My cousin Joshua and I would often sit in the hot tub for a while, scooping up bubbles and designing lovely headdresses and beards for ourselves, then, when we just couldn't stand it anymore we would run screaming and dive into the pool.
I didn't know it yet...but this was my first taste of Russian culture - the Banya. So I suppose I've always known this was Russia - it's the shock of contrast and the healing power of conflicting extremes. They don't create some intermediary panacea, but they do have a way of soothing and bringing a relaxation to the soul.
Last night I went to see the Nutcracker as performed by the Voronezh Ballet Company. It was excellently done. My only complaint is that my chair was incredibly uncomfortable and my butt hurts something fierce today.
To continue my stories of the strangeness that is Russian life. This afternoon as I was sitting down for lunch, Golina Nicolaevna (my housemother) was seen pouring tea into the potted plants. I looked at her inquisitively and asked "What are you doing?" She responded, "These flowers just love tea." ... Wow.
Not to leave a strange act in isolation, I spilled a bit of very hot tea on myself and she thought it burned me. Of course her first response was not to ask if I was alright or offer me a hand...no, she walked to the cabinet and grabbed a bottle of Vodka and proceeded to pour it on me. It took me a few moments to realize the purpose for my baptism, as I wasn't actually scalded. Things just get more and more interesting.
I appologize for my lack of entry yesterday. The internet cafe was down for a while. And today, I'm off to see a Filini film, perhaps this time I wont have to leave for a temperature.
~Boof