Arrived in the village of YB--which is actually more of a region with several villages in it. We went to the local museum and the first photo if you look closely is the flag of the state of Maine and the seal of the state of Maine which we gave to the Museum--wow, we have artifacts in the museum!!! We then had a tour of the area and went to a local home for lunch the next 4 pictures show our table, a samovar (with hot tea) and all of us enjoying the meal.
Then we had to work for our meals, so you have a few photos showing our team sawing wood and carrying water from the well. You will see a photo of our folks with a forester as we planted some trees (and it had to be recorded in an official record), playing games and actually driving a car. It was a very different day. We were able to visit a local farmer and find out about life in Yb (last year, for example, was pretty difficult, this farm lost 5 sheep to wolves). His comments were interesting, he noted that financially people are better off, but the level of friendliness and support of one another has declined. A rather interesting commentary.
There is a lovely church and nunnery on a hill overlooking the river and we have visited it in the past. Not this time--there is new "mother superior" and she was taking her "sacred" lunch and was not to be disturbed so we did not get to walk and view these grounds.
The cemeteries here are unusual--every family has to make arrangements and bury their loved ones and then build a fence to protect the grave. What is interesting is that the also place tables and stools there so that they can have meals and visit with their deceased relatives--quite different from here.
All is well, returned to Syktyvkar and all dispersed to families and a free evening.
J.
Chuck looks like he's been condemned to hard labor in Siberia! What's Jacob doing wearing a Huskies shirt!? Do I see Ally in a photo...this is all way cool...schastlivogo puteshestviya...
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