Advertisement
Published: December 24th 2006
Edit Blog Post
Christmas Corner
Thank you for the cards and gifts. I did not get a tree, but did hang a stocking. Many have asked if I saw the famous Hermitage Museum, and the answer is no. Not that I had enough time in one weekend to see everything, but as I read more and hear from more of you, it sounds like there are a lot of things I need to go back and see. Luckily enough I am close enough to do it again and maybe while it is cold outside, I can see some of the museums.
I finally put some details with the pictures I posted earlier. I am including some more with this posting.
I hope everyone has a very merry and joyous Christmas. I am staying here for the Holidays, but will head to Switzerland to go skiing over Russian Christmas. I also thought this might be a good time to write about the Holidays here in Russia as they are different from ours, but before doing so, I wanted to update everyone on a few other things.
I do not think I posted anything before, but for the past month or so, I have been getting a shock in the morning when I take a shower. Somewhere/how there is an electrical current flowing
to my bathtub. I only feel it when I am standing (or sitting) in the tub with the water running. At first I thought it was just me pinching a nerve as I reached for the shower knobs, but then realized it was more than a pinched nerve when I sat on the edge of the tub to do something and grab the handles and had a nice shock felt in my leg. It caused me jump.
I called the landlady to let them know and they sent the "building electrican" over. Now you would think an electrician would carry a few tools with them, but no, not these two. They arrive at my door with a flashlight, look in the electrical panel box, which they could not open because it was padlocked then followed a wire into my flat until it went behind something. They asked me a few questions, that I could not understand, and then they left...lol So a few days later the landlady came with an electrican from her work who found the problem in the electric plug near the bathroom. There were two wires crossed that melted and were touching. But I am not
Kazan Cathedral
The cathedral was named in honor of the icon of the Mother of God miraculously found during the storm of Kazan by the troops of Ivan the Terrible. Sept 27, 1811 the cathedral was consecrated. sure what that has to do with the bathtub, but it did seem to correct the problem.
I stopped over at Dasha's house on Wednesday to drop off a Christmas gift and was "forced" to stay for dinner. Her parents bought me two clay cooking/baking pots and a good luck bell. I thought it was so nice of them. Of course we had to do this over dinner and vodka. As I was giving my toast and sharing with them some of family traditions, I started to cry. Not because I was sad, but just emotional and thankful for families and what all Dasha and her family has done for me. Dasha really did not have to translate my words as my actions were clear enough. It was a nice time. Then today as I am having coffee at the coffee shop, Dasha stops in to say hello as she and her family were in town shopping (and I had texted messenaged her early about something so she knew I was there). I ran out to say hello to her family and her mother gets out of the car and yells at me for not having a warm coat
House of Books
The House of Books (the former Singer Company building) and offers to go with me one Saturday after the new year to help me find a nice warm coat. I think I am going to need to find some warm dresser shoes first, but that will come.
Now, onto the Russian holidays. First, they do not celebrate Christmas when we do. Their Christmas is January 7, but to be honest, it is not really celebrated. However, from New Years until Christmas, is all public Holiday and most places close down. The plant is running and everyone is very upset. I guess in years past, they would shut down most of this week.
New Years is more like our Christmas celebration. They do not have santa claus but grandfather frost and snow girl. I was told two different things so I am not sure which is right, but grandfather frost would come to each house to hand out gifts so unlike santa who is not really seen as he comes in the middle of the night, grandfather frost come during the day on New Year's eve, but the children can not open their presents until the New Year so as you can image, there is a big celebration
The Anichkov Bridge
There are four different sculptures on each corner of the bridge. This was just one, but it is called The Anichkov Bridge, Taming the Horse, 1846-1850 at New Years as all of the kids open their gifts.
For the older "kids" this is a time to drink! It sounds like they drink all night long and well into the morning, but one thing that sounded neat is most people in the towns will come to their town's Christmas tree sometime that evening. I am not sure if it is right at midnight or when, but it is a big celebration for the families to go to the town's christmas tree. I saw the one in Obninsk today. It was not lite up, but it looked nice.
I am not sure if I answered all of your questions about their celebration, but if I missed something ask and I will try to answer it or get us an answer. Next Friday will probably be interesting for posting as Thursday is our company Holiday Party and from what I hear there is plenty of drinking! I had heard rumors I was going to be asked to grandfather frost, but now I am hearing Timoffy is going to be along with Dasha, who is snow girl.
If I do not talk to you before, have a
Bank Bridge
See my earlier posting for details. very Merry Christmas and Happy and safe New Year!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.056s; Tpl: 0.016s; cc: 7; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0313s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
angie
non-member comment
It sounds like you are having a wonderful time. I really enjoy reading your Journal. Its so great to hear about Russia from someone that is actually living there and experiencing day to day life. Merry Christmas