BRRRRRR!
In 27 days I will be loading myself and a suitcase full of wool clothing onto the plane headed for Samara. Yes! I’m going in the winter.
I have several official CrossRoads meetings and gatherings scheduled as well as opportunities to celebrate the Winter Holidays with my Russian friends and have the experience of a Russian winter–which, is such a huge part of their culture that I feel the need to see it for myself. Even if only once.
I have heard about the huge yulka (yolka?) fir tree decorated in the main square and the ice rink that replaces the concrete plaza in winter. The ice sculptures on display. The blanket of sparkling snow that covers the city and covers all the dirt. The frozen Volga River (hard to imagine for me). And the midnight service to begin the Orthodox Christmas celebration (Jan 7). See – I get two Christmases this season. Smart of me, huh?
I might try cross-country skiing.
or not…
So, stay tuned folks! My itinerary is forming now (see separate page for details). This new experience will be unforgettable, I’m sure.
Sounds like a winter in Canada. (My part of Canada at least). May you have plenty of opportunities to love on people during your second Christmas. If it snows in Russia like it does here, you may want to pack a snow shovel too. Blessings on your journey, Jeanette. You will have my prayers accordingly,
From your brother with a different mother, but the same Christ, Timbo! 😉
Thanks, Timbo! Not sure a snow shovel will pass muster in customs, but I’ll keep the idea in mind!
Looking forward to the pictures you’ll post. I was wondering how I’d survive the cold during our Poconos trip in January…if I think how much colder I could be in a Russian winter, I may feel warm. I will pray for you.
Thanks for the prayer, Francy. And as for the cold weather, I’m counting on borrowing fur if necessary (coats and hats, that is).
So excited for you Jeanette!!! Also looking forward to your Adventures, Stories and Pictures~~~Safe Journey and I will be praying for you all too!!! Warm Hugs for Natasha~~~ <3
Thanks, dear Sara. And I’ll pass along the hug. Can’t guarantee that it will be physically warm, but in the emotional sense of the word, I will do it gladly.
LOL…Jeanette, every baseball field was turned into a skating rink/hockey rink with an ice house for changing skates in…( ice house had a pot bellied stove) growing up in Minnesota. My closest rink was three blocks down the alley. good memories. You will love it! Oh, and see if they have this tradition…every year the same old car was put on on the lake ice in some towns…and people put a bet on the day and time for it to fall in when the spring thaw came…then they would haul it out again and do it all over the next year. My dad used to take us out on the ice in the car and do scary stuff ( to us) and then cut a hole in the ice, drop a line, and fish. happy for you! Pati
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Yes! Ice fishing. I will add that to my list of things to try to do. That’s a funny story about the car. I will ask my friends if they have this “tradition!”
Yay!!! What a news! Can’t believe you are going back so shortly!! WOW!
I know! It’s a crazy, exciting and amazing decision. Christmas in Samara! What should I do? You are the expert!
It is more like New Years in Samara (looks you are home for Christmas:). Winter in Samara is not bad (not as humid and windy as in Canada, plus remember the saying “There is no bad weather, there are bad clothes”…lol). Thermal (woolen) underwear rules:) No need for too many different upper clothes…2 Woolen (not synthetic) sweaters to wear on top of 3 turtle necks, on top of the thermal underwear:) Change the cotton turtlenecks every day, by turns, wear the same sweaters…maybe buy one more, a fancy one, when you are there. There will be a great choice of trendy, top notch warm clothes in the malls over there:) For skiing, it is best just to borrow something from a friend there…this is what I do, never bother to pack all the variety of winter wear…peeps in Samara have tons of that stuff to lend you for all the outdoors. Just tell them to prep whatever woolen and warm they can for your stay. I can ask my friends, if you wish:) .
Thanks for the tips, Galina. And yes, home here for Dec. 25 Christmas – but will be celebrating the Orthodox Christmas on Jan 7 there. So…lots of things to look forward to!