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…