Yuzhno is covered in snow

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The last couple of days have been quite chilled out. There seems to be a little bit of sickness going round, but I managed to get by relatively unscathed. I only had a sore throat for a day and a bit of a sniffly nose.

I am currently sitting on my bed with Jake and Grim. Jake is actually cuddling Grim telling him how much he loves him, Grim is our dog here, who is actually a pretty cool dog despite regular dog annoyances like loudly licking himself, whilst we're trying to sleep.

Today we went to the spring to get some water, 170L of water in fact, which should last about 2 weeks. The spring is nothing glamorous, just a couple of pipes near the bottom of a snow covered hill that trickle out water. I thought my hands were cold going ice fishing but today they were a whole new level of cold. I'm not trying to take away from ice fishing, because that is possibly the worse thing about ice fishing.

Speaking of ice fishing I went on Friday again, and yes the hands were so very cold. When I was taking a hook out of a fish I had caught, I couldn't even feel that I had hooked my finger because I couldn't feel my fingers. I only realised when the line wouldn't pull anymore. I happened to out-fish Max that day, I think he caught 3 and I caught 5.

Thursday night I cooked gnocchi for the house, I didn't realise how long it would take to make from scratch, but it ended up taking 5 hours start to finish. It didn't help that I overestimated how many potatoes that I would need. I used 3kg of potatoes and it would have easily fed 30 rather than 15. I had heaps of help from Jake, Becky and Peter otherwise it really would not have happened.

It appears I have left myself no logical progression to Saturday and I can't be bothered getting creative so here it is: We went to Mira St orphanage (Tut preute) to hang out with the kids and do some crafts, games and English lessons. It was pretty cool and pretty fun. That orphanage is one for the region where kids go after their parents have died or after they have been taken from unfit parents or guardians. They stay there until they find a new home or permanent orphanage. It was hard running activities because the ages ranged from 6-15 so it's hard to find commonalities. We have been asked back next week so if anyone has some great game or craft ideas send them my way 😊 I think we'll be splitting the group into 2 for some games and English lessons because of the different stages the kids are at.

I only really have 5 days left here, the time has gone incredibly fast and it really sucks because it has felt too short, even though the majority of people that come only come for 2 weeks. Well I best go and make the most of the time I have left. Until next time, stay safe and place nice.

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Photos

Peter on the phone
This was after church, one of the hottest days

On the way to city mall
Colour coordination is a must in Russia. NOT

Apartments in Yuzhno
Apparently they've started adding some colour to buildings

Blue
Jake and Max getting their hair done at Max's birthday party

Winter seals
Group of idiots having a dip

True love
Jake and Grim

The Jetty
The beautiful winters ocean

The balloon game
Kids at Mira St playing the balloon game

Some of the kids
Anya, Rusland and I can remember the other kids name.

Lenin Square
Centre of Yuzhno

Post-fished fish
Also post cooked