Sergei Posad

Preevyet!

Today's word is the first one I learned and the one I use ALL day long! Spai-see-ba. Now, I hear it most of the time like this: Spy (like 007) see bah.. but, some people say it: Spa (like my favorite place!) see bah... Take your pick. I go with spyseebah and seem to get by.

Dinia and Ron took us on our favorite adventure yet. We went out to Sergei Posad, home to the "Vatican" of the Russian Orthodox church called Serge Monastery. Our guide for the day was Sevetta and she is the hostess with the mostest! If you want to come out she can arrange transportation or tell you how to ride the metro to her. It is SOOO worth it!! Her home is 3 stories tall and ENORMOUS. It is also a bed and breakfast and I would recommend her to anyone. We were greeted with pancakes and jam made with fresh picked blueberries. So good, we asked for more with lunch! Some hot tea, and we were on our way. Our first stop were the falls. The falls are considered holy water, and none to easy to reach. Fortunately, we had a Tahoe and 4 wheeled it through the mud to a very close location. Craftsmen were working to refurbish the churches and the decking. Remember,the soviets didn't allow religion, and churches were used for things like storing grain or left to rot. You are supposed to submerse yourself 3 separate times- getting your head totally in the water. This water is 4 degrees Celsius. Can you remember what water freezes at? I stuck both hands in and that was going to have to be good enough. After watching people jump into the "bath" that has been constructed, we headed over to the shower area.. where Ian took part in the ritual. He put his head under, air dried and did it again 3x as instructed by the males around us. It is a pretty arduous task to get to the falls, so not too many made it.. plenty of people were stuck in the fields near by. Lots of people were carrying BIG jugs of water out with them. I took 2 bottles of holy water to baptize Ana with. I hope the photos do the experience justice. After the falls we went to Sevetta's mother in law's home. It was so much fun driving into the area 'real' Russians live. She brought out cucumbers to make into pickles and Ian and I ate one fresh from the garden. They were sooo yummy. Then, we were off to the monastery in the caves. This is where I learned that the Apostle Paul said women are supposed to cover their hair in church. I had to borrow a scarf and had no clue how to tie it on. How embarrassing. Above ground, the monastery is typically Russian beautiful. The roses were so fragrant. Once inside we went below to the caves where the monks used to live. If they chose this life, they never came above ground again. They dedicated themselves to reading and praying. They were fed bread and water. Eventually the cold and hunger would kill them. The longest to live down below was 8 years. Each monk had his own little area, many of which were too small to sleep lying down in. It was amazing. Sadly, the soviets punched a hole into the ceiling and would drop trash into the caves below as a ready made land fill. Today, the monastery is simply stunning. The craftsmanship is awe inspiring. After, this stop we returned to share lunch with Dinia and Ron. Can you say "vodka shots". I know- all my friends are falling over. "NO WAY, you did NOT Michelle!!" I was forced, and while everyone else was talking about how smooth it was, I was coughing and gagging. I was so embarrassed. The meal was yummy. The only problem was that I thought the appetizer was the meal. I ate fish, breads and cheese to my heart's content and then this delicious mushroom soup (she just picked the mushrooms) was brought out, followed by a stew and then a jelly tart. I had to do a stew-switch-a-roo with Ian since I couldn't come close to finishing my stew pot. Then, it was Karaoke time. We got to learn a Russian folk song. I am going to have to find it to sing to Ana. It was about a berry that is tart but grows all over. At 5:00 we headed over to the main Sergei Monastery to see the churches, towers and seminary. In the Russian Orthodox Church, parishioners stand for the entire service. And it lasts 3+ hours. It was amazing to see the photos of the soviet soldiers tossing the bells off the towers and destroying them. Today, it is more awe inspiring than ever. Clearly the Russian Orthodox Church never died in the 70 years it was banned. It went underground. There were so many highlights to the day, but as we drove back into town I began to miss the fresh air. We made one final pit stop so that Ian could have some fresh Kvas, a sweet Russian drink only made during the summer. It is so nasty! Fermented-barley -yrup is what it is. But, Ian loves it. He also loves the hazel nut snickers bar I got. I was all ready for an American treat and it was made with hazel nuts and who knows what else. It is actually fine tasting. I was just disappointed at that moment. And now, we sit in the Marriott Grand. We ran out of Hyatt Points and got tossed to the curb. So we are slumming it in the Grand. Heads of state were staying with us in the Hyatt. It was about as top notch as you can get here. In many ways it was nice to leave and come to the Grand where we feel more comfortable. The Grand is a wonderful hotel filled with Americans which was refreshing. Six nights here burning up Ian's Marriott points, and then I move into my apartment with my mom. Tomorrow we go to the US Embassy and then we get to see Ariana again!! After 3 days away we miss her very much. We are spending Thursday and Friday with her. Then Ian leaves Saturday, and I am hoping to get a ride out to my baby after he is on his way home. I set most of the weekend aside to help the families coming in town for their first trip (to meet their children). I hope to offer them a smidge of the hospitality that Ron and Dinia have extended to us.

Paka,
Michelle