After a wonderful day visiting the Saint Springs and the Sanitorium (read previous Blogs), we all enjoyed what would be my final meal for this year at Lyudmila's home. The newer person in the group picture is Elena's boyfriend, Vitaly.
Lyudmila and I have been busy packing all day and re-packing). Unfortunately, Delta is getting good at their games. When I came over to Moscow, I was a Delta SkyMiles "Silver Medallion" member, which this membership expired (you have to travel a minimum mileage each year to maintain it) at the end of March so the two bag allowance, each allowing 70 pounds is now not allowed...
I will now have to pay for the second bag (roughly $70) and the maximum weight on each is 50#. How fair is that, to get me here and allow 2 bags at #70/each, but if you want to get home, you are going to pay dearly? These airline companies are getting repulsive in their actions. Makes you never want to travel. Oh, well.
This has been a wonderful month in Russia and there are so many people to thank for their hospitality and kindness that it would take the end of the Internet to begin. I am really fortunate to have such wonderful friends in Russia as well as the best Mother-in-Law anyone could ever have. I am truly blessed and do not take that for granted. Thanks to everyone!! And thanks to you for having enough interest in this wonderful culture and its people to learn more about it through my eyes... hope we can do it again!
In Russia (and other former Soviet republics), many companies and even government-related employers own “Sanitoriums” that are used for rest and relaxation by employees. These facilities are similar to that of a spa resort in the US. In Olga’s hometown, the nuclear power plant owns a sanatorium named “Lesnaya Polyana” that is outside of the city, not far from the popular Saint Springs.
At Lesnaya Polyana, employees that work at the actual power plant can visit for up to 21 days per year. While visiting, the employees can get free massages, go ice skating, participate in many sports and dancing activities, eat for free and housing is provided at no cost too.
I have hear of this type of location for several years and wanted to see it myself so Olga asked Lyudmila to take me for a visit and I am glad we did. We had a lot of fun during our short visit. Maybe Clemson University needs one of these “Sanitoriums” for employees?
On the very last slide, there is a distant picture of the Great Patriotic War Memorial (World War II) in Desnogorsk. I have visited it many times and it serves as a source of pride for all living in this city. I cannot overstate how impressive it is that this county recognizes its veterans and the lives lost in former wars and battles. Even young children are taught to honor their defenders as they all walk to local memorials in pairs on Victory Day (May 9th) with daffodils or tulips that they will lay on graves or war memorials in cities throughout Russia.
Overview of Lesnaya Polyana (Desnogorsk Sanitorium) part 1
Overview of Lesnaya Polyana (Desnogorsk Sanitorium) part 2
Today (Easter) we visited the Spring of Kazanski, which is also known as a Saint Spring, outside of Desnogorsk. If you want to pay the price of the wear and tear on your vehicle, you can get some of the best water in Russia for use in your home. Saint Springs are found all around Russia and they are very popular. Each time I have been to a Saint Spring, I have seen numerous people with large bottles to take water home. The water is also used at local Russian Orthodox Russian churches in various ceremonies.
Fortunately, the state Hydrologist, Luba, is my wife's Godmother and she is the person that certifies the water is potable at all of the Saint Springs throughout the Oblast (state) of Smolensk. Luba's husband, Sergey, is the person that took us to the springs today (and in the past too).
Last year they built a small chapel at the springs and it is now a beautiful centerpiece. There are two springs at this location and also a private "pool" are where people go to enter the water. I am including a couple of videos to show the springs and how people collect and also how they wash their face three times (trinity).
Usually there is a nice river next to the springs and due to all of the melting snow, it is flooded today.
Thanks Sergey and Luba for the wonderful time visiting the springs today!
An Overview Video of The Spring of Kazanski
Testing the Water at The Spring of Kazanski, Literally (part 1)
Testing the Water at The Spring of Kazanski, Literally (part 2)
Yesterday, Friday, April 2 Lyudmila (my Mother-in-Law) and Sergey (husband of Olga's Godmother) picked me up in Moscow for a 6-hour journey to Desnogorsk. Desnogorsk is in an Oblast (state) called Smolensk, which borders Belarus. I came down to visit all of the family (except Olga, of course, back in South Carolina, sadly) for Easter, before returning to the US on Tuesday morning.
This morning, Lyudmila and I toured Desnogorsk so I could see the changes that have occurred since I was here last year. In Soviet times, Desnogorsk was considered a "closed city" as it is home to a nuclear plant that was built in the 70s. Olga's Mom and Dad are nuclear engineers and were moved here to work at the plant in the 80s. This plant provides energy for several surrounding Oblasts.
The majority of the approximate 35,000 people here work at the nuclear plant and the growth in the city is minimal. It is in a remote location so there is no going to any local malls, Wal-Marts, Lowes... you get my drift. If you cannot find it here, you might wait a while... which, in some warped thought, is kind of neat to an outsider. This is a VERY safe community and it is nothing to see children that are 4-5 years old running the sidewalks to the store for their parents, or going for music/dance/sports training lessons on their own after school.
Speaking of shopping, Lyudmila and I went to visit the newest grocery store, which translates as "Dixie" in English. It would be interesting to know where this name came from. One of the other new arrivals to Desnogorsk is a street kiosk that sells different kind of fast-food items, pictured toward the end of the slideshow. The "Crazy Monkey" business is an Internet cafe. Notice that it, as many others, is in the bottom floor of a huge apartment building. Businesses in these small towns arrive in many shapes and forms, in some of the most unique places.
You will see a new church in many of the photographs. This Russian Orthodox church has been under construction for several years and should be completed this summer. Interestingly, the administration of the nuclear plant has funded the majority of its construction. Another community project funded by the nuclear plant was the city park and amphitheater seen in some of the pictures. As in all nuclear plant locations, the city is surrounded on two sides by Lake Desno, which provides a lot of recreational activities during the short summer months.
My Mom, Lucille, came here to visit Lyudmila with me two years ago and she fell in love with Desnogorsk. She thought that this city was a strong contrast to the hustle-bustle fast pace of Moscow that she experienced for more than a week.
If the weather cooperates, on Sunday we will go to a location called the "Saint Springs," which includes a couple of natural springs that have been blessed by one of the local Russian Orthodox priests. The water is potable and people take bottles there for water for their homes. The water is transported from the spring to the local churches for ceremonial activities. I hope we get to visit as I look forward to sharing some pictures from there with you too.
Earlier this evening, my students Isaac and Galya, joined my colleague from Penn State, Dennis Buffington and myself to visit a huge war memorial on the west side of Moscow. We went to a location known as Poklonnaya Hill, which has a large area called Victory Park. On the opposite end of the park is a Triumphal arch that was erected to commemorate the War of 1812.
The church that you will see in the photos is known as St. George's Church. I will add more details about these beautiful pictures soon... leaving tomorrow at noon so I must get some sleep.
More about this location on Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poklonnaya_Hill
Since today was the last day of class, we decided to have dinner together at Stolovaya 57 at the State Department Store (GUM) on Red Square. We had a nice evening out and the weather was really pleasant, so the sites around Red Square were even better.
Wednesday was my last official day of class for this year at Moscow State Agro-engineering University. The students made their final class project presentations, which were really well done. I have really enjoyed this group of students. It has also been a neat addition to have the new addition this year of the two French students.
The students had to create several materials for the class, and the main focus was on a video that promoted a special area within Russian culture. I will be adding the videos here soon.
Dr. Dennis Buffington, the Professor from Penn State that will teach the students in April, attended the students' presentations. Dennis is a highly successful Full Professor in Agricultural Engineering. This will be his tenth straight year teaching in this program and we are really fortunate to have him join us.
After class we went to Red Square to take some pictures and have dinner at Stolovaya 57 (Canteen) at GUM. I will definitely miss this group, as well as the many new Russian friends I made while here. On Friday, I will go spend Easter in another region of Russia with my mother-in-law. That will really be fun as she is such a wonderful person. Stay tuned!
