Home today! We don't have too much time today, but we will fill you in a little about what we have been doing. We (and approximately 6 million other people) went to the Hermitage Museum yesterday. It was fabulous (if a little crowded). We got to see works by Da Vinci, Raphael and others. There were also some amazine rooms. We couldn't believe that they let us walk on the floors, which were works of art themselves.
Last night, we attended a concert of traditional Russian folk dance. Be sure to ask Matt about his complimentary (and very public) lesson in folk dancing. We'll try to post the video after we get back. Note from Matt: if this doesn't get him cultural credit, nothing will!
We just had our last devotion and need to finish packing, so we'll sign off now. We should get into chicago about 5:30, but it will take a while to make it through customs, so for those of you picking up in Chicago, it probably won't be before 6:00 (at the earliest). We can call from the plan after it lands, but we won't be able to use our cell phones during the entrance process.
This has been a fabulous and moving experience. Keep checking the blog, because we'd like to post some more thoughtful reflections later.
Your "sad to leave" but "happy to be coming home" bloggers
Chaela and Sharon
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday Part 2
After our tour of St. Isaac's, we did some more souvenir shopping and ate lunch at McDonald's. Because of our large size, moving us around quickly has been quite a hassle, Sandi decided we should split into groups after lunch to do more shopping and sightseeing. We met with Dr. Evgheny (sp?) later in the afternoon and had a wonderful time with him. It was humbling to see his burden and dedication to his work at the hospital. We had dinner with him and then left for the ballet. We were able to see Swan Lake at the Hermitage Theatre. We all, the girls especially, had fun getting "dolled up" with some of our new purchases to see the ballet. The Hermitage Theatre was constructed as a private theatre, so there was really no "bad" seat in the house. We arrived early and were able to obtain great seats. The ballet was wonderful and Sandi commented that the lead ballerina was the best that she had seen dance the part of Odette.
After our evening of ballet, several of the girls felt that it was there duty to continue this particular aspect of their cultural enrichment. As a result, spontaneous dancing (and I do use that term loosely) broke out several times yesterday night.
We are looking forward to touring the Hermitage on Tuesday and attending a performance of traditional Russian folk dancing. Home on Wednesday!!
Your twirling and bowing bloggers,
Chaela and Sharon
After our evening of ballet, several of the girls felt that it was there duty to continue this particular aspect of their cultural enrichment. As a result, spontaneous dancing (and I do use that term loosely) broke out several times yesterday night.
We are looking forward to touring the Hermitage on Tuesday and attending a performance of traditional Russian folk dancing. Home on Wednesday!!
Your twirling and bowing bloggers,
Chaela and Sharon
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday
What day is today...? This blog seems to be the only thing that is keeping us oriented datewise. We started a little later today; breakfast at our separate hotels and then a time of devotion altogether. Several themes have recurred during our time here. One of those themes has been "light." Don spoke this morning about the light that God is to us and that we are in the world. Nancy also spoke about the blessings of God that we have and that we can be to others. We saw an example of this yesterday at KFC. There was a homeless woman outside while we were eating and Nancy noticed her and brought her chicken and fries. The woman was tearful and thankful for the extra help. "She was probably praying for someone to look out for her," Brianna suggested this morning. We finished out the morning with a spontaneous rendition of "This Little Light of Mine." Granny Alicia even remembered all of the verses and Heather and Nancy helped improvise a few to make them personal.
We then spent the rest of the morning touring St. Isaac's Cathedral. It is an extremely beautiful example of Russian religious art and architecture. We even climbed 211 stairs (yes, we counted) to get to the balcony of the dome. It was a breathtaking view of St. Pete and we were blessed to have such beautiful, sunny weather today.
We are getting ready to meet with a doctor from the Stepantsevo (sp?) hospital, so we have to close. We'll try to post more later.
Ballet tonight!!
Your expectant bloggers,
Chaela and Sharon
We then spent the rest of the morning touring St. Isaac's Cathedral. It is an extremely beautiful example of Russian religious art and architecture. We even climbed 211 stairs (yes, we counted) to get to the balcony of the dome. It was a breathtaking view of St. Pete and we were blessed to have such beautiful, sunny weather today.
We are getting ready to meet with a doctor from the Stepantsevo (sp?) hospital, so we have to close. We'll try to post more later.
Ballet tonight!!
Your expectant bloggers,
Chaela and Sharon
Sunday, May 24, 2009
From Alicia
Greetings to all. Things are going great; St. Petersburg is awesome and time is going fast. I miss you all. See you soon. Love, hugs, and prayers.
Alicia (Granny)
Alicia (Granny)
Sunday (and Saturday night)
Well, I think it is safe to say that this year's team is still in contention for the title of "The A Team." Everything went smoothly during the transition from our hotel in Moscow, to the train station, to St. Petersburg. We gathered all of our bags together and left for the train station around ten o'clock on Saturday night. Korte and Evelyn rode with the luggage and the rest of the group followed Anya, our fearless leader, to the subway station. We said goodbye to Martha and Eric at the hotel and Jim helped us to the train station, where we parted with him as well. They will be sorely missed for the remainder of the trip and the team's thoughts and prayers are with them as they journey home.
Sharon's fears from yesterday, thankfully, did not pan out and we managed to navigate two subway stations and a change in trains without losing anyone. We boarded the train around midnight and, after a slight mix-up in compartment assignments (I won't mention any names but that luggage was not getting any lighter, Dr. Jim =), we were all comfortably settled.
We got into St. Pete around ten this morning and headed straight for our hotels. We are split between two lovely bed and breakfast hotels that are about a block apart. We began our sightseeing with lunch at a restaurant that is known for blending American and Russian cuisine: KFC. We took a scenic tour around St. Pete by boat, narrated in Russian and translated by Anya, and then toured the interior of The Church of the Spilled Blood. We were able to take some beautiful pictures of both the inside and outside of the church. Hopefully we will be able to resolve our technical issues and upload some pictures of our tours today.
Of course it wouldn't be a typical day in Russia without our assistance to the economy. We left the church and many in the group bartered and purchased souvenirs from a market across the street. Another popular attraction was an artist who drew caricatures and pictures for several team members. We've decided that Leigh Ann and Ashley's "gifts" might also include finding affordable, personal art. We ended the evening with dinner and coffee/tea at a cafe and dessert at a bakery near our hotel. The creme brulee flavored ice cream and "exceedingly puffy fruit-filled doughnuts" (Chelsea's glowing description) were quite a hit amongst the team.
Tomorrow, we are planning to tour The Peterhoff (sp?) Palace and other prominent features in St. Petersburg. We are having a great time and enjoying the sights of the "Venice of the North." St. Pete is a beautiful city and I know that everyone back home will be in awe of the photos we bring home.
Your culturally-enlightened bloggers,
Chaela and Sharon
Sharon's fears from yesterday, thankfully, did not pan out and we managed to navigate two subway stations and a change in trains without losing anyone. We boarded the train around midnight and, after a slight mix-up in compartment assignments (I won't mention any names but that luggage was not getting any lighter, Dr. Jim =), we were all comfortably settled.
We got into St. Pete around ten this morning and headed straight for our hotels. We are split between two lovely bed and breakfast hotels that are about a block apart. We began our sightseeing with lunch at a restaurant that is known for blending American and Russian cuisine: KFC. We took a scenic tour around St. Pete by boat, narrated in Russian and translated by Anya, and then toured the interior of The Church of the Spilled Blood. We were able to take some beautiful pictures of both the inside and outside of the church. Hopefully we will be able to resolve our technical issues and upload some pictures of our tours today.
Of course it wouldn't be a typical day in Russia without our assistance to the economy. We left the church and many in the group bartered and purchased souvenirs from a market across the street. Another popular attraction was an artist who drew caricatures and pictures for several team members. We've decided that Leigh Ann and Ashley's "gifts" might also include finding affordable, personal art. We ended the evening with dinner and coffee/tea at a cafe and dessert at a bakery near our hotel. The creme brulee flavored ice cream and "exceedingly puffy fruit-filled doughnuts" (Chelsea's glowing description) were quite a hit amongst the team.
Tomorrow, we are planning to tour The Peterhoff (sp?) Palace and other prominent features in St. Petersburg. We are having a great time and enjoying the sights of the "Venice of the North." St. Pete is a beautiful city and I know that everyone back home will be in awe of the photos we bring home.
Your culturally-enlightened bloggers,
Chaela and Sharon
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday
Wow! It has been a long day, and we still have longer to go. The team met at 8:00 this morning in Sandi and Nancy's room for our usual morning devotional. And of course, we all had to sing happy birthday to Rachel, our birthday girl!
It has been a day walking, shopping, and of shuffling suitcases back and forth. Since most of us had to check out, we had to store all of the suitcases in the two rooms of the team members who are leaving tomorrow. The hotel thought that Leigh Ann and Ashley were staying instead of Jim and Eric, and that led to considerable confusion, but we (or to be honest Anya and Sandi) got it worked out.
Most of the morning was spent at a local vendor market (Islamova sp?). It was raining, but that didn't slow us down much, and we think that maybe the vendors were a little more willing to haggle. Several of our team members now think that one of their "gifts" is negotiating prices down!
Then we came back to the hotel for another time of devotion and communion. Steve gave the devotional, and Sandi tolk us how pleased she is that we have come together as a team and led us in communion. It was truly a moving experience. Sandi and Nancy presented team members with a gift to help us remember the trip by (as if we could ever forget), and Sandi presented Nancy with a gift (a beautiful box).
Then we were off for more shopping on Arbot (sp?) street and dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. We actually have managed to travel on the subway four times without losing anyone (but we do still have to get to the train station tonight, and I'm predicting that if anone gets lost it will be me!). We presented Rachel with a card and a small gift and the Hard Rock, and although we weren't able to pull off a cake, she did get a candle on her ice cream Sunday.
We are now back at the hotel and will leave for the train station at 11:00 (pretty late for me, but the "kids" are really excited about it).
Chaela hasn't come down, so I'll try to get some pictures up, but as you might have guessed, she is the technical member of the team.
Your all "shopped out" and "walked out" blogger,
Sharon
Sorry, the only memory card I have doesn't seem to be compatible with this computer. I'll try later. We do have some beautiful pictures of the city and of Rachel today.
It has been a day walking, shopping, and of shuffling suitcases back and forth. Since most of us had to check out, we had to store all of the suitcases in the two rooms of the team members who are leaving tomorrow. The hotel thought that Leigh Ann and Ashley were staying instead of Jim and Eric, and that led to considerable confusion, but we (or to be honest Anya and Sandi) got it worked out.
Most of the morning was spent at a local vendor market (Islamova sp?). It was raining, but that didn't slow us down much, and we think that maybe the vendors were a little more willing to haggle. Several of our team members now think that one of their "gifts" is negotiating prices down!
Then we came back to the hotel for another time of devotion and communion. Steve gave the devotional, and Sandi tolk us how pleased she is that we have come together as a team and led us in communion. It was truly a moving experience. Sandi and Nancy presented team members with a gift to help us remember the trip by (as if we could ever forget), and Sandi presented Nancy with a gift (a beautiful box).
Then we were off for more shopping on Arbot (sp?) street and dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. We actually have managed to travel on the subway four times without losing anyone (but we do still have to get to the train station tonight, and I'm predicting that if anone gets lost it will be me!). We presented Rachel with a card and a small gift and the Hard Rock, and although we weren't able to pull off a cake, she did get a candle on her ice cream Sunday.
We are now back at the hotel and will leave for the train station at 11:00 (pretty late for me, but the "kids" are really excited about it).
Chaela hasn't come down, so I'll try to get some pictures up, but as you might have guessed, she is the technical member of the team.
Your all "shopped out" and "walked out" blogger,
Sharon
Sorry, the only memory card I have doesn't seem to be compatible with this computer. I'll try later. We do have some beautiful pictures of the city and of Rachel today.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday Part 2
Just a quick note to let everyone know that we arrived safely in Moscow. We saw some beautiful scenery on the drive in. We got checked into the hotel (which is very nice) without any problems and had time to visit Red Square. We'll post pictures tomorrow. Culture shock was modified somewhat with lunch at McDonalds and dinner at Sbarro's :)
Note from Brianna: The hotel is really nice, and I want a massage.
Your weary blogger,
Sharon
Note from Brianna: The hotel is really nice, and I want a massage.
Your weary blogger,
Sharon
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