"Z" is for Zones

O.K.- here we are....The last letter of the alphabet! I was searching for some facts about Russia just to tie everything together for you and came across this fun bit of trivia- The earth has 24 time zones. Russia is so vast that it covers 11 of the 24! Can you imagine living in a place so diverse and huge that if it was 12:00 noon in Pskov, it's 10:00pm on the eastern edge? Here are some more fun facts:

1. Russia covers about 1/8 of all the land on Earth (6.63 million sq. miles)

2. Capital city: Moscow, population 11 million

3. Population of Russia: 145.5 million

4. Religion: 59% Russian Orthodox, 36% Muslim, 3% non-Orthodox Christian, 1% Jewish

5. Education: Free to all citizens, children must attend for 11 years (age 6-17)

6. Highest point: Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus Mountain Range at 18,510 feet

7. Lowest point: Coast of the Caspian Sea, 92 feet below sea level

8. Holidays: New Year's Day (January 1 and 14) Russian Orthodox Christmas (January 7) Soldier's Day (February 23) Women's Day (March 8) Labor Day (May 1-2) Victory Day (May 9) Independence Day (June 12) Constitution Day (December 12)

And now for some weird facts:

1. During the reign of Peter the Great, any Russian nobleman who chose to wear a beard had to pay a special beard tax.
2. It is a criminal offense to drive around in a dirty car in Russia
3. The Russian tundra is melting for the first time since the ice age
4. Moscow has the worlds most used subway system
5. Microwave ovens were banned in Russia in 1976

I hope you enjoyed the alphabet, it was a fun way to pass a month for me! Now back to real blog life. Talk to you soon!

“Y” is for Yuri

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin (March 9, 1934-March 27, 1968) was born in Klushino Russia to poor parents. Yuri had three siblings and was raised by his oldest sister while his parents worked to support his family. His other two siblings were sent to Germany during World War II and died in the German work camps. He dreamed of space and becoming a pilot. An early teacher fostered that dream and Yuri joined the Russian space program after a short career as a military pilot. The Russians had already sent a dog into space (her name was Laika and she sadly died just a few hours into her flight). But still, they thought that a human in space could work too. Yuri must have been one brave guy since it didn’t work out so well for poor Laika. On April 12, 1961 he became the first human to travel to outer space in the Vostok 1.
During his flight, Gagarin famously whistled the patriotic song "The Motherland Hears, The Motherland Knows" The first two lines of the song are: "The Motherland hears, the Motherland knows/Where her son flies in the sky". He was also recorded as saying “The earth is blue. How wonderful! It is amazing.” Anti-religious propaganda spread rumors that Yuri muttered “I don’t see any God up here” It was later revealed that Yuri was baptized and raised in the Orthodox Church and had a strong faith in God and that he was misquoted by a employee of the space program.
His whole trip into space only lasted just short of two hours. After his return safely home, Russia would not allow Yuri to make anymore flights into space in fear of loosing a National hero after Vladimir Komarov (See “V” is for Vladimir) died in space. Yuri began his training to re-qualify as a fighter pilot, he also became the training director of “Star City” the cosmonaut training base still in operation today. In 1968, during a routine training flight, Yuri died when the plane crashed near Kirzhach, Russia. He was only thirty four years old. Yuri and his co-pilot were buried in the Kremlin on Red Square, Moscow. Rumors and speculation surrounded the crash and the air base’s involvement in the crash, but to this day the cause of the crash is shrouded in mystery.
Originally picked because of his “small stature” and ability to fit into the cramped quarters of a rocket ship, Yuri was a brave hero that paved the way for space exploration. Just a little side note: The first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, was also Russian and made a three day space flight in June of 1963.

“X” is for......

Can you believe we only have two more letters left? Next Thursday marks one month since we’ve been fully registered in Pskov. Time has flown by! Now that the alphabet is almost over, how will we pass the time now? I’m open to suggestions- I have a few things in mind, but would love to hear from you too.
I’m torn between two x’s. That sounds exciting doesn’t it? So “X” is for “X-ray girl” and “exports”. (I know “exports” doesn’t really start with an x, but it should.)
Natasha Demkina from Saransk, Russia claims she has an extraordinary gift that reminds me of something out of the comics- she claims to have x-ray vision. Apparently, she has been a super genius since birth and following a botched surgery of her own when she 10 years old, she started telling her mother that she could see “inside” people as in organs, bones, guts. She says that her powers work like a switch- she can turn the x-ray machine on and off with her mind.
Her case has not been proven or disproved. Her first “test” was when Natasha was asked to draw a picture of a doctor’s guts. She drew a picture of his stomach, with a dark spot exactly where the doctor had an undiscovered ulcer. She has also been able to isolate cancerous tumors and find broken bones. The Discovery Channel did a documentary on her, so there must be something to it. Ripley’s Believe It or Not?, Anyone?
I think the lady behind her in the picture is wearing "x-ray" goggles.

TOP TEN RUSSIAN X-PORTS TO THE U.S.
10. Fish & shellfish … $375.3 million
9. Fertilizers, pesticides & insecticides
8. Steel making materials … $635.6 million
7. Nickel … $645.3 million
6. Precious metals … $697.6 million
5. Finished metal products other than steel … $852.9 million
4. Nuclear fuels … $866.3 million
3. Semi-finished iron & steel products … $1.5 billion
2. Aluminum … $1.8 billion
1. Oil & other petroleum products …US$10 billion

"W" is for Women

Mom= mama
Mother= mat (with a long a)
Daughter= dotchka
Grandmother=babushka
Aunt=Tyotia
Female Friend= (podruga, pronounced as pahdrooga)

Every year on March 8th, Russia celebrates “Women’s Day”. From what I understand, this holiday is a mix between Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. ALL Women are honored with cards, chocolate, gifts, and flowers. Children honor their Mothers and Grandmothers, too. Kate (my friend on the inside) says that ALL women, married or not, working or not, mothers or not, are honored and celebrated! Hurray for women!

What seems to me like a sweet tradition originally had roots in the Feminist Movement. The tradition began in the early 1900’s, as a sign of the times with the quest for equal rights for working women and peace rallies for World War I in America. In Russia in 1913, following the October Revolution, Russian feminist Alexandra Kollontai persuaded Lenin to make it an official holiday in the Soviet Union. It was established, but still a working holiday until 1965. On May 8, 1965 by the decree of the USSR Presidium of the Supreme Soviet International Women's Day was declared as a non working day in the USSR "in commemoration of the outstanding merits of Soviet women in communistic construction, in the defense of their Motherland during the Great Patriotic War, in their heroism and selflessness at the front and in the rear, and also marking the great contribution of women to strengthening friendship between peoples, and the struggle for peace. But still, women's day must be celebrated as are other holidays."

Why don’t we celebrate Women’s Day? I think we should! I think this may be one Russian tradition we integrate into our household after Baby Deetz arrives!

"V" is for Vladimir

TOP TEN FAMOUS RUSSIAN VLADIMIRS!



10. Vladimir Aleksandrovich Dzhanibekov (born May 13, 1942) was a cosmonaut who made five flights.

9. Vladimir Vladimirovitch Mayakovsky July 1893- April 14, 1930 was one of the foremost Russian poets of the early 20th century. He was imprisoned on numerous occasions for his political views. During a period of solitary confinement in Butyrka prison in 1909 he began writing poetry.

8. Vladimir Horowitz (October 1, 1903 - November 5, 1989) was a classical pianist. He is regarded as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.

7. Vladimir Petrov (July 22, 1896 – January 7, 1966) was a Soviet film director and screenwriter. He directed 24 films between 1928 and 1964. Vladimir Petrov was awarded Stalin Prize five times. I think this was like the Stalin Academy Awards- I wonder if they had a little gold Stalin?

6. Vladimir Nabokov (1899 - 1977), wrote first in Russian, then in English, author of Lolita. I'll admit- this is the first Vladimir I've actually known. That's why he's number 6 in my book.

5. Vladimir Kosma Zworykin (1889-1982) is a pioneer of television. Zworykin invented the iconoscope, a television transmitting tube and the kinescope, the tube that projects pictures it receives onto a screen. He also invented the electron microscope. I was impressed so I put him as number 5! He sounds smart.

4. Vladimir Mikhailovich Komarov (March 16, 1927 - April 24, 1967) was a Soviet cosmonaut. He was the first human who died during a space mission, on Soyuz 1. I felt sorry for him dying, so I gave him a high rank.

3. Vladimir Petrov ice hockey player, gold metalist, and former president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation. I put him as number 3 because I thought he was the cute hockey player I see in the news all the time from Pskov, and I wanted to show you his picture- but it turns out he's not. I am just too lazy to re-do the numbers.

2. Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (April 1870- January 21, 1924), who adopted the pseudonym Lenin was a Russian revolutionary, the leader of the Bolshevik party, the first leader of the Soviet Union and the founder of the ideology of Leninism. Lenin was born in Simbirsk and died in Leninskie Gorki after a series of strokes after an attempted assassination. His embalmed body is on permanent exhibition in the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow.

1. Vladimir Putin, born in 1952 in Leningrad, is the current prime minister of Russia. Putin served two terms as President of Russia from March 2000-March 2008 and is considered one of the most beloved leaders of Russia.

I'm sure I forgot a few! Vladimir is a very popular name!

*On a side note: We received an e-mail from the Russian Consulate stating that they received our "Cable 37" confirming that we are cleared to adopt one Russian boy or girl up to age 2. Yipppee! They really do know about us!

"U" is for U.S.S.R.

So, I'm struggling a little bit with these last few letters of the alphabet! I had made up my mind that I was going to skip "U" and just give "U" an update on the adoption. Then I signed in an was reading my comments and a new visitor named Madeline left a comment. She said that her two children were adopted from the Pskov region and she was printing all the "ABC" posts out for her kids to read someday! I decided I would be letting Madeline and the kids down if their alphabet wasn't complete! So hi darlings and this "U" is just for "U"!

Russia is a huge, gigantic place and it use to be even bigger. From 1922 until 1991, Russia was part of an even bigger country called the U.S.S.R. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). After the fall of Communism, smaller countries splinted off into independent countries. Here is the National Anthem of Russia during Communist rule:

Unbreakable union of freeborn republics great Russia has welded forever to stand!Created in struggle by will of the peoples united and mighty, our Soviet land!
CHORUS:
Sing to the Motherland, home of the free,
Bulwark of people, in brotherhood strong!
Oh! Party of Lenin! The strength of the people.
To Communism's triumph lead us on!
Through tempests the sun rays of freedom have cheered us along the new path where great Lenin did lead! To a righteous cause he raised up the people Inspired them to labour and valorous deed!
CHORUS
In the victory of Communism's deathless ideal, We see the future of our dear land And to her fluttering scarlet banner, selflessly true, we always shall stand!

After Stalin's death in 1953, and "de-stalinazation" was taking place, the song was never played with the lyrics! In 2000, when Putin was president, a new anthem was written. Sergey Mikhalkov who wrote the original communist music and lyrics, wrote the new song as well:

Russia — our sacred state,Russia — our beloved country. A mighty will, a great glory —Your possession for all future ages!
Refrain:
Glory to you, our free Fatherland,
Age-old union of fraternal peoples,
Ancestor-given wisdom of the people!
Glory to you, our country! We are proud of you!
From the southern seas to the polar regions Spread our forests and fields. You are unique in the world! You alone are like this —Our dear land kept safe by God!
Refrain
Wide amplitude for dreams and for living Gets opened up for us with each passing year.Loyalty to the Fatherland gives us strength.Thus it was, is, and always shall be!

As for the adoption update- it isn't all that exciting anyway, we just found out what we needed to re-do and it wasn't a lot so I re-did it fairly quickly. Since we are registered with the region, I think I'll forgo the road trip this time and use Fed-Ex. After all- as Kate would say- "There's no Rush in Russia" and I think they won't mind if we take another couple of days to get the updated Pskov docs to them. As soon as I get a chance to actually sit down with Chad and carry on a conversation, I need him to sign everything and we'll repeat the Apostille/agency/Russia routine once again. The end of summer is always a sprint to the finish line in Youth ministry, we are bringing in the new 7th graders tonight, and saying goodbye to the seniors as they venture off to college. Our "pretend" son and intern, Jordan, leaves on Wednesday after spending three months with us. I am really going to miss him. Pray for me as I will be experiencing an empty nest too!

I'll keep you posted- but not until the alphabet is complete! I have a new found responsibility and purpose that must continue for 5 more posts- V,W,X,Y, & Z!

"T" is for Travel

With Russia's large land area and harsh conditions, transportation has always been a major problem for its people and government. Things have gotten a lot better, but it will still prove to be quite an adventure!

Trains- The most famous railway in Russia is the Trans-Siberian. It runs 6,000 miles (the longest continuous rail line on earth) or 1/3 of the globe! You can also catch connections to Europe (Germany, Paris) or even to Budapest, Beijing, or Helsinki! The railway was the original vision of Czar Alexander III, but it wasn’t completed until 1905. When we travel to Pskov, we will most likely take the train to Moscow (12 hours) to finalize our paperwork and return to the United States. If we arrive via St. Petersburg, it is a 6 hour train ride from Pskov. I’m not sure on our modes of transportation other than the definite plane trip over there….ugh. Here is a picture of the train station in Pskov.

Planes- Right now, if I were to book a flight from our neck of the woods to St. Petersburg (per Travelocity) we would have our choice between Delta, Luftstansa, United, Northwestern, Continental, Air France, Royal Dutch Air, or Polish Airlines. It would cost about $800 per person and we would be in the air anywhere from 16 ½ hours to 28 hours! There are no direct flights so we would most likely layover in the states (Tennessee, Atlanta, JFK, D.C.) and then again in Amsterdam or Frankfurt. Either way we would leave one day and arrive the next day. To fly to Moscow is about 12-15 hours, with one domestic layover and then a straight flight into Moscow. But then you would have to take a 12 hour train ride! I keep telling Chad we could wait for the Alaskan Bering Straight to freeze over, drive to Alaska, over the frozen ocean into Russia and then through Siberia. It would only take us like- a year.

Automobiles- Michele sent me an interesting site called http://www.darkroastblend.com/. It blogs about weird and wacky places all over the world. They have a special “Best of Russia” series. You should definitely check it out http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/11/best-of-russia-series.html. Anyway, there is a “Worst Roads” category and Russia received the #2 ranking in the World! The road is in Siberia and is the only way to the city of Yakutsk. In the winter is a sheet of ice, which may sound like what qualifies it as the “worst” but in actuality the warm months are WORSE! The road turns into every redneck’s mudslinging fantasy. When cars get stuck they have been known to cause week long traffic jams stretching for miles. Women have given birth waiting for rescue. The city has to fly in rescue relief (food, clean water, medication) when it gets really bad. You have got to check out the link and look at these pictures! It sparked a long conversation in our office. “What makes you think you can make it 1,000 miles on THAT road in a tiny toy car?” “Why did that boy take off his pants to walk in the mud, but not his shoes?” “What would make you drive on that road if you were 8 ½ months pregnant?” There is also a funny story (with lots of pictures) called “one day in the life of a Russian motorist” If your car ever breaks down, you can look at these pictures and know that it could be MUCH, MUCH worse! http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/01/one-day-in-life-of-russian-motorist_15.html

Boats- You COULD take a boat to Russia. It would take a REALLY long time! You could also watch “Deadliest Catch” and totally change your mind.

“S” is for Saint

Specifically, St. Olga, the founder of Pskov. I know this is a stretch- but I just had to fit her in! Her story is one of relevant redemption that I find inspiring.

As you know, from “P” is for Pskov- St. Olga is the first name mentioned in Pskov history. When she met her husband, Prince Igor in the early 900s Olga was a peasant woman and Igor was so enthralled by her beauty that he brushed off some waiting princesses to marry her. They had a son together and Olga and Igor remained pagans as much of the county at that time. Igor was later murdered and Olga became the first female ruler of her region. She avenged her husband’s death by tracking down the murderers and “scalding them to death”. Whoa.

A few years later, she ventured to Constantinople where she converted into Christianity. Not a lot is recorded about her actual conversion from paganism- There is a text from her baptism: "Blessed are you among Russian women, for you have forsaken the darkness and have loved the Light. The Russian people shall bless you in all the future generations, from your grandson and great-grandson to your furthermost descendants." He instructed her in the truths of the Faith, rules of the Church, how to pray, and he explained the commands about fasting, chastity and charity. Some say that the clergyman baptizing her tried to marry her, but Olga “outwitted him” and used his own words of “chastity” against him. She said that it would be wrong for a goddaughter to marry her godfather. What started as a personal quest ended in Olga’s true conversion. She became the first Christian in Russia. Here is her statement of faith: "God's will be done! If it pleases God to have mercy upon my native Russian Land, then they shall turn their hearts to God, just as I have received this gift."

She devoted the rest of her life to converting pagans, building churches, and spreading the gospel. The Trinity Cathedral in Pskov was built by Olga at the River Velika at a spot pointed out to her from on high, according to the chronicler, by a "light-beam of the Thrice-Radiant Divinity”. The white church with three towers is the most famous landmark in Pskov.

In her lifetime, she worked endlessly to convert her son to Christianity. She died never knowing if her efforts were in vain. However, her grandson, Prince Vladimir, underwent a miraculous conversion in his life and helped to spread Christianity throughout Russia. With God, a tiny seed of faith can win an entire nation to Christ. St. Olga was God’s first chapter in Russia’s Holy Church. And just think, Baby Deetz is considered one of Olga’s “furthermost descendant” in this great story of grace and redemption!

"R" is for Ruble

Rubles are Russian Money. I'm sure that most of you knew that- I just wanted to make sure to cover all the bases. 31 Rubles are equivalent to $1 (U.S. Dollar).
Quiet Money (Paper money) comes in the following notes:
5 rubles (since discontinued, but still legal tender), 10 rubles, 50 rubles, 100 rubles, 500 rubles, 1000 rubles and 5000 rubles.
Noisy Money (Coins) come in the following denominations:
1 kopeks, 5 kopeks, 10 kopeks, 50 kopecks, 1 ruble, 2 rubles, 5 rubles and 10 rubles.

In 2008 the National Poverty line in Russia is 3,250 Rubles per month ($104 USD). 14% of people in Russia earn less than $104 dollars a month. In 1998 40% of the population fell below the poverty line.
In 2008 the average salary of a person living in Russia is $640 US dollars per month (19,938.15 Rubles)

If you were on welfare you would receive the following:
Milk & kefir (yogurt) (20 Rubles)
Sugar (18 Rubles)
Bread (20 Rubles)
Beef (120-150 Rubles)
Pork (150-200 Rubles)
Fish (100-200 Rubles)
Curds (120 Rubles)
Salt (5 Rubles)

As well as an allowance for 1 winter coat (to last 7 years) and a two-piece suit (to last 5 years)

"P" is for Pskov

When thinking about “P” (Ewww….. ;0) I originally planned for “P” to stand for Putin (Vladimir, that is). But I was talking to someone about the region switch and it hit me- duh- what would be more relevant to Baby Deetz than their hometown? So…. “P” is for Pskov!
This beautiful, ancient city sits on the north-western portion of Russia only 12 miles from Estonia on the Velikaya River. The population and size (for you locals) is almost exactly the size of Spartanburg County- Over 200,000 people in 40 square miles. We are kind of like “sister cities” if you think about it. However, there is no mall, McDonalds, or Target! I checked. You can check out their official website at http://www.pskovgorod.ru/ It’s a beautiful place. It looks simple and peaceful.
The name of the city, originally spelled "Pleskov" or "the town of purling waters". Its was first mentioned in 903, when Price Igor of Kiev married a local peasant, St. Olga. She was a brilliant woman and maybe I can fit her into the alphabet sometime down the road. “Pskovians” think of their wedding day as Pskov's birthday and they recently celebrated their 1100th Anniversary! Wow!
In the 1200’s the city was captured by Teutonic knights. Sergei Eisenstein made a movie about the siege in 1938 (not on NetFlicks). For Russia, Pskov was a bridge to Europe. For Europe, it was a western outpost of Russia and subject of numerous attacks throughout the history. In the 15th century alone, Pskov withstood 26 sieges! Poland forces tried to attack the city 31 times and the battles were mostly defended by townspeople. I like to think about the spirit of the people that must live there. Don’t you think that type fighting for your country and your freedom would make you strong, independent, and a force to be reckoned with? The Krom (See “K” is for Kremlin, people!) was described as “impregnable”. A local school of icon-painting flourished and local masons were considered the best in Russia. Many styles of Russian architecture was first introduced in Pskov. They accomplished all of that while defending their land on a constant basis.
Modern machines and warfare proved the Krom could crumble. During World War I Pskov was occupied by Estonia and Germany. World War II, the Krom was ineffective against heavy artillery and bomb blasts. The whole town was essentially leveled. The town, the Krom, and Trinity Cathedral has been built and re-built many times over the course of history- however some portions of the original wall (built in the 1100s) still remains. Picturesque churches from the 15th and 16th century still line the countryside.
The famous Russian poet, Pushkin, is buried in the “Holy Mountains” near his family estate. Other famous “Pskovians” include NHL and Russian hockey legend Sergei Fedorov, chemist Konstantin Luzyanin, the first female academician/mathematician Sophia Kowalevskaya, and Miss Universe 2002- Oksana Fedorova.

“O” is for Ovcharka

Another cute Russian animal for your viewing pleasure- I know how much y’all loved the dwarf hamsters! It was a little slim pickings on the “O” alphabet choices.

The South Russian Ovcharka, a.k.a. South Russian Sheepdog, dates back to Slavic Russian regions in the B.C. era. They were known as 'Russian Shepherd' or 'Russian wolf-killers' in ancient times and in the 1700’s they were named “royal pets” because the elite often kept them in quantity. To the left are Ovcharka puppies...(Everybody all together: "Awwweeee!" )

Here are some fun facts:
-The thick woolly coat is described as “self cleaning”. Even when the weather is dirty and rainy, the coats will be bright white when dried. (Alex and Annie take note!)
-It is possible to spin and knit the hair. This craft was popular in Imperial Russia, and the knitting was used as a form of medical treatment for arthritis. (I’m not sure if they mean the act of knitting helped your joints or the hair was believed to have some sort of medicinal purpose. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any “Imperial Dog Hair Weavers” to ask.)
-Ovcharka’s definitely have wolves as direct ancestors. A South Russian Ovcharka skull is built almost identical to wolf’s.
-After a Ovcharka completed a herding mission (sometimes driving up to 8,000 sheep at a time across treacherous terrain with journeys lasting up to two years) the dogs were kept wherever their final destination ended. The Ovcharka were then bred with other dogs and different breeds branched out from the Ovcharka breed.
-War often threatened to end the breed line. During the Royal Revolution kennels were plundered and the dogs were stolen or killed. It is told that many of the kidnapped dogs were so loyal to their families that they were ultimately shot because they “revolted” against their unlawful owners. During World War II the breed was nearly destroyed when bombs leveled the most successful breeding kennels (owned by the Falz-Fein family). When the country was trying to recover from both wars, lots of dogs died because of a lack of medication and food. The breed has regained some ground and 100 Ovcharkas were shown in dog shows this year.

“N” is for Nesting Dolls

I know we’ve previously discussed by love for these wonderful little guys….but they are worthy of a second mention. In Russia nesting dolls are called “Matryoshkas” The word Matryoshkas are from the old Russian female name of “Matryona” which is Latin for mother. The dolls are a symbol of femininity and fertility.
I think I like them because it’s the wonderful idea of opening a gift to find another gift tucked inside….and another….and another.
I have seen giant dolls that have close to 25 pieces tucked inside. Most of the dolls have at least 5 and a minimum of 3. (Two dolls don’t really nest, they just hang out together, really…) The first doll is customarily a woman and the dolls inside can be of any gender. The final doll is the “baby” and it doesn’t open. In one of my sets, the baby is smaller than an apple seed! Let me tell you…dusting is always a challenge with nesting dolls. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve given up dusting.
Matryoshkas date from 1890, I think the wooden ones were the common folks answer to the elaborate Faberge egg some say they were inspired by a Japanese design. The first dolls (pictured on the left) were carved by Vasiliy Zvezdochkin and painted by Sergei Maliutin at the Children’s Education Workshop in Abramtsevo. In 1900, the wife of Savva Mamontov, displayed the dolls at the World Fair in Paris and the toy earned a bronze medal. A fad was born! And I’m so glad- I love those things!
Matryoshkas follow a theme. Some are fun, some are odd. Some feature animals, landscapes, or some even depict political leaders. I favor the elaborate fancy ones with a unique picture on each doll (of course those are the REALLY expensive ones!) You can often see the Russian political dolls too. Newer versions start with Dmitry Medvedev and then follow with Vladimir Putin, Boris Yeltsin, Mikhail Gorbachev, Joseph Stalin and then Vladimir Lenin.
I’ve found some favorites for you to take a peak at! When I pack my bags for Russia I am going to go back and read this blog to remind me to save PLENTY of room in my suitcase for nesting dolls!

"M" is for Moscow

Ahhh...Moscow. On our second trip to Russia (the one to bring Baby Deetz home) we will travel from Pskov to Moscow before we are allowed to return home. We know we must stay at least 4 business days there to process paperwork (visas, passports). Some fun facts for you:
1- Moscow is ranked #3 as the World's most expensive cities to live in. Expect to pay $1,500 USD for a two room apartment. Not 2 BEDrooms, just rooms. And we thought living in Florida was expensive!
2-10.5 million people call it home, however, the city only encompasses 417 square miles. Most people live in tiny flats and many have "dachas" or cottages outside the city.
3- It was founded in 1174.
4-Moscow has more billionaires than any other city- 74.
5- You can see St. Basil's (iconic onion dome church) Red Square (where you can see the embalmed Lenin), THE Kremlin, the GUM (mega-shopping center), the Arbat (an artsy city within the city buzzing with art, cafes, and street performers) Stalin's "Seven Sisters Skyscrapers, and the tallest freestanding tower in the World, "Ostankino" at 1,772 feet.

"L" is for Love

"From Russia With Love" that is.....

I love this movie. Thus the name of the blog plus someone I love already lives in Russia! I thought I was being original when I thought of the name, only to realize that there are hundreds of other blogs on different sites and even on this site with slight variations. But enough about our namesake- Onto the movie! I adore Sean Connery. He will always be James Bond to me. Chad identifies more with Roger Moore, but that is all just personal preference in our house. We are a house divided on that issue. In 1963 “From Russia With Love” was released and has grossed $79 million dollars since then. It is celebrated as one of the BEST Bond movies ever. I agree.

It has all the “Russian” clichés- Cold, Icy nights, a Soviet encryption machine called "Lektor" that will “irrevocably unbalance the world order”, KGB agents, wild gypsies, a train ride pseudo “Trans-Siberian”, an infiltrated Soviet consulate, and a sultry Russian love interest named “Tatiana Romanova” to boot. These pictures only fuel our fire of Russian mystique and intrigue.

But what does Russia have to do with “From Russia With Love”? It’s very funny to me actually. Sean Connery is Scottish, the character playing the Russian love interest; Miss Romanova (Daniela Bianchi) is Italian. The film was taped everywhere but Russia- mostly in Turkey and in Scotland, Switzerland, Venice and London as well! But here are some interesting little nuggets I found:
-In Life Magazine, President JFK lists the original book “From Russia With Love” by Ian Fleming as one of his Top Ten Books.
-The crime syndicate was called “SPECTRE” and curiously resembled SMERSH (the real life undercover agency in Russia at the time) but the films directors, Broccoli and Saltzman, wanted to avoid “controversial political overtones”. Right.
-SPECTRE training grounds for its agents were modeled after the movie “Spartacus”
-The scene where Bond returns to his hotel room to find Tatiana in his bed is the “official screen test” for future Bond wannabes and the potential leading ladies!
-Author, Ian Fleming, is rumored to have a cameo in the film. He is wearing Grey pants and a white sweater and waiting to board the train in the train scene.
-They painted white rats with cocoa powder for one of the scenes because it was illegal to film with “wild rats”
- The opening chess match is a reenactment of Boris Spassky's victory over David Bronstein in 1960.

Hard Knocks on the scene:
-The Bond Girl in this film, Daniela Bianchi, took English lessons to play the role. In the end, they dubbed her voice with another woman for the entire film.
- Bond’s alley in the film, Kerim Bey, portrayed by Pedro Armendariz, was diagnosed with terminal cancer during the filming. They moved the filming location to London so that he could be more comfortable and he worked as much as possible, though in horrible physical pain. He killed himself before the filming could be completed and a stunt double completed his role.
-While scouting locations in Scotland the climactic boat chase, the helicopter crashed into the water with Art Director Michael White and a cameraman aboard. The craft sank into 40–50 feet of water, but all escaped with minor injuries.
- Bond Girl Bianchi’s driver fell asleep behind the wheel driving to the set and filming was delayed two weeks to allow her lovely face to heal from all the bruising.
-After the crew was nearly arrested trying to procure a helicopter, they decided to go with a miniature radio operated model instead.

After it’s all said and done- I “LOVE” from Russia With Love!

"K" is for Kremlin

K is for Kremlin. Not Gremlin. I’ll be honest I thought there was only one Kremlin and it was in Moscow and I thought it was the area around St. Basil's Cathedral, like Central Park or the Mall in D.C. Turns out most Russian towns have a Kremlin and it’s not a little furry animal you can’t feed after midnight. Kremlin is Russian for “fortress or castle”. It describes a wall around a Russian city and the fortified area inside it. Turn’s out St. Basil’s isn’t even in the Moscow Kremlin. I have been misinformed! Allow me to enlighten you, dear friends.
Pskov's Kremlin is called “Krom”. When you Google images of Pskov- a picture of the Kremlin always pops up. It’s the center of the city and from the looks of it- the prettiest part of the city. The large rocky wall overlooks the Pskova and Velikaya Rivers. The wall leads to Dovmont Town, often called the “Pskov Pompeii” because of it’s also an archaeological dig site. To defend the wall, the men of Pskov carved a moat into the cliff on which the Krom stands. This moat, called the "Greblya" joined the Pskova and Velikaya rivers. There were two gates to the main tower, the Holy Gates, or “Tyomnye” Gates and the “Smerdy" Gates for the common people.

There were two bridges across the moat: the Great Bridge and the Smerdy Bridge- you guessed it- one for “important people” and one for the peasants. In the middle of the wall there is a bell tower holding the Trinity Cathedral Bells. Two of the bells are very important- one chime summoned people to town meetings, the other to State Council meetings. State prisoners were held in cellars beneath this second wall. In May of 1608 fire destroyed the walls, but was rebuilt. An act of robbery inside the Krom was a crime punishable by death! If you walk to the “kuta” or the corner of the Kremlin, behind the Cathedral, there is a garden where the famous Russian poet, Pushkin, liked to stand overlooking the Velikaya River and write poetry. Pushkin was a hopeless romantic who died as a result of a sword wound while defending the honor of his wife in a duel. Bummer.

Some words of Pushkin perhaps concerning Pskov and it’s beauty?

"Love passed, the muse appeared, the weather of mind got clarity newfound; now free, I once more weave together emotion, thought, and magic sound."

"J" is for Jewelry

Ahh…one of my favorite topics. Chad loves Amber and he was so excited when we read in our travel guide that Amber often washes up on the Russian shore line, much like sea glass here! I started out writing about Amber (80% of the World’s supply comes from the Baltic Region) and Alexandrite (a rare multi-colored stone that changes color in the light that was named after Czar Alexander) However, in my research (which has become quite enjoyable and challenging for me, I don’t know if you are enjoying it….but I am, if you aren’t don’t worry we only have 16 more letters to go!) Russian “Finift” jewelry kept coming up. With a little digging- I found the scoop and it’s quite beautiful. Finift is Greek for “alloy” or “shinning stone”- Chad did you know that? I don’t think that word was on our flashcards.
Finift is a type of intricate enamel jewelry that was created in the Rostov region of Russia. The first mention of the craft was in 1174 by Duke Andrei of Suzdal. He states that the church of the Nativity was decorated with “gold, enamel, and all type of virtue” The craft is passed along from generation to generation, it has seen it’s heyday and it’s decline in fashion, but an article I read put it this way “the main theme of this craft is a tribute to the beauty of Russia’s native land and to man’s eternal spirit-it was never lost”.
Since the 11th Century Rostov was known to have an icon painting workshop. (Icons are religious portraits painted on wood, and came in second place for the “I” word of the day.) When icon painting began to decline, the artisans transferred their expertise to enameling. The early pieces showed landscapes and people, but in the 18th Century floral designs became very popular. Finifts are still painted with a single hair brush, yikes! Rostov enamel craftsmen were commissioned to create icons, chalices, Bibles and Royal crowns. Today, the technique is used mostly in jewelry making. It is favored in jewelry making, because unlike gold, silver, and gemstones- enamel never loses it’s luster. After it is fired, it remains as beautiful as the day it was created.
But as you know, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are some beautiful examples.

"I" is for Ice

Because there is a lot of it there. I found three interesting uses of ice in Russia, since there is so darn much of it.

Ice Sports: Hockey of course is huge in Russia. The Russian men's national ice hockey team is one of the most successful national ice hockey teams in the world. They win National Championships and Olympic metals. The 2014 Winter Olympics will take place in Sochi, Russia. Don’t forget about the ice skaters and ski team too. I guess when you walk around on ice and snow the majority of the year it becomes a natural ability to skate, dance, and run on ice!

Ice Exhibits: Every year in Moscow's Krasnopresnensky Park there is an annual ice museum created, spanning miles! People come from all over the world to make giant sculptures and to compete in the festivities and millions visit. It looks pretty spectacular!

Ice Bathing: The providence of Pskov hasa“Walrus Club” similar to the “Polar Bear Club” in America. Crazy guys chop holes in the ice and go for a dip in the frigid waters in the dead of winter. Fun! You can also go to the hot/cold baths in the city, where you sit in the sauna and then take a dip in ice water.

"H" is for Hermitage

“H” is for Hermitage. I remember my first and only trip to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. We spent a day there and could have spent a week. I think it was the summer before 5th grade. What I recall about the museum is a somewhat skewed view of what the mega museum had to offer- I think it’s a mix of the photographs I’ve seen in family albums and what appeals to a 10 year old. I remember the dinosaur bones (who knew dinosaurs were so big?) the “Spirit of St. Louis” suspended in air, and the real Kermit the frog. Other than that I remember A LOT of walking. The Hermitage is to Russia as the Smithsonian is to the United States. Stuff. Everywhere. More stuff than you ever fathomable seeing in one day. Priceless paintings, sculptures, machines, artifacts, jewelry, costumes.
St. Petersburg is home to this giant museum and it was originally the “Winter Palace” to five generations of Czars. Catherine II’s acquisitions were the first contributions to the museum in the 1750’s. Bigger buildings were added, and added, and added as the collections grew. In 1837 a fire nearly destroyed it, in 1914 it was transformed into a war hospital for wounded World War I soldiers, during World War II priceless pieces were moved from place to place in an effort to preserve them. Czars were executed, palaces ransacked, however, the treasures, like a testimony of the perseverance of the Russian people remains to this day.
In 1997 a small planet in our galaxy (No. 4758 to be exact) was named after it. You can swim in the Hermitage Bay off the coast of Antigua, visit your kin folk in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, tour the Hermitage in Nashville Tennessee (a.k.a. the birthplace of Andrew Jackson), or see a branch of the Hermitage exhibits in Las Vegas after you try your luck at Roulette. (Not Russian Roulette).
Since many of us will never get an opportunity to see its treasures, you can take a virtual tour at http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/index.html . Be prepared to click and click and click to narrow down what you want to look at of the literal millions of items housed there. The costumes and the jewelry are my favorites! Imagine that!

"G" is for Gift

“G” is for Gift. September 11th rocked the entire world. Russia’s gift to the United States showed that people from all over the World felt the shock waves.
Russian artist, Zurab Tsereteli designed a monument to give to the American people in the same spirit of the Statue of Liberty, a 100 foot monument that would serve as a constant reminder of the pain of that terrible day and the hope for a more united world in spite of it. The monument sits on the waterfront of Bayonne, New Jersey and overlooks the Hudson River into the city where the twin towers once stood. The giant monument looks like two jagged towers stretching to the sky and suspended between the two towers is a beautiful 40 foot silver tear drop. On the 11 foot base that supports the monument, etched in granite, are the names of the people who died in the 1993 and September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The monument cost $12 million dollars and arrived in five separate pieces, the fifth piece, the tear drop, was added last. Tsereteli oversaw the finishing touches himself prior to the dedication of the monument on September 11, 2006. The monument is simply called "To the Struggle Against World Terrorism".
Here is a quote from Tsereteli as his grandson translated, "From here if you looked at the trade towers, they looked as if they were blended as one," Tsereteli said pointing across the water. Tsereteli said the tear symbolizes "sadness over grief that will become happiness in the future when terrorism is defeated."I had never heard of this gift and thought you might enjoy seeing it too. Here is Tsereteli's original vision of his gift.

"F" is for Food

O.K. Enough of not knowing anything about anything (that really shouldn't surprise us anymore) on with the alphabet people!

“F” is for Food. I had a previous post almost complete with foods of St. Petersburg with pictures of a food market (a.k.a. Grocery Store) but obviously, that material is somewhat irrelevant now! In my search of Pskov, I trust the site www.lonelyplanet.com to tell me the inside scoop about what we will be eating in Pskov. There are 9 restaurants in the entire city, so I copy and pasted Lonely Planet’s review of each. I don’t think it sounds half bad. It reminds me of a mix of food from our travels to Alaska and Germany. I think Chad will definitely order the khash at Noev Kovcheg. I particularly like how one place is called “Restaurant” no confusion there!

1. Bavaria
Although the ambiance is lacking, Bavaria's eclectic menu (English available) and friendly service make it a good find. Dishes include perch in cabbage, stewed with beer; omelet with ham and mushrooms; and pork stuffed with plums, walnuts and cheese. The only drawback is Bavaria's location; it's about 200m south of pl Pobedy.
2. Café Gorenka
A good place for a snack or coffee, Gorenka has desserts displayed in the front counter; you can also order pizza, sandwiches, salads and ice cream.
3. Club Jaguar
Featuring an eclectic menu and friendly service, Club Jaguar is a fine place for a meal. In addition to a good three-course business lunch, you can order sushi, salads, seafood and bliny.
4. Kafe Cherskaya
One of several restaurants along this stretch of Oktyabrsky, Cherskaya has a casual vibe and boasts a cocktail menu as extensive as the food list. Cabbage soup, schnitzel and all the Russian favourites are on hand.
5. Kafe Frigate
Overlooking the Velikaya River, Kafe Frigate specialises in seafood and the usual Russian favourites (bliny , borsch, chicken Kiev). The almost elegant, red-hued dining room is strung with rigging ropes and other nautical devices, although the real kitsch arrives in the evening when the ballad-singing band takes the stage.
6. Kafe Snezhinka
A rather minimalist affair, this music-filled café attracts Pskov's youth, who gather for coffee, beer and light Russian meals. Picture windows look out across Oktyabrsky pr onto Detsky Park.
7. Noev Kovcheg
This smoky, underground restaurant is worth going to on Friday through to Sunday when the chef serves khash, a hearty Armenian dish made of meat (from cow's feet), chilli peppers, garlic and vodka, and served with lavash. If shin meat doesn't entice, you can always opt for shashlyk or dolmas.
8. Restaurant
Next door to the bus station is a simple Restaurant where you can grab a bite (eggs, bliny, open sandwiches) before catching your bus out of town.
9. Restaurant Rus
Set in the old Kremlin tower overlooking Dovmont Town, this elegant restaurant exudes atmosphere (from the tables in the tower's alcoves, you can peek out at the river through crossbow slits). Dishes are unspectacular but fresh: marinated mushrooms and potatoes; crab and tomato salad; and salmon with tomatoes and mushrooms. The ambiance is marred only by the cheesy lighting and obtrusive Russian pop. Downstairs from the restaurant is a cozy bar. English menu