Temperatures are finally starting to warm up, with highs in the mid to upper 30's. Since most of the sidewalks are at least passable, we took a walk on Easter weekend.
Church of Spilled Blood
me
Other than celebrating Easter with some work friends, the big highlight of the week was the opening of a new Belgium beer pub within walking distance from our apartment!!!! Great beer list, and we snacked on some very Russian bar snacks - smoked cheese & deep fried rye bread with garlic dipping sauce. Trust me, it's delicious & addictive!
I've been in Svetogorsk working for most of the week. The town is a 3 1/2 hour drive north from St. Petersburg, a mill town & a border town (Russian - Finnish border). Not a very exciting place!
BUT, I did attend a dinner at the local sauna. If your not aware, saunas (or баня (banya) in Russian), are serious business in Russia (along with the Scandinavian countries & much of Eastern Europe). Most Russians go to the banya several times a year at a minimum, with many doing it weekly or even daily. They go for the health benefits, but it's also very common to go with a group of friends or colleagues to chat, conduct business, or just socialize.
This was a work dinner, but I think some of the men stuck around afterwards to enjoy the sauna. Needless to say, I did not. I've been in a sauna while in Russia, but I haven't done it "Russian style" as an group event with others :). Maybe I need to add that to my list of "things to do in Russia"? We'll see.........
The Svetogorsk Banya
Dinner with the mill guys
Robes for the evening festivities!
I already ate all of the smaoked gouda you and Pat gave me for Christmas. Can we make it an annual tradition.
ReplyDeleteWas the red robe for you ?
Not sure who the red robe is for. Very Russian that it is red - maybe Vlad?
DeleteHi Jen,
ReplyDeleteWas reading your blog and it is really interesting. Will try to keep in touch so you don't get too lonely.
Uncel Robin and Aunt Betty