Despite being homesick and really missing Blaine, we are having a great time and learning so much about Khabarovsk. We have had beautiful weather. Today was actually above freezing. It is very unusual for this time of year. The ice sculptures around town are melting! We've been able to get out and do a lot of walking and see lots of sights. Sunday afternoon we walked to the Amur River. We went down to the beach and actually out onto the frozen river. There was a fishermen's village set up out in the middle of the river for ice fishing. Now there's something you don't see in west Texas. We visited a children's park with a playground and little carnival type rides. Kids could even pay to ride a real reindeer!! I have pictures for you, Blaine. You told us there were reindeer in Russia!
We have visited several shops and have purchased souvenirs such as a music box, some matroyshkas, children's books, Christmas ornaments. My favorite thing was a traditional Russian dress for Valerie. It is blue and will be beautiful with her big blue eyes! We walked through Lenin Square and saw the huge courthouse where we will go to court to complete the adoption. We visited the Blue Church with beautiful blue and gold domes. The inside was so golden and ornate with high ceilings painted blue with silver stars. Lots of beautiful murals were painted on the walls and many people came in and lit candles while we were there. The Blue Church is a Russian Orthodox church. The visitors cross themselves opposite of the Catholic church. We flew over the Gold Church on the way in and have seen it from afar but haven't visited it yet. It's so pretty.
Jeremy, no we have heard about the squatty potties (holes in the ground) but we try to just go at the hotel and the orphanage and they are similar to ours except for you pull a knob on top to flush them! Donna, I have yet to see a Sonic! However I just walk a few blocks to the market and can get a Coke Light out of the cooler there. We haven't been gone that long and have really eaten some pretty good food but a burger or a burrito is starting to sound pretty good. We have eaten in our hotel restaurant, twice at a really good pizza place, a fancy meal at The Rooski, and also at the Intourist Hotel. They brought us shots of Vodka before our meal at the Rooski with a toothpick with a slice of pickle, a pepper, a little chunk of bread and a little chunk of lard! Each thing is supposed to represent something but I can't remember exactly what. I could handle it all except the lard, which went from my mouth discreetly into my napkin! Eeeww!
Khabarovsk is a huge city of 700,000 with busy streets and lots of people walking. We walk almost everywhere but did take a cab once after dark. The women are very stylish and almost every one of them has at least 3 inch heels on their boots even in the ice and snow. I have to say I feel a bit frumpy around all of them! Khabarovsk is quite an interesting mix of modern and old, rich and poor. It is all very different from anything we've experienced before and we've really enjoyed it!
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5 comments:
I was hoping that you would be able to get out on the town and experience the local culture. You know, do the whole tourist thing. I thoroughly enjoyed all the different places I've been and was amazed at all the different customs. In many countries, the before or after drink/shot is customary, and they don't ask, they just bring it to you, especially at the higher end places. Take lots of pictures for us sis...love you guys. Bryan
So glad that you are getting to see so many things. Todd, when I read that you had dinner at the Rooski, it made me think of you and J.C. when you were about 5 years old calling each other Rooski. Never imagined then that you would actually be in Russia one day!!! It is so awesome the plans God has for each of our lives even before we're born into this world. Looking forward to your next blog. Give little "V" a special hug from her Mamaw. Love you!
What a blessing your trip has been--I'm so thrilled for you. It has been exciting each day to read more. Safe travels home and we'll pray for a quick court date.
Cindy from KS
Yeah, I couldn't eat the lard either. Did you get the cheese platter? I'm drooling just thinking about it.
The restaurant at the Parus is also quite nice. As is Scalini's. Cathy & Catherine will know where those are. And the (very loud and smoky) cafe on the corner of the street the Amethyst is on and Karl Marx Ulitsa has quite good Borscht from what I hear. Make sure you do try a bowl of Borscht while you are there. We didn't and sincerely regret it. It is a wonderful soup.
That sounds like so much fun! I can't wait to see the pics of everything that you've seen. Don't forget to snap that picture of Todd in the furry hat!
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