazing along with the Soviet Beer.

When dinning out, it is common to share your food. For example our neighbors ordered a dish of rice, a plate of meat, a bottle of Vodka, a red juice concoction to drink with the Vodka, caviar, and bread to share with everyone amongst the table. However, being foreigners, we did not the family style dinning; we did the order your own plate of food. Typical dinning. On another note, it is still somewhat considered a luxury to eat out at a restaurant.

After we finished dinner, the live music began and that is when the party started! So, all of girls went out dancing! At first it was just us and these two other older women, but we got the party started for the restaurant, and it was all downhill after that point.

During the night, our neighbors bought us a bottle of Vodka with the red juice concoction, caviar and bread. Apparently this is typical Russian fashion when dinning out. I have never seen that done in the US! At first it was a bit awkward, but we drank, ate, and danced with the Russians that night! Overall, it was an amazing experience. The restaurant just came together as one. While drinking, eating and dancing everyone just mixes and matches. Even though we couldn't understand each other very well, (the Russians spoke broken English, while we mumbled along with our basic Russian) we hopped table to table interacting. Everyone is there to have a good time.

Hence my OIR (Only In Russia) theme!

At this point, my parent's are questioning my judgment in this situation. I can honestly say, I felt perfectly safe.

Now to the Vodka. There is a style to drinking Vodka here in Russia. A person ordering Vodka, orders the Vodka to drink during their meal, not to see how many shots a person can do in 5 minutes or a half hour. It is to be enjoyed. That is why our neighbors also had caviar and bread sent to us in addition with the Vodka and juice concoction. It makes sense. It's like drinking wine, granted you are not exactly sipping Vodka. So when drinking Vodka, a person pours a glass of the juice concoction and then adds the Vodka to the drink OR do a shot of Vodka and then drink the juice concoction.

Try it, you won't be sorry!!

Larissa's Cabbage

Recipe for Cabbage
Ingredients

• Half a head of Cabbage
• 1 medium Carrot
• 1 medium Onion
• Paprika
• Bay Leaves
• Mixed Herbs

Steps

1. Cut the cabbage into long 1/4 strips. Then crush the strips of cabbage together to release the juices. (Just scrunch the strips together). By crushing the strips, it will release the flavor)
2. Dice the carrots.
3. Dice the onion.
4. Saute Carrots and Onions in olive oil over low to medium heat.
5. Add a bit of salt into the sauteing Carrots and Onions. Saute for about 5 minutes. (Do NOT let it burn)
6. After a few minutes add the Cabbage and stir together. Saute for another 5 minutes. (Do NOT let it burn)
7. Then add Paprika, 2 bay leaves, and mixed herbs.

Voila, Larissa's Cabbage!!

The Hermitage (Winter Palace)

Inside the Winter Palace

The stuffed horses

The Throne used by the Tsar

The Throne Room

Outside the Winter Palace

The Russian Military at the Winter Palace

This entire area was filled with Military!

The Swede taking a photo!

St. Petersburg: City Photos

The Canal

The Church of Spilled Blood

The Church of Spilled Blood

The Church of Spilled Blood

(L-R: ME, Caroline, Jess)

The Canal by our Hostel

The Griffons

The Griffons, were only 40 feet from our Hostel.

(L-R: ME, Cathy, Caroline)

St. Petersburg: The City

After we arrived at our hostel, we took off to explore the city. Our hostel was located in a great location. We were in walking distance to everything we wanted to do. For example, it was a 15 minute walk to the Hermitage (Winter Palace), 10 minute walk to the Church of Spilled Blood, and right outside our balcony we could see the canal. So all we did was walk and soaked in all that are walk had to offer!

Eventually, we came to the Winter Palace. As we got closer, we were surrounded by all branches of the Russian military. At this moment, I have to remind you that there were 2 Americans, a Swede, and a Britain in our group. Initially, the Americans became rather nervous while the Swede and the Britain were snapping away with their cameras! Leave it to the Americans to become the nervous recks that something bad could happen!! I can't begin to describe how uncomfortable I became. I, and the other American, truly just wanted to leave the Winter Palace square. We had the mentality that the Russian military would/could just snatch you up and no would say anything. Granted this wouldn't happen, but none the less the thought did go through my mind. In the end we stayed and watched the military practice their march for Victory Day, May 9.

On Saturday, we went to the Heritage Museum . The Hermitage (Winter Palace) is the former residence of the last Tsar, Nicholas Romanov II. The Hermitage is now used as museum of art and culture. The museum holds 3 million pieces of artwork ranging from Egyptian pieces to Rembrandt to film. However, for me, I truly enjoyed the extravagance of the Palace. It was absolutely mesmerizing the rich colors, the intricate artwork of the walls, and architecture. I spent all day (8 hours) at the Hermitage because it was so fascinating!

Then on Sunday, we all split up and did our own thing before we had to catch the train back home. I choose to visit the Russian State Museum that features Russian art, because the Hermitage lacked any substantial Russian art. I found Russian art to be dark, yet realistic, in that it did represent Russia. For example, a painting could be dark and menacing while another painting could be colorful with simple-natural colors. Russian artists captured the realism that defines who Russia is all about through different periods such as Avant-Garde, Realism, Soviet Art, and drawings.

St. Petersburg: Train to St. Petersburg

To get you in the Russian mindset, I have to ask the following question: Have you ever ridden on an overnight train? If you answer YES to this question, you understand what I am trying to describe. If you answer NO, well, hold on for this experience!!

To answer my own question, I HAVE ridden on an overnight train before. When I was studying abroad in France, a group of us did the overnight train to the south of France. This question is important, because I knew what to expect on an overnight train, well, I at least thought I did!

We, Jess, Caroline, Cathy, and myself, boarded the overnight train to St. Petersburg at 8:15pm for the 12 hour train ride. When we got on the train we were expecting 2nd class accommodations, a 4 bed closed compartment. (A closed compartment means there is a door-curtain for some type of privacy and a 4 bed compartment means that two beds are stacked on each wall.) Well, we were not that lucky. When we first entered the car, we walked down the hallway for about 5 feet and then the car opened up and all we saw were rows of beds. NO privacy! What the hell, this isn't second class!! This must be wrong!! Long story short, we were in the right car and the right class! What have we gotten ourselves into!! To add to our excitement of the night, our beds were not in the 4 bed compartment, but our beds were next to the isle.

At that point all we could do was make the best of our situation. So, we settled in for the night, the long night! As were pondering our situation, Jess simply says, "I'm going to die on this train," and Cathy proceeds to laugh hysterically while Caroline and myself follow suit! Because we were laughing so hard at our predicament, tears began to flow and our fellow car began to take notice of our hysteria. There was no hiding our laughter, it was there for all to hear and see. At this point, the passengers began laughing either with us or at us. We are not quite sure!

Eventually our laughter subsided and we made our beds and went to sleep clutching our lifeline. (Lifeline meaning our passport, money, and credit card.) When I woke the next morning, we had all survived the night!

General Observations about the Train
While laying in my top bunk next to the isle, I realized I was eye-level with people waking by. Its a creepy feeling knowing people are eyeing you up in that position. Creepy!!
People changed into their pajamas for the night and then changed into there clothes for the next day right in the open.
All varieties of people are in the 2nd class. (The train ticket to St. Petersburg only cost 700 Rubles which is $23.00, while the price of the ticket back cost 1000 Rubles which is $34.00. So it was rather reasonable.)
People bring food and drinks for the long train ride.

The Train Ticket

2nd Class Accommodations

(L-R: Cathy, Caroline, Jess, ME)

Caroline and Jess. Jess is on the top bunk next to the isle.

Thumbs down from Jess!

Home Base

Cross Cultural Solutions Home Base is a three story flat.

First Floor

• Craft Room and administrative offices for the staff

Second Floor

• Cantina (Dining room, kitchen, TV and library area)
• Boys rooms
• Porch

Third Floor

• Girls rooms

The home base is either a 40 minute walk or 10 minute bus ride from downtown Yaroslavl.

This is my bed. At the moment, I share a room with Caroline who is from Sweden. Now that Cathy has left, Caroline will move into Cathy's room! Ode to having my own room again!

This is the Cantina. As you can see it is where we eat and have movie nights!

Russian Folk Dance

On Friday night, we went to a Russian Folk Dance performance, which was amazing!! Again, this is the best group in Yaroslavl. I have added more than a few snippets of the performances. If you want the highlights, I would recommend the Transitional Performance of Old Russia to Soviet Russia and a Traditional Folk Dance performance.

Watching these children perform was amazing. In fact, I would really like to try folk dancing. It looks like a lot of fun!!

Enjoy!!

End of the Show

End of the Show 1

End of Show 2

Folk Dance 4

Traditional Folk Dance 3

Folk Dance performed by children between the ages of 7 and 10. These kids are incredibly talented.

Traditional Folk Dance 2

Transitional Folk Dance with several Clips (Must Watch)

These two videos are a transitional Folk Dance. The dance begins with Old Russia and then transitions to Soviet Russia.

Old Russia

Soviet Russia

Russian Folk Dance 1

Traditional Folk Dance

A Night Out at the Ballet

This past week, we were invited to our Translator's, Olga, daughter's ballet recital. Olga's daughter is 8 years old and in the first year class. From her class, only 3 girls were asked to be in the second year's dance; the first years did not have a dance. So, for Olga's daughter to be asked was a big deal!

In the USA, a typical ballet recital is a show for the parents. Right, right. Well, were we in for a treat. The ballet Studio that was performing is considered the best in Yaroslavl, and the Studio was being graded on the performance in the hope of gaining a higher status in the ballet world or Russia. So this performance was not just for the parent's but also to prove the Studio.

I have uploaded a few snippets of the show, so I hope you take a look at them. There are both traditional and modern ballets being performed.

After the show, we were in Awe of the performances and talent of each performer. For example, the girls that were maybe 13-15 were on point, meaning tipey-toes. I can't say, I know anyone who could do that by that age. As for the modern ballet, the movements that were performed with the music was both mesmerizing and perfect. This was truly a Russian event!

Modern Ballet 3

Ballet 2

Ballet 1

Hospital for Women

Out of all my placements, Hospital for Women is my favorite. Generally speaking, I find it rather unusual that someone my age would prefer Hospital for Women over Hospital for Kids. I say this because the volunteers that are my age seem to prefer Hospital for Kids. In fact, these volunteers request to go to Hospital for Kids placement everyday.

Hospital for Women and Hospital for Kids are both alike and not alike in the respect of how the individuals are placed in the system and the mentality of the system.

At Hospital for Kids, each child is placed there for various reasons and stay for various lengths of time. A child can be placed in the hospital for two various reasons: either the child is having behavioral problems or is mentally unstable. These children come from either an orphanage (mostly) or the parent’s place the child in the hospital. If a parent places their child in the Hospital, the child will only spend the day and then go home with the parent at night. Hence the child has no say in how this process works.

On the other hand, the Women at Hospital for Women must consent to being placed at the facility. The women at this facility are could be there for various reasons. All in all, I’m not entirely sure why some of the women are placed here. There are women who are definitely mentally unstable who do belong in this facility, but then again it seems to be considered a “nursing home.” If it is considered a nursing home, it is nothing like the USA’s version, not even close!

The volunteers are drawn to Hospital for Kids because the volunteers are dealing with children. Children are still innocent and therefore there is still hope for their future. I find this admirable and reasonable, but I truly feel that these Women deserve the same hope and energy as the children. The children still have the opportunity to get better and still live a normal life, but the Women on the other hand, are most likely going to live in the Hospital for the rest of their lives. Its like society/volunteers have given up on them before actually giving them a chance. I don’t believe in that. When I go to the Women’s Hospital, I go with the mentality of wanting to brighten their day. These Women deserve just as much.

When I am at the Women’s Hospital, I usually play checkers with Luba, a former Checker’s Champion. The first time I played with her, I was surprised at how patient she was with me. Russian Checkers is entirely different from American Checkers. In Russian Checkers, the opponent is allowed to move forward and backwards before being Kinged. In American Checkers an opponent is allowed to move only forward and then after being Kinged is able to move backward and forward. There are other various rules, but hopefully you get the idea. After a few sessions, I’m getting better. I actually hold my ground and then maybe, if I’m lucky, I win at least once during a session.