What a week... it's not everyday you get congratulated or thanked for being a woman. Not only did we get a four day weekend, but we got presents and surprises left and right. Okay, that is a little dramatic, but being a woman is no joke here.
The week started off pretty normal, typical Monday. (I rarely like those). I'm always so excited for breakfast because Lenna is back in the kitchen, however, some how I always forget that the porridge is buckwheat.... After breakfast we headed for the kindergarten to practice the song we taught the kids for their women's day performance. Here are the requirements we were told, "teach them a song about woman and cowboys". hmm any great songs to mind? None came to mine either, so of course I googled away and boom, buffalo gals. Can't get much better than that. Surprisingly they sang the whole song to their Russian teachers which was a huge relief. Although when the principal found out we had no music for them to sing to, well let's just say I didn't need to speak Russian to know she was upset. Conveniently they have this cute little lady that plays the accordion who seems to pop up whenever there is music needed. So literally ten minutes before the performance on Tuesday, she had us sing the song to her and within seconds she had the tune down. It was incredible. The performance was so cute. The kids were singing and dancing, the only words I could understand were babooshka and mama. My favorite part was when the kids would try to sneak a wave in without getting caught by their Russian teachers.
Wednesday was like an extra Friday! Absolutely loved it. When we got back from culture class, everyone was hustling about. No one really tells us when anything is happening so we usually just follow the crowed or go where we hear any kind of noise. This time it was coming from the huge auditorium. We went in to find that their was a huge performance going on by the older children. It was quite different than the one at our little kindergarten. The girls were dressed (meaning slightly covered) in tiny dresses and the smaller kids were in full on costumes. It was hilarious to watch. We saw everything from a girl singing and shimmying to Shakira to little boys break dancing away. Our little basic reading kid, Vova, (who can and does sing lady Gaga while doing the dance daily) came out to sing with his dad. So great. We had a short day teaching and then we were free for the next four whole days! Wahoo!
Thursday we went to our folk dance, which was actually really neat, for the first two hours. It got a little redundant after the next two. I definitely had a mood change when I heard the word shwarma. Can't get enough of that. Then we headed for the infamous Ashawn, which is like a super walmart, mall, and costco all combined into one. We were told there was a free bus that took us to the one closer to our apartments so after much deliberation we picked one. Wrong one. It's fine though it was still great. As we walked in my jaw dropped. Who knew a building could be so big. Anything you wanted, it was there. I spent a good hour trying to pick out a new camera. I couldn't last another three months without one. As if I'm not already awful at making big decisions like that, try making them when everything is in Russian. So I relied on my charades skills once again. I got the sales attendant guy to come over and I pointed to three cameras than held both thumbs up trying to get him to pick out the best one. After what could have possibly been a laugh he pointed. With relief I spent the next few minutes trying to get him to understand I wanted to buy it. Next we headed to the candy section, word on the street was there were the rare find of gummy candies there. I was not let down. There were tons!!! Greatest place ever. The adventures didn't stop there.
Friday was my favorite event so far. I think. We went to the circus!!! It was so amazing! Anything and everything I knew or had heard of about a circus was nothing compared to this. I saw everything from bears riding bikes, and motorcycles, to 9 people coming out of a tiny convertible, to the stage turning into a huge water tank made just for the walrus that came out. All of this and it only cost us a whopping $12. Yep got to love Russia. then to top it off when we came out I saw lots of people huddling around what looked like two really ugly children. I got a little closer and the children were actually monkeys, just dressed in jeans and coats. So great. The real excitement came when we had to make dinner. Everyone was gone except Mindy and I.... and the chicken. Bluh. Still makes my stomach churn. We get to make some what of a grocery list for what we want for the weekend, but keep in mind that whatever we ask for is literally straight from the farm. Including the chicken. Mindy took it like a champ though.
Forgot to mention we went ice skating that morning.
The Saturday we woke up bright and early to get to our bus by 6:30. It was freezing. My hair was turning white as we stood in the dark waiting for our matrushka. 7:00 came around. Can't feel my thighs. 7:15 eyes might be frozen. 7:30 almost in tears and the bus finally shows up. We finally meet up with the rest of the people going on our little trip to Vladamir and Suzdal. There are about 25 of us all together, but with Gulia as our trusty leader it was no problem. We headed towards the bus to take us to Vladamir, as soon as I saw it the smile reappeared on my face. Double decker bus, Yes Please! Of course Mindy and I rushed to get the front of the top. It was like a never ending roller coaster. So great. We came to Vladamir first. It's an extremely old town we had learned a lot about in culture class. The day was spent seeing lots of old sights and playing on one of the best playgrounds I have found here.
It got freezing yet again, and we headed back on the bus around 7 that night to head for Suzdal. We all squished into these two vans and were on our way. It was a 45 minute drive, but after 15 minutes we pulled off the road to a bridge that went over a railroad track. Confused we all got out. We hear Gulia yelling, telling us it's about a twenty minute walk and to hurry back. The question was what were we walking to. So we crossed the bridge and found ourselves standing on the side of a huge open plain, which I guess was part of a frozen river with nothing around us. A little confused a took another look. In the far distance a could see a tiny white building, it was a cathedral. So we started walking.
Suzdal makes Logan look like New York. It's just teeny tiny. We headed straight for the monastery. When we got out of the van we were starving and exhausted. We looked up at the building and it looked cold and very unpleasant. The worry of the tiny backpack filled with no warm clothing or pillow felt a little too light on my back. I kept on reminding myself how sleeping in a monastery is a once in a life time opportunity, it wasn't helping much. The little priest man came out to greet us after awhile and lead us around towards the back of the cathedral to what looked more like stables. We headed up the steep stairs and opened the door. Relief flew over my body. It was warm! As we looked into our cute little room I knew I was going to love it. Not too mention the little monks that lived across.
This looks a lot warmer in the day time.
Our home away from home, away from home.
The next day was spent seeing a billion and one cathedrals. I swear everyone in the town could have their own personal cathedral. Who knew there could be so many. It was great to see though. We did find a huge hill and a cardboard box. So we put two and two together, best sledding I've had in a long while.
A delicious Omelette
a cathedral
oh you can see three in this one
a cathedral plus a nun
this one was at another monastery
this one is blue on the top, nbd
We got back late Sunday and I was completely exhausted. We have a full teaching week this week, but next weekend we get to go on our big vacation! Wahoo!
The week started off pretty normal, typical Monday. (I rarely like those). I'm always so excited for breakfast because Lenna is back in the kitchen, however, some how I always forget that the porridge is buckwheat.... After breakfast we headed for the kindergarten to practice the song we taught the kids for their women's day performance. Here are the requirements we were told, "teach them a song about woman and cowboys". hmm any great songs to mind? None came to mine either, so of course I googled away and boom, buffalo gals. Can't get much better than that. Surprisingly they sang the whole song to their Russian teachers which was a huge relief. Although when the principal found out we had no music for them to sing to, well let's just say I didn't need to speak Russian to know she was upset. Conveniently they have this cute little lady that plays the accordion who seems to pop up whenever there is music needed. So literally ten minutes before the performance on Tuesday, she had us sing the song to her and within seconds she had the tune down. It was incredible. The performance was so cute. The kids were singing and dancing, the only words I could understand were babooshka and mama. My favorite part was when the kids would try to sneak a wave in without getting caught by their Russian teachers.
Wednesday was like an extra Friday! Absolutely loved it. When we got back from culture class, everyone was hustling about. No one really tells us when anything is happening so we usually just follow the crowed or go where we hear any kind of noise. This time it was coming from the huge auditorium. We went in to find that their was a huge performance going on by the older children. It was quite different than the one at our little kindergarten. The girls were dressed (meaning slightly covered) in tiny dresses and the smaller kids were in full on costumes. It was hilarious to watch. We saw everything from a girl singing and shimmying to Shakira to little boys break dancing away. Our little basic reading kid, Vova, (who can and does sing lady Gaga while doing the dance daily) came out to sing with his dad. So great. We had a short day teaching and then we were free for the next four whole days! Wahoo!
Thursday we went to our folk dance, which was actually really neat, for the first two hours. It got a little redundant after the next two. I definitely had a mood change when I heard the word shwarma. Can't get enough of that. Then we headed for the infamous Ashawn, which is like a super walmart, mall, and costco all combined into one. We were told there was a free bus that took us to the one closer to our apartments so after much deliberation we picked one. Wrong one. It's fine though it was still great. As we walked in my jaw dropped. Who knew a building could be so big. Anything you wanted, it was there. I spent a good hour trying to pick out a new camera. I couldn't last another three months without one. As if I'm not already awful at making big decisions like that, try making them when everything is in Russian. So I relied on my charades skills once again. I got the sales attendant guy to come over and I pointed to three cameras than held both thumbs up trying to get him to pick out the best one. After what could have possibly been a laugh he pointed. With relief I spent the next few minutes trying to get him to understand I wanted to buy it. Next we headed to the candy section, word on the street was there were the rare find of gummy candies there. I was not let down. There were tons!!! Greatest place ever. The adventures didn't stop there.
Friday was my favorite event so far. I think. We went to the circus!!! It was so amazing! Anything and everything I knew or had heard of about a circus was nothing compared to this. I saw everything from bears riding bikes, and motorcycles, to 9 people coming out of a tiny convertible, to the stage turning into a huge water tank made just for the walrus that came out. All of this and it only cost us a whopping $12. Yep got to love Russia. then to top it off when we came out I saw lots of people huddling around what looked like two really ugly children. I got a little closer and the children were actually monkeys, just dressed in jeans and coats. So great. The real excitement came when we had to make dinner. Everyone was gone except Mindy and I.... and the chicken. Bluh. Still makes my stomach churn. We get to make some what of a grocery list for what we want for the weekend, but keep in mind that whatever we ask for is literally straight from the farm. Including the chicken. Mindy took it like a champ though.
Forgot to mention we went ice skating that morning.
The Saturday we woke up bright and early to get to our bus by 6:30. It was freezing. My hair was turning white as we stood in the dark waiting for our matrushka. 7:00 came around. Can't feel my thighs. 7:15 eyes might be frozen. 7:30 almost in tears and the bus finally shows up. We finally meet up with the rest of the people going on our little trip to Vladamir and Suzdal. There are about 25 of us all together, but with Gulia as our trusty leader it was no problem. We headed towards the bus to take us to Vladamir, as soon as I saw it the smile reappeared on my face. Double decker bus, Yes Please! Of course Mindy and I rushed to get the front of the top. It was like a never ending roller coaster. So great. We came to Vladamir first. It's an extremely old town we had learned a lot about in culture class. The day was spent seeing lots of old sights and playing on one of the best playgrounds I have found here.
It got freezing yet again, and we headed back on the bus around 7 that night to head for Suzdal. We all squished into these two vans and were on our way. It was a 45 minute drive, but after 15 minutes we pulled off the road to a bridge that went over a railroad track. Confused we all got out. We hear Gulia yelling, telling us it's about a twenty minute walk and to hurry back. The question was what were we walking to. So we crossed the bridge and found ourselves standing on the side of a huge open plain, which I guess was part of a frozen river with nothing around us. A little confused a took another look. In the far distance a could see a tiny white building, it was a cathedral. So we started walking.
Suzdal makes Logan look like New York. It's just teeny tiny. We headed straight for the monastery. When we got out of the van we were starving and exhausted. We looked up at the building and it looked cold and very unpleasant. The worry of the tiny backpack filled with no warm clothing or pillow felt a little too light on my back. I kept on reminding myself how sleeping in a monastery is a once in a life time opportunity, it wasn't helping much. The little priest man came out to greet us after awhile and lead us around towards the back of the cathedral to what looked more like stables. We headed up the steep stairs and opened the door. Relief flew over my body. It was warm! As we looked into our cute little room I knew I was going to love it. Not too mention the little monks that lived across.
This looks a lot warmer in the day time.
Our cute little room.
Our home away from home, away from home.The next day was spent seeing a billion and one cathedrals. I swear everyone in the town could have their own personal cathedral. Who knew there could be so many. It was great to see though. We did find a huge hill and a cardboard box. So we put two and two together, best sledding I've had in a long while.
A delicious Omelette
The group, well part of them
a cathedral
and another
oh you can see three in this one
surprise
a cathedral plus a nun
one more
this one was at another monastery
this one is made out of wood w/o nails!
this one is blue on the top, nbdWe got back late Sunday and I was completely exhausted. We have a full teaching week this week, but next weekend we get to go on our big vacation! Wahoo!
Just a little treat.
Morgan! Stalking insta brought me to your blog. Love this post! Sounds like Russia is amazing. Love the pics and I totally want to go to that circus now!!!
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