tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70616905725770070012024-02-19T11:24:02.801-08:00Ireland's Mission in RussiaWe invite you to see Moscow through our experiences where we are serving as humanitarian missionaries for 18 months.samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-47832124659898133562009-05-20T22:30:00.000-07:002009-05-21T11:45:36.653-07:00Welcome Home<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">April 29 - We were greeted in the Salt Lake airport by our grandkids holding a "Welcome Home" banner with their parents nearby. How fun it was to see Ryan & Tani, Todd & Beth, and Doug & Shannon and their families. </span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9_NzV-nZkC6r-wJt00ihpldUq7iyULhnKfyzOLtmRH7vDUKRqA7zCiXcjY1CB4JbBKksA9qxSSziZOf652uOC5s0CyLBBBKYUGBU6eE_9lx_ne9VvWmUO6n9_VeyLcbzuPI_xCnTRhc/s1600-h/Home_Gkids+Welcome+Home+Sign_SLC+Airport.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9_NzV-nZkC6r-wJt00ihpldUq7iyULhnKfyzOLtmRH7vDUKRqA7zCiXcjY1CB4JbBKksA9qxSSziZOf652uOC5s0CyLBBBKYUGBU6eE_9lx_ne9VvWmUO6n9_VeyLcbzuPI_xCnTRhc/s400/Home_Gkids+Welcome+Home+Sign_SLC+Airport.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338284887021203634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Grandchildren in Utah welcoming us<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">with their banner </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">in the Salt Lake airport.<br />(Megan, Brynlee, Marisa, Joshua, Amanda, Ethan,<br />Carson, Brady, Jacob, and Jared)<br /></span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DVYj10ydRnwlMMmfkW8Ru_H1_CWhjJQ3hCY3MbwyBsHnQBwfIkjJZKpB_66tDiFXWBAugHq8PvX4QLB1ycxTqY-cViWzlRtrWc5qXtKINx8WE4iw8apvN4fOKN3RiGi_ax8DKPoEyHk/s1600-h/Home_Sam&Narene_Arriving+SLC+Airport.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DVYj10ydRnwlMMmfkW8Ru_H1_CWhjJQ3hCY3MbwyBsHnQBwfIkjJZKpB_66tDiFXWBAugHq8PvX4QLB1ycxTqY-cViWzlRtrWc5qXtKINx8WE4iw8apvN4fOKN3RiGi_ax8DKPoEyHk/s400/Home_Sam&Narene_Arriving+SLC+Airport.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338284892409102866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Coming down the escalator at the airport,<br />we see our grandchildren with their sign.<br />It's an exciting time.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">After hugs and kisses, we went to Leatherby's for more visiting while indulging in a variety of yummy ice cream concoctions. (Todd took these photos at Leatherby's.) </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiDsgkrGQCbQN_4Dt3OnbpmpQwgyHc2l47FObC9V6gXhegDpRN5ku4FRHaj1d0lgsvwAjtODvk2ca9Nzckadhv_8vMW5jtMl3r81gAjOUmg9omzlKLVuQpWI_0zaLcnrbcLJoNWAbEGc/s1600-h/Home_Leatherby'sIceCream_Family2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiDsgkrGQCbQN_4Dt3OnbpmpQwgyHc2l47FObC9V6gXhegDpRN5ku4FRHaj1d0lgsvwAjtODvk2ca9Nzckadhv_8vMW5jtMl3r81gAjOUmg9omzlKLVuQpWI_0zaLcnrbcLJoNWAbEGc/s400/Home_Leatherby'sIceCream_Family2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338284898451575154" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">It's hard to decide what to order with<br />so many sounding scrumptious.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-VC7lmBX4-Mlqn6BRhk5g4SjA8XtVwpAo_e9B9jgSeFOE_5hjLzzZVAu4a5ZjTxcxlDOScjQz0jiKhB1HuqoHFh-1tDHjrQ90AAc1-MCJvxWutk9MMIH7mB4H9FB_fhbuZCnUEDcFl4/s1600-h/Home_Leatherby'sIceCream_Family.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-VC7lmBX4-Mlqn6BRhk5g4SjA8XtVwpAo_e9B9jgSeFOE_5hjLzzZVAu4a5ZjTxcxlDOScjQz0jiKhB1HuqoHFh-1tDHjrQ90AAc1-MCJvxWutk9MMIH7mB4H9FB_fhbuZCnUEDcFl4/s400/Home_Leatherby'sIceCream_Family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338284902976512322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When they bring our order,<br />Beth and I are glad we decided to<br />share a chocolate/peanut butter sundae.<br />They are huge.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6z4bJiwHjPL34qTeai0r9N-oEQxPs3VXbpAHGzxMEUJ4MDvzJH2-g6NcZOGj9cA1wlBqyqoS027gAL0kMGmovxBhOhkqwJKS1PyMEthFjQCSgknzLQPibtOPQhURSDWadpi6FXYoViA/s1600-h/Home_SamEatingIceCreamSundae.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6z4bJiwHjPL34qTeai0r9N-oEQxPs3VXbpAHGzxMEUJ4MDvzJH2-g6NcZOGj9cA1wlBqyqoS027gAL0kMGmovxBhOhkqwJKS1PyMEthFjQCSgknzLQPibtOPQhURSDWadpi6FXYoViA/s400/Home_SamEatingIceCreamSundae.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338285443429801106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">See how large the sundaes are.<br />Grandpa Sam offered sample tastes<br />to those around him.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQQ4_gYSFGiK0XdeyuhpP2J6HaM6Un35DGzk1_CjuQ_QTn90QdgBaibTWrfD9C3BttHEzUjhBKIa5st2ukISOirhHv-15NXITRLH9ZGGygJN0rI74tPdolPGNaMOS6lmZsDnkR-WvLFQ/s1600-h/Home_Leatherby'sIceCream_Jared_Sundae.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQQ4_gYSFGiK0XdeyuhpP2J6HaM6Un35DGzk1_CjuQ_QTn90QdgBaibTWrfD9C3BttHEzUjhBKIa5st2ukISOirhHv-15NXITRLH9ZGGygJN0rI74tPdolPGNaMOS6lmZsDnkR-WvLFQ/s400/Home_Leatherby'sIceCream_Jared_Sundae.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338285447649208930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Jared is anxious to dig in, but will he be able<br />to finish it!<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippDAwEYRSmpmq4pAZ_4KRsgDQy-32zaSy44F_dI1jIjkvFGVYA1w39bgDpwVoHAKMDwA1HYJjLyVM2Rw_WLKo53BmvrwvvbLfDSU9TCbWIrZs6m5FqYloDGZcRuJKF-LngY3hYdz6MXY/s1600-h/Home_Leatherby'sIceCream_Ethan&Ryan_RootbeerFloat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippDAwEYRSmpmq4pAZ_4KRsgDQy-32zaSy44F_dI1jIjkvFGVYA1w39bgDpwVoHAKMDwA1HYJjLyVM2Rw_WLKo53BmvrwvvbLfDSU9TCbWIrZs6m5FqYloDGZcRuJKF-LngY3hYdz6MXY/s400/Home_Leatherby'sIceCream_Ethan&Ryan_RootbeerFloat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338284907346471890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Ethan is getting some help from Uncle Ryan,<br />as his root beer float (ordered from the<br />children's menu!) is overflowing.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">April 30 - We stayed with Todd & Beth's family in Spanish Fork. That evening, we all were invited to Ryan & Tani's in Eagle Mountain for delicious Mexican food. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMY6dOh6nQswuwdancp6gNPi2mUWh6GCe9ZYkz1Nhk70HHmrwhf7jP0RwyexqMj3qhyphenhyphen3PqYNPBj81KVdiPjYdBLGZNhZIsdanfCBQ6c57bsg0g6sf_-bAnbtYnYWDvJE8S0xXNA_H9NA/s1600-h/Home_Ryan'sHome_Jacob&EthanPlayingComputerGame.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMY6dOh6nQswuwdancp6gNPi2mUWh6GCe9ZYkz1Nhk70HHmrwhf7jP0RwyexqMj3qhyphenhyphen3PqYNPBj81KVdiPjYdBLGZNhZIsdanfCBQ6c57bsg0g6sf_-bAnbtYnYWDvJE8S0xXNA_H9NA/s400/Home_Ryan'sHome_Jacob&EthanPlayingComputerGame.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338286786371096562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Grandchildren enjoy playing the<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Wii </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">interactive video game.<br />(Jacob and Ethan)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRoLmAo_rulruWfXrbWm6b7u9C5n4JN7Hb7n1R5iLcvLlgptd4xWmZJE4m_a-KifoGwfPvCXnHd2RyE98m1sObRYSWYG-c8Nh_XZzgFGQFXQqiGmNiQWMbQcdXIigsvBUvvsJtsGq5pQ/s1600-h/Homecoming_Brady&Jared_ComputerGame.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRoLmAo_rulruWfXrbWm6b7u9C5n4JN7Hb7n1R5iLcvLlgptd4xWmZJE4m_a-KifoGwfPvCXnHd2RyE98m1sObRYSWYG-c8Nh_XZzgFGQFXQqiGmNiQWMbQcdXIigsvBUvvsJtsGq5pQ/s400/Homecoming_Brady&Jared_ComputerGame.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338287800343662658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Brady and Jared<br />are taking a turn with Wii.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjKLDNlipBaWy2orU3O_PPQN84bDqYXGn7KQ8ByiM2OnUnwNKyGLHE8lRAsafxZaPVVaAM8Nj9ovCUTY1XVndX6ME6zgqadh6yhR3XBPMd_rjUc5C4H3u5-Ke7KAFQwZKjW2v_FoDYUw/s1600-h/Home_Ryan'sHome_JacobJoshuaEthan_Playing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjKLDNlipBaWy2orU3O_PPQN84bDqYXGn7KQ8ByiM2OnUnwNKyGLHE8lRAsafxZaPVVaAM8Nj9ovCUTY1XVndX6ME6zgqadh6yhR3XBPMd_rjUc5C4H3u5-Ke7KAFQwZKjW2v_FoDYUw/s400/Home_Ryan'sHome_JacobJoshuaEthan_Playing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338285446512546210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Jacob, Joshua, and Ethan<br />find something else to do.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hoLNmPr5-tsMxZzUQ3lG2sYo9U3mdZYVW_9owPltwZDF2PBAnGiMYoXMB1vsOstwfDpsU7VvEmq4o1XtMRCHRoUSbzgDBEKj_-9L1KykgtSpnZFUhV1gvJmkw-3GUns8dsFIOFC5D7Y/s1600-h/Home_Ryan'sHome_Brynlee_Barbies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hoLNmPr5-tsMxZzUQ3lG2sYo9U3mdZYVW_9owPltwZDF2PBAnGiMYoXMB1vsOstwfDpsU7VvEmq4o1XtMRCHRoUSbzgDBEKj_-9L1KykgtSpnZFUhV1gvJmkw-3GUns8dsFIOFC5D7Y/s400/Home_Ryan'sHome_Brynlee_Barbies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338285455664908530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Brynlee has finished eating and<br />drinking red juice and is<br />ready to play.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF19MhYJ_bON9JOiX6YAlURXaZO1eBk5ewOVpU-LHmWOEncuXD6oOcX82pi5Pn1HabRnoqRs8yIiAGgcBu5Aj7_ygrvkewkI3xjjCdHILOiXkBXigd4gHd20pNLvDBEZDwaZB8aj971s/s1600-h/Homecoming_Jacob.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF19MhYJ_bON9JOiX6YAlURXaZO1eBk5ewOVpU-LHmWOEncuXD6oOcX82pi5Pn1HabRnoqRs8yIiAGgcBu5Aj7_ygrvkewkI3xjjCdHILOiXkBXigd4gHd20pNLvDBEZDwaZB8aj971s/s400/Homecoming_Jacob.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338287786126928834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Looks like Jacob liked the red juice, too.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaLr-Y_0zbtdvgVnY0Sp_8IFvtlGdVa81qtymcc_NvfjEqxe23CahFPhZojJzAK5iQ2s9_HgcNk915NdO08jPxtHoJCKZyQrEWbbNVFD9OD3D5YqfusZciaUQTRNis1ScAg_uIXFpTZc/s1600-h/Homecoming_Joshua.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaLr-Y_0zbtdvgVnY0Sp_8IFvtlGdVa81qtymcc_NvfjEqxe23CahFPhZojJzAK5iQ2s9_HgcNk915NdO08jPxtHoJCKZyQrEWbbNVFD9OD3D5YqfusZciaUQTRNis1ScAg_uIXFpTZc/s400/Homecoming_Joshua.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338287791752957650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Joshua throws the ball to Uncle Ryan.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd_ifTBmtcNZgy8eP-CS_WUH-R5hrqu9Sz6KGlN4E6bgOcKyyPcOSBjcGzRezVwPmG6almuxR7v7OtRQfxwzsZwvbSAep-0mzKcUU7VlAVIw4lud1B7eJ4UpQ4ikEZIuOb1joP1Dul3Q/s1600-h/Homecoming_Marisa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd_ifTBmtcNZgy8eP-CS_WUH-R5hrqu9Sz6KGlN4E6bgOcKyyPcOSBjcGzRezVwPmG6almuxR7v7OtRQfxwzsZwvbSAep-0mzKcUU7VlAVIw4lud1B7eJ4UpQ4ikEZIuOb1joP1Dul3Q/s400/Homecoming_Marisa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338287803253739794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We realize the grandchildren are<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">a year and a </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">half older<br />than when we left.<br />Marisa is a pretty young lady.<br />(Carson is at the high school prom.)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vZCZPXqAnmdiE97mb_x882A-PZq0ZtxH7Ds0s0wDpIvizE6t82nTJC8KHYYarE_JPhyphenhyphenrCsJfDjFIeRwiYfNv46ygqnybQ2DkTydHV9Q7525fy0EtZNkXkige4DvBwrJC6-h39bw9Jq0/s1600-h/Homecoming_Megan&Amanda.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vZCZPXqAnmdiE97mb_x882A-PZq0ZtxH7Ds0s0wDpIvizE6t82nTJC8KHYYarE_JPhyphenhyphenrCsJfDjFIeRwiYfNv46ygqnybQ2DkTydHV9Q7525fy0EtZNkXkige4DvBwrJC6-h39bw9Jq0/s400/Homecoming_Megan&Amanda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338287797632716450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Megan and Amanda have changed some, too;<br />but they still look just alike (although they<br />have different expressions in this photo).<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">May 1 - The Utah families gathered at Todd & Beth's for pizza and more visiting.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdr2b4kVTeK4EO96MpxBEy-shyphenhyphencKu7UX_Lz8aMK0Ot1wCohOo_9II6KLDpAd7r0OHv7lCjN2yv_fZfssY7ct12fO0XfM2US-cmYg_MK6rDBG_49TBk4V6p6XeMB0S7QOuBXZv53VBGY3E/s1600-h/Homecoming_Gkids_Pizza.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdr2b4kVTeK4EO96MpxBEy-shyphenhyphencKu7UX_Lz8aMK0Ot1wCohOo_9II6KLDpAd7r0OHv7lCjN2yv_fZfssY7ct12fO0XfM2US-cmYg_MK6rDBG_49TBk4V6p6XeMB0S7QOuBXZv53VBGY3E/s400/Homecoming_Gkids_Pizza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338288059732280322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The grandkids enjoy their pizza, bread sticks,<br />chips, and juice.<br />(Jared, Amanda, Ethan, Megan, Brynlee, and Jacob)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">May 2 - Although the jet lag wasn't nearly as bad as it had been when we arrived in Moscow, our days and nights still hadn't gotten switched back properly; so when we were awake at 3:00 a.m., we got up and left for South Dakota. We had anticipated an early start and had said our goodbyes the night before. The drive home in our new Toyota Sienna minivan went well; and we listened to an audio book as we traveled, which made the hours seem not so long and helped keep us awake. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We stopped in Chadron, Nebraska, for groceries at Wal-Mart; and we still got to the farm by 3:30 p.m. No one seemed home when we stopped at Brent & Tauna's; but we no sooner got the luggage brought in when their children came to give us our South Dakota welcome-home greetings. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMSRQfuigE15BB055p3Riks4a2mmg0-air81ZIJrCMwZn714tF5ysI6csa37lmcOmTEEY5Yi2E69xwU300eQUvDWFSAx2Nf30CtqmGR7Il1BVbDW_8Qf6nJWBDbYJBb8V9QiqvLqyNCE/s1600-h/Home_SethWestonSam_RussianHats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMSRQfuigE15BB055p3Riks4a2mmg0-air81ZIJrCMwZn714tF5ysI6csa37lmcOmTEEY5Yi2E69xwU300eQUvDWFSAx2Nf30CtqmGR7Il1BVbDW_8Qf6nJWBDbYJBb8V9QiqvLqyNCE/s400/Home_SethWestonSam_RussianHats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338286798019842786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Seth and Sam are wearing their new<br />Russian raccoon hats.<br />We hadn't yet unpacked Weston's Harry Potter<br />matryoshka nesting doll, so he is wearing<br />Grandpa's hat and Julia's Russian scarf.<br />Julia is their German exchange student.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlQdW4txpJVwy_KYOcoXWWqRZ8FJOfcz3yudcQa7g8rEYNpsqq6u3vFIW02WPYTzJ5Z0z6eJ1FozP6ALzu6FeQNTGwW5LPegQgjpxaqu0sj0ACXmfrBzqLIEGgULwsyJdiADJzhv3bkc/s1600-h/Home_Rachel_MatryoshkaDoll.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlQdW4txpJVwy_KYOcoXWWqRZ8FJOfcz3yudcQa7g8rEYNpsqq6u3vFIW02WPYTzJ5Z0z6eJ1FozP6ALzu6FeQNTGwW5LPegQgjpxaqu0sj0ACXmfrBzqLIEGgULwsyJdiADJzhv3bkc/s400/Home_Rachel_MatryoshkaDoll.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338286796865328322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Rachel's matryoshka nesting doll<br />has yarn braids, which we<br />thought was cute and different.<br />Inside are five pieces, and the final<br />two are a dog and a cat.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">May 3 - Brent & Tauna and their family went with us to Rosebud to church. It was nice seeing our friends there. Galen & Patti Busch have been our friends since our children were little, and Roger & Michelle Allen have also been friends for a long time. We enjoyed the excellent lesson Brent taught on the Atonement.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">May 4 & 5 - Sam got back onto a tractor and helping with the farming. Narene unpacked and enjoyed doing a little redecorating with the Russian "arts and crafts" we had gotten. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">May 6 - Since we had appointments in Rapid City this day for the dentist, accountant, and financial advisor, we also met with President & Sister Cannon at the mission office rather than having them come to the farm as originally planned. President Cannon gave us our official missionary release certificates. They took us to eat at Minerva's, a nice restaurant, where we continued our enjoyable visit with the Cannons. We appreciate their friendship and service, and are so happy they were still in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission when we returned. Their mission is finished July 1. </span></span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-QYg2eL8LQRAUj-tZOYf_utfVo8_Y8ysKXyM_LwA-bw02C4bSsCFK3JLyAeyzwy5z5lxXodGOPK9BQqGlr3Vymwz3cZDZvzl8BYubTR3GG2TVFnZh0hSD1ShGNhfaWdJ_PP6y3fAX9M/s1600-h/Home_Pres&SisterCannon_ProphetMatryoshkas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-QYg2eL8LQRAUj-tZOYf_utfVo8_Y8ysKXyM_LwA-bw02C4bSsCFK3JLyAeyzwy5z5lxXodGOPK9BQqGlr3Vymwz3cZDZvzl8BYubTR3GG2TVFnZh0hSD1ShGNhfaWdJ_PP6y3fAX9M/s400/Home_Pres&SisterCannon_ProphetMatryoshkas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338286792697729410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">President & Sister Cannon</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">with the matryoshka nesting set of LDS prophets </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">we brought back for them from Russia.</span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We are happy to be home with family and friends, but we do miss the dear friends we have in Russia and the senior couples we have shared so many pleasant memories with during our eighteen months there.<br /><br />How grateful we are for the opportunity we had to serve as Area Welfare Specialists in Eastern Europe and to be involved with the humanitarian work donated by the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to those in need regardless of race, religion, or cultural differences.<br /><br />The Russian people we associated with were kind and helpful. We always knew we are all children of our Father in Heaven who loves us all, but it was so meaningful to have the experiences we had with other cultures to see how much alike we are even though our backgrounds are different. We appreciated the language of the heart and how much one can communicate love with a smile and a hug. Some of our dearest friends we had were those we could only have very limited conversations with unless we had an interpreter, because we found the Russian language so difficult to learn and remember. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I am so thankful for my knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the guidance and comfort received through prayers offered to a loving Heavenly Father. I am thankful for the gift of the Atonement given voluntarily by our Saviour for me and for all who will accept the gift.<br /><br />I am thankful for my good parents who took the time to teach me about the Gospel of Jesus Christ that was restored in these latter days by the Prophet Joseph Smith to have the same organization that existed when Christ was on the earth. I am grateful our Heavenly Father loves us as much as any generation and continues to provide us with a prophet. I am grateful the heavens are not closed and that we are blessed with being able to have revelation as needed in our time.<br /><br />I am grateful for the Plan of Happiness, which lets me know where we came from, why we are here on earth, and how we can be reunited with our families in eternity. I am grateful for the scriptures that help us to know Jesus Christ and how we should live to have joy.<br /><br />I am grateful for my family and with all my heart pray that we will be an eternal family sealed by the blessings of the temple ordinances. I am grateful for my good husband whom I was privileged to share this mission with as his companion, and I am thankful I have the opportunity to be his eternal companion. The love we shared on our wedding day, 5 June 1959, has continued to grow; and being together almost 24/7 was an enjoyable blessing.<br /><br />I highly recommend serving a mission with your spouse as a senior couple if health and circumstances permit. It is such a rewarding experience that I cherish, and I am so grateful we were able to serve this mission.</span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Now that we are no longer in Russia, this blog has come to its conclusion. For those who have enjoyed sharing our experiences in Russia and would like to keep in contact with us on the farm/ranch in South Dakota or wherever our circumstances might take us, please join us at our new blog:</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"Irelands Here and There" found at - http://irelandshereandthere.blogspot.com<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Going to our new blog, you will see that Sam has changed into different work clothes than the suit and tie of a missionary. The first blog on the "Irelands Here and There" site is of our annual branding held May 9. <br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EEAbQI-R6CE2MQaE7f_ZvbqOu-_DpCKjhf9xOw_3zAMXHITCvX4_vJnEuszwrNeSA66EsEYfqTuL-Fe-Ft4-2UQdiXuLOyFJ39FwR9dzGcif2E3bB2hIjt2h6T48HEm3AEs5ArgemXw/s1600-h/Branding_Sam,JimJohnson,DaveJones,Brent,more.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EEAbQI-R6CE2MQaE7f_ZvbqOu-_DpCKjhf9xOw_3zAMXHITCvX4_vJnEuszwrNeSA66EsEYfqTuL-Fe-Ft4-2UQdiXuLOyFJ39FwR9dzGcif2E3bB2hIjt2h6T48HEm3AEs5ArgemXw/s400/Branding_Sam,JimJohnson,DaveJones,Brent,more.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338333752256417746" border="0" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam branding at the farm/ranch in South Dakota<br />May 9, 2009<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Thank you for sharing in this journey with us in Russia and the Eastern Europe area. I welcome your comments or questions and wish you the best. If interested, you may e-mail me at eneranoslen@hotmail.com. </span></span></span><br /></div><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-30938527504018703572009-05-17T20:50:00.000-07:002014-11-14T13:46:01.051-08:00Until We Meet Again - Yugo Zapadnaya Branch and the Service Center<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><br />26 April 09 - The morning after returning to Moscow from our Area Humanitarian Conference in Armenia, we took the metro for our last time to attend church in Moscow. Our mission had only three days left before our flight left on Wednesday morning. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">The previous Sunday, I had taught my last Relief Society lesson in our Moscow branch, which is now being referred to as the Universitet branch since the Yugo Zapadnaya branch moved to the Universitet metro stop. At the end of the lesson, I had taken the opportunity to tell the sisters how much I loved them and enjoyed our relationship in the branch. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Now, on this last Sunday, we had brought bookmarks with Greg Olsen's "Children of the World" picture and our personal printed "goodbye" message for the branch members. There were hugs and tears as we said our individual goodbyes to these good people who had become an important part of our lives. I will post a few pictures here taken that Sunday.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> </span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpHxdihiMa07DbUOk3IyGl8CsiM_eYxI_cQmHQMMs5xE2d_FmhxfCWPjNM24V1bIP76-drwBD4If06E9gMFJ7E1IK19Q8zNXQJn1WJOb3elZNKqs0BG2-GitNWJYA7FUoPPItYOeKTxw/s1600-h/Moscow_UniversitetBranch_Sisters.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpHxdihiMa07DbUOk3IyGl8CsiM_eYxI_cQmHQMMs5xE2d_FmhxfCWPjNM24V1bIP76-drwBD4If06E9gMFJ7E1IK19Q8zNXQJn1WJOb3elZNKqs0BG2-GitNWJYA7FUoPPItYOeKTxw/s400/Moscow_UniversitetBranch_Sisters.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337214216281504242" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Posing after Relief Society on our last Sunday<br />in Moscow at the Universitet branch<br />(formerly called Yugo Zapadnaya branch).<br />The sweet lady in her 90's with white hair in the<br />middle row, left, is among the first<br />members to be baptized in Russia.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl0pvfl2Teo31YhkDVXgO8bkYHODDUP49duGmBLHNwgp5JTOHjjZyF0BqdHebmJZ-PsmDGU1B_M6hU-Bt7vhPpj7lbVHB2z5-JSqYkNNvvcV1kcKJi0klYpbptcP9RXDg2ZyakdKHqs0/s1600-h/Moscow_UniversitetBranch_Sam.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl0pvfl2Teo31YhkDVXgO8bkYHODDUP49duGmBLHNwgp5JTOHjjZyF0BqdHebmJZ-PsmDGU1B_M6hU-Bt7vhPpj7lbVHB2z5-JSqYkNNvvcV1kcKJi0klYpbptcP9RXDg2ZyakdKHqs0/s400/Moscow_UniversitetBranch_Sam.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337214211475296066" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Sam (left) is approaching the entrance where</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Yugo Zapadnaya members now attend church<br />in this</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> recently remodeled building.<br />Two more members are by the entrance</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> ready to enter the building.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAKNTfVilz_NHEzkFpSMyDzrFBA5BQEuc1QWc8dZk7T4J5ks1ovz9_Nupg2jY7lew_5LvHBToukNuLzm5twL3iuxNQ8ViiFMCGuwIvstDdPvQdm-kXCo95HvDiZLPyfsrJUeqyQvwhgw/s1600-h/Moscow_UniversitetBranch_Lydia&Narene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAKNTfVilz_NHEzkFpSMyDzrFBA5BQEuc1QWc8dZk7T4J5ks1ovz9_Nupg2jY7lew_5LvHBToukNuLzm5twL3iuxNQ8ViiFMCGuwIvstDdPvQdm-kXCo95HvDiZLPyfsrJUeqyQvwhgw/s400/Moscow_UniversitetBranch_Lydia&Narene.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337214220104336674" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Sister Lydia, a faithful member of about a year,<br />always gave me such a warm welcoming hug and<br />kiss on the cheek each Sunday. Our weekly<br />conversations were understood by the heart if<br />not by the ear; she spoke only in Russian while<br />most of my words were in English with<br />an occasional translation by one of the<br />young missionaries.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQYUSdgYhmRG_BNY9y_JeHFsLBpbO2nsN8X2SBrI_AvC09PnWhECMG4CS_Iinmw4KGJRa4ztnosvx4LmRyQeQn7N0hznNw8ZPAZDkeqXkK4mkPsIm_vbgTMqO5WxKFRQMNbameKsaX84/s1600-h/Moscow_UniversitetBranch_Sisters_Standing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQYUSdgYhmRG_BNY9y_JeHFsLBpbO2nsN8X2SBrI_AvC09PnWhECMG4CS_Iinmw4KGJRa4ztnosvx4LmRyQeQn7N0hznNw8ZPAZDkeqXkK4mkPsIm_vbgTMqO5WxKFRQMNbameKsaX84/s400/Moscow_UniversitetBranch_Sisters_Standing.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337214226805235698" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Lena (third from the left) helped with the<br />Primary this Sunday and was not in Relief Society,<br />so we took another group photo. Lena had given<br />tickets to us for several musical events.<br />Sister Natalya (second from the left) continued<br />to be the Relief Society president when the two<br />branches were again united. Her warmth always<br />made everyone feel comfortable and loved.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfafWF2T-5vaOaLF81zi39J0sTGY-BJfkEJVnJsSeTVryv36mr1kTi92xNKUd3-k9bucj5FQ_nU5fam5leKne4Z_FoNnTwHbby-fNS661fTG97fiB3GJ3v9SP7DS-HPYbq-xeci1U_fM/s1600-h/Moscow_Universitet_Flowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfafWF2T-5vaOaLF81zi39J0sTGY-BJfkEJVnJsSeTVryv36mr1kTi92xNKUd3-k9bucj5FQ_nU5fam5leKne4Z_FoNnTwHbby-fNS661fTG97fiB3GJ3v9SP7DS-HPYbq-xeci1U_fM/s400/Moscow_Universitet_Flowers.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337214228013064834" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">On our walk to the metro after church, we<br />passed one of the numerous flower stands. Russians<br />love flowers, and you never had to go very far<br />before you would come to a place where flowers</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> were</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> sold </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">in a kiosk or </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">by a lady on the street<br />or in the entrance to a metro.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIcWFu_U4ajmej39KUxvhtiS6akxcdMi6iOfMhwgM__TAO_an42Ok1aJ0zDkyKjKwyt4QqqxUQVRccoYQx1uFzLTZFdgY00dhAkNa8mKEtN38ZxVFivTfQk9e_QnKdrxZ0HqWobGUWOc/s1600-h/Moscow_Universitet_SamWalkingSokalPark.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIcWFu_U4ajmej39KUxvhtiS6akxcdMi6iOfMhwgM__TAO_an42Ok1aJ0zDkyKjKwyt4QqqxUQVRccoYQx1uFzLTZFdgY00dhAkNa8mKEtN38ZxVFivTfQk9e_QnKdrxZ0HqWobGUWOc/s400/Moscow_Universitet_SamWalkingSokalPark.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337214998489831938" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We are on our way home from the metro.<br />Sam is carrying his scriptures and is<br />nearing the crosswalk that leads to the<br />entrance to the park we walk through<br />on our way</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> to our apartment</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV448A34jQvdXtIbfFkF-KOnMHXVaGhh4lFGh8JRli3BfChQV3s0zRv2Q6fz9EvYc_Oi9gSD7l5-JCvtQFzZSQK7NXfX8IlRNlZPLxA-RR7QFGQciP94dFCtBc3qFHlOhgsxD6lSvP1A/s1600-h/Moscow_Universitet_SamSokalPark_Horse.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV448A34jQvdXtIbfFkF-KOnMHXVaGhh4lFGh8JRli3BfChQV3s0zRv2Q6fz9EvYc_Oi9gSD7l5-JCvtQFzZSQK7NXfX8IlRNlZPLxA-RR7QFGQciP94dFCtBc3qFHlOhgsxD6lSvP1A/s400/Moscow_Universitet_SamSokalPark_Horse.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337215002079571074" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">This day there is a child riding a horse in the park.<br />The trees will soon be leafed out,<br />and there will be lots of flowers planted,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">but </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">that has not happened yet.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_c0ooVKa0hBOQ2OHGGhecC9WOsuX6SsQLDxbiwQLs16lJ7txIu0DKZRMEk_BnEhGloSd03-YHZIOG7Z_aUGZNKY6SfcxzWx5y7QalHNJyd8PRvPFyDUsyhKmYUYxIuV0XqysNkhcUkg/s1600-h/Moscow_SokalAptBldg_Valentina&Narene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_c0ooVKa0hBOQ2OHGGhecC9WOsuX6SsQLDxbiwQLs16lJ7txIu0DKZRMEk_BnEhGloSd03-YHZIOG7Z_aUGZNKY6SfcxzWx5y7QalHNJyd8PRvPFyDUsyhKmYUYxIuV0XqysNkhcUkg/s400/Moscow_SokalAptBldg_Valentina&Narene.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337215012902462370" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">When we entered our apartment this Sunday,<br />we were pleased to be greeted by Valentina,<br />our favorite of the ladies who watch<br />the front entrance. We love this lady and<br />regret the language barrier that prevented us<br />from having any real conversations beyond<br />the greetings and repetitive phrases we<br />always exchanged with smiles and hugs.<br />She is a real sweetheart.<br /><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">27 April 09 - We put in a long day at the office after having been in Armenia for the conference and wanting to have things up to date for the Burtons when they would arrive May 8. I had been putting together an instruction book with details on my various responsibilities addressing what, where, how, and when. In addition, I went through my electronic files and Outlook Inbox files wanting to have them meaningful and helpful for someone new.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_smLa5VEUwLhNTbpl2NdNG2rFJv-rPxH3MTOVkcrckXtrLvxR5t2fkrLhkrsnfz6Ekd1RChHbPwRZJMI00LovxbyIwHVTks0M65cGuAJ4QBiXjqTmLltrSAl65N-7sQuqMyLn1z5vVbQ/s1600-h/Moscow_SokalSign.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_smLa5VEUwLhNTbpl2NdNG2rFJv-rPxH3MTOVkcrckXtrLvxR5t2fkrLhkrsnfz6Ekd1RChHbPwRZJMI00LovxbyIwHVTks0M65cGuAJ4QBiXjqTmLltrSAl65N-7sQuqMyLn1z5vVbQ/s400/Moscow_SokalSign.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337215011504665762" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 290px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">On our way to the office each<br />day we passed this sign with the<br />Sokal insignia. Yes, it says<br />"Sokal" in Russian, which is the<br />district where we lived and worked.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4I11c8-8Y4043vcnV9Wqdy3w6FDF7iHTi8O_X3wj-HVebL1zosX3EPGeHys-YtMbbdqQPn-vmKxIJd5NKUfWeOoq9b36ecb7BrnBwonfcJCtBSbTAVZ3acqKIhjPB-5dqYmIkli4dwhs/s1600-h/Moscow_SokalBird.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4I11c8-8Y4043vcnV9Wqdy3w6FDF7iHTi8O_X3wj-HVebL1zosX3EPGeHys-YtMbbdqQPn-vmKxIJd5NKUfWeOoq9b36ecb7BrnBwonfcJCtBSbTAVZ3acqKIhjPB-5dqYmIkli4dwhs/s400/Moscow_SokalBird.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337266600907947282" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 286px;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">This statue of a sokal bird is at the<br />corner of the block before we<br />reach the Service Center.<br /><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmj_5Y1BIVHCPGvbTO-BrIKVCIcccoaTQnaxWDpaK6CDsOed5ejCwOktCJzJwknBz0-vFu6TX4yXTjs2HQsZQurXwlckbCngq37pQDAB4lNuMRkRlU5cXXWjcBhL0fuRKtisiglT62fs/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_ServiceCenter_Sam.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmj_5Y1BIVHCPGvbTO-BrIKVCIcccoaTQnaxWDpaK6CDsOed5ejCwOktCJzJwknBz0-vFu6TX4yXTjs2HQsZQurXwlckbCngq37pQDAB4lNuMRkRlU5cXXWjcBhL0fuRKtisiglT62fs/s400/Moscow_Sokal_ServiceCenter_Sam.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337266610134122162" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Sam has reached the gate to enter the Service Center.<br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">The man sitting at the gate recognizes us and</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> unlocks the gate for us as we approach. His name is Semyon Milner. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We always wave at him as we pass by his window. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">It is usually Semyon in the booth each week-day morning. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">There is someone guarding here 24/7, so on days </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">when we stay late or on a Saturday if we come </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">to work, there is someone else on duty.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Of course, people stopped by to visit us in the office one last time; and we appreciated these visits. We had our printed goodbyes </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">and the Greg Olsen bookmarks </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">to give along with our favorite Russian candy that tastes similar to a Snicker's bar. Here are a few photos taken on our last full day at the office. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7POhR1chDBncflNzVzUBvolBskVx7OYOn8bTOPomRQCUxC1vC3KCU_yiBjIL_FrqzdRCsIqTbDtOO2GfSI_XlklAkuk46DKPfafY495bvALJy9qFdGfQbtyVmn0bb84AEJgqkPtgPYRU/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Sam,Tatiana.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7POhR1chDBncflNzVzUBvolBskVx7OYOn8bTOPomRQCUxC1vC3KCU_yiBjIL_FrqzdRCsIqTbDtOO2GfSI_XlklAkuk46DKPfafY495bvALJy9qFdGfQbtyVmn0bb84AEJgqkPtgPYRU/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Sam,Tatiana.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337270037353996882" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 286px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Tatiana was the person who<br />communicated with us regarding<br />our rent, as our landlady lived in<br />Siberia and we only saw her once.<br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Because Tatiana spoke very fast</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> using both Russian and English in the</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> same sentence, we sometimes were</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> unsure what she had told us; but</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> she was always helpful and kind.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> While we were in the Moscow West Mission,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> Tatiana was the one who made sure</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> we were properly registered each time</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> we re-entered the country after a</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> visa renewal or training meeting </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">outside of Russia if we were</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> gone more than three business days. Luba took care of us when we became part of the Moscow Mission, and she always gave us a cheerful greeting as she went by our door.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBq4i9Y5hcEey0XOl2UsnstBCzEATOtEOnXgpCQhEfRRDpalfXbZCpRDktKlDxn-p7C_N-KxhuL1_zJzK2VvTFfDkc5LtwRVQdUPoDtMU50bjQYo89G7n_nyP8WOyif-8owHFhf7XfgJo/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Zhanna&Narene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBq4i9Y5hcEey0XOl2UsnstBCzEATOtEOnXgpCQhEfRRDpalfXbZCpRDktKlDxn-p7C_N-KxhuL1_zJzK2VvTFfDkc5LtwRVQdUPoDtMU50bjQYo89G7n_nyP8WOyif-8owHFhf7XfgJo/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Zhanna&Narene.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337270038074109330" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> </a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Zhanna in Finance was so nice to work with, and<br />she was the person I took Payment Requests to or<br />my questions regarding invoices.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RHneZLbsAjq-DnNc0dgdfA_fCdveXAL4uUx5bBCEQWCx_CcHlEPlcILQ4s8uUR_csxjZYUb6iJSY1ijOifyshEPWCnj27kKNn54E1l65Hnq_HkwDmpYNC6KgL9K158T79Riv3OanGBI/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Dmitry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RHneZLbsAjq-DnNc0dgdfA_fCdveXAL4uUx5bBCEQWCx_CcHlEPlcILQ4s8uUR_csxjZYUb6iJSY1ijOifyshEPWCnj27kKNn54E1l65Hnq_HkwDmpYNC6KgL9K158T79Riv3OanGBI/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Dmitry.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337270043501187602" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 286px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Dmitry was also in Finance, and<br />he was the one I took the<br />Russian expense logs to and provided him<br />with information regarding the<br />JPMC account balances.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M-vq6GBuVPxK6s6W2dyHeZcbAtKUToQUF-Jc_mjUZTTayy4m2arKYgXz8ux7qkpweOusbiZi9exwOFQpvUgVRrJYKiGdelSkuUSrD_ymSGws4uBH3Lr3DWzrmF9pER9RXtjiuy3OjR4/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Sam&Oleg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M-vq6GBuVPxK6s6W2dyHeZcbAtKUToQUF-Jc_mjUZTTayy4m2arKYgXz8ux7qkpweOusbiZi9exwOFQpvUgVRrJYKiGdelSkuUSrD_ymSGws4uBH3Lr3DWzrmF9pER9RXtjiuy3OjR4/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Sam&Oleg.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337270670353073634" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Oleg heads the Visa and Travel department.<br />We enjoyed his cheery greetings as he passed our<br />office as well as his humor and good stories.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnvBb0GY5CAdHaWQ6XH6ixSXFQVo9Kee3tHa2XtSpOKeDSUINskB2FatKeWa1uMyFz7bMElb6iL9iDFRUbW6Vzze25KCzAFXkM3BI4S8e2ci9jco8wMEQ_-EtiLDGn_pniDaWT02CJE4/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Victor&Sam.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnvBb0GY5CAdHaWQ6XH6ixSXFQVo9Kee3tHa2XtSpOKeDSUINskB2FatKeWa1uMyFz7bMElb6iL9iDFRUbW6Vzze25KCzAFXkM3BI4S8e2ci9jco8wMEQ_-EtiLDGn_pniDaWT02CJE4/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Victor&Sam.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337270672446603634" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Victor also works in Visa and Travel. He is the<br />one who usually took care of the Letter of<br />Invitation we needed when we visited another<br />country and checked on our travel plans.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafUhXwxhRgPJ7n14kzKvcf3ElG3pqHBDdQ3okrnt3DuivdXkGOhH_1B9nyJ6UOsyVs9jRf7HUv3tWvcpASXq80di9JrF26biPoqn_JM2QdT1Sv6OAbuP1nTJsJdI4BhGp1TQOnreEvEY/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Karina&Narene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafUhXwxhRgPJ7n14kzKvcf3ElG3pqHBDdQ3okrnt3DuivdXkGOhH_1B9nyJ6UOsyVs9jRf7HUv3tWvcpASXq80di9JrF26biPoqn_JM2QdT1Sv6OAbuP1nTJsJdI4BhGp1TQOnreEvEY/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Karina&Narene.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337270659626796818" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> Karina was the administrative secretary for Vlad<br />and David Stapley before moving to the office<br />of Human Relations next door to our office.<br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We often were the last ones to leave the</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> Service Center, but after Karina's promotion</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">, she frequently was still working when we walked passed her door. At those times, we stopped briefly and told her "da cvedonya" before leaving for the evening. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgdSMzoyD3UvT1vhI8rXVLF51sXZp6gvJc3QciH5f3wFTRLy07z2KK2L3YOrw7hhbUnV0Hdyzu0dXMNlKXmWT1bow_A7JvzYEvK4frZElyHmT_THZ26uh2QoZRJAdxVJgEtRD_AnzRg4/s1600-h/Moscow_Sofia&Elena_Service+Center.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgdSMzoyD3UvT1vhI8rXVLF51sXZp6gvJc3QciH5f3wFTRLy07z2KK2L3YOrw7hhbUnV0Hdyzu0dXMNlKXmWT1bow_A7JvzYEvK4frZElyHmT_THZ26uh2QoZRJAdxVJgEtRD_AnzRg4/s400/Moscow_Sofia&Elena_Service+Center.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338633539991474018" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 286px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Sofia and Elena</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> are<br />young friends who also hold a<br />special place in our hearts.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Sofia was in Spain visiting her parents the final days we were in the Service Center; so I am including the picture taken last year of Sofia and Elena. Sofia is the receptionist at the front desk. Elena used to be the receptionist; but when Karina moved to the Human Relations office, Elena was promoted to Karina's former position as the executive secretary for David Stapley and Vlad. We have enjoyed our association with these two young ladies. Sofia is planning to go on a mission, and Elena is engaged to be married.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafs7dwFXbURzIJ1XwyMq8p8Oa8HwGTk4faPdm_kJg-dQwqa7TD3XmAZhyphenhyphenpckhMqbT0y2AqsOkNy_1ogq0YCZgNqBqiFLEhvcekGzNEhFL8e1Rnr_S3DVkLwjLgIjWt6x-A23JKhDT0hI/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Melana&Narene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafs7dwFXbURzIJ1XwyMq8p8Oa8HwGTk4faPdm_kJg-dQwqa7TD3XmAZhyphenhyphenpckhMqbT0y2AqsOkNy_1ogq0YCZgNqBqiFLEhvcekGzNEhFL8e1Rnr_S3DVkLwjLgIjWt6x-A23JKhDT0hI/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Melana&Narene.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337270663743676482" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Milena is head of the Human Relations department.<br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">When Manuel from Columbia came to visit Milena,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> he stayed with us for five days. It was interesting to learn that</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> our son Doug had been Manuel's zone leader in</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> Peru when Doug served his mission there.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> Milena is from Yerevan, Armenia; and that</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> is where they went to get married.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAyxxkFUrdnhXWqvs9LajG2B872bOX51oR7EjMPjqryMKN6TBAuCqGT2OikQTCL7LLqLIoasLm-hlObCPkuNl6j5Jv5SQu-0MjVGYCcVLhWdqY5Q1YnFiMzT_8DQEG1eZeNLw0AGuYVk/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Peter&Sam.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAyxxkFUrdnhXWqvs9LajG2B872bOX51oR7EjMPjqryMKN6TBAuCqGT2OikQTCL7LLqLIoasLm-hlObCPkuNl6j5Jv5SQu-0MjVGYCcVLhWdqY5Q1YnFiMzT_8DQEG1eZeNLw0AGuYVk/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Office_Peter&Sam.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337270675672363570" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We were touched by the emotion Peter showed<br />when he came in with Victor as a translator to<br />tell us goodbye.<br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Peter was the maintenance</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> person and always had a smile and greeting for us.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> Each morning when we came, he would be sweeping leaves, or</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> shoveling snow, or whatever needed to be done</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> around the Service Center. On Women's Day,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> he had brought me candy.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">28 April 09 - One last morning, we went to the office to respond to e-mails from the humanitarian couples. At 10:00, we had an appointment for an interview with President Cranney, our mission president. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpISJMWHRLyQtzddT49wsTrBgl3DAemU9XZ60x0fTI6zoeMk0gtoKNSBICgL1FN1acPUQbthCZ38s2ek-S2RaW_8WLB4RsPXfaWIe8fCWdJxlVDl3LrO4my01rKcNLe3tyya_SVhfNNc/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_StreetVendors.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpISJMWHRLyQtzddT49wsTrBgl3DAemU9XZ60x0fTI6zoeMk0gtoKNSBICgL1FN1acPUQbthCZ38s2ek-S2RaW_8WLB4RsPXfaWIe8fCWdJxlVDl3LrO4my01rKcNLe3tyya_SVhfNNc/s400/Moscow_Sokal_StreetVendors.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337270030477815410" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Walking to the metro, we passed the usual<br />street vendors with their veggies, fruits, and<br />homemade crafts.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAEZW7Bm9XaXjjvtZGkmZcpB8Tkn6wWBt-GwzmTDOVFRcizMkfpyMb81JO8CT7fIFx8JBbuaAKqqjzoyeRwcmPvc4FvvYXnjx_THxtriJc4GwLu8iy3ReU-hsU4_Q34ybGij7Fsupf7g/s1600-h/Moscow_MissionOffice_SamPresCranneyNarene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAEZW7Bm9XaXjjvtZGkmZcpB8Tkn6wWBt-GwzmTDOVFRcizMkfpyMb81JO8CT7fIFx8JBbuaAKqqjzoyeRwcmPvc4FvvYXnjx_THxtriJc4GwLu8iy3ReU-hsU4_Q34ybGij7Fsupf7g/s400/Moscow_MissionOffice_SamPresCranneyNarene.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337266618734184770" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We met with President Cranney, and<br />we appreciated his kind words and counsel.<br /></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzUmTPFipMYJOg5DzuHXL66g69jhf1o7BKHEuSiZZlo9dXE4rn0X3cU5jyP4E7_9SVP64TFmG-W0uThJJrQxwOfGbm7voGZemfY-_6Q_gcTOfwtNHOdnbGWOanVdtZeNBBfQdArDJUEw/s1600-h/Moscow_MissionOffice_SharonYorgesen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzUmTPFipMYJOg5DzuHXL66g69jhf1o7BKHEuSiZZlo9dXE4rn0X3cU5jyP4E7_9SVP64TFmG-W0uThJJrQxwOfGbm7voGZemfY-_6Q_gcTOfwtNHOdnbGWOanVdtZeNBBfQdArDJUEw/s400/Moscow_MissionOffice_SharonYorgesen.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337266615413389538" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Sharon Yorgesen and her husband are the office<br />couple for President Cranney, so we had an<br />opportunity to visit one more time with them.<br />Sharon gave me the updated recipe book from<br />the Moscow Mission.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOSlIm9y_FTb90ISywedXkrxTOowK97Wxkkbvi1KTGMV305ojJ15dka5wVPoiXrrKyMl61li6MwjYz88UJPN2Tiakw6UhkB9aKtzfQhlH0mcBsAYyG5jBW32ujTptqXHe3YSCxAZ5mo0/s1600-h/Moscow_MissionOffice_DavidYorgesen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOSlIm9y_FTb90ISywedXkrxTOowK97Wxkkbvi1KTGMV305ojJ15dka5wVPoiXrrKyMl61li6MwjYz88UJPN2Tiakw6UhkB9aKtzfQhlH0mcBsAYyG5jBW32ujTptqXHe3YSCxAZ5mo0/s400/Moscow_MissionOffice_DavidYorgesen.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337266614428413234" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> David Yorgesen and Sharon were part of our<br />senior missionary group that we enjoyed so much.<br />When schedules permitted, four to six of us<br />met on Thursday evenings to learn some of the<br />Russian language, and David was a regular<br />member of this study group.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXvGfVwtmgxhAfZ71qfw1A5pZxKtzBsvRgMQ_ohVC7duFfgfybFYsiihbBgQArSJqV3rH0-v67_Q9m_ALGFlGyoJJvSSyVQzDtzQlZozxL6SiXLgjMrxTMe7NsbGT3Kn9wRPBRmTve8Q/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Sam,Vladimer_DriverDept.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXvGfVwtmgxhAfZ71qfw1A5pZxKtzBsvRgMQ_ohVC7duFfgfybFYsiihbBgQArSJqV3rH0-v67_Q9m_ALGFlGyoJJvSSyVQzDtzQlZozxL6SiXLgjMrxTMe7NsbGT3Kn9wRPBRmTve8Q/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Sam,Vladimer_DriverDept.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337270034752525714" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Coming from the Mission Office, we met Vladimer<br />who is in charge of the drivers;<br />and he assured us we would have a driver<br />take us to the airport the next morning<br />in time for our mid-afternoon flight.<br />Since we had several pieces of luggage,<br />we appreciated not having to take<br />the metro and bus to the airport.<br /><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">29 April 09 - The day had arrived and with some sadness about leaving Moscow and yet some eagerness to see our family and friends at home in the U.S., we were packed and ready to leave our apartment.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VEQLULwvcYWaykEDWH-WWZOlbCZNNFI393HYGvuxzSRE_KIIgOhGlzSRjOerFqu9DUn0U962wRzgGJQOMmeHsYM4ex04LuBwYAm4ZRnOsckIQP50XjWIOtfkr7u1LDek13tI215lB80/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Apt_Kitchen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VEQLULwvcYWaykEDWH-WWZOlbCZNNFI393HYGvuxzSRE_KIIgOhGlzSRjOerFqu9DUn0U962wRzgGJQOMmeHsYM4ex04LuBwYAm4ZRnOsckIQP50XjWIOtfkr7u1LDek13tI215lB80/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Apt_Kitchen.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337271660934569858" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> The apartment is ready for its new occupants,<br />the Burtons, arriving May 8.<br />The three water filters by the sink have been<br />changed and ready to provide good drinking water,<br />the freezer between the sink and the oven is not<br />empty, there are spices and canned goods<br />in the cupboard, and the handy drying rack<br />is left up ready to use.<br /></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fMDY7zk5I5UzLWnitqeUcsnq8atXdMx1fEIsoVQwjQYMhOk5xP3_CxN6qmP82ACjtSu6TdsJpv73UCNAbDPaxSr5UPFVwqk2AsMf5y6y3e6kT2UgY3ZUB7Al7n8-P4dhuQIG4PJz_uM/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Apt_Suitcases.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fMDY7zk5I5UzLWnitqeUcsnq8atXdMx1fEIsoVQwjQYMhOk5xP3_CxN6qmP82ACjtSu6TdsJpv73UCNAbDPaxSr5UPFVwqk2AsMf5y6y3e6kT2UgY3ZUB7Al7n8-P4dhuQIG4PJz_uM/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Apt_Suitcases.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337271651376824882" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Our luggage, carry-ons, laptop, and big purse<br />are ready with all that we are taking. Of course,<br />we had already sent home some winter boots,<br />souvenirs, and more stuff with our children<br />when they had come to visit.<br /><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9-OY5244zKYT3XYRLL-Xx8bTDph8IAlxaQdbL7qXX2YlqMsk4d3vEwtbE3TaT1S6ob-_hKVkS4aocwUROpMNaBfNs2DyLvgy9xvZlQrE349WadPDUpVaIx0mYzWLpK_UjMKxiVXo-TM/s1600-h/Moscow_Sokal_Apt_Entrance.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9-OY5244zKYT3XYRLL-Xx8bTDph8IAlxaQdbL7qXX2YlqMsk4d3vEwtbE3TaT1S6ob-_hKVkS4aocwUROpMNaBfNs2DyLvgy9xvZlQrE349WadPDUpVaIx0mYzWLpK_UjMKxiVXo-TM/s400/Moscow_Sokal_Apt_Entrance.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337271665787275394" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We are ready to open the double doors with the<br />safe-like locks and say goodbye to our apartment<br />where we have been happy for 18 months.<br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">True, the couch was uncomfortable, the oven</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> got too hot, and you had to lift the tank lid on the toilet to</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> flush it; but this had been home and we got along fine.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> We left a spare set of keys and a metro pass,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> but the wallet and name tag on the counter are Sam's to take.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUj9rgR_QzPidYg5PoEmD7nnlqZfSyCLLCq9q_oKBRbBIQO8OPvh9Ofn7hwHhV2bglYb1dGmoJpfBSR-o14jNPfVYiHYjAWqDwsawBREFjg7kinGaudATSuxXHf_bhkBJs6ON0JNg9bc/s1600-h/Moscow_Traffic_AirportDestination.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUj9rgR_QzPidYg5PoEmD7nnlqZfSyCLLCq9q_oKBRbBIQO8OPvh9Ofn7hwHhV2bglYb1dGmoJpfBSR-o14jNPfVYiHYjAWqDwsawBREFjg7kinGaudATSuxXHf_bhkBJs6ON0JNg9bc/s400/Moscow_Traffic_AirportDestination.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337271653875374098" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Driving in traffic on the way to the airport.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOTgjXPCpgIw4LkiB3iYeMAPug0zlEvJsCLHzEfBcQcWo7R3Rh9f89GQeoD0Vq7rJodGYSHLu6PZClZLYuNnxfw_GncDAe3ivFYJWCC23iB7P2PyxNQaV3KW_wc4xwVX2wrnXktz9BZk/s1600-h/Moscow_AshanMarket_TravelingtoAirport.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOTgjXPCpgIw4LkiB3iYeMAPug0zlEvJsCLHzEfBcQcWo7R3Rh9f89GQeoD0Vq7rJodGYSHLu6PZClZLYuNnxfw_GncDAe3ivFYJWCC23iB7P2PyxNQaV3KW_wc4xwVX2wrnXktz9BZk/s400/Moscow_AshanMarket_TravelingtoAirport.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337271656660075234" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We pass by Ashan's. This is where we went to do our<br />main shopping every 4 to 6 weeks when<br />we could schedule a driver to take us and bring<br />back the bags of groceries.<br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">In between times, we</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> shopped at the kiosks for fruits and vegetables</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> and at Two Captain's for other grocery items</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> which we had to carry while walking about</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> 20 minutes to our apartment. It will be nice</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> to have a car again to drive to the grocery store.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbV5MhyMmxa_wCCNdYH-fEqvfdqVkA2H0UceLG_pvcsY5jrShn1nmDuafkpxSDiTQa7c4neKeslBy90sH4f0jn6trj_-KvgO0S0gLX8boD4uePYzbStIwYXWeBeha9SKCxgF1kbXdRTpQ/s1600-h/Moscow_AirportSheremetevaTerminal.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbV5MhyMmxa_wCCNdYH-fEqvfdqVkA2H0UceLG_pvcsY5jrShn1nmDuafkpxSDiTQa7c4neKeslBy90sH4f0jn6trj_-KvgO0S0gLX8boD4uePYzbStIwYXWeBeha9SKCxgF1kbXdRTpQ/s400/Moscow_AirportSheremetevaTerminal.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337213341823631890" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We have arrived at Sheremeteva 2 airport</span></span></span>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We arrived early enough to weigh our luggage to see if it made weight. As we thought, one suitcase to be checked made the 40 kilo limit, but the other three were overweight. However, the lady at the desk said it was okay with her; so when it was time to actually check in, we went to her desk and she put the luggage on through without our having to do any repacking or paying a penalty. We felt very lucky. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">When we got to New York, we were waved on through at Customs and didn't have to have our luggage opened to be checked. Of course, we didn't anticipate having any problem had we been picked to be checked; but it was nice not to have them rifle through things I had neatly packed.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We made our connecting flight to Salt Lake City, and we were on our way to see our Utah families who were waiting at the airport for us with a welcome home banner. Those pictures will be in my next blog. We had a very pleasant homecoming in Utah Wednesday evening and again in South Dakota on Saturday. It was great to be with family! </span></span></span></div>
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samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-68303697527746423692009-05-06T15:43:00.000-07:002009-05-16T11:00:11.560-07:00Area Humanitarian Conference in Armenia - More Goodbyes<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">In my last posted blog, I shared events and photos of things done with the senior missionary couples during April in Moscow. This post will continue with our final days before flying home at the completion of our mission, including our trip to Armenia. You can appreciate how busy we were with preparations for the conference and then being gone four days in Armenia, getting things ready for our replacements at the office and in our apartment when we leave, packing all of our stuff into the allotted two checked bags plus a carry-on and purse or laptop for each of us, and saying our final goodbyes. We also wanted to have final reports done for the projects we have done in Moscow that were ready to be closed.</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJ2BTGwDTKKI1vBBHO8dkpy9hWThFzpGI0i_PllIPWNbS63Uekx9x9vSMAyq82ji02rH1L7iLi36Dqn5HIN77ML7KxvvNnu2Qya4vNsPg9f8LcE1kFbXCz7w8Qg3j_PADlQ4nNRX66WQ/s1600-h/Humanitarian_BabyHospital_SamPresMCCullinDirectorAnnaSteveRees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJ2BTGwDTKKI1vBBHO8dkpy9hWThFzpGI0i_PllIPWNbS63Uekx9x9vSMAyq82ji02rH1L7iLi36Dqn5HIN77ML7KxvvNnu2Qya4vNsPg9f8LcE1kFbXCz7w8Qg3j_PADlQ4nNRX66WQ/s400/Humanitarian_BabyHospital_SamPresMCCullinDirectorAnnaSteveRees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335764021322204482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Closing our humanitarian project at a baby hospital<br />where newborns to 4-year-old orphans were treated.<br />Here Sam is pictured with<br />President McCullin (district president),<br />the director of the baby hospital,<br />Anna (our interpreter), and<br />Elder Steve Rees (Area doctor).<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The director of the baby hospital was very appreciative of the equipment the Church donated to help these babies. About 500 infants are treated here every year. Often these have been born to mothers suffering from mental diseases, alcoholism, drug addiction, syphilis, etc. Usually, after treatment, the children are strong enough to be put into an orphanage; and about 10% are adopted. However, some children with severe neurological pathology stay at the hospital until four years old. The infusion pumps the Church donated are used to feed babies who cannot take food or medicine orally, and the aspirators and nebulizers help babies with breathing problems.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We have been impressed with the good the humanitarian projects are doing in the Europe East Area. Every cent of the money donated by caring people is used for humanitarian projects to relieve the suffering of the poor and needy and none is spent for administration costs. It has been a pleasure to be part of this charitable effort and to know this service is helping to improve the lives of others, who are usually not members of our church. </span></span></span><br /></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeIWvzPBV7fRJHBfBFeQsYMsnYR9FCFK9_Q-pfj1ZPTahRwA2IcGXvMtmXp8mzz94p81wHmYz0R-ET6cPju9Avkt74-HaKrBJ23D2rdquOcPb9i379j98v0QhchGXoq6h61mD21lSI_Y/s1600-h/AnnaSmirnova.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeIWvzPBV7fRJHBfBFeQsYMsnYR9FCFK9_Q-pfj1ZPTahRwA2IcGXvMtmXp8mzz94p81wHmYz0R-ET6cPju9Avkt74-HaKrBJ23D2rdquOcPb9i379j98v0QhchGXoq6h61mD21lSI_Y/s400/AnnaSmirnova.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335764016085498978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Anna Smirnova, our interpreter. It<br />was difficult to say goodbye to Anna,<br />who has become part of our family.<br />We feel the same way about Nactya,<br />our first interpreter.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLS0oSwsp7R1ZwOW0BgGxv7HsUCAAwunG5jyx7wcQaW4KxM6KDs1vbSyNcYHRcSjGo3PmM-M3QecBiWwH5jvvK9XcRqiAobGesNlzx86_iqV9d2oqZw0G_zUo_Y48AYH4MvItD6dGqdXQ/s1600-h/Moscow_Humanitarian_Nactya&Director.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLS0oSwsp7R1ZwOW0BgGxv7HsUCAAwunG5jyx7wcQaW4KxM6KDs1vbSyNcYHRcSjGo3PmM-M3QecBiWwH5jvvK9XcRqiAobGesNlzx86_iqV9d2oqZw0G_zUo_Y48AYH4MvItD6dGqdXQ/s400/Moscow_Humanitarian_Nactya&Director.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335789294600924802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Nactya - we love her, too.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">She is shown here with the director of an<br />orphanage where the Church donated medical<br />equipment so they could get<br />their medical wing certified.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">April 20 (Monday) - Elder & Sister Grey serving in Samara and Elder & Sister Lowry serving in Voronesh had to come to Moscow by train to fly out of Moscow for the Area Humanitarian Conference scheduled April 23 and 24 in Yerevan, Armenia. Wanting to do some sightseeing in Moscow, they arranged to come two days early. The Greys stayed with us, and the Lowrys stayed with the Masons. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Monday evening, after having a chili supper at our apartment, we went one last time for a favorite Moscow memory at Red Square with these three couples.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLHNVQAEvlC2kNJfHRUPGhyF96QbTcwZVH1o5C9vp0gI7lEjNlTUjy4aKz5ICvRGgKX5YV36SIws5-Y1ZgNi3SbAPlQhCt4DuzcU8cFr8eqRCJbZMjejoGe2N-Ox7dF-YMH5tzCAZRLE/s1600-h/Moscow_RedSquare_ClockTower_Narene&Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLHNVQAEvlC2kNJfHRUPGhyF96QbTcwZVH1o5C9vp0gI7lEjNlTUjy4aKz5ICvRGgKX5YV36SIws5-Y1ZgNi3SbAPlQhCt4DuzcU8cFr8eqRCJbZMjejoGe2N-Ox7dF-YMH5tzCAZRLE/s400/Moscow_RedSquare_ClockTower_Narene&Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335764036270247778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Here we have the clock tower and<br />Kremlin wall behind us.<br />(Red Square, April 20)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnCLSNBXOlkvQrPSumDCkGpZsmLy2DoLNU080a-BY6uKLwAretYzabGiCa-I60wv1YvAr4wu8evdxuJiHjRX-f3jqt41H35Q2IwNx3jb9ARPD3O-0kYstjGweu3KGuv8JM1xLHRbqZW8/s1600-h/Moscow_RedSquare_Lenin'sTomb_Roger&SueGrey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnCLSNBXOlkvQrPSumDCkGpZsmLy2DoLNU080a-BY6uKLwAretYzabGiCa-I60wv1YvAr4wu8evdxuJiHjRX-f3jqt41H35Q2IwNx3jb9ARPD3O-0kYstjGweu3KGuv8JM1xLHRbqZW8/s400/Moscow_RedSquare_Lenin'sTomb_Roger&SueGrey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335764024377973954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder & Sister Grey (Roger & Sue)<br />in front of Lenin's Tomb on Red Square.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPjWDhrjwYGeP0i6Zx-0VauNP7Bz0H49TIeqwvtmEGPxypyOabYEfgJWW27JvTcZLhyphenhyphen0XyCkG7-C2uOLxyk9LGA367QJBK3lkAFLbmDTra2y_5STrp_Se7HtGFk4JWHrMPHUR9M6dcms/s1600-h/Moscow_RedSquare_Sunset.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPjWDhrjwYGeP0i6Zx-0VauNP7Bz0H49TIeqwvtmEGPxypyOabYEfgJWW27JvTcZLhyphenhyphen0XyCkG7-C2uOLxyk9LGA367QJBK3lkAFLbmDTra2y_5STrp_Se7HtGFk4JWHrMPHUR9M6dcms/s400/Moscow_RedSquare_Sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335764028350616562" border="0" /></a><a id="publishButton" class="cssButton" href="javascript:void(0)" target="" onclick="if (this.className.indexOf("ubtn-disabled") == -1) {var e = document['stuffform'].publish;(e.length) ? e[0].click() : e.click(); if (window.event) window.event.cancelBubble = true; return false;}"></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">It was a cold evening for April, but the sky was pretty.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDOaJRdbgxfrNsciP8lLmvc5wScDKMoiCE4oS9lLtpGxfGwkSkAMX-S_gWryhg0FN0PXmSvOMDZM-fDM6UG76Jb_cj5OLpyjzZRfnJC94Brka-NairPtDaWfXgPMsclEiGrkUJxuBsLQ/s1600-h/Moscow_RedSquare_StBasil's_Clark&ReneeMason.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDOaJRdbgxfrNsciP8lLmvc5wScDKMoiCE4oS9lLtpGxfGwkSkAMX-S_gWryhg0FN0PXmSvOMDZM-fDM6UG76Jb_cj5OLpyjzZRfnJC94Brka-NairPtDaWfXgPMsclEiGrkUJxuBsLQ/s400/Moscow_RedSquare_StBasil's_Clark&ReneeMason.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335764891491269954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Masons with St. Basil's in the background.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0A947QJqkKhq4fdSLOAOLuLEeCggqNVNFn6xinhvmAsjEGI4dkVthU3xOTGeFzocf4zM5Be5OfKwnDekcCyn82M12NU6QldWPXHxQL9oxLc1XrYngiO__VMWj8o5k49G3LcIrBIDII9Q/s1600-h/Moscow_GUM_LowreysIrelandsGreys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0A947QJqkKhq4fdSLOAOLuLEeCggqNVNFn6xinhvmAsjEGI4dkVthU3xOTGeFzocf4zM5Be5OfKwnDekcCyn82M12NU6QldWPXHxQL9oxLc1XrYngiO__VMWj8o5k49G3LcIrBIDII9Q/s400/Moscow_GUM_LowreysIrelandsGreys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335764903712127042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Here are the four couples getting warm in the<br />high-end GUM department store located on<br />Red Square. We are waiting for the lights to be<br />turned on outside to give the magical look<br />to Red Square that we never tire of seeing.<br />(Denelle & Dan Lowry,<br />Sam & Narene, Sue & Roger Grey)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AJ85ud4Ljuv8zoyf5AuWzxn0dJaKMNLuxyazMUZlSGIDH33pR5B4fwSCZcbqvCIN2XwHj_f3lt51HahFbARpqWBpoO8kC9JkoZfN9sUYmhMyREkPcOAvDXf1gKCWi548kGyB5IshT3w/s1600-h/Moscow_GUM_Inside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AJ85ud4Ljuv8zoyf5AuWzxn0dJaKMNLuxyazMUZlSGIDH33pR5B4fwSCZcbqvCIN2XwHj_f3lt51HahFbARpqWBpoO8kC9JkoZfN9sUYmhMyREkPcOAvDXf1gKCWi548kGyB5IshT3w/s400/Moscow_GUM_Inside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335764905891242834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> A bird's-eye view inside GUM department store.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFelFvlE27xLle4ZwtptpG3naN04iod56aP7yFbnEbQjSZ66qA93Boia7cIuPSd7MgWzLRI3IaXYoWFKdSzCXPF3N_58nZwRdUbAc7Q5yxCWBRBW7uRarkuoMZJtMNrsYv50hwnxXGmlo/s1600-h/Moscow_RedSquare_NightLights_Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFelFvlE27xLle4ZwtptpG3naN04iod56aP7yFbnEbQjSZ66qA93Boia7cIuPSd7MgWzLRI3IaXYoWFKdSzCXPF3N_58nZwRdUbAc7Q5yxCWBRBW7uRarkuoMZJtMNrsYv50hwnxXGmlo/s400/Moscow_RedSquare_NightLights_Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335806841729137378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Red Square lighted at night.<br />I guess other sightseers thought it was too cold,<br />as the Square looks deserted.<br />It is worth the wait to experience this sight.<br />(Narene dressed in her warm Russian coat and hat.)<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">April 21 - Early Tuesday morning Sam went to the office, and I came later with the Greys. While I took care of e-mails, Sam took the Greys and Lowrys to meet Vlad. Then we went to the Asian Market, which is a humongous, mostly indoor market with thousands of stalls selling a great variety of things. If you should find something you want, you had better get it while you see it, because you may never find your way back to it again. Prices are good, and bargaining is expected.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-h5f-pXm5HGengbSMWBt0grQdqxlQNBOxIQnnyPr6GL2B_ekOnmkclvKbA8MfSA4pzPEeF5owtpC9u6rNuHyCZv5h-_lY4dHCImzobLMwG3cF9f2UIbimc3mPKeQAqSHQJB_DipM6nc/s1600-h/Moscow_AsianMarketRoadway.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-h5f-pXm5HGengbSMWBt0grQdqxlQNBOxIQnnyPr6GL2B_ekOnmkclvKbA8MfSA4pzPEeF5owtpC9u6rNuHyCZv5h-_lY4dHCImzobLMwG3cF9f2UIbimc3mPKeQAqSHQJB_DipM6nc/s400/Moscow_AsianMarketRoadway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335764912053608402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Leaving Ismaly Park and heading for the Asian Market<br />with the Greys, Lowrys, and Masons.<br />(Tuesday, April 21)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This day was one for buying Russian hats, which we actually got in Ismaly Park before going to the Asian Market. Most vendors are set up to sell in Ismaly Park only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but there were a few selling on this Tuesday. The hat salesmen were eager to sell us Russian hats and the prices came down to suit us.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeDw3io1CsWyrJtQTPfLJSwBL-36MBnI-kN23OnTgrBSEjAQSppso3PGKeN-DRGp-h49bKks_5dWY0Esn1pmGbydowcLhDeagSbvCwbX2TzQzK3ihUlVtzKw7ac0vB4ihO8qbQFzcidY/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Dellene&DanLowrey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeDw3io1CsWyrJtQTPfLJSwBL-36MBnI-kN23OnTgrBSEjAQSppso3PGKeN-DRGp-h49bKks_5dWY0Esn1pmGbydowcLhDeagSbvCwbX2TzQzK3ihUlVtzKw7ac0vB4ihO8qbQFzcidY/s400/Moscow_Metro_Dellene&DanLowrey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335764914461010690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Here are Elder & Sister Lowry (Dellene & Dan)<br />with their new Russian fur hats on the metro<br />going to Family Home Evening.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We had our farewell FHE the week before, but it was nice to be able to take the Greys and Lowrys to the Yorgesens to meet the other senior missionary couples in Moscow at another of our enjoyable weekly Family Home Evenings. We are really going to miss these special times.<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEfOkwo3fAzaoRw_0HGlVUT8SvB-UtHDG8USczsu4nHXv-huXyjTUsjhdmuMphPDs5GGjf5V20n6JzkSkGD_iS7JRnSrnpuedWRSSuJVIAHfdSaHYGPH3KeEdKhKnnecsCGZ8GpSZ3MQ/s1600-h/Moscow_Renee,Greys,Lowreys,Narene_RussianHats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEfOkwo3fAzaoRw_0HGlVUT8SvB-UtHDG8USczsu4nHXv-huXyjTUsjhdmuMphPDs5GGjf5V20n6JzkSkGD_iS7JRnSrnpuedWRSSuJVIAHfdSaHYGPH3KeEdKhKnnecsCGZ8GpSZ3MQ/s400/Moscow_Renee,Greys,Lowreys,Narene_RussianHats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335765526653629154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Here we are with our new Russian hats.<br />(Renee, Roger & Sue Grey, Dan & Dellene Lowry,<br />and Narene. Sam has a Russian mink hat, but it<br />was sent home with Scott & Kristine.)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">April 22 (Wednesday) - We appreciated having a driver meet us at the Service Center to take us and the Greys and Lowrys to the airport to fly to Yerevan, Armenia, for the Area Humanitarian Conference. The driver wanted to leave at 7:30 a.m. to be sure we made it through traffic in time to make our flight, and we had plenty of time. We left cold weather in Moscow and were pleased to have a warm, sunny welcome in Yerevan. After checking into our hotel, we four couples plus Tom & Patti Arave went for a walking tour.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mBPdUAct5uH5X-pSkAS4phr_2nGxeI_A2JL0YaNOiUXLNeVuKvGA9W394ZlzLYLTeuAnwrLuaXJvUHjmjfTgE6ozkIZm1z7BpcU6ei0B7lCB3kJV0DKoLJxpmoAyEQ_36x2Nckbk-_A/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_SeniorsWalk_AravesLowrysGreysIrelands_Statue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mBPdUAct5uH5X-pSkAS4phr_2nGxeI_A2JL0YaNOiUXLNeVuKvGA9W394ZlzLYLTeuAnwrLuaXJvUHjmjfTgE6ozkIZm1z7BpcU6ei0B7lCB3kJV0DKoLJxpmoAyEQ_36x2Nckbk-_A/s400/Armenia_Conference_SeniorsWalk_AravesLowrysGreysIrelands_Statue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336165313282099330" border="0" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> I don't know what this statue represented, but<br />we decided it was a photo op.<br />(Tom & Patti Arave, Dellene Lowry (Dan took<br />the photo), Roger & Sue Grey,<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">and</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Narene & Sam)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Our hotel was near Republic Square, so we went through the square and walked quite a distance before ending up at the Opera House. Returning to our hotel, we discovered a shorter, direct route via a new pedestrian street.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCLkCVH1DFXB3A1-sAIM4AkMYa-TrRwNuuuro9DDlpAQVHFq57ZAyoXM1FXJS3u5Wl0CAwV31yuJk6faM_qYJrNujna_1RJ_RMGTt0k4k6vuNbM3lPF6xm51037TTCvxjZNv2wY3cEBM/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_RepublicSquare2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCLkCVH1DFXB3A1-sAIM4AkMYa-TrRwNuuuro9DDlpAQVHFq57ZAyoXM1FXJS3u5Wl0CAwV31yuJk6faM_qYJrNujna_1RJ_RMGTt0k4k6vuNbM3lPF6xm51037TTCvxjZNv2wY3cEBM/s400/Armenia_Conference_RepublicSquare2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336191898342648146" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Republic Square has impressive architecture.<br />All the buildings in the square are made with<br />these similar rose colored blocks.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0BXLdxuuCtLFShB45NXzDE8ycIQbsSKplUzTt-BqUIApGYNPqq6S0YIJ5kTdCjuUewAW4IRmzCQ_EGv9OtuT43dgu07TtKUE_Lv-YsvjKCKT4RkbavMJRlrNybfMDbYJn_mXGZsGb3k/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_NationalArt&HistoryGallery_LowrysWalking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0BXLdxuuCtLFShB45NXzDE8ycIQbsSKplUzTt-BqUIApGYNPqq6S0YIJ5kTdCjuUewAW4IRmzCQ_EGv9OtuT43dgu07TtKUE_Lv-YsvjKCKT4RkbavMJRlrNybfMDbYJn_mXGZsGb3k/s400/Armenia_Conference_NationalArt&HistoryGallery_LowrysWalking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336184711228821682" border="0" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">National Art & History Gallery</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2yipidWz1yiF7KoFZUMnW40QZlOu5i7ffBXoX3Dsp0HpyGPcIvXKBhOmFkg-CTtADgqCgg-5pk8_ubr1xw4XBPJAvWcs0fqdbCa1SGkznH2OnDSmZwg5fbzH2dClmvbJRxBl9rVXIaE/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_ApartmentBuildingBalconies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2yipidWz1yiF7KoFZUMnW40QZlOu5i7ffBXoX3Dsp0HpyGPcIvXKBhOmFkg-CTtADgqCgg-5pk8_ubr1xw4XBPJAvWcs0fqdbCa1SGkznH2OnDSmZwg5fbzH2dClmvbJRxBl9rVXIaE/s400/Armenia_Conference_ApartmentBuildingBalconies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336194784159133410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A typical apartment building.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmAgfTa4Yv0y3qfGdv-g2gwUkogolIFwYVCgtpcXX4bQKgi45yABedatQxukJ8ovlqem9421Yj_cCMeJbDjkMZSzx0cmSbu7IwiuTVtuNBFbgo4BAr_4o8sRd_sA5wU4hYdSNEqtAP30/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_Tulips.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmAgfTa4Yv0y3qfGdv-g2gwUkogolIFwYVCgtpcXX4bQKgi45yABedatQxukJ8ovlqem9421Yj_cCMeJbDjkMZSzx0cmSbu7IwiuTVtuNBFbgo4BAr_4o8sRd_sA5wU4hYdSNEqtAP30/s400/Armenia_Conference_Tulips.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336203141986795506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The tulips were a welcome sight. They<br />hadn't bloomed yet in Moscow.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-HU8xhgAyzAjG0cjy7KDByZIUohGqrNJD1cz9LPqylYSkX04xLzQy93EgkK29wMHhdnu7Wm6HZ8lUF6gYwlkXv0eQGRKYPgTZXEZDtsn4QqI4FsXyejaYfxAcGMWGqDIZx_3WHyyDn4/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_OperaHouse_Statue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-HU8xhgAyzAjG0cjy7KDByZIUohGqrNJD1cz9LPqylYSkX04xLzQy93EgkK29wMHhdnu7Wm6HZ8lUF6gYwlkXv0eQGRKYPgTZXEZDtsn4QqI4FsXyejaYfxAcGMWGqDIZx_3WHyyDn4/s400/Armenia_Conference_OperaHouse_Statue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336165316845401554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Yerevan Opera House<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tsxbbln6KCvUvTBp6ZUz3xZ3kyHEWVhVdOUF57KFGBT9ElakJ670Qry0LXZ09umuol-ONoZlEYVI7cBXQY26IUWdOBQP0tPmRnDwtfkHgCtWK1VYWE6Lf4JWmf4YOVU6JFIBGgeQiUY/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_PedestrianStreet_OperaHouseEnd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tsxbbln6KCvUvTBp6ZUz3xZ3kyHEWVhVdOUF57KFGBT9ElakJ670Qry0LXZ09umuol-ONoZlEYVI7cBXQY26IUWdOBQP0tPmRnDwtfkHgCtWK1VYWE6Lf4JWmf4YOVU6JFIBGgeQiUY/s400/Armenia_Conference_PedestrianStreet_OperaHouseEnd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336184706242355730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Opera House can be seen at the end<br />of this pedestrian street with new buildings<br />on each side of the street.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWP0pJfkS247-fJ6HDc1mWrOQeB7nKlxX6lYEy4S3vJWeGABH9h56RwbvAYkMaiN0SEzu3vJrhx7yVYIzE23dXqxPEiUet3GYGfsM0zhhlt-HqX1axB9NwWvKhkWnSRKCetsItcCmjEk/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_CongressHotel_Sam,TomArave.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWP0pJfkS247-fJ6HDc1mWrOQeB7nKlxX6lYEy4S3vJWeGABH9h56RwbvAYkMaiN0SEzu3vJrhx7yVYIzE23dXqxPEiUet3GYGfsM0zhhlt-HqX1axB9NwWvKhkWnSRKCetsItcCmjEk/s400/Armenia_Conference_CongressHotel_Sam,TomArave.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336165324553632546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam & Tom Arave are headed toward the<br />Congress Hotel, where we all stayed.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbtaGAascItweVU4SmPRNs2uwinbVoP3xhwqB7XHZoHf59HJn7aT2R1mUukWvnCqkXtGWGhfLYK0avZ7xL7_Yayep-S4UA51fV209Zjv8jtSbppngYn0lAjACH6uyIYvEUle6jl7KfZE/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_ArmenianRestaurant_BurtonsBowdensJorgensensWellingsIrelandsBoehms.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbtaGAascItweVU4SmPRNs2uwinbVoP3xhwqB7XHZoHf59HJn7aT2R1mUukWvnCqkXtGWGhfLYK0avZ7xL7_Yayep-S4UA51fV209Zjv8jtSbppngYn0lAjACH6uyIYvEUle6jl7KfZE/s400/Armenia_Conference_ArmenianRestaurant_BurtonsBowdensJorgensensWellingsIrelandsBoehms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336165320771092658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam & I joined these couples for supper in a<br />small "Armenian Restaurant" by the hotel.<br />(Burtons, Bowdens, Jorgensens, Wellings,<br />Irelands, and Boehms)<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When we came to train the Blotters, we had eaten at this small restaurant and were impressed with the friendly service and good food. This time I ordered the same thing I had before, a vine-wrapped meat mixture. It was very good. The owner brought us their special berry juice, and we thought it was compliments of the house; but I think we paid for it. He also served us special Armenian breads and veggies. </span></span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pXWJ2A8M97HcVnEoigOAPKTzkPBBpv5fhyphenhyphen1c7h2T6cKkdvuQ_UkbBYqo0TQ-4-z6JcN6a6kImMVlkIPHjo-vzSffKgAv_lOtXeS9WVOYotwF1d3nMKTiq05Pvys3qND4KLLi_sQofoo/s1600-h/armenia_Conference_VineWrappedDinnerPlate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pXWJ2A8M97HcVnEoigOAPKTzkPBBpv5fhyphenhyphen1c7h2T6cKkdvuQ_UkbBYqo0TQ-4-z6JcN6a6kImMVlkIPHjo-vzSffKgAv_lOtXeS9WVOYotwF1d3nMKTiq05Pvys3qND4KLLi_sQofoo/s400/armenia_Conference_VineWrappedDinnerPlate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336198727743085890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> The meat mixture is wrapped in grape leaves.<br />(I think it might have been<br />minced lamb and rice with herbs and seasonings.)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Our agendas were full on Thursday and Friday when we heard from several of the humanitarian couples attending regarding projects in their areas. Vlad Nechiporov, Area Welfare Manager (our boss) conducted the meetings and spoke to the group Thursday afternoon. Other guest speakers included President Larry Gibbons of the Area Presidency; David Stapley, Area Director of Temporal Affairs; Ray Whitesides, Area Controller, Elder & Sister VanDyke reporting on their work with Public Affairs; and Elder & Sister Dow telling about their work with employment issues in Armenia.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We enjoyed being with these humanitarian couples who are serving in the Europe East Area. The countries they represent are Armenia (Blotters), Belarus (Wades), Bulgaria (Jorgensens), the Baltic States (Boehms in Latvia), Georgia (Larsons), Kazakhstan (Wellings), Turkey (Looslis, Fifields, and Keelers), Ukraine (Pettys, Kinghorns, and Cudneys), and Russia (Bowdens in Novosibirsk, Howards in Rostov, Greys in Samara, Araves in St. Petersburg, Lowrys in Voronezh, and Irelands in Moscow. The Strawdermans in Vladivostok and the Moultons in Yekaterinburg are soon to be going home and chose not to travel the long distance to attend).</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam and I had our part on the agenda Thursday afternoon. Sam presented suggestions for improving and administering projects. Then he met with the couples serving in Russia, and I met with the other East European couples going over issues related to finances.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Friday morning, we had a teleconference with Sharon Eubank in Salt Lake introducing the new reporting and tracking system for projects which will go into effect for each couple as soon as they have done the tutorial and are ready to use the system. It should be more efficient and free up time for actually doing projects. Couples will be able to see what stage their projects are in, when they have been approved, when the invoices have been paid, when a project is over or under budget, when it is ready to be closed, and when it is closed. We wish this system had been in place 18 months ago!</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Our Friday morning session ended with testimonials; and then after eating lunch, we had a bus tour to see Mt. Ararat where Noah's ark is reported to have landed. Our tour included visiting three historical churches: Khor Virap Monastery, Cathedral of Echmiadzin, and Hripsimeh Church.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2lLKDOBsuS2ap1oNxLZhNcQq7MpCBddUQwdDtZVJOARULEwf0UodRD0c-z6O1-ZKjDHS5-SqOwrQoXjsw1VwQU1VmHaORd5iom_l1CEB8m9wwq8RmaxJV6syxg28QV_bZ8gxmFspRfM/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_Echmiadzin_MtArarat_Cows_Vlad'sPic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2lLKDOBsuS2ap1oNxLZhNcQq7MpCBddUQwdDtZVJOARULEwf0UodRD0c-z6O1-ZKjDHS5-SqOwrQoXjsw1VwQU1VmHaORd5iom_l1CEB8m9wwq8RmaxJV6syxg28QV_bZ8gxmFspRfM/s400/Armenia_Conference_Echmiadzin_MtArarat_Cows_Vlad'sPic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336258705644837618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Khor Virap Monastery<br />with Mt. Ararat in Turkey in the background.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4QgHkOjsXmIwD4coPYCnryVSRyZUckMrTdqovfSEl7zeaPwMjjoQ9xKtFv-MDlMyhXlNoLSc6Pehq7iKmix9wikZmtR3I1_9YKiGBsleYojpdymgZQbBHUVhogXHefov4Mx_k-lBvPE/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_MtArarat_KhorVirap_Courtyard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4QgHkOjsXmIwD4coPYCnryVSRyZUckMrTdqovfSEl7zeaPwMjjoQ9xKtFv-MDlMyhXlNoLSc6Pehq7iKmix9wikZmtR3I1_9YKiGBsleYojpdymgZQbBHUVhogXHefov4Mx_k-lBvPE/s400/Armenia_Conference_MtArarat_KhorVirap_Courtyard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336253695084270418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Khor Virap Monastery<br />Saint George the Illuminator was imprisoned here<br />for 13 years; but when he cured King Tiridates III of a<br />disease in 303, the king and members of his court were<br />converted to Christianity and Armenia became<br />the first official Christian nation in the world.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FLr9f8LEeWBnd8xD2z9sNUOjcGrNqlxwhyCBuOBb4KkWWpBiN06dufy0iNDx9k_WMiHRwfh9hpFbsdoPmYH5fRIfzi-L6gWDfYps7FLy20me_iAFTSCF6PnjToc74lWIb2e5-395N_g/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_HripsimeCathedral_Sam_Vlad'sPic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FLr9f8LEeWBnd8xD2z9sNUOjcGrNqlxwhyCBuOBb4KkWWpBiN06dufy0iNDx9k_WMiHRwfh9hpFbsdoPmYH5fRIfzi-L6gWDfYps7FLy20me_iAFTSCF6PnjToc74lWIb2e5-395N_g/s400/Armenia_Conference_HripsimeCathedral_Sam_Vlad'sPic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336258709937711698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Vlad took Sam's picture in front of the<br />Khor Virap Cathedral.<br />This cathedral was completed in 618 and is one of<br />the oldest surviving churches in Armenia,<br />although it has undergone several changes since<br />it was first built. In 1790 the two-tiered<br />bell tower was added with an eight-column belfry.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkG-DD93Sit_yAF6FqdHRFwrPuGMmMuaxTo5jfpCh9XPjKLv2cxunjmt_s4vedo8BkVZjQNytrwlasVTwkTjsxDHdDfccH10IvPesXN6oBJO2fzZoVF6v_c448TR77WBRcbtloWUQspE/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_MtArarat_KhorVirap_Sam&Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkG-DD93Sit_yAF6FqdHRFwrPuGMmMuaxTo5jfpCh9XPjKLv2cxunjmt_s4vedo8BkVZjQNytrwlasVTwkTjsxDHdDfccH10IvPesXN6oBJO2fzZoVF6v_c448TR77WBRcbtloWUQspE/s400/Armenia_Conference_MtArarat_KhorVirap_Sam&Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336255451779878914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam & Narene at Khor Virap Monastery<br />with Mt. Ararat partially covered by clouds.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Since Mt. Ararat is in Turkey, we were cautioned<br />not to go beyond the neutral zone<br />where a fence and tower mark the boundary.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeopiAzrJnxtW68LE-rTSVF6Ppfav1KKERvehUHpRaS8sG1ccYDkG0gqbk9qFL342ZCqatAZ-NuZ9b5RdmG2sACPd5V7R51dCRcnAq3mb_3w-TLeKFfwb1RiJpKkc9rRswaYLNFH6224/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_MtArarat_KhorVirap_Cemetery.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeopiAzrJnxtW68LE-rTSVF6Ppfav1KKERvehUHpRaS8sG1ccYDkG0gqbk9qFL342ZCqatAZ-NuZ9b5RdmG2sACPd5V7R51dCRcnAq3mb_3w-TLeKFfwb1RiJpKkc9rRswaYLNFH6224/s400/Armenia_Conference_MtArarat_KhorVirap_Cemetery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336203155266492898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> We passed this cemetery when we left<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">the Khor Virap Monastery.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VJuA_gXK_NioRfmj5M8c1C_ujGneQIw2Mc_apoxHnSXPgKmo_m6hkdRxdnuKMDbLSN_L34TyDR9AGITuSF6fo9l3SnzSmp9_GJZ7W2WkWQBU8rnG73D-IGQEsGeBDz_v9CH0zfCDnyw/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_TourGuide_ArmenianMap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VJuA_gXK_NioRfmj5M8c1C_ujGneQIw2Mc_apoxHnSXPgKmo_m6hkdRxdnuKMDbLSN_L34TyDR9AGITuSF6fo9l3SnzSmp9_GJZ7W2WkWQBU8rnG73D-IGQEsGeBDz_v9CH0zfCDnyw/s400/Armenia_Conference_TourGuide_ArmenianMap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336253704237055026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Our tour guide showed us the map of Armenia,<br />and asked if we could see how it made a profile<br />of a lady with a small nose and long hair.<br /></span></span></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ppKTgwKrks6GBYv86TCsJpdaUnms634a5BP-v9v_ChaAY9clCQXFsWe2Ep1M5LVd0_XZ62bXiLc69U-cEeub51mWkzEj-UMIUTTP7QJBrbTwPXSGOd1vbVC1B6pNy_zTmNKhBugTpN8/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_Tour_CountrysideHomes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ppKTgwKrks6GBYv86TCsJpdaUnms634a5BP-v9v_ChaAY9clCQXFsWe2Ep1M5LVd0_XZ62bXiLc69U-cEeub51mWkzEj-UMIUTTP7QJBrbTwPXSGOd1vbVC1B6pNy_zTmNKhBugTpN8/s400/Armenia_Conference_Tour_CountrysideHomes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336254332632506514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Some of the countryside as we traveled along.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7QmVq7vYeRaLQ5EH6ML-Glz283G1b2rqlIQevcb6YSkHTdddbAlMdsDfJ8re8ZKbvHMf-MWgcLU8ye1hCONfFu38R_-2XmzN6HoMMsS0Be_-jYz1aSXdzkQeXnRdVIjsN5w1cX9dpWw/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_EchmiadzinCathedral_PeopleLookingUpFace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7QmVq7vYeRaLQ5EH6ML-Glz283G1b2rqlIQevcb6YSkHTdddbAlMdsDfJ8re8ZKbvHMf-MWgcLU8ye1hCONfFu38R_-2XmzN6HoMMsS0Be_-jYz1aSXdzkQeXnRdVIjsN5w1cX9dpWw/s400/Armenia_Conference_EchmiadzinCathedral_PeopleLookingUpFace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336254333595965586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Echmiadzin Cathedral<br />We are looking up trying to see the figure of a man<br />over the entry. Shah Jahan was told the figure was of<br />him so that he would not destroy the church.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">According to Wikipedia, Echmiadzin Cathedral is the oldest church in the world. It was originally built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator in 301-303. Then in 480, the Roman governor of Armenia had it replaced with a new church shaped like a cross. In 618, the wooden dome was replaced with a stone dome, which rests on four massive pillars that are linked to exterior walls by a series of arches. The guide drew our attention to the church floor plan being in the shape of a cross, which is typical for an Armenian church.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZZ7afEC9uFAOBEHkAIwdRok7b7frF_9o-bd1QynKFYpolO6WIOHmVYt8ktAHNMAMpQ5542NiR5rDddZYF7YRQe0gRKcBpbz09Z7m6SCPkYTqDPLSFQ1Yx2ZlXuho_ptsbf7sc3JuNAg/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_EchmiadzinCathedral_ArmenianCrosses_Vlad,Narene,CarolynJorgensen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZZ7afEC9uFAOBEHkAIwdRok7b7frF_9o-bd1QynKFYpolO6WIOHmVYt8ktAHNMAMpQ5542NiR5rDddZYF7YRQe0gRKcBpbz09Z7m6SCPkYTqDPLSFQ1Yx2ZlXuho_ptsbf7sc3JuNAg/s400/Armenia_Conference_EchmiadzinCathedral_ArmenianCrosses_Vlad,Narene,CarolynJorgensen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336254335749164162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">These are Armenian crosses, which are all<br />different, but typically have carved designs of<br />flowers or vines and often suns. The lower shaft is<br />usually just slightly longer than the arms and top.<br />Each end has double tips.<br />(Narene at the left; Carolyn Jorgesen at the right.)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyih6bWQye6C1bll6piHd5SMZATTjGJbyF2Oa2-cn_lg-BK6Xqi-53fN6XquQtTbbkXrS97XoDhtWFQQdwc3I0kc4JaLVwNSRG4SWtzCEGzzLPWJhbDV9pekXkSOM4R1UPhrVnA43Vhmk/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_EchmiadzinCathedralAltar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyih6bWQye6C1bll6piHd5SMZATTjGJbyF2Oa2-cn_lg-BK6Xqi-53fN6XquQtTbbkXrS97XoDhtWFQQdwc3I0kc4JaLVwNSRG4SWtzCEGzzLPWJhbDV9pekXkSOM4R1UPhrVnA43Vhmk/s400/Armenia_Conference_EchmiadzinCathedralAltar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336254341194820690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The altar in the Cathedral of Echmiadzin.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBitinZxk4jCwXxraNWnDF3IvibGtDS1Ln8b97TJISVX5pSPk5Y6Ej1GD3L4GufD7RKFe1y6rO78nQeteWizvFx3zB6wrgDhdEho987eLk2l0HZ1lyOGD9KfbQNCVz2D-ZqdLbMRinSc/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_EchmiadzinCathedral_Sam&Narene_Vlad'sPic2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBitinZxk4jCwXxraNWnDF3IvibGtDS1Ln8b97TJISVX5pSPk5Y6Ej1GD3L4GufD7RKFe1y6rO78nQeteWizvFx3zB6wrgDhdEho987eLk2l0HZ1lyOGD9KfbQNCVz2D-ZqdLbMRinSc/s400/Armenia_Conference_EchmiadzinCathedral_Sam&Narene_Vlad'sPic2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336258716935566514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> We are standing in front of one of the</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">several buildings on the grounds<br />of the Echmiadzin Cathedral.<br />There is the residence of the Catholicos<br />and also the Theological Academy.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWix9dSFfHpLYs1ITqvdojfX3WmEn90CbWKh-viG41KpPrczt-iVGORI2bKcPD6W8hLHyhU44gsPRmBGFlvvaJjfJTzmGT9e2rnYXjnDQvxx4z95oyvk4-ofpsoaw9GBcpkK3Gc8MbYWw/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_Echmiadzin_GroupPhoto_Vlad'sPic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWix9dSFfHpLYs1ITqvdojfX3WmEn90CbWKh-viG41KpPrczt-iVGORI2bKcPD6W8hLHyhU44gsPRmBGFlvvaJjfJTzmGT9e2rnYXjnDQvxx4z95oyvk4-ofpsoaw9GBcpkK3Gc8MbYWw/s400/Armenia_Conference_Echmiadzin_GroupPhoto_Vlad'sPic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336165311357336050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Our group had this photo taken at Echmiadzin.<br />(Sam & Narene center front & middle row)<br />It has been a pleasure working with these great<br />people, and we are happy we had this<br />opportunity to know them.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCwxPjdUrAslWKZm6WDgb2mBQNAeXmeVeOGdevAD7KrKG5nUxeeMnbj0NZddFVUUNtkASv-XzbUOU0z4w-daECj9sXvDZbwhCkutFJlUGx5g4Od_rZZikYe0hx4nSVURrSCNaVBv-Ho4/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_EchmiadzinCathedral_Vlad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCwxPjdUrAslWKZm6WDgb2mBQNAeXmeVeOGdevAD7KrKG5nUxeeMnbj0NZddFVUUNtkASv-XzbUOU0z4w-daECj9sXvDZbwhCkutFJlUGx5g4Od_rZZikYe0hx4nSVURrSCNaVBv-Ho4/s400/Armenia_Conference_EchmiadzinCathedral_Vlad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336255448870983842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Hripsimeh Cathedral<br />(Vlad is taking one of his excellent photos.)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This cathedral was completed in 618 and is one of</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> the oldest surviving churches in Armenia,</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> although it has undergone several changes since</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> it was first built. In 1790, the two-tiered</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> bell tower was added with an eight-column belfry.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6rp5UXnUkNVk4Gu6ctQeE5GJmuYPcmjQSucXRePUCUhO_JA3SEA2kaikXxpfxSMMJvL2ebtG8KdsTzTc6gidpV4ZOzyGCDIh9C_f1op7yHpuACNRNPY5TUnyp0LpRu0mMjXFVAW-mJU/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_HripsimehCathedral_Altar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6rp5UXnUkNVk4Gu6ctQeE5GJmuYPcmjQSucXRePUCUhO_JA3SEA2kaikXxpfxSMMJvL2ebtG8KdsTzTc6gidpV4ZOzyGCDIh9C_f1op7yHpuACNRNPY5TUnyp0LpRu0mMjXFVAW-mJU/s400/Armenia_Conference_HripsimehCathedral_Altar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336290920242160546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The altarpiece (1741) has inlaid mother of pearl<br />with branches, leaves, and flowers arranged<br />around an encircled Greek cross.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRPuHakXKew00tseuIJJ7o_DrP9BvBu8hrJ7qXjmQLlAm1lntJqKu6FgVfQtnN3fwvCLDpT6t05mkkZzpeqWIpC4NR1kb9WSw6OrvwXUY-dDZ0ZCLNxcHTkaD8CwV08Om_5gAo7B0gBo/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_HripsimeCathedral_Nun'sTomb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRPuHakXKew00tseuIJJ7o_DrP9BvBu8hrJ7qXjmQLlAm1lntJqKu6FgVfQtnN3fwvCLDpT6t05mkkZzpeqWIpC4NR1kb9WSw6OrvwXUY-dDZ0ZCLNxcHTkaD8CwV08Om_5gAo7B0gBo/s400/Armenia_Conference_HripsimeCathedral_Nun'sTomb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336255445540270866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This is the tomb of a martyred nun,<br />and the stones that were used to kill her are<br />enclosed in a receptacle in the wall.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwzknSW4zaq9SmaLVyYVYcAgVrQz2kUd4584Ah0g8r_0O5yNapY_MOLZd-pRF-f92EklL7AErUWu2YKG_Ye95QFtBjxGibDxpWYj1qj3BW2W703E5Or-u2VQhR8IkhxToFGSh55wgSAE/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_ArmenianCross_HripsimehCathedral.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwzknSW4zaq9SmaLVyYVYcAgVrQz2kUd4584Ah0g8r_0O5yNapY_MOLZd-pRF-f92EklL7AErUWu2YKG_Ye95QFtBjxGibDxpWYj1qj3BW2W703E5Or-u2VQhR8IkhxToFGSh55wgSAE/s400/Armenia_Conference_ArmenianCross_HripsimehCathedral.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336290924053106434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A carved Armenian cross inside the<br />Hripsimeh Cathedral.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfty9DoJSCNZJ2LBkk-WYKWMlcLuXmDIdx5aCA8-vp2fUrsgEdKaac8xHAFL89RYiZJsgI2zACtOezmQaZ8tX8qyULJT13N2DVG7y9cq4IRY5ddDBSSBMsIKPUFae4RDseME2fz3o3xU/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_HripsimeCathedral_Cow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfty9DoJSCNZJ2LBkk-WYKWMlcLuXmDIdx5aCA8-vp2fUrsgEdKaac8xHAFL89RYiZJsgI2zACtOezmQaZ8tX8qyULJT13N2DVG7y9cq4IRY5ddDBSSBMsIKPUFae4RDseME2fz3o3xU/s400/Armenia_Conference_HripsimeCathedral_Cow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336254344179274594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam got muddy shoes getting this shot<br />of the cow in the foreground of the<br />Hripsimeh Cathedral.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZZyL151Pz44jqYRDzwe5kSHZVH_wcd2SYKCoWpqWavnizq-duAmEroTyWMmhkM1ivTzn7CZBRYJ0FTQ4OzLcl-mV4q4ioKins5kKgGHWyntXXBYD_j7OuAG2pOlHQrzJV69ufosG0tQ/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_NareneSunflower_ArmenianMan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZZyL151Pz44jqYRDzwe5kSHZVH_wcd2SYKCoWpqWavnizq-duAmEroTyWMmhkM1ivTzn7CZBRYJ0FTQ4OzLcl-mV4q4ioKins5kKgGHWyntXXBYD_j7OuAG2pOlHQrzJV69ufosG0tQ/s400/Armenia_Conference_NareneSunflower_ArmenianMan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336258702506699554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This Armenian man gave me the flower and<br />seemed pleased to have his picture taken.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LDGTeEZowp1yHIn0xLYFbo1ummcE_rySl7x-6Y58Tr41lkhqBzao7nkU-I7NLtfSj8J8JC8nxQcDiAjr1ZFWOJGKhwY2W4EhDQ-Zwah_aTZaBRNevxzmwgmpKzFogRo9fwLf532Rp7I/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_Wagon&Tractor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LDGTeEZowp1yHIn0xLYFbo1ummcE_rySl7x-6Y58Tr41lkhqBzao7nkU-I7NLtfSj8J8JC8nxQcDiAjr1ZFWOJGKhwY2W4EhDQ-Zwah_aTZaBRNevxzmwgmpKzFogRo9fwLf532Rp7I/s400/Armenia_Conference_Wagon&Tractor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336203147386651106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> We enjoyed our tour and<br />seeing the countryside as well<br />as the historical churches.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzxb8xUSMRA9jZrDHV4_MJ_cT7rwYfNbWnVwzLfn1Fy3_pFpNSVla7ZwJnR_mhk_dTuaxVy6ble2kqHmfBfdYeQvOzh3zt52XCqThDyrvuTmeWRKUB53TOHN0QFOamYk0wVZgTcem070/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_Restaurant_Shashliks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzxb8xUSMRA9jZrDHV4_MJ_cT7rwYfNbWnVwzLfn1Fy3_pFpNSVla7ZwJnR_mhk_dTuaxVy6ble2kqHmfBfdYeQvOzh3zt52XCqThDyrvuTmeWRKUB53TOHN0QFOamYk0wVZgTcem070/s400/Armenia_Conference_Restaurant_Shashliks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336255452921290610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">People are removing the meat from the skewers of the<br />shashliks served at this nice restaurant at our<br />meal following our tour.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8Dou34ejQLtMEOqrrdHuT2e4bMiB_c2EAByCRFqGxqSrMUrr9blQ5FxEIG8bVFnVus-mNI5_qaV2WRH4rHDwPQsJF220RYh4CXRoxztB3WjK25H4C5pHX41J4Iyx9we0TtbhXSHjYhw/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_Restaurant_SquashDesert_Vlad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8Dou34ejQLtMEOqrrdHuT2e4bMiB_c2EAByCRFqGxqSrMUrr9blQ5FxEIG8bVFnVus-mNI5_qaV2WRH4rHDwPQsJF220RYh4CXRoxztB3WjK25H4C5pHX41J4Iyx9we0TtbhXSHjYhw/s400/Armenia_Conference_Restaurant_SquashDesert_Vlad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336258701190696962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Before our desert was served from these<br />pumpkin or squash bowls,<br />Vlad joined the waiters for a photo.<br />Inside was some kind of squash mixed with<br />rice and berries, which was not very sweet;<br />but it was okay and rather interesting.<br />The waiters came around<br />offering second scoops of the "squash," but I<br />don't think there were many takers.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhE2xeDsW7Y8jwZlcGY6M073aWvgZA4daHxGKtAvv85nE1Y58Np6k2tHKCRj2GANjqAGmOC_kmYO8E2pJDvNFZ3gjQPkROxpPkG2_ZzWMiDM66a2kM1ezqXAtFKxsE53Yzg2NnGkey9M/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_Restaurant_Sam&Narene,LeRoy%26AnnWelling.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhE2xeDsW7Y8jwZlcGY6M073aWvgZA4daHxGKtAvv85nE1Y58Np6k2tHKCRj2GANjqAGmOC_kmYO8E2pJDvNFZ3gjQPkROxpPkG2_ZzWMiDM66a2kM1ezqXAtFKxsE53Yzg2NnGkey9M/s400/Armenia_Conference_Restaurant_Sam&Narene,LeRoy%26AnnWelling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336475388631186226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder & Sister Welling (LeRoy & Anne), who are serving<br />in Kazakhstan, arrived in the Europe East Area<br />soon after we came. They have done much good<br />in Astana where they have been living,<br />and they have enjoyed their mission in spite of<br />having only one other member of the church in<br />their city, and she speaks Mongolian.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9dUQYduPNh0AdJTY8TKlhko8KsZr9GL7itJhPoQ22NXSjuYrWTtKveufUaWi6-7f6BS1Xb3rifCoGFyZ0_Kc9s5VFSLQbtkkSd6My9DOl_nrtu4oMiQV5tHTyMeZIgEzMs13eCwSMaw/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_RepublicSquare_Looslis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9dUQYduPNh0AdJTY8TKlhko8KsZr9GL7itJhPoQ22NXSjuYrWTtKveufUaWi6-7f6BS1Xb3rifCoGFyZ0_Kc9s5VFSLQbtkkSd6My9DOl_nrtu4oMiQV5tHTyMeZIgEzMs13eCwSMaw/s400/Armenia_Conference_RepublicSquare_Looslis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336449362623159810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We went for another walk in the evening</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">and enjoyed this view in Republic Square.<br />( Elder & Sister Loosli - Richard & Joanne -<br />humanitarian missionaries in Istanbul)<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2SWEBZc_wui9WT0EqfWxjb4iHbfkgSnKivJRnuQMiEDs586LAsWz5oRC_sCvHzIMriLNqcqmokxjWDdkbd0kMex-fvpIv4PgZqcuqyg4y12jtBKtPh8zoUX8gDL14JQonD_2tqx1pt4/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_RepublicSquare_Kinghorns&Irelands.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2SWEBZc_wui9WT0EqfWxjb4iHbfkgSnKivJRnuQMiEDs586LAsWz5oRC_sCvHzIMriLNqcqmokxjWDdkbd0kMex-fvpIv4PgZqcuqyg4y12jtBKtPh8zoUX8gDL14JQonD_2tqx1pt4/s400/Armenia_Conference_RepublicSquare_Kinghorns&Irelands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336475384766796466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Bruce & Melinda Kinghorn were with us in the MTC,<br />and I have enjoyed reading Melinda's blog<br />as she has recorded their experiences in Ukraine.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We will miss our frequent association with these and the other great couples we have served with while on our mission, and so there was some sadness as we said our goodbyes to those at the conference. We would love to see them again.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">April 25 (Saturday) - As we had an afternoon flight, we spent the morning seeing more of Yerevan with other couples who had later flights. We had been told there was an outdoor market, which some of the couples found; but the group we were with ended up at a park where artists had their paintings for sale. </span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurf9Mnn7y7uzuqZTAuj0V21ows6YqZT7fOF2ZJBpPJJqu75b4mynUStLBN-iYHO84rlz6nMphJKuO0aLfoAB0OhylK_lPN6AysNPrCCsh2GpExjb2D1l5Es_Krge-tlqWpKag1MklO1I/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_ArtPark_MenStatues.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurf9Mnn7y7uzuqZTAuj0V21ows6YqZT7fOF2ZJBpPJJqu75b4mynUStLBN-iYHO84rlz6nMphJKuO0aLfoAB0OhylK_lPN6AysNPrCCsh2GpExjb2D1l5Es_Krge-tlqWpKag1MklO1I/s400/Armenia_Conference_ArtPark_MenStatues.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336259564913155362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">These interesting statues were in the park.</span></span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNZvgKcX4deXxy4CHdc1DiIgb1rNu2EmIEKP9Gl9OWbmtsjqnwxHlobiq0fBK6phYSXhBOi42I9gNW8dxpmiv0s6PB5Lym1YpvKVvertNd5EGcikoT3cGK-O31g_zIFzc6BJHE4HAa_E/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_ArtPark_Artist&Narene_MtAraratPainting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNZvgKcX4deXxy4CHdc1DiIgb1rNu2EmIEKP9Gl9OWbmtsjqnwxHlobiq0fBK6phYSXhBOi42I9gNW8dxpmiv0s6PB5Lym1YpvKVvertNd5EGcikoT3cGK-O31g_zIFzc6BJHE4HAa_E/s400/Armenia_Conference_ArtPark_Artist&Narene_MtAraratPainting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336259571508234290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We bought a painting from this artist<br />showing Mt. Ararat<br />with the Khor Virap Monastery<br />and a field of yellow flowers in the foreground.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxrbGQuOeL7qc0ZgJJ6mv21lF0rMS2PU6m7oUICU9jwMMdQwOIZCnKnfv1Q4bHjxBw3c1U3sJ4BFq9csS1B_dPuS6nN8b0JFmj1Gs0bqZl2Xju3sSQScdnXoqptZEp5BQnpCE9D0jROM/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_ArmenianRestaurant_Sam&Narene,Vlad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxrbGQuOeL7qc0ZgJJ6mv21lF0rMS2PU6m7oUICU9jwMMdQwOIZCnKnfv1Q4bHjxBw3c1U3sJ4BFq9csS1B_dPuS6nN8b0JFmj1Gs0bqZl2Xju3sSQScdnXoqptZEp5BQnpCE9D0jROM/s400/Armenia_Conference_ArmenianRestaurant_Sam&Narene,Vlad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336259570479702418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Before going to the airport, we had lunch with Vlad<br />at the Armenian restaurant again.<br />This time we had Armenian vegetable soup<br />with Armenian bread<br />wrapped around cheese and salad greens.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1lFqSwY6psCyDBnIM5bUR4WC0-rB7uaiTB_Q8BBmGtH_Y59rDqxfyLpte-ZnbmnkJaJR6JHH5orfNc7-kA8bNUeRTK4y8g6GrRCskIdDfY7OuVZ4DX0kToeu_iHVeyibGxHwMOG0Wxk/s1600-h/Armenia_Conference_FlyingIntoMoscow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1lFqSwY6psCyDBnIM5bUR4WC0-rB7uaiTB_Q8BBmGtH_Y59rDqxfyLpte-ZnbmnkJaJR6JHH5orfNc7-kA8bNUeRTK4y8g6GrRCskIdDfY7OuVZ4DX0kToeu_iHVeyibGxHwMOG0Wxk/s400/Armenia_Conference_FlyingIntoMoscow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336259966061797026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">An aerial view of Moscow in the distance with<br />what looks like dachas (summer homes) in<br />the foreground.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">April 25 (Saturday) - We made it back to our apartment in Moscow by 8:30 p.m. With the conference behind us, our thoughts turned to the three days left to get everything finished before flying to Salt Lake. Those final days and photos will be recorded in the next blog.<br /></span></span></span></div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-11288525353855052912009-04-26T05:36:00.000-07:002022-10-29T11:02:16.789-07:00Our Final Days in Moscow - Saying Our Goodbyes<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> </span></span></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Saying goodbyes to people and places we have come to love is not easy. Knowing we would be leaving Russia on the 29th of April made every event shared with friends </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">this month seem more significant and memorable</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">.</span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">April 4 - We went to Ismaly Park with the Masons and Reeses to get our last gifts and souvenirs.</span></span></span>
</div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRgE-ECjt1pBYMJcTVrMcNpcf-TkVncRVnmuZrLmdoMHyT38JEQIW8djrKdmsfqJQoPgnZVypl4Q7KYYAvB0oMxKqpdQyvExkHT5lhoZG3j5vcpWLGZn3pGYnPDitTuYYj2fzUH0hwJI/s1600-h/Moscow_Ismaly_MetroStatue_Sam&Narene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335518998523774978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRgE-ECjt1pBYMJcTVrMcNpcf-TkVncRVnmuZrLmdoMHyT38JEQIW8djrKdmsfqJQoPgnZVypl4Q7KYYAvB0oMxKqpdQyvExkHT5lhoZG3j5vcpWLGZn3pGYnPDitTuYYj2fzUH0hwJI/s400/Moscow_Ismaly_MetroStatue_Sam&Narene.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> The metro stop where we get off to go to Ismaly Park.
(Sam & Narene by the war memorial.)
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xhQSou-ccl50TkWvGhYwnnEEsxGqDC2TcPsYnrZGTSAn5TxGOznq0Mh-m98_Y86Q0Slp0Im0wezi5FVqlQBoHBjJibdsTqrIa-N4NZya2w9Vim0UjbVXaxnPMo9m4NIzOhhRnncej48/s1600-h/Moscow_Ismaly_Narene&FavoriteVendor.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335518995979799090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xhQSou-ccl50TkWvGhYwnnEEsxGqDC2TcPsYnrZGTSAn5TxGOznq0Mh-m98_Y86Q0Slp0Im0wezi5FVqlQBoHBjJibdsTqrIa-N4NZya2w9Vim0UjbVXaxnPMo9m4NIzOhhRnncej48/s400/Moscow_Ismaly_Narene&FavoriteVendor.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">I was pleased when my favorite vendor
at Ismaly Park
offered this special girl to me at her cost.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">I always enjoyed seeing the new art work</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> Natalia Nikitina (pictured above) had for sale. Her selection was</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> the best quality, and she always </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">remembered me from the first time when we</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> bought our Grandfather Frost from her. </span></span></span>
</div><div style="text-align: center;">
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheuW0mIsd3s_rBXoFBa74eQ5_BWYnPMme-Zw1RMfnyqxMFeKtBiUqYw7vwlNMFXlrSQ3ZR-MHgIpcnck_caz-e2xugLQ4hz4ntv5X-Tj1dghrqofgcw5DaKPSeMZsG4mRjqknI1cFxIA/s1600-h/Moscow_Sam_MuscratHatFlapsUp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335519000735075538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheuW0mIsd3s_rBXoFBa74eQ5_BWYnPMme-Zw1RMfnyqxMFeKtBiUqYw7vwlNMFXlrSQ3ZR-MHgIpcnck_caz-e2xugLQ4hz4ntv5X-Tj1dghrqofgcw5DaKPSeMZsG4mRjqknI1cFxIA/s400/Moscow_Sam_MuscratHatFlapsUp.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Sam modeling one of the racoon hats we
bought at Ismaly Park.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Here it is with the flaps down.
Many of the hats available were more fashionable,
but the racoon and wolf hats appeal to the young.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">April 6 - A farewell get together was held at the Service Center for Valentina Demina, who was retiring from the Finance department and moving to Utah where her married daughter lives. We enjoyed our association with Valentina. She has become a dear friend, and we look forward to seeing her again in the U.S.
</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM6xCFV4BRRAnwQtpKpBnHdOG89cJr0rCDMQ3LWuwHQEyz5BOBQj6YxJNhIaovMghl4FExtpge0ByeK8fImMhB7Foh8WDl-WmPH-qVHdt3GWJ2REQvq20nz3Z2E-Z87mJllXAlVz7NRY/s1600-h/Moscow_ServiceCenter_Valentina&Narene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335521401720041090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM6xCFV4BRRAnwQtpKpBnHdOG89cJr0rCDMQ3LWuwHQEyz5BOBQj6YxJNhIaovMghl4FExtpge0ByeK8fImMhB7Foh8WDl-WmPH-qVHdt3GWJ2REQvq20nz3Z2E-Z87mJllXAlVz7NRY/s400/Moscow_ServiceCenter_Valentina&Narene.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Valentina Demina and Narene</span></span></span>
</div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bNPA_8xmK3ur5oG0gQ9pTJRupQ9bUTsV7AZ77CoENsFYWOJjJ7xQ82eYkgSWbVjy5EZGnmiNTyy-DoMSBoWD_kO0FR364ZnXfx_HFyXD_HpVMKYT4HT_AM42E646NsWCMNO3yt1DZHw/s1600-h/Moscow_ServiceCenter_Sofia,RayWhitesides,Others.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335530042666220130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bNPA_8xmK3ur5oG0gQ9pTJRupQ9bUTsV7AZ77CoENsFYWOJjJ7xQ82eYkgSWbVjy5EZGnmiNTyy-DoMSBoWD_kO0FR364ZnXfx_HFyXD_HpVMKYT4HT_AM42E646NsWCMNO3yt1DZHw/s400/Moscow_ServiceCenter_Sofia,RayWhitesides,Others.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Part of the group at Valentina's farewell.
(Sofia's brother in white shirt & suspenders,
Dmitry - Finance department, Sofia - receptionist,
Ray Whitesides - Area Controller,
and Valentina in the back.)
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">April 13 - We had supper with the other senior couples at the Metro Market before going to see the entertainers from BYU-Idaho perform in a concert hall located near the tall T.V. tower by Exhibition Center.
</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BLzrJ_GU-nyLzkDcY-UNveuiEBkxcbGOa8tUsDabt908y_GH3GlfLHBkjolCo91j3bdFbLKIxBI2jJJDqPONXCL9OgX0aG5wpN5DeXfm4xCgax0H1oc9jjrUY_kWjQRlnuZdR0WPNcQ/s1600-h/Moscow_MetroMarket_Seniors_SamNearonsMasonsJorgensensGregorys.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335530052710598002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BLzrJ_GU-nyLzkDcY-UNveuiEBkxcbGOa8tUsDabt908y_GH3GlfLHBkjolCo91j3bdFbLKIxBI2jJJDqPONXCL9OgX0aG5wpN5DeXfm4xCgax0H1oc9jjrUY_kWjQRlnuZdR0WPNcQ/s400/Moscow_MetroMarket_Seniors_SamNearonsMasonsJorgensensGregorys.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Senior couples frequently met at Metro Market
for a meal before leaving on the metro from Sokal
for our current destination.
(Sam, David Nearon, Clark & Renee Mason,
Sharon & David Yorgesen, Darvel & Kathy Gregory,
and Linda Nearon (Narene took the picture).
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5iQb9gKbnMFro6pGnwIfzBrDpmW2TbSG37m0IIHS1SjzedK2UEFvAqi-Cq5HFb0CiZFkodtqnPW_nWQcRakivLDqd44uF-ngMNOndd69e7rEqvycwO4769H3PM5MHTqwGmxLf2wVtFA/s1600-h/Moscow_MetroMarket_KFC+Transliterated.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335530051012116754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5iQb9gKbnMFro6pGnwIfzBrDpmW2TbSG37m0IIHS1SjzedK2UEFvAqi-Cq5HFb0CiZFkodtqnPW_nWQcRakivLDqd44uF-ngMNOndd69e7rEqvycwO4769H3PM5MHTqwGmxLf2wVtFA/s400/Moscow_MetroMarket_KFC+Transliterated.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">This used to be KFC, but in April it changed to FFC.
We often ordered a twister here at the Metro Market.
The new sign advertises the Fresh Fried Chicken
with the words transliterated beneath
(using Russian letters but not the words translated).
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe06XV6cTAjTr-8tTGPoiQTYl_dW_uxJIZTg1jeI7nqJzNCD-b8pmDvclxam7_kh-3eLgG21bZibjl6oi9QVucrLxMEVfyhramKnt5kFpNdfDnlqgJRaanqcx8erayFNw5SGX8GTsDyMk/s1600-h/Moscow_MetroMarket_Kartoshkas.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335530050267191618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe06XV6cTAjTr-8tTGPoiQTYl_dW_uxJIZTg1jeI7nqJzNCD-b8pmDvclxam7_kh-3eLgG21bZibjl6oi9QVucrLxMEVfyhramKnt5kFpNdfDnlqgJRaanqcx8erayFNw5SGX8GTsDyMk/s400/Moscow_MetroMarket_Kartoshkas.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">For our last meal here, we ordered the
kartoshkas (baked potatoes) served with our
choice of toppings. I liked having one scoop of
cream cheese with dill and one of sour cream
with cheese. Sam tried different toppings.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZi_eApJpdlhPmaB2ydhAZx5it03P19paT9s1NsjOzZKoUPSei5MH8YQ8pndOCk8VoztcWvrEsn6iGg8cgjW9rOZ5kJgskXEnuyXi8PvXhdIaTRc0418JIYSu6Fxe3OM19RnxYVeXIFQ/s1600-h/Moscow_TV+Tower+Area_Cathedral.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335530058304697378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZi_eApJpdlhPmaB2ydhAZx5it03P19paT9s1NsjOzZKoUPSei5MH8YQ8pndOCk8VoztcWvrEsn6iGg8cgjW9rOZ5kJgskXEnuyXi8PvXhdIaTRc0418JIYSu6Fxe3OM19RnxYVeXIFQ/s400/Moscow_TV+Tower+Area_Cathedral.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">On our way to see the BYU-Idaho musical show,
we changed from the metro and got on the monorail.
This is where we saw this colorful cathedral.
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKoXxmnWz9bfGqj8uZxEv6Q3wnbHdyVg4jf9fTrunHQMKz6hU0Bvh5U4pNUykd33sIKvx6wEzpPj26Jz7EYoCahYLgoGUCMdSrN_Id5LGcBmRKvDkxts0Uf2SN1x-xEo-njSxxtUQhK0/s1600-h/Moscow_BYUI+MusicShow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335533511955706450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKoXxmnWz9bfGqj8uZxEv6Q3wnbHdyVg4jf9fTrunHQMKz6hU0Bvh5U4pNUykd33sIKvx6wEzpPj26Jz7EYoCahYLgoGUCMdSrN_Id5LGcBmRKvDkxts0Uf2SN1x-xEo-njSxxtUQhK0/s400/Moscow_BYUI+MusicShow.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We enjoyed the performance of the
BYU-Idaho dancers.
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">The dancers had a lot of</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> enthusiasm and were well received by the</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> audience. It wasn't the professional talent of a</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> Russian ballet, but they were impressive for college students. The theme of the show was a journey through life. I think the younger ones in the audience related better to the teen years </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">segment </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">when the music got quite loud. One segment, on the other hand, was void of any music. They had several costume changes to go with the type of music they were dancing. The narration was in Russian, but the vocals were in English except for a special duet at the end. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">After the show, the performers mingled with the audience and</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> were personable and friendly. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzVPhdRs7aWviKe5ML-GD7NdlhGNfDN46h40IRvK6Dz_7fI78bB4l5Yxe6EZug5lUXw5PR0z1lWFfOzi5FtA1O-NYoGykp8fB7xQMDFFehaxwhdAidhvxqLWiUlnC4Ch1ccdFT_JKHVU/s1600-h/Moscow_TV+Tower_Night.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335533515482242898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzVPhdRs7aWviKe5ML-GD7NdlhGNfDN46h40IRvK6Dz_7fI78bB4l5Yxe6EZug5lUXw5PR0z1lWFfOzi5FtA1O-NYoGykp8fB7xQMDFFehaxwhdAidhvxqLWiUlnC4Ch1ccdFT_JKHVU/s400/Moscow_TV+Tower_Night.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We walked by the T.V. tower on
our way to the concert hall.
We can see this tower from our
apartment window. It is the
tallest free standing tower in the world.
</span></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDu5x9hYsNdvImjJprreAUv4ZPd2_5Hg-EDcgSKRdczKdDGUFjKBBVWNDdS5FQXAJWv5xGVTZS54SaaFdMpg4mF2TcxsgslI4CpcycHVfYXGZjbdSp1zwmvToWjWotiqxE5i_UNZUoZDU/s1600-h/Moscow_ExhibitionCenter_Night.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335533525504456642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDu5x9hYsNdvImjJprreAUv4ZPd2_5Hg-EDcgSKRdczKdDGUFjKBBVWNDdS5FQXAJWv5xGVTZS54SaaFdMpg4mF2TcxsgslI4CpcycHVfYXGZjbdSp1zwmvToWjWotiqxE5i_UNZUoZDU/s400/Moscow_ExhibitionCenter_Night.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">The Exhibition Center is in this area. I took
this photo from the platform of the monorail.
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsPSOAxx00_BpFmbAWxGaS8EZtOUEUVb29H0HZHeBK9m4u0ncldOyJQeB6MrKHxxvxvdC3NhpkcJpN2IB25I-2VVSct81i-4Gum6rXmrnjvbx_kRgz0jZdNXhvpvDWIkRhWWP_6jnqOM/s1600-h/Moscow_Monorail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335533520219677906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsPSOAxx00_BpFmbAWxGaS8EZtOUEUVb29H0HZHeBK9m4u0ncldOyJQeB6MrKHxxvxvdC3NhpkcJpN2IB25I-2VVSct81i-4Gum6rXmrnjvbx_kRgz0jZdNXhvpvDWIkRhWWP_6jnqOM/s400/Moscow_Monorail.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">This is the first time we had ridden the monorail.
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">April 14 - This was our "farewell" Family Home Evening with the Moscow senior missionary couples. It was held at the Rees's. We had a delicious potluck dinner, and the seniors signed a card for us that Linda Nearon had made with photos of memorable things we have done as senior missionaries in Moscow. Each one took a turn sharing a thought special to them from an April General Conference talk, and Sam and I were also asked to share something about our missionary service and our testimonies.</span></span></span>
</div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFjVW7NLRjvZ-tGruDgiCTKFYcqr6AFfRCOAjJ2AvWbnrFGoDW5BgqYXMDehrwPBNv3mV4kQhW_w3zV7RW4ouXoDn6xsOd7YMsuww25f1NZ9xqd6Okgrlqc_V0Aclf9aaD5pvuU54NlU/s1600-h/FHE_SistersCranney,Gregory,Mason,Rassmussen,Ireland,Jorgensen,Hall,Nearon,Rees2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335533528328326114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFjVW7NLRjvZ-tGruDgiCTKFYcqr6AFfRCOAjJ2AvWbnrFGoDW5BgqYXMDehrwPBNv3mV4kQhW_w3zV7RW4ouXoDn6xsOd7YMsuww25f1NZ9xqd6Okgrlqc_V0Aclf9aaD5pvuU54NlU/s400/FHE_SistersCranney,Gregory,Mason,Rassmussen,Ireland,Jorgensen,Hall,Nearon,Rees2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">FHE at the Rees's apartment.
(Andria Cranney, Kathy Gregory, Renee Mason,
Sandy Rasmussen, Narene, Sharon Yorgesen,
Nancy Hall, Linda Nearon, and Linda Rees.)
</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn0DEZA8ceI4l-ElRYoXLbszT3PrRefsXRuaCcPve23QCovN905UfEYPCJM4Jy3V-ah9ccDY_QbGcHQlwm96OmikNFyHRdffHaNwj4PsJLLTTn2bix_bIkmz_uWFX8z0LuCCZRVcRBxM/s1600-h/FHE_PresCharles&SisAndreaCranney.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335552367407408530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn0DEZA8ceI4l-ElRYoXLbszT3PrRefsXRuaCcPve23QCovN905UfEYPCJM4Jy3V-ah9ccDY_QbGcHQlwm96OmikNFyHRdffHaNwj4PsJLLTTn2bix_bIkmz_uWFX8z0LuCCZRVcRBxM/s400/FHE_PresCharles&SisAndreaCranney.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We appreciated having President & Sister Cranney
come to the FHE (Charles & Andria Cranney).
When the missions in Moscow were changed
and we were assigned to the Moscow Mission,
President Cranney became our mission president.
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We were formerly in the Moscow West Mission, and President Collins was our mission president for most of our mission (Philip & Trisha Collins). Since most of the other senior couples were in the Moscow Mission, we had been invited to their mission's special activities and knew and enjoyed the Cranneys and the Collins. We were better acquainted with more of the young missionaries in the Moscow West Mission, however, since we were there much longer.</span></span></span>
</div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ89P6X5Ta1ubiOdczBHUYW6Gy4n_2WC1ngpHQ6EXCQB5qs7VkWQUvrZ_bYTMCSH-gg1hMQByRS1R4yB2ehUyzYqT5wCWwMO9JNSAVGhQZ4NLDvjuq0D91zydQoxLgmJwVsS64gUpPXSk/s1600-h/FHE_Linda&SteveRees.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335709853703831410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ89P6X5Ta1ubiOdczBHUYW6Gy4n_2WC1ngpHQ6EXCQB5qs7VkWQUvrZ_bYTMCSH-gg1hMQByRS1R4yB2ehUyzYqT5wCWwMO9JNSAVGhQZ4NLDvjuq0D91zydQoxLgmJwVsS64gUpPXSk/s400/FHE_Linda&SteveRees.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Elder & Sister Rees (Linda & Steve)
They hosted our FHE this particular evening.
Steve is the Area doctor, and Linda works in the
Meridian building having</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> responsibilities</span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> related to recording patriarchal blessings.
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39vbE9vfgt6jvpmouoc0a5XqVKk3u8SkZ76px36Lt-oBA0N3LeF6bKfMl1AYzd_I6lH922UYchEVeX0piQN-OQf8ytCbpp1UXSRHgkPeb3PUvHMMJy8YYsEv7LDFKxb0O_Ct43FBObUU/s1600-h/FHE_Clark&ReneeMason.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335553180076352578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39vbE9vfgt6jvpmouoc0a5XqVKk3u8SkZ76px36Lt-oBA0N3LeF6bKfMl1AYzd_I6lH922UYchEVeX0piQN-OQf8ytCbpp1UXSRHgkPeb3PUvHMMJy8YYsEv7LDFKxb0O_Ct43FBObUU/s400/FHE_Clark&ReneeMason.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Elder & Sister Mason (Clark & Renee)
They are the other senior missionary couple
who work in the Service Center with us. Clark is
the Area Auditor, and Renne has the assignment
to help with branch and family histories.
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTTSC8XLJT-n912gxZuwoD-asBbgmCNhq-IfZ1PijWtJIQMoe5he8QtJN7wKdvFb_yg-0OV7dBXcqMkCMPB-HGeRy3sUqT2aFogQRNA-OMP2wyqIB-z8FkgpdyMH6jywFq6TOQDZKGC4/s1600-h/FHE_Darvel&KathyGregory.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335552372518338834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTTSC8XLJT-n912gxZuwoD-asBbgmCNhq-IfZ1PijWtJIQMoe5he8QtJN7wKdvFb_yg-0OV7dBXcqMkCMPB-HGeRy3sUqT2aFogQRNA-OMP2wyqIB-z8FkgpdyMH6jywFq6TOQDZKGC4/s400/FHE_Darvel&KathyGregory.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Elder & Sister Gregory (Darvel & Kathy)
Upon our departure, they are the couple
having served in Moscow longer than any of the
remaining couples. They will be going home in June.
The Gregorys live in an apartment building near ours,
but their schedule kept them from being with
our senior couple group most FHEs. As the CES couple,
they are free in the daytime when the rest of us
are busy; and their evenings are scheduled.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGzXifuY4Zx0EZqAG4d_Chfu043EctbQSDBn04Ax91B0pqpk_OwUq_FD5lP6-Dc8EL4aKyHnxCZM-D3A2LtwrnuMtIiGLdAXGtbNdbYYlptNJM_W2GCzmT-AKL3pepXBPHJI6tqsSb88/s1600-h/FHE_David&SharonYorgesen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335552369994031826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGzXifuY4Zx0EZqAG4d_Chfu043EctbQSDBn04Ax91B0pqpk_OwUq_FD5lP6-Dc8EL4aKyHnxCZM-D3A2LtwrnuMtIiGLdAXGtbNdbYYlptNJM_W2GCzmT-AKL3pepXBPHJI6tqsSb88/s400/FHE_David&SharonYorgesen.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Elder & Sister Yorgesen (David & Sharon)
They are the office couple for the mission
president in the Moscow Mission. They also
will be completing their mission in June.
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIRIDFuKw4WR9S4s6hgFm7B0t7R7G6XFiW0H_6lF4eVTw7EoSMHBb99HXGLLkJPHKuNWZqGMJ4VcAnjXq8kqOnEbjKRV-8bjz04dufVu0QutcNfOcjJYFccAmUtsY9kCIaH6f8lO6O30/s1600-h/FHE_Linda&DavidNearon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335553175877488818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIRIDFuKw4WR9S4s6hgFm7B0t7R7G6XFiW0H_6lF4eVTw7EoSMHBb99HXGLLkJPHKuNWZqGMJ4VcAnjXq8kqOnEbjKRV-8bjz04dufVu0QutcNfOcjJYFccAmUtsY9kCIaH6f8lO6O30/s400/FHE_Linda&DavidNearon.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Elder & Sister Nearon (Linda & David)
They are volunteers working in the legal department
in the Meridian building. Their apartment is next
door to the Halls, which was formerly the Shepard's
apartment. We all miss Greg & Chris Shepard
whose farewell FHE was a month before ours.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin680MvpBEWs9r_TTSeI1RCjbQQ-w3IFkWzbfd8r3vQh9JAZetV3DYyncdxd2UfOTKzZibEpwx7sFqD-tPQh09tHmeWwPHkYqAOgnwp0xwlrHGRGyy3g037pwQXebdMNcl9s0LWxpQo_E/s1600-h/FHE_Dennis&SandyRassmussen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335552371574120098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin680MvpBEWs9r_TTSeI1RCjbQQ-w3IFkWzbfd8r3vQh9JAZetV3DYyncdxd2UfOTKzZibEpwx7sFqD-tPQh09tHmeWwPHkYqAOgnwp0xwlrHGRGyy3g037pwQXebdMNcl9s0LWxpQo_E/s400/FHE_Dennis&SandyRassmussen.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Elder & Sister Rasmussen (Dennis & Sandy)
They are the office couple for the Mowcow West
Mission. Currently, they are the only senior couple
in that mission living in Moscow except for the
mission president and his wife.
The other senior couples are in the Moscow Mission.
</span></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWrqwrXkV5_w6yPxGlyZ6K_5M36CtvMUuOvsbEtEstik0Gd1fOGFMNNiKPf9nRQoCdgs8PV5lBN3-BhEyH9LQyR4v06UGJYYekjeUnvP50ljLez-9Fp-OKvZZ2Ond1MBlmMXuIlz0Z8w/s1600-h/FHE_Hyram&NancyHall.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335552380168265138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWrqwrXkV5_w6yPxGlyZ6K_5M36CtvMUuOvsbEtEstik0Gd1fOGFMNNiKPf9nRQoCdgs8PV5lBN3-BhEyH9LQyR4v06UGJYYekjeUnvP50ljLez-9Fp-OKvZZ2Ond1MBlmMXuIlz0Z8w/s400/FHE_Hyram&NancyHall.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Elder & Sister Hall (Hyrum & Nancy)
At the time of our farewell FHE activity, they
were the newest senior missionary couple in Moscow.
However, that distinction would soon be taken over
by the Holmes and then the Burtons.
The Halls followed the Shepards as executive
secretary to the Area Presidency, and they also
moved into the apartment vacated by the Shepards.
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">It was hard saying goodbye to these special friends we have made in Moscow, just as it was difficult saying goodbye to those who completed their missions before us. Each has a special place in our hearts, and we hope we can keep in touch and meet again.
We shared one last activity with this senior group on April 17 when we went to the circus together. The Russian circus has a history and tradition that ranks right up there with the ballet. A year ago, we had been to both the traditional circus and what is referred to as the new circus; and this year we saw the new circus twice, once with Scott & Kristine and again with Nactya and Anna. We enjoyed both circuses. The new circus has more flair with lighting and costumes reminding one of a Las Vegas show, but both have talent and are professionally produced. It's hard to say which we preferred. With the senior couples we went to the traditional circus, and all were favorably impressed with the atmosphere and the performances.
</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpCmSst6zhg8pOpODRgDHlyZ9c-Llutp__v6zfL6r7GffZkkBmiBYcpOFA_ULD3MFWYWbb_DEIZs04_pd9HZrWTgBq4Z9ux1dJRUN0mTHtaaXbdRB_eyq-GR99H5oIfn2yhkW1UqdQ8I/s1600-h/Moscow_MetroStainedGlass.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335553198749597154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpCmSst6zhg8pOpODRgDHlyZ9c-Llutp__v6zfL6r7GffZkkBmiBYcpOFA_ULD3MFWYWbb_DEIZs04_pd9HZrWTgBq4Z9ux1dJRUN0mTHtaaXbdRB_eyq-GR99H5oIfn2yhkW1UqdQ8I/s400/Moscow_MetroStainedGlass.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Another photo op in the metro on the way
to the circus.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqsSvWIyL2d5C9JbgotC_0VogpJKuF77vqelLEM6YQKRV_mshfu9IVoslRG3QVvp-bHo2RGAi0yLCN2awKbCuu6lNz0Mtl1CuY4GPSCpOiN3pEAyMXwajv5yWDqhbA6rMbQX1SQsXFSM/s1600-h/Moscow_Circus_Acrobats.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335732792154483090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqsSvWIyL2d5C9JbgotC_0VogpJKuF77vqelLEM6YQKRV_mshfu9IVoslRG3QVvp-bHo2RGAi0yLCN2awKbCuu6lNz0Mtl1CuY4GPSCpOiN3pEAyMXwajv5yWDqhbA6rMbQX1SQsXFSM/s400/Moscow_Circus_Acrobats.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">It's difficult to see in the photo, but one fellow has
been flung high in the air and is about to land
in the chair held high by a guy on stilts standing on
a narrow piece being balanced by two other guys.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDGNfKkSIJrHssYWjyutBTaq6PmDpVVbYsEi4Jj1sTlnQ2j6B4N_uMS2gOnBWz1DtiOuUKK2CVlL3dZZrIgfIsic2b8Q2Tu4qcFT7261zc_iyRUkansarB7k8TIBWbc5A8AtmDCVQL80/s1600-h/Moscow_Circus_GirlJumpingPole.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335709861313874834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDGNfKkSIJrHssYWjyutBTaq6PmDpVVbYsEi4Jj1sTlnQ2j6B4N_uMS2gOnBWz1DtiOuUKK2CVlL3dZZrIgfIsic2b8Q2Tu4qcFT7261zc_iyRUkansarB7k8TIBWbc5A8AtmDCVQL80/s400/Moscow_Circus_GirlJumpingPole.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">It was amazing she could go extremely high and land
gracefully on the narrow surface. We had
seen a similar act at the new circus.
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fUCI8frzMfaNvD4vMHdIrs-DRGx2FpPihPalY8KmoNO4qwZA7FkIbYnKYBxNzrPFrL0_y8oEx1_2WGhqpxt0THapBN-W6LO3c0BP9wJtdOi6LKbNMn5Onjk5RDEMFsrFRos64JZyrnU/s1600-h/Moscow_Circus_GirlJugglingLegs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335709860059957394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fUCI8frzMfaNvD4vMHdIrs-DRGx2FpPihPalY8KmoNO4qwZA7FkIbYnKYBxNzrPFrL0_y8oEx1_2WGhqpxt0THapBN-W6LO3c0BP9wJtdOi6LKbNMn5Onjk5RDEMFsrFRos64JZyrnU/s400/Moscow_Circus_GirlJugglingLegs.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">This girl could juggle all sorts of shapes and sizes
using both feet and hands, and she kept numerous
hoops going on legs and arms at the same time.
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy3K5X6ts8X2Von4DxD5nuWqR0L35212yyTFLBotdsGNfAXBbdBOmRpdgLOr80DInZVvQhqnMYsmPzJ53YporhhcgWWr3S8Ki1F552Q8YPa40mhQ9AFKnc_W5gHkGiGnVRjXUyZnHOIw/s1600-h/Moscow_Circus_Bear&Trainer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335709865302135074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy3K5X6ts8X2Von4DxD5nuWqR0L35212yyTFLBotdsGNfAXBbdBOmRpdgLOr80DInZVvQhqnMYsmPzJ53YporhhcgWWr3S8Ki1F552Q8YPa40mhQ9AFKnc_W5gHkGiGnVRjXUyZnHOIw/s400/Moscow_Circus_Bear&Trainer.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Of course, there were animals at the circus.
During the intermission, people could pay to have
their picture taken with different animals,
even a leopard.
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgZlH7l5r_n86G2KVUFVkdSIvYOrZ7zjyDjr6CZaygC38t5AzExEo-RKdsvZxB_69QiJiTiRQaT7FA4zIPKGcU_rvnXjkxOkRgWoFZP7FhfIgBk5uf-a5N7_U_TjYOO08gubI5rOI7Gk/s1600-h/Moscow_Circus_CastFinale.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335732786508146770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgZlH7l5r_n86G2KVUFVkdSIvYOrZ7zjyDjr6CZaygC38t5AzExEo-RKdsvZxB_69QiJiTiRQaT7FA4zIPKGcU_rvnXjkxOkRgWoFZP7FhfIgBk5uf-a5N7_U_TjYOO08gubI5rOI7Gk/s400/Moscow_Circus_CastFinale.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">The performers were given appreciative applause
at the end of the show. They represented
various countries and some wore ethnic costumes.
</span></span></span>
<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">I recommend going to the Russian circus if you get an opportunity. You will enjoy it.</span></span></span>
</div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQt8UsMGgq640k2pxOljOYWuIkxj2OVjyXR4Fb5EXN4vRe3gm3xjtxL8pWMTqFTP4NaYWHWHpruG16E6LI9HgU_3HuUiDvZkMBGP1YbmsGFLY-RXhsBUlPsHBze6N71JOEoE_UJx_0e0/s1600-h/ServiceCenter_SamSofiaNarene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335553190025226242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQt8UsMGgq640k2pxOljOYWuIkxj2OVjyXR4Fb5EXN4vRe3gm3xjtxL8pWMTqFTP4NaYWHWHpruG16E6LI9HgU_3HuUiDvZkMBGP1YbmsGFLY-RXhsBUlPsHBze6N71JOEoE_UJx_0e0/s400/ServiceCenter_SamSofiaNarene.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Saying goodbye to Sofia, the receptionist and
friend at the Service Center. She was
going on vacation to Spain to visit her parents.
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">We knew the final two weeks of our mission would be extremely busy. Following the Area Humanitarian Conference in Armenia, there would be only three days to attend our branch one last time, finalize things at the office, finish packing, leave our apartment ready for the Burtons to move in, and say final goodbyes. These two weeks, including our time in Armenia, will be on the next blog.</span></span></span>
</div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
</span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-67937262255069977772009-04-19T04:42:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:58:51.041-07:00Easter Sunday in Russia<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Last Sunday was Easter in the U.S.; but today is Easter in Russia, and it is their major religious celebration of the year.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">On Easter, Orthodox Russians go to church and bring Easter bread and eggs to be blessed. Saturday night they enter a dark church that symbolizes the gloomy world without the light of faith, and the Mass goes until morning. There are no benches in Orthodox churches so they stand all this time. At midnight, church bells ring to announce the resurrection of Jesus. Priests come to the alter with a crucifix and candles, and everyone lights their candles and follows the priests in a procession with lighted candles and singing. Bells ring as the service ends early in the morning. People gladly hug and kiss one another and accept the priest's admonition to forgive everybody. The traditional Easter greeting is part of celebrating Easter: "Christ is risen," and the answer is given, "He is truly risen."</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Except for the language being in Russian, our church service here in Moscow is similar to other Latter-day Saint church meetings throughout the world. We have the same manuals and hymnbooks, we hear similar inspirational talks, we partake of the sacrament, we study the scriptures, and our testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are strengthened. Today, four young missionaries sang a special musical number with such nice harmony.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We will be in Moscow one more Sunday before going home, but today was the last Sunday for me to teach the Relief Society lesson. Although it has been somewhat of a challenge to teach Russian speakers via a translator, it has been rewarding. The sisters have been so kind and responsive. The questions I ask during the lesson always get good responses from these dedicated, faithful members. We love these Russian saints and will miss them.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This was the second Sunday meeting in the newly remodeled building at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Universitet</span>, as last weekend the Russian translation of General Conference was broadcast for the members here. There was a change in classroom assignments today, and Primary met in the upstairs room where Relief Society was held on our first Sunday in this building. The stairs going up to this classroom are better suited for children, as the steps are narrow and steep and make an abrupt turn going into the room. I was surprised when I first saw these stairs and thought they definitely are not handicap friendly.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0iICaRpM4xmk1sfC1oh1H5cQyV3s8DoJwe13SiDlKmpcjICh8mscE0T_T6tXCGNGe6kEztxZkqxy4nvk6K3h43X8QK46gTMSCthrMJgK5aGLCL73HZhC86DPji94HeFY1xFWydPKFOU/s1600-h/Moscow_BranchStairs_EasterSunday.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0iICaRpM4xmk1sfC1oh1H5cQyV3s8DoJwe13SiDlKmpcjICh8mscE0T_T6tXCGNGe6kEztxZkqxy4nvk6K3h43X8QK46gTMSCthrMJgK5aGLCL73HZhC86DPji94HeFY1xFWydPKFOU/s400/Moscow_BranchStairs_EasterSunday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326406888617342242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Unusual stairs in the newly remodeled branch building.<br />A sharp turn leads to the classroom where<br />Relief Society met first, but now will be Primary.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswa-xhSscFIohyphenhyphenIhAc5XtnbORrt3mQN5X0ksIPJWLcT1o-GrINAVQumy7dwHwXkJXHUheWgTO3uZ0p1dcVtnQ1hIBIs6TNttNgHhWRn_U9hDrjl8rUoGG10VxJAC9nUyVuhlI6zhlTmc/s1600-h/Moscow_BranchGroup_EasterSunday.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswa-xhSscFIohyphenhyphenIhAc5XtnbORrt3mQN5X0ksIPJWLcT1o-GrINAVQumy7dwHwXkJXHUheWgTO3uZ0p1dcVtnQ1hIBIs6TNttNgHhWRn_U9hDrjl8rUoGG10VxJAC9nUyVuhlI6zhlTmc/s400/Moscow_BranchGroup_EasterSunday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326406885142977282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Candy and chocolate eggs were passed out after<br />church on Easter Sunday<br />at our recently combined <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Universitet</span> branch.<br /></span></span></span><br /></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-77360352849384245122009-04-12T05:09:00.000-07:002009-04-12T07:09:35.457-07:00Spring Returns to Moscow<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">It was nice walking to church today (April 12) in the sunshine wearing a light coat and regular shoes. Spring has arrived in Moscow and hopefully is here to stay for the duration of our mission. I started this blog a year ago with my first entry posted on 12 April 2008 entitled "Spring Weather is Welcome." After the cold, ice, and slush of winter, spring certainly is welcome.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Today is Palm Sunday in Russia and Easter Sunday in the United States. Just as Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 instead of on December 25, their Easter comes later than ours because of </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">using the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar we use. </span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A Russian Orthodox tradition on Palm Sunday is to take pussy willows to church instead of palm leaves, and on the street and near the metros ladies were busy selling small bunches of pussy willows. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj46KtoPqexp90MmfrnLHd_khqqQJCslpznVzJEcayHum9j3-iF4QmQwejDX7HR-y9BwKnRMwfhlehQyUrffyDcLm5iAQpqIIMV4-JopyrrGIbjwagHNOS-X7jwV4NJJMlsQBH_LtXa2o/s1600-h/Moscow_PalmSundayPussyWillows.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj46KtoPqexp90MmfrnLHd_khqqQJCslpznVzJEcayHum9j3-iF4QmQwejDX7HR-y9BwKnRMwfhlehQyUrffyDcLm5iAQpqIIMV4-JopyrrGIbjwagHNOS-X7jwV4NJJMlsQBH_LtXa2o/s400/Moscow_PalmSundayPussyWillows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323790262258863570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Selling pussy willows for Palm Sunday. </span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Even the Church's General Conference comes a week later to Moscow in order to receive the broadcast translated in Russian. Of course, we watched conference last weekend on our laptop in our apartment and had excellent reception. We watched the morning sessions live in the evening, but we watched the afternoon sessions the following day instead of staying up until midnight because of the time change between countries. Even though we had already watched the Sunday morning session, we went to the Central building where it was being broadcast in both Russian and in English. Of course, we watched the English broadcast and enjoyed it again the second time. It is such a blessing to be able to hear the prophet and the General Authorities give their messages and bear their testimonies. It is a very rewarding opportunity that I didn't have growing up without the technology available today.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Walking back from the metro, we noticed signs of spring in addition to seeing buds on the trees. The work crews are starting the annual spring painting of fences and buildings. No preparations are done prior to the painting. Rather, the paint is brushed on over cement, dirt, and whatever else is on the fence. No concern is given to drips either, and rarely are "Fresh Paint" signs put up to alert one to be careful to not rub against the fresh paint. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Here are a couple of pictures I took on the way home from church today. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_Gf1j0DbXqeHZB6EYDawAbTUI8bCej_akLbVRmQGHazrxQLB_d8F2K8qkoF4L9k2NUq_eOsVdgsT91Jk3Byn9ZXFlyaPDkPWdHxYa-k0mzvd-7Dd0alnUM2I-2v38EY6p_qvd2Bxd-U/s1600-h/Moscow_NewApartmentBldg_Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_Gf1j0DbXqeHZB6EYDawAbTUI8bCej_akLbVRmQGHazrxQLB_d8F2K8qkoF4L9k2NUq_eOsVdgsT91Jk3Byn9ZXFlyaPDkPWdHxYa-k0mzvd-7Dd0alnUM2I-2v38EY6p_qvd2Bxd-U/s400/Moscow_NewApartmentBldg_Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323790255998717762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam on our way home from the metro.<br />The tall apartment building has been<br />built during our stay here.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Since we came to Moscow, we have watched from our apartment</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> window crews building this new</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> apartment building, working 24/7 </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">no matter what the weather. The only</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> time they weren't working was on</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> New Year's Day. We wonder how good the cement can be when poured with below zero temperatures.</span></span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLloEAm6SBjYeNNoweTzLJWWKIPWg_6BEfTG3hNF2hgjKthY_d2NziIFOGnOtzWJZqV3YAtFlVZ5lZWlxgUhQDr2GJYsNHWGz38LH7mvf-pPQviUXmQM9l3725Mh04P-zBnqt1R1nTRwY/s1600-h/Moscow_FenceAroundTree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLloEAm6SBjYeNNoweTzLJWWKIPWg_6BEfTG3hNF2hgjKthY_d2NziIFOGnOtzWJZqV3YAtFlVZ5lZWlxgUhQDr2GJYsNHWGz38LH7mvf-pPQviUXmQM9l3725Mh04P-zBnqt1R1nTRwY/s400/Moscow_FenceAroundTree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323790256470586290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Only in Russia would a fence extend around the tree.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHda4uzGg8ZKPJgvwRpEe13EtG9mnhYzGjwCLHz_lEPKZyfBGglSDL_cF72IWAF2fDfqVnRa5InkWVt6Lr8kxTnNf3F5fZfJ_dBlwL_F4Bi2d2ehqC-ukes77925giq_DRvcb-bRKMCKo/s1600-h/Moscow_StrayDogBox.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHda4uzGg8ZKPJgvwRpEe13EtG9mnhYzGjwCLHz_lEPKZyfBGglSDL_cF72IWAF2fDfqVnRa5InkWVt6Lr8kxTnNf3F5fZfJ_dBlwL_F4Bi2d2ehqC-ukes77925giq_DRvcb-bRKMCKo/s400/Moscow_StrayDogBox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323790276115815362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">One of the numerous stray dogs in Moscow. <br />Stray dogs are typically well fed and cared for by the<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">babushkas</span> selling wares on the street.<br />This one is lucky enough to be given a "bed."<br />(Photo taken last week coming home from church.)<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Today we said "goodbye" to Elder Aiken who is being transferred from our branch to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lipetsk</span>. We knew this transfer was coming, so we were pleased that President Collins gave Elder Aiken and Elder <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Blatter</span> permission to come to our apartment yesterday after the Priesthood broadcast and eat with us. We love the young missionaries and have gotten close to those we have known in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Tver</span> and Yugo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Zapadnaya</span> branches. Hopefully, we will see them again one day. They are great young men.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GWcZYPZy8hKHazqfXf2TKPgVEBV1d5ltF5FvL8Ma9w8eMHmtNOv64S-Q_-dWq7vFqn4NGNhbb27qguVc2wp4gGfDLaA8F1LSHXCmm42JglizBBWMRNKwdzWiXYaUat7QRf3UEeXM8TE/s1600-h/Moscow_Elders+Blatter+%26+Aiken.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GWcZYPZy8hKHazqfXf2TKPgVEBV1d5ltF5FvL8Ma9w8eMHmtNOv64S-Q_-dWq7vFqn4NGNhbb27qguVc2wp4gGfDLaA8F1LSHXCmm42JglizBBWMRNKwdzWiXYaUat7QRf3UEeXM8TE/s400/Moscow_Elders+Blatter+%26+Aiken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323790267385415106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Elder <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Blatter</span> (left) and Elder Aiken<br />from the Yugo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Zapadnaya</span> branch when they<br />came for supper Saturday after the<br />Priesthood General Conference broadcast.<br /></span></span></span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-56060294185830969092009-04-09T10:57:00.000-07:002009-04-09T12:08:35.275-07:00Happy Birthday<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Special times enjoyed in Moscow are the Family Home Evenings shared with the other senior couples each week. On my birthday this past month, it was our turn to host FHE. Instead of the usual spiritual discussion, we decided to have more of a party and invited the couples to supper first. Chris brought a cake, and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" and gave me a nice card. After eating, we played the "Couch Game," which Doug told us about and none of us had ever played. Instead of using four chairs, we thought it would be hard enough for "seniors" to play using three chairs. Our teams were men vs. women, and one of the three chairs was empty at the start of the game. I had previously written down everyone's name on slips of paper. For the game, we assumed the name of the person whose name we drew out of a dish. The person sitting on the left hand side of the empty chair called out a name, and the person assuming that name exchanged their seat for the empty seat. They then were designated to call out a name. The goal is for your team to get all three chairs filled with three of your team members. It turned out to be a fun game, and we laughed as we tried to remember whose name to call to bring a team member to the empty chair, especially when a man might have a woman's name and vice versa. I reluctantly admit that the men won both rounds we played - but not easily. </span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL5uYUdEFAQfOENhXXx6k7-AI3y__eQyyJlXhkl-lFo51Z9vPC1yPXu8kfT0wwrm5qiM51Rl2A0a10-j4v-wru2_oxn712YD-S4et6oG5z6k-CP3aTsPHzXrISGPNzPzd_TqqYcEgk34/s1600-h/FHE_Narene'sBirthday_MasonIrelandReesRasmussenShepardJorgensen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL5uYUdEFAQfOENhXXx6k7-AI3y__eQyyJlXhkl-lFo51Z9vPC1yPXu8kfT0wwrm5qiM51Rl2A0a10-j4v-wru2_oxn712YD-S4et6oG5z6k-CP3aTsPHzXrISGPNzPzd_TqqYcEgk34/s400/FHE_Narene'sBirthday_MasonIrelandReesRasmussenShepardJorgensen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322761294224842530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Our apartment - FHE - Narene's Birthday<br />Clark Mason, Narene & Sam, Steve & Linda Rees,<br />Dennis Rasmussen, Renee Mason, Sandy Rasmussen,<br />Chris Shepard, Sharon & David Jorgensen<br />(Greg Shepard took the picture.)<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We had observed that when someone at the Service Center had a birthday, they brought a cake or treats to work and shared them, so I made peanut butter balls and took around to share a birthday treat on my birthday with our friends at the Service Center. Later in the day, I got a little embarrassed when people started bringing me flowers and candy. Of course, I really appreciated their thoughtfulness; but I hadn't realized before that this was the other part of the birthday tradition. I hadn't expected anyone to give me anything and didn't want them to think I gave out the treat so I would get gifts. Well, anyway, I loved the flowers and enjoyed the candy, so it did make my birthday special sharing in a Russian tradition. Nactya and Anna also came to the office and brought me flowers, and I added them to the bouquet Vlad brought me. I do feel very fortunate to know these special friends we have come to love in Russia.<br /></span></span></span></div><br /></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-33021344147224569482009-04-08T08:07:00.000-07:002009-04-08T11:48:36.526-07:00Moscow Circus<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We had asked Scott & Kristine what event they would like to see while they were visiting us in Moscow, and they picked seeing the circus. This is a good choice, as the circus is definitely part of the Moscow experience. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Between 1926 and 1971, there was only one circus in Moscow. Today, there are two circuses in Moscow. The original one on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tsvetnoi</span> Boulevard is referred to sometimes as the "traditional" circus, and the Moscow State Circus on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Vernadsky</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Prospekt</span>, which opened in 1971, is referred to as the "new" circus.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We went to the "traditional" and to the "new" circus with the Browns our first winter in Moscow and enjoyed both. They are different from the circuses I remember going to years ago in the U.S. The ones in Moscow have only one ring instead of being a "three-ring circus." They have a theme, a variety of talented performers, and elaborate costumes and sets that remind one of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Las</span> Vegas show. Since we saw the first two circuses during the Christmas season, they had a "Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden" story theme.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">For Christmas this year, we wanted to take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Nactya</span> and Anna, our interpreters, to an event of their choosing. They chose to go to a circus, but it was March 9 before we found a time when we all could go. Greg & Chris Shepard went with us, and our tickets were for the "new" circus. We enjoyed it so well, we decided it would be a good choice for Scott & Kristine to see; so we saw the same acts a second time and enjoyed it both times. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyB6q1IYtlSbkfgCCZi1NiqJcF4TpNcab39qGkakPKsEf2baLD-J7rzZY6HwJX8hUct4cxLPm-d0t34EE6Ayte98ml1xBLoDGd1lmcOuJ370YHHhcVY7gxRMJSbJBIum7vaTBVAeGa454/s1600-h/Circus_AnnaNactyaNareneChrisSam_Metro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyB6q1IYtlSbkfgCCZi1NiqJcF4TpNcab39qGkakPKsEf2baLD-J7rzZY6HwJX8hUct4cxLPm-d0t34EE6Ayte98ml1xBLoDGd1lmcOuJ370YHHhcVY7gxRMJSbJBIum7vaTBVAeGa454/s400/Circus_AnnaNactyaNareneChrisSam_Metro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322347890068736098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Coming home from the circus on the metro -<br />Anna, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Nactya</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Narene</span>, Chris, and Sam.<br />(Greg took the picture.)<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uZmRUEW5Vpa9giw5Sa-KSDu9rus_MsXTPznZwRlZp-6M04PD8mAoE5_QH5NQn9O9GLtFE8oSXZ7vjsW9agpzTaFqsr6AbP7KYkmZwFH0HHLeTcIVmkaJUisrHNYmAmmPI34Ep9fpip8/s1600-h/Circus_AerialDuo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uZmRUEW5Vpa9giw5Sa-KSDu9rus_MsXTPznZwRlZp-6M04PD8mAoE5_QH5NQn9O9GLtFE8oSXZ7vjsW9agpzTaFqsr6AbP7KYkmZwFH0HHLeTcIVmkaJUisrHNYmAmmPI34Ep9fpip8/s400/Circus_AerialDuo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322348478059179810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This aerial act was one of my<br />favorite acts.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdq5esTA2Hg4_GUXROrAdFS-jTI0WGlLqQx1_Wr69XxazWaf8muIPpPgxBo6YnAPtWfRo898GOowEu1OAvQNmo4aNCTrhKy_Su3bgrLZn9JFsINl-5x5BdduITan1vfNDSFcu5j2CcYY/s1600-h/Circus_AstronautsAerial.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdq5esTA2Hg4_GUXROrAdFS-jTI0WGlLqQx1_Wr69XxazWaf8muIPpPgxBo6YnAPtWfRo898GOowEu1OAvQNmo4aNCTrhKy_Su3bgrLZn9JFsINl-5x5BdduITan1vfNDSFcu5j2CcYY/s400/Circus_AstronautsAerial.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322353715294736050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Of course, this aerial act was impressive.<br />It appeared as though they were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">astronauts</span><br />in the sky flying through space.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHiPfjCUG9ia4Nj-GUunzDOJ62CIydAQIzNMc8wFvzWNhVqKiQXzdfSmPRc38beDD0hjmszrPXwBk0LIHCu3o_oE7FESdhNFsQVm6rBII7U-b_1jACJUXnbaYAaS9glEcC7ODBEANsx0/s1600-h/Circus_Lions&Tigers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHiPfjCUG9ia4Nj-GUunzDOJ62CIydAQIzNMc8wFvzWNhVqKiQXzdfSmPRc38beDD0hjmszrPXwBk0LIHCu3o_oE7FESdhNFsQVm6rBII7U-b_1jACJUXnbaYAaS9glEcC7ODBEANsx0/s400/Circus_Lions&Tigers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322353729085643074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> No circus would be complete without animals,<br />and these lions and tigers were well trained.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaYyfYfMVdLlWL1aFU5JsjWB2uVT1IxC-fJQFYb036Bpn2vK0YdNmVZil-cu0Xvhs5N_PhTPzNtrXUIu24eFCa5NPbQqnYyuiM-2yqpMa0huKUsW5TQPKJY3kkt1vOXe877KEAyHmpic/s1600-h/Circus_Lions&TigersStanding.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaYyfYfMVdLlWL1aFU5JsjWB2uVT1IxC-fJQFYb036Bpn2vK0YdNmVZil-cu0Xvhs5N_PhTPzNtrXUIu24eFCa5NPbQqnYyuiM-2yqpMa0huKUsW5TQPKJY3kkt1vOXe877KEAyHmpic/s400/Circus_Lions&TigersStanding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322353718052361346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The lions clapped along with the audience at the<br />end of their performance.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQWnEHgYxFz-NdExTswWVq-aFMYJWn1Pn5k98IINdpEwqgjlENasmIRezk3YevaH8YX14177Q7Iw6y56HHUUQ7FlyTgBmddVBWLyX-7SXri2vo1JRkodAZ_rJVgMNKgyHjFNpPKnaW6s/s1600-h/Circus_Horses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQWnEHgYxFz-NdExTswWVq-aFMYJWn1Pn5k98IINdpEwqgjlENasmIRezk3YevaH8YX14177Q7Iw6y56HHUUQ7FlyTgBmddVBWLyX-7SXri2vo1JRkodAZ_rJVgMNKgyHjFNpPKnaW6s/s400/Circus_Horses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322348468945138098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The horses seemed to respond to the<br />trainer's whip as he moved it across the floor<br />without touching the animals.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcv-HXVHq6csyhYOlXA2PT9SF1tDBHZhhmytegHUliH1olF3qlICPNEDEnkdrvnxIscwKoC1BRft5uubqNlPA8mq7-qEqEKv_CpiFTV5JQ8DX8MyGgnQzRTCv9UzyXEosWMU6Vjk6efo/s1600-h/Circus_EthiopianGymnasts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcv-HXVHq6csyhYOlXA2PT9SF1tDBHZhhmytegHUliH1olF3qlICPNEDEnkdrvnxIscwKoC1BRft5uubqNlPA8mq7-qEqEKv_CpiFTV5JQ8DX8MyGgnQzRTCv9UzyXEosWMU6Vjk6efo/s400/Circus_EthiopianGymnasts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322348485928777458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The performers came from<br />several countries. These<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">acrobats</span> are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Ethiopians</span>.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhKVH_SJVMsjh5KcI9DN7KynlB5lNFOnWP_nPKtMx6Zf513y-N5cvQ06fjboqis9EwK2DsaR08v_x-gU2qDTDKaqhc59Yw7bTyeBWno793cFgiR5TFHOQJ7I-LU2nSgJWj8rlO0eQ0wQ/s1600-h/Circus_GuyGymnasts_Poles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhKVH_SJVMsjh5KcI9DN7KynlB5lNFOnWP_nPKtMx6Zf513y-N5cvQ06fjboqis9EwK2DsaR08v_x-gU2qDTDKaqhc59Yw7bTyeBWno793cFgiR5TFHOQJ7I-LU2nSgJWj8rlO0eQ0wQ/s400/Circus_GuyGymnasts_Poles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322348464415555218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">These <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">acrobats</span> were from Mongolia.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOyt_U9ooc635lMQq2jR3coURxSPXXrd9LGErEC6iyWZYgno1akfigY83mLBcAXuYqBPx7TVU1Iv47IYKU_lqHr05s2nexFyOrLVNq17HYMmkhX4oYhOUxdLQ2PI2I263HeSizF9-TTA/s1600-h/Circus_Motorcycles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOyt_U9ooc635lMQq2jR3coURxSPXXrd9LGErEC6iyWZYgno1akfigY83mLBcAXuYqBPx7TVU1Iv47IYKU_lqHr05s2nexFyOrLVNq17HYMmkhX4oYhOUxdLQ2PI2I263HeSizF9-TTA/s400/Circus_Motorcycles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322347918345820674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">One motorcycle rider was later joined by another<br />and then by a third rider speeding up and around<br />inside this cage. You hated to think what would<br />happen if the timing wasn't perfect. Pretty girls<br />in colorful costumes accompanied many of the<br />acts, and a young lady held the hand of one<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">rider</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> as he spun around and around.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4J6VQHa_yJGrT8L-cfCKMIHV4_EKOrDcSjAYkGWAyAKmy0Hw2vQfaXFDJiC_oB3FNLWJBttPV1tPw10oCUuPhwYU0y82mStGEM2OdXfj-mSTbC0ZQ2Xh4d9CVWV52_wb_dY_z0rXjM3w/s1600-h/Circus_HoolaHoopLady.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4J6VQHa_yJGrT8L-cfCKMIHV4_EKOrDcSjAYkGWAyAKmy0Hw2vQfaXFDJiC_oB3FNLWJBttPV1tPw10oCUuPhwYU0y82mStGEM2OdXfj-mSTbC0ZQ2Xh4d9CVWV52_wb_dY_z0rXjM3w/s400/Circus_HoolaHoopLady.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322347913529603394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> How could she stand on one foot<br />on the small pedestal and spin<br />numerous hoops on her arms, legs,<br />and body without falling?<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9k6Q6_hGW1s_xhVNS36giRbCpr0NerreGouwz-ZRx_k65fXTvgWyZqjbJ7ZSZg0XGDS-MG8M-iOylWLOpdSKqKCVEkx4x-iYgpZRxcsqtl5RlPRhTr-hT_d2zUpnDrJizcu1yV0b7ZQ/s1600-h/Circus_Gymnast_Pole.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9k6Q6_hGW1s_xhVNS36giRbCpr0NerreGouwz-ZRx_k65fXTvgWyZqjbJ7ZSZg0XGDS-MG8M-iOylWLOpdSKqKCVEkx4x-iYgpZRxcsqtl5RlPRhTr-hT_d2zUpnDrJizcu1yV0b7ZQ/s400/Circus_Gymnast_Pole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322348469077322066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This was amazing. She would<br />be thrown high in the air and<br />come down and land on one foot<br />on the bar. We wonder if she might<br />have gotten hurt, as this act was<br />omitted the second time we went.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgoVy2OVge7DgwUajHl3k1SmrEwOAml_1tDJUGUUk47c6hN_704hM_RmGxud5APa0vVSoWzbkKFHfeuBGwVodtjU236lOhxbjjpvjG9rTxDyGF0nr8PfG5C-GEdWXR98ZoX5GicHrBZo/s1600-h/Circus_AsianAcrobats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgoVy2OVge7DgwUajHl3k1SmrEwOAml_1tDJUGUUk47c6hN_704hM_RmGxud5APa0vVSoWzbkKFHfeuBGwVodtjU236lOhxbjjpvjG9rTxDyGF0nr8PfG5C-GEdWXR98ZoX5GicHrBZo/s400/Circus_AsianAcrobats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322347902681709954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> These three Asian girls could make their<br />bodies do things that seem impossible.<br />The circus ring was filled with water<br />for the final acts.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> The "new" circus has five arenas (equestrian, water, illusionist, ice rink, and light-effect). These are located 18 meters below the rink and can be swapped during the performance. It takes only 5-7 minutes to substitute one arena for another, and that's usually when the clowns perform their routine frequently interacting with the audience. One arena is pulled down, set aside, and another is pulled up. There is even a sixth arena where the performers practice. The circular building seats 3,450 spectators.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey8D0lYO6hC7ovU9iqfBpkgVJ1rlqKD00KB3AzBN9B854MTkWLPJhYaKbosHHjtw_kS98T8RUQQK43aEvL_16RPbFh5pr8TECZQIkFSKFqqcTSt4TxiROtg6rTChdbtBrCt0P7w0iQkQ/s1600-h/Circus_LadyAerial_Water.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey8D0lYO6hC7ovU9iqfBpkgVJ1rlqKD00KB3AzBN9B854MTkWLPJhYaKbosHHjtw_kS98T8RUQQK43aEvL_16RPbFh5pr8TECZQIkFSKFqqcTSt4TxiROtg6rTChdbtBrCt0P7w0iQkQ/s400/Circus_LadyAerial_Water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322347897984277570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This aerial performer also danced gracefully<br />on the wet platform like a<br />ballet dancer on her toes.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4agyPvU3sFJhNnzULcGPN5_7KuO7BO1IeXQqqWPpHr3l1h-qjzdiV3MqPm1qBkrxGDSJPeAN-Tp7ZY0T55CycL6VWgN69OrmtASmqqYZ5MMP-onbXHST13Z73fJTEAUrgfIgaPy_c4JM/s1600-h/Circus_FinalBow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4agyPvU3sFJhNnzULcGPN5_7KuO7BO1IeXQqqWPpHr3l1h-qjzdiV3MqPm1qBkrxGDSJPeAN-Tp7ZY0T55CycL6VWgN69OrmtASmqqYZ5MMP-onbXHST13Z73fJTEAUrgfIgaPy_c4JM/s400/Circus_FinalBow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322353704777045618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> The performers receive enthusiastic applause<br />at the end of the performance.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When Russians really like something, we have noticed that instead of clapping faster and louder, they often clap together slower and in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">rhythm</span>. They liked this circus, and so did we.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-2998665579915320902009-04-05T09:37:00.000-07:002009-04-06T12:00:52.504-07:00Taking the Electrishka to Sergiev Posad<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />Friday, March 27, we rode the electrishka to Sergiev Posad, which takes a little less than two hours from Moscow. This gave Scott & Kristine an opportunity to see some of the countryside outside of Moscow. It's also an experience to ride the electrishka with all the vendors circulating through the cars selling all kinds of things. We bought an ice cream cone on the way there and another on the way back.</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA0kxVkpDfB5Dme6ZuuTvgTjUdbpxAnjuubTS8U89dkXBhxyog25KD1koZ7LPjgIaw4h32SN-1dQN-u_uK1kli7o-9WIEUPrA9QAAoglJj9-5FF5Q9IIDIaNhXBAKXbP9n-SVLN8n9hs/s1600-h/SergeiPosad_Overview_ScottKristineNareneSam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA0kxVkpDfB5Dme6ZuuTvgTjUdbpxAnjuubTS8U89dkXBhxyog25KD1koZ7LPjgIaw4h32SN-1dQN-u_uK1kli7o-9WIEUPrA9QAAoglJj9-5FF5Q9IIDIaNhXBAKXbP9n-SVLN8n9hs/s400/SergeiPosad_Overview_ScottKristineNareneSam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321630816679406562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius at Sergiev Posad<br />(Scott, Kristine, Narene, and Sam)<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This was the third time Sam and I have been to Sergiev Posad. The first time we went with Greg & Chris Shepard in the summer time. We went again in September with Ryan & Tani. Since I have written about that trip and posted pictures on a blog posted 1 October 08, I will keep this entry rather brief. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">For centuries, czars and commoners came to Sergiev Posad. It was thought to be a place of military strength as well as spiritual strength when one of Russian history's most important battles was won after the blessing of Sergius Radonezh, the founder of Sergiev Posad. Perhaps this explains why during the Stalin era it was left unmolested; and after World War II, Stalin even allowed the monastery to reopen as the spiritual center of the state-monitored Orthodox Church of the Soviet era. It remained the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church until 1988 when it was transferred to Donilovsky. Sergius was canonized after his death, and his remains lie in the Cathedral of the Trinity.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9m9qftXNuzEDf0VssbIiWL_uF1tzmtp2qbYy7ZLrxQT1-Hti9TKCETXtpT2dh6BlaoURfp01rGWD8H2Bd0MsL1C5ZbZlUJy65-ERymrTdGl_GVy8IuCFMHMa0M4cJipxHnErVxNKn6k/s1600-h/SergeiPosad_Overview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9m9qftXNuzEDf0VssbIiWL_uF1tzmtp2qbYy7ZLrxQT1-Hti9TKCETXtpT2dh6BlaoURfp01rGWD8H2Bd0MsL1C5ZbZlUJy65-ERymrTdGl_GVy8IuCFMHMa0M4cJipxHnErVxNKn6k/s400/SergeiPosad_Overview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321630830754085794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Looking toward the monastery, which is about a<br />10-minute walk from the train.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7UyHA8TPqOOR6fQ_qyvXWLMACfcrRO3jOrE-J-azmgaDPuyg6uc7llfnB9Q0QThb2Q8dqCzBJH1mrc7bFwwBRvTou1K7601vSnR7YQTK4OKhbTmZC34aiueEamSMeIcLxbEyiXn0Euk/s1600-h/SergievPosad_Cathedral_HolyWater.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7UyHA8TPqOOR6fQ_qyvXWLMACfcrRO3jOrE-J-azmgaDPuyg6uc7llfnB9Q0QThb2Q8dqCzBJH1mrc7bFwwBRvTou1K7601vSnR7YQTK4OKhbTmZC34aiueEamSMeIcLxbEyiXn0Euk/s400/SergievPosad_Cathedral_HolyWater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321630824556860434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Assumption Cathedral (1559-1585)<br />with the blue onion domes is patterned after<br />the Cathedral of the Assumption in the Kremlin.<br />The smaller blue and white structure in front (left)<br />is where in warmer weather the pilgrims bring<br />jugs to get "holy water" from the spring.<br />To the right of that is the Chapel over the Well<br />where holy water can be bought.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_HjTcczHTbcCFxH7cpbBlOlSWCcs8TGz9t7uGbHhpJ60m-YcNe86LXo7TWvg_PIZQImkeEXZpxdDg2uA6CTjveoThxlyhZaLG1bm-eepwTCpJ6ZXsUzHggTwH4nIuEjU2mfY89-ANn8/s1600-h/SergievPosad_BlueChapel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_HjTcczHTbcCFxH7cpbBlOlSWCcs8TGz9t7uGbHhpJ60m-YcNe86LXo7TWvg_PIZQImkeEXZpxdDg2uA6CTjveoThxlyhZaLG1bm-eepwTCpJ6ZXsUzHggTwH4nIuEjU2mfY89-ANn8/s400/SergievPosad_BlueChapel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321630818311341794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Church of the Virgin of Smolensk (1745) -<br />the blue and white round structure at the right.<br />The blue and white building at center with the<br />narrower dark tower is the Pilgrim Tower.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDboXSxgR6zJxUKSKpaUg8-DGVPx2sGcgNHLC2DvW8_U7qjSmxf-HPyMAP7wbYDGeMeJCxvjpck47msqVHL-CBA3FFcY4DYJKxb99Z89R7x9fGxKLfZMN3tGWieSwdrDjlBqMyaDTc4Ek/s1600-h/SergeiPosad_TrinityCathedral_NareneTaniRenee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDboXSxgR6zJxUKSKpaUg8-DGVPx2sGcgNHLC2DvW8_U7qjSmxf-HPyMAP7wbYDGeMeJCxvjpck47msqVHL-CBA3FFcY4DYJKxb99Z89R7x9fGxKLfZMN3tGWieSwdrDjlBqMyaDTc4Ek/s400/SergeiPosad_TrinityCathedral_NareneTaniRenee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321642985383074018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sergius is buried in the Cathedral of the Trinity.<br />(This photo was taken in September -<br />Narene, Tani, and Renee Mason in the foreground.)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">One of the things we enjoyed was listening to the Gregorian chants by a half dozen singers, which was beautiful. The chants were sung at intervals between the reading of text by the priest while another monk or priest walked back and forth swinging a gold vessel with incense rising into the air. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJWTI4dda8UVxqYk4oq_NDu4I-fziuSbF-b6Oz84RdTvoRTzCFRxplnebcVsXNrCOuLI266AiCZt9H9dEYXPA-6xCCVe8HqKvdx9NuMe9Nv4SzNUjTvtEXnGTepsvvg7ZKaVPzpnB5-8/s1600-h/SergievPosad_NareneScottKristine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJWTI4dda8UVxqYk4oq_NDu4I-fziuSbF-b6Oz84RdTvoRTzCFRxplnebcVsXNrCOuLI266AiCZt9H9dEYXPA-6xCCVe8HqKvdx9NuMe9Nv4SzNUjTvtEXnGTepsvvg7ZKaVPzpnB5-8/s400/SergievPosad_NareneScottKristine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321630820206948274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Narene, Scott, and Kristine<br />with the monastery in the background.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-92217853464137478162009-03-30T10:02:00.000-07:002009-04-04T12:53:13.016-07:00Sightseeing in Moscow with Scott & Kristine<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc68a5IWQYo3jgC_Uqtzsbsvv4wwHsXkVzohcDxb08SMQRWwmEyVfboNk_NwwN8SzFzZ8nvPG_5y7Gl9Ra5meXe7-FFebFA0OnoEJPbTu-jWFGynBck6ViiNCXkkK17Ph_XokbraXtec/s1600-h/RedSquare_StBasil_Scott&Kristine_Day.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc68a5IWQYo3jgC_Uqtzsbsvv4wwHsXkVzohcDxb08SMQRWwmEyVfboNk_NwwN8SzFzZ8nvPG_5y7Gl9Ra5meXe7-FFebFA0OnoEJPbTu-jWFGynBck6ViiNCXkkK17Ph_XokbraXtec/s400/RedSquare_StBasil_Scott&Kristine_Day.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320800855582601106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Scott & Kristine in Red Square<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We have been blessed to be able to share Moscow and the Russian culture with six of our seven children and their spouses. Scott & Kristine arrived Wednesday, March 20, via their visit in Switzerland. This was a day later than planned, since they missed their flight out of Zurich due to an accident in the tunnel that made them take a detour. By taking a sleeper train to Austria, they were able to fly from Vienna to Moscow and arrive a day later than originally planned. They still were able to see several of our favorite places in Moscow, the circus, and take a day trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sergiev</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Posad</span>.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Scott & Kristine arrived in Moscow Wednesday afternoon (March 25). We never tire seeing Red Square especially at night when the lights give it an almost Disney Land look, so we took them there that first evening to see this famous icon of Russia. Jet lag didn't seem to be bothering them, and we went almost nonstop from then on.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3srHTScGRarYRTKAmpaszdjk9JBTAxlVTiJ-h7ppePTra_zu4Mnx7TIVYPonGjNn77HuQIqfDi6Rs7UwqI95Bpp_beaUG4WMSNep3T1kCwl21F5veTJZlnuyDfS9nZ8i8kQ5SPTjpRQ/s1600-h/S&K_RedSquare_StBasil_Sam&Narene_Night.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3srHTScGRarYRTKAmpaszdjk9JBTAxlVTiJ-h7ppePTra_zu4Mnx7TIVYPonGjNn77HuQIqfDi6Rs7UwqI95Bpp_beaUG4WMSNep3T1kCwl21F5veTJZlnuyDfS9nZ8i8kQ5SPTjpRQ/s400/S&K_RedSquare_StBasil_Sam&Narene_Night.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320809410825322546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">St. Basil Cathedral in Red Square (Sam & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Narene</span>)</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLY9HMZbcoeZpomOgy0VpD9YdzjCBbC05uoFu8o6-PFLWbP39mujtT20o98JvRsERvAxGBZ21IPPSRAdLMephmzM4tAge5fK9qNfB9g_ZkEiVHwDtWMXoivQJI-p_V5JhZpfKMJvwMokg/s1600-h/Moscow_Twins_Sam&Scott.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLY9HMZbcoeZpomOgy0VpD9YdzjCBbC05uoFu8o6-PFLWbP39mujtT20o98JvRsERvAxGBZ21IPPSRAdLMephmzM4tAge5fK9qNfB9g_ZkEiVHwDtWMXoivQJI-p_V5JhZpfKMJvwMokg/s400/Moscow_Twins_Sam&Scott.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320803746736651330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We did lots of walking. Here are the "twins"<br />(as Kristine referred to Scott and his dad),<br />leading the way with Kristine and I close behind.<br />By the way, Sam is on the left.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FsnEa98ODau57hjKkjln58YekPCD0ZYVYO6FTgKCTOPUut_-qnCZyct2h1_agOI5GNRhPpS9kJWtAdK8G58CUxYuSpCy7aMrCAfZa8EoiAYnbCMgyP-DLHwIrvBMBI0T9Hwyk4_zCKc/s1600-h/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Kristine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FsnEa98ODau57hjKkjln58YekPCD0ZYVYO6FTgKCTOPUut_-qnCZyct2h1_agOI5GNRhPpS9kJWtAdK8G58CUxYuSpCy7aMrCAfZa8EoiAYnbCMgyP-DLHwIrvBMBI0T9Hwyk4_zCKc/s400/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Kristine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320814098957104930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Kristine with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Novodevichy</span> Convent and the<br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Moscow River in the background.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Cathedral of Smolensk at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Novodevichy</span> Convent was built in 1524, and most of the other buildings were added in the late 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> century by Peter the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Great's</span> half sister, Regent Sophia. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Peter had Sophia confined here for the rest of her life when he reclaimed his throne in 1689.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> After his death, Peter's first wife came to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Novodevichy</span> Convent from the convent in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Suzdal</span> where she had been confined by Peter the Great who did not like her. I read that since the convent had such famous nuns, it was very wealthy due to the donations of the Tsars and their families. </span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec5ve1uy-MN-L78SVE9UUh_kdiUe8d6j-hl_6dDWASefrgovJu_P13yPHzRjYL4t7RmlceIvLuhyEHQeDjxL9O0TQ9fiVHf4ysE2QWMCA9bq-EQoYhWbC-r-IQDu6GTP5NsLxvdWdbdQ/s1600-h/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_SmolenskCathedral_KristineNareneSam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec5ve1uy-MN-L78SVE9UUh_kdiUe8d6j-hl_6dDWASefrgovJu_P13yPHzRjYL4t7RmlceIvLuhyEHQeDjxL9O0TQ9fiVHf4ysE2QWMCA9bq-EQoYhWbC-r-IQDu6GTP5NsLxvdWdbdQ/s400/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_SmolenskCathedral_KristineNareneSam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320823011138957538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Cathedral of the Virgin of Smolensk<br />(Kristine, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Narene</span>, and Sam)<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Many famous Russians are buried in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Novodevichy</span> Cemetery. Some were political or military leaders from the Soviet era. Others were known for their profession or arts. Most have prestigious headstones, often with a statue to memorialize the buried person.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyZGfaR-PqPoeAN1U8togZsdQ_Ckey5zxbwWXGspIaupd14s3BH6OHHemWTVXz5iqWHkTjSxEoGj3UviSEPcTXhYpNHjIVYWiKredLxvTHAuV5pJZbLjlQ9TMv8AhF7yLIs2FCxlPFAo/s1600-h/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Scott&Kristine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyZGfaR-PqPoeAN1U8togZsdQ_Ckey5zxbwWXGspIaupd14s3BH6OHHemWTVXz5iqWHkTjSxEoGj3UviSEPcTXhYpNHjIVYWiKredLxvTHAuV5pJZbLjlQ9TMv8AhF7yLIs2FCxlPFAo/s400/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Scott&Kristine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320802413663729826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Scott & Kristine by one of the statues in<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Novodevichy</span> Cemetery.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jvR2LTdvzDfJjryUFOTmfMf03pi1E7pRIvOEjv2PGiUXFXkaZXLEcZ_-nm2cApBl2ze2hegwpMp6Okz7dq5N2MbyWK1dZo-7qDUdNjz9NPZid6vb9yoW6SwW0Oxx6A63EPpnLx9GkP0/s1600-h/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Khrushchev.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jvR2LTdvzDfJjryUFOTmfMf03pi1E7pRIvOEjv2PGiUXFXkaZXLEcZ_-nm2cApBl2ze2hegwpMp6Okz7dq5N2MbyWK1dZo-7qDUdNjz9NPZid6vb9yoW6SwW0Oxx6A63EPpnLx9GkP0/s400/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Khrushchev.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320802418291683170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Nikita Khrushchev, former Russian premier.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU83LkWgHqo528yNTab0uQrRv47J1PGkFlIGSQszfa3BvvDR-Hywkw-CthjiY-r4HP6Pjdud5nph2k3aHqMTvGAvo2gJMrQl-bkV2lv7UT0MMSZHmXpqFdDIm2htcVupaSr1VIOYkgqw/s1600-h/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Yeltsin_Kristine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU83LkWgHqo528yNTab0uQrRv47J1PGkFlIGSQszfa3BvvDR-Hywkw-CthjiY-r4HP6Pjdud5nph2k3aHqMTvGAvo2gJMrQl-bkV2lv7UT0MMSZHmXpqFdDIm2htcVupaSr1VIOYkgqw/s400/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Yeltsin_Kristine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320802426006007474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Kristine in front of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Yeltsin's</span> grave.<br />His monument apparently represents the<br />red, blue, and white Russian flag.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> The first time we came to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Novodevichy</span>, there was only a covered mound where Yeltsin is buried, the next time we came it was covered with a tent, and on our third visit we saw it with the monument as it is now.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpMpA2Iz5L-8Fv6tV2kqc6XihoMcCbvd-azwOSyH2LQOiRC4vXibxfwiMMZBkQj0O-78cilU6aEybRj92IozCiWouRVENh0SZcJmq-xZpMpunwKNNnqsQ87_iLgmqVQk2zxVutY7qKIs/s1600-h/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Military.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpMpA2Iz5L-8Fv6tV2kqc6XihoMcCbvd-azwOSyH2LQOiRC4vXibxfwiMMZBkQj0O-78cilU6aEybRj92IozCiWouRVENh0SZcJmq-xZpMpunwKNNnqsQ87_iLgmqVQk2zxVutY7qKIs/s400/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Military.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320802411964461778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A military leader with his many medals.<br />On national holidays, the Russian war veterans like<br />to wear their medals, and they seem to have many.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> All along the walls of the cemetery are small cubicles containing the ashes of those who were cremated, as seen in the photograph above. Many of these have pictures of the deceased. Some are children who died during World War II.<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2l4uHM0RN6y0wCoOUCB6w8-8pQnk4qbBfkv3WoO6dBt9WJr7rnQuzWxiLb04P87749FQVAGbzk-pEnkMs8iACt-tuOLO74SiEnqwzjR8zjhzXWWA6JcpKysrsDkrZt8vnG62tkUntno/s1600-h/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Man&Flowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2l4uHM0RN6y0wCoOUCB6w8-8pQnk4qbBfkv3WoO6dBt9WJr7rnQuzWxiLb04P87749FQVAGbzk-pEnkMs8iACt-tuOLO74SiEnqwzjR8zjhzXWWA6JcpKysrsDkrZt8vnG62tkUntno/s400/Moscow_NovodevichyConvent_Man&Flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320802415042023122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Flowers are seen on some of the monuments.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">After our visit to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Novodevichy</span>, we went to Victory Park on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Poklonnaya</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Gora</span>, which is the hill where Napoleon waited for his troops to surround Moscow in 1812; but instead they were defeated. In 1834 an arch was built to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">commemorate</span> the Russian victory over France, but it was moved to the present site in 1968. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC27V0KFILgtMOWMpz6_R1UwGBJ7av2ptRYo3H9MPFzhRh9ffUyLkaa_G0KBNhAJltMMQk6p14AntZ4bYWlJBGaLtG7H9ILPZJdkP-wcs8MqAZ6NY49n0WsurTwif-ECtSO2xsJPXDVF0/s1600-h/Moscow_GrandTriumphalArch2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC27V0KFILgtMOWMpz6_R1UwGBJ7av2ptRYo3H9MPFzhRh9ffUyLkaa_G0KBNhAJltMMQk6p14AntZ4bYWlJBGaLtG7H9ILPZJdkP-wcs8MqAZ6NY49n0WsurTwif-ECtSO2xsJPXDVF0/s400/Moscow_GrandTriumphalArch2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320800853310757522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Grand Triumphal Arch<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Commemorating</span> Napoleon's defeat in 1812.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwnWIw9lv3Q-obVXN2-7MKRV4gxBjpWaQHF6ajOS-Lb6VOt-y5IzZ-Uj4azHnDda4qUUlhlezrEH-JDqLuWQlO88eI3wuPUxbPy2c8zDOIgzUvxzEZQNTpoJOR8rJy4dL1eGl2aoFx9A/s1600-h/Moscow_VictoryPark_Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwnWIw9lv3Q-obVXN2-7MKRV4gxBjpWaQHF6ajOS-Lb6VOt-y5IzZ-Uj4azHnDda4qUUlhlezrEH-JDqLuWQlO88eI3wuPUxbPy2c8zDOIgzUvxzEZQNTpoJOR8rJy4dL1eGl2aoFx9A/s400/Moscow_VictoryPark_Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320800856499322370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Victory Park<br />150-meter high column topped with a statue of<br />Nike, the Goddess of Victory.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Victory Park was finished in time for the 50<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">th</span> anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War, which is what the Russians call World War II. Leading up to the tall column and the museum behind it are five terraces that symbolize the five years of the war (1941-1945); and there are 1,418 fountains (one for every day of the conflict). Of course, the fountains are turned off until warm weather arrives. We have been to the museum twice before, and it has impressive <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">dioramas</span> of the significant battles of the war; but on Thursdays it is closed, so we only saw the monuments outside on this visit with Scott & Kristine. One monument is in somber memory of the holocaust victims. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamWnDjGLAEkQVzRdqPFBlkvy3rdm4vu-VzY3pzdBBDo-3g57X6_C011nkO5QPFF-PZEAXMsONi2VuerWP2sP_mGp4J_zfI_Q-EQayWinjAzF2qLe7YRDJgDjTRKAmKVgBPzPcXOlA0pU/s1600-h/Moscow_VictoryPark_Monument2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamWnDjGLAEkQVzRdqPFBlkvy3rdm4vu-VzY3pzdBBDo-3g57X6_C011nkO5QPFF-PZEAXMsONi2VuerWP2sP_mGp4J_zfI_Q-EQayWinjAzF2qLe7YRDJgDjTRKAmKVgBPzPcXOlA0pU/s400/Moscow_VictoryPark_Monument2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320800856811454578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A closer look at the tall column.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmbjn-N7E4xaC-zRlSN2jd8BdldKqxomi3WlS-64GqpEIJrChm3ddnZ6ksQNHsJpG2ihnj9swz_Dkv7B1BJPk2EKBWb1VOXeax8ujNQPmXGHupODTa5StRuLGLgiOAr-PnmB1nwEUybY/s1600-h/Moscow_VictoryParkEscalator_Scott.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmbjn-N7E4xaC-zRlSN2jd8BdldKqxomi3WlS-64GqpEIJrChm3ddnZ6ksQNHsJpG2ihnj9swz_Dkv7B1BJPk2EKBWb1VOXeax8ujNQPmXGHupODTa5StRuLGLgiOAr-PnmB1nwEUybY/s400/Moscow_VictoryParkEscalator_Scott.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320800863815943570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Escalator at the Park <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Pobedy</span> metro station,<br />reported to be the deepest in the world<br />(90 meters down).<br />The name means Victory Park in English.<br />(Scott is impressed with how deep it is.)<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfIyMZawBrDME1plF4yf4xG6zqBz2BpWBNhQkCFxJiwhK3Epbw_3Dce3BacygLcrpiSCzoaHCL2mnndr9RC7v9cKuaGtM0Ab5tFFSMvaoGATUnT3v0R6HzQ3i26sOLjY0fWiCRMQ_ImY/s1600-h/Moscow_McDonalds_Kristine&Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfIyMZawBrDME1plF4yf4xG6zqBz2BpWBNhQkCFxJiwhK3Epbw_3Dce3BacygLcrpiSCzoaHCL2mnndr9RC7v9cKuaGtM0Ab5tFFSMvaoGATUnT3v0R6HzQ3i26sOLjY0fWiCRMQ_ImY/s400/Moscow_McDonalds_Kristine&Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320803735006470146" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Scott & Kristine were also impressed with how<br />long the lines are at a McDonald's in Moscow.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVm2ynojlNZLEpfccmIvn1pyqrJX4DPUkqbzWNk-K2mfyKgO0yAjWlJ3rw7yFmx83q77ULxmo26zwwyZnLeC6J_YhmUibU7jDS2jjSj3BJvnqKhQx1TtYxz5Bs_4B3eI3MB-cKh1B3zg8/s1600-h/RedSquare_Horses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVm2ynojlNZLEpfccmIvn1pyqrJX4DPUkqbzWNk-K2mfyKgO0yAjWlJ3rw7yFmx83q77ULxmo26zwwyZnLeC6J_YhmUibU7jDS2jjSj3BJvnqKhQx1TtYxz5Bs_4B3eI3MB-cKh1B3zg8/s400/RedSquare_Horses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320803738058513874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Russian officers in Red Square</span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Leaving McDonald's, we went once again to Red Square. It was temporarily roped off while these officers were practicing maneuvers on horseback. A short while later, we were able to enter at a different entrance. We continued walking going across one of the several bridges across the Moscow River and saw the huge Peter the Great statue in the river. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclves1KUBsi0YbNt1KTNSEKduIJKiCAoUQV-sybQNup5Dy7uSDyQzX0M_a2ttGZ8xYY9gKieQk3I2yCbaHbVbUG_ynei2GdiGo4bqHSOnV6WKZWkExTHmpfJMTdBBTnLs-48PYvzTeoE/s1600-h/Moscow_River_Kremlin3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclves1KUBsi0YbNt1KTNSEKduIJKiCAoUQV-sybQNup5Dy7uSDyQzX0M_a2ttGZ8xYY9gKieQk3I2yCbaHbVbUG_ynei2GdiGo4bqHSOnV6WKZWkExTHmpfJMTdBBTnLs-48PYvzTeoE/s400/Moscow_River_Kremlin3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320803744668130434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Moscow River and the Kremlin wall<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYaYrInbOXmiwSAHgs_IWUoY8V30IpgY1GqVeKUzqIXFtECW1vbIAiK8RdLLsXQyZtDCftz2ELFVHLYUuOinn9b_mb4uo1lL7ap8LH7aojUuj0UqYDQrENbbEszS3oHQtqKxNqQTnPYM/s1600-h/Moscow_River_Kremlin2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYaYrInbOXmiwSAHgs_IWUoY8V30IpgY1GqVeKUzqIXFtECW1vbIAiK8RdLLsXQyZtDCftz2ELFVHLYUuOinn9b_mb4uo1lL7ap8LH7aojUuj0UqYDQrENbbEszS3oHQtqKxNqQTnPYM/s400/Moscow_River_Kremlin2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320803745233417490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">seen </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">across<br />the Moscow River at the left.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam and I have been inside the Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer and wanted to show it to Scott & Kristine, but it was closed. </span></span></span><br /></div></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCkP359Cz9XiEzL3K0UYwU00OHLCvAQ_fDToAMZSKASbfA423csn_ld2Wor-FWZZIG89UM6EYwkPrq5dmBJJgupz-trXyJxg2edgrJfyL8RU1LgqSG8ceX8PBsdkOCInU6GkX10Lj_nc/s1600-h/Moscow_ChristRedeemerCathedral.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCkP359Cz9XiEzL3K0UYwU00OHLCvAQ_fDToAMZSKASbfA423csn_ld2Wor-FWZZIG89UM6EYwkPrq5dmBJJgupz-trXyJxg2edgrJfyL8RU1LgqSG8ceX8PBsdkOCInU6GkX10Lj_nc/s400/Moscow_ChristRedeemerCathedral.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320805731593259490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Cathedral</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> of Christ the Redeemer,<br />also known as Cathedral of Christ and Savior,<br />is the largest church in Russia. It holds<br />10,000 worshipers.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This is not the original building, which was completed in 1883 to celebrate the 1812 victory over Napoleon. Stalin had it destroyed in 1831 and planned to build a huge Palace of the Soviets on the land, but it was thought the land was too boggy. In the years that followed, the space was used for a year-round swimming pool among other things. In 1999, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">it was rebuilt mostly with private funds </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">as a replica of the original. This time it took only four years to complete as compared to the 44 years it had taken for the original building. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYU4gaSmco1Y0D-BZeGzhyEg2YlRZ2Jj4uYz7sZyyeXhTuXinNstwQ5aYla7xERdonVWCOZ4O0arNq4wyM5IqXqdlJMQUFQ-xvtQX33Rgcr11nH9LEuFmbtMNcdTYFbOqJ7hMCenJTNp0/s1600-h/Moscow_AdultVices.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYU4gaSmco1Y0D-BZeGzhyEg2YlRZ2Jj4uYz7sZyyeXhTuXinNstwQ5aYla7xERdonVWCOZ4O0arNq4wyM5IqXqdlJMQUFQ-xvtQX33Rgcr11nH9LEuFmbtMNcdTYFbOqJ7hMCenJTNp0/s400/Moscow_AdultVices.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320805269986927922" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> This is called "Adult Vices." Each figure<br />represents a vice adults do that harms children.<br />It includes stealing, drugs, greed, gluttony, etc.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-UptikZELX3qu7ptp-XiAoO1J91Nh6czr1EBPs218-1dDB_UGTaB2Ci3y13Jze8djS3FPwH82dUO5TILV8v2wolrJvCHzshiXGfaobMyxOEHkjJ35oy6X7VTat8PnZUWHIcqg5qLcBU/s1600-h/Moscow_WeddingTree_Bridge2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-UptikZELX3qu7ptp-XiAoO1J91Nh6czr1EBPs218-1dDB_UGTaB2Ci3y13Jze8djS3FPwH82dUO5TILV8v2wolrJvCHzshiXGfaobMyxOEHkjJ35oy6X7VTat8PnZUWHIcqg5qLcBU/s400/Moscow_WeddingTree_Bridge2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320805261104096162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Marriage Trees<br />On this bridge across the Moscow River,<br />brides and grooms lock their padlocks with their<br />names and wedding dates inscribed to signify<br />their eternal love. The "trees" are metal.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> I want to have a Marriage Tree in our yard in South Dakota where Sam and I and each of our children and their spouses will have a padlock and where our grandchildren will add theirs when they get married to symbolize our eternal love for each other. Our 50th wedding anniversary will be June 5, and I hope to have this in place when our family gets together to help us celebrate.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxeuVaUczxl37jmqBjL1v1JW_H1oC_-5JCSUhyfHkE1gZOOgpsHX02kUFRM-kUacYb-RfHmoy9oifGV92DhgGLQ_2B9aHDSZQ7yrwJEv764bcfJuF88Z_89Xf8_uObDwVpD5L7ENjNcY/s1600-h/Moscow_WeddingTree_Bridge_Kristine&Scott.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxeuVaUczxl37jmqBjL1v1JW_H1oC_-5JCSUhyfHkE1gZOOgpsHX02kUFRM-kUacYb-RfHmoy9oifGV92DhgGLQ_2B9aHDSZQ7yrwJEv764bcfJuF88Z_89Xf8_uObDwVpD5L7ENjNcY/s400/Moscow_WeddingTree_Bridge_Kristine&Scott.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320805262650764530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Kristine & Scott by a Marriage Tree.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMcNAg3OX2oUm_aa6TNMoy2TvVRf0TQ2u9z-RIbZdkS-m6uSdZ61-FBSd4NtPyoKcEQfbQ3dCE1yCgOXpbDR45LLTY1h9Ssqxbvv_SSSE3xD7TlBONqqM4_qUhxMh0HB7OUiB4D74ydw/s1600-h/Moscow_Sunset_SevenSister2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMcNAg3OX2oUm_aa6TNMoy2TvVRf0TQ2u9z-RIbZdkS-m6uSdZ61-FBSd4NtPyoKcEQfbQ3dCE1yCgOXpbDR45LLTY1h9Ssqxbvv_SSSE3xD7TlBONqqM4_qUhxMh0HB7OUiB4D74ydw/s400/Moscow_Sunset_SevenSister2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320805268305217362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">As we crossed the bridge, we saw this sunset<br />with one of the Seven Sisters silhouetted<br />in the distance.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We ended the day by going to the circus, which I will write about in another blog. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The next day, Friday, we took the electrishka train to Sergiev Posad; and I will have a separate blog for those pictures, too. Saturday morning, we went to Izmaly for souvenir shopping and to the Asian Market for that experience and ended the day by going to the Armory in the Kremlin.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgris5yqc4NXkX1w9OIeZE6cDn4LJt4AetkyFQ-24ap4FH2ZwoHrkXjkdsXSMLCb_iZFyDPR7UjQzAEHGN_4AE3B1rzhL6XetKBx-V7so6xVIUFz8HvP36vQp4XX2NvoEfNuO5eYDRloPI/s1600-h/Moscow_IzmalyPark_Overview2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgris5yqc4NXkX1w9OIeZE6cDn4LJt4AetkyFQ-24ap4FH2ZwoHrkXjkdsXSMLCb_iZFyDPR7UjQzAEHGN_4AE3B1rzhL6XetKBx-V7so6xVIUFz8HvP36vQp4XX2NvoEfNuO5eYDRloPI/s400/Moscow_IzmalyPark_Overview2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320805723682502290" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Izmailovo or "Izmaly" is the largest souvenir<br />market in Moscow.<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMtFYFWpw39DFd-P-RfAHKRO8eKj1XV2sXd1it8mM0QophLFSvfGb2nmsZxAkaOVzAAU5PKbbPrm8CDsKE-kbuZTAyDaz2sM3hyZGw9gLoBJKVth4Ayz9l46n27dIYpRfu0qggMbJrA4/s1600-h/Moscow_IzmalyPark_Overview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMtFYFWpw39DFd-P-RfAHKRO8eKj1XV2sXd1it8mM0QophLFSvfGb2nmsZxAkaOVzAAU5PKbbPrm8CDsKE-kbuZTAyDaz2sM3hyZGw9gLoBJKVth4Ayz9l46n27dIYpRfu0qggMbJrA4/s400/Moscow_IzmalyPark_Overview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320805277127026290" border="0" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Looking down on the rooftops of "Izmaly."<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYU4gaSmco1Y0D-BZeGzhyEg2YlRZ2Jj4uYz7sZyyeXhTuXinNstwQ5aYla7xERdonVWCOZ4O0arNq4wyM5IqXqdlJMQUFQ-xvtQX33Rgcr11nH9LEuFmbtMNcdTYFbOqJ7hMCenJTNp0/s1600-h/Moscow_AdultVices.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-79256951725234680512009-03-29T07:55:00.000-07:002009-03-30T11:59:05.597-07:00Scott & Kristine's Visit to Moscow<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />This morning we said our goodbyes to Scott & Kristine at the Domodedovo airport and then took the express train back to the Moscow metro to attend the special 2:00 p.m. meeting to reorganize the Yugo Zapadnaya branch. (I will post some pictures and tell about Scott & Kristine's visit in the next blog.) </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Until today, the Yugo Zapadnaya church group has been part of the Kakhovsky branch, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">but meeting for convenience in the Moscow West Mission office to be more easily accessible for the members living in that part of Moscow.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Yugo Zapadnaya </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">is on the red metro line, and</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> the Kakhovsky branch </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">is on the green line. Instead of getting off the metro at Sportivnaya, we will now go one more stop and get off at Universitet and meet</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> in a newly remodeled building.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> The former president, President Karneov, has been called to be the counselor for the new branch president.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">As we met today with both groups, we saw </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">several people </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">who work in the Service Center and Meridian building</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> who are members of the Kakhovsky branch. It was also nice to see </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Nactya, our dear friend and former translator, who sat by us. After the meeting, we walked back to the metro with Elder Aiken and Elder Blodder. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Here are some photos I took out of the window of the train as we returned from the airport to Moscow, a 45-minute ride</span></span></span>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJilkr3y2_XDRAMr43ElFqCOqDquXKCc8QNhKpDr9b2JmDlK8s84b-UD1kl0WphbjsUgdnq_YFKezfahmdpzdrmuyc8z6-QPzO-MoQpXbWC1R1W4SHjfGydxxQBoYZXLXFejkCJ3G4KJA/s1600-h/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_BirchTrees2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJilkr3y2_XDRAMr43ElFqCOqDquXKCc8QNhKpDr9b2JmDlK8s84b-UD1kl0WphbjsUgdnq_YFKezfahmdpzdrmuyc8z6-QPzO-MoQpXbWC1R1W4SHjfGydxxQBoYZXLXFejkCJ3G4KJA/s400/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_BirchTrees2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319047609863428674" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">There are many birch trees . . .</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQa74g34JFg7xVDntjAHeq8bCIc30-rww5rtdDR9SklJs3rV0PEDEuHx_JlslvK1TKLxDV3VsnINDxEwOGmPlTtOS35taEh-orVDvp1G_VExO-T_PtIJmJVVBwzepSGpkFkELrA0mE5rw/s1600-h/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_Trees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQa74g34JFg7xVDntjAHeq8bCIc30-rww5rtdDR9SklJs3rV0PEDEuHx_JlslvK1TKLxDV3VsnINDxEwOGmPlTtOS35taEh-orVDvp1G_VExO-T_PtIJmJVVBwzepSGpkFkELrA0mE5rw/s400/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_Trees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319023281676150754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">. . . and pine trees in the countryside.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92kV67fCUSGc6Bw_tCR4bc8VdO-4fZNYg9-Vbi2zyXKEo-Ld7Vna2MSGn_CE7JoT80Mu_ErGtqSpz51nVGxgsNFXEB_s9MLcETuwVfAmWBVVy6sqMqdapzOGLxcCWQVlCcPsS4AdhtvY/s1600-h/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_Dachas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92kV67fCUSGc6Bw_tCR4bc8VdO-4fZNYg9-Vbi2zyXKEo-Ld7Vna2MSGn_CE7JoT80Mu_ErGtqSpz51nVGxgsNFXEB_s9MLcETuwVfAmWBVVy6sqMqdapzOGLxcCWQVlCcPsS4AdhtvY/s400/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_Dachas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319023310100493938" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Dachas are small summer homes where people<br />who live in an apartment in Moscow like to go<br />to have a garden and get out of the city.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd3Al4n2exTM3f8Iyp4OxrLnbCh8_JCaSt3NWBWXIvIdfFFK9UHk1khmPphPcmc_14eOyu9X0ad-LB2kKQVOLO4QZSpA5A3sFTNhrlVzuTHQGErjVEoQBPan1uBGL10uwnLX9ubCzVWg/s1600-h/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_GreenDacha3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd3Al4n2exTM3f8Iyp4OxrLnbCh8_JCaSt3NWBWXIvIdfFFK9UHk1khmPphPcmc_14eOyu9X0ad-LB2kKQVOLO4QZSpA5A3sFTNhrlVzuTHQGErjVEoQBPan1uBGL10uwnLX9ubCzVWg/s400/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_GreenDacha3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319023300391512514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I don't know if this is a dacha or<br />a regular home, but I thought it looked picturesque.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF0prXAqyOhjGbYjdcgeE4oxzH9CVwWgUUzswnpWOVL0cVYO1fqSilcnUsUqk2fOX5hFYsS6OetCwqTh42FdF1nc4VsAc52MtrwWZ_yV8qPaVe0uj11hMhGulbwkaPoMOoh6vmHcCkls/s1600-h/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_Dachas4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF0prXAqyOhjGbYjdcgeE4oxzH9CVwWgUUzswnpWOVL0cVYO1fqSilcnUsUqk2fOX5hFYsS6OetCwqTh42FdF1nc4VsAc52MtrwWZ_yV8qPaVe0uj11hMhGulbwkaPoMOoh6vmHcCkls/s400/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_Dachas4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319023307412989730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">More dachas. They often do not<br />have electricity or running water.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2eXPqwDSLG4taHjD8qjQJvPT6CDDNqthhyphenhyphenroD_ZEYQ7s6KwN6iaCTe0mnVfgZCECTZPbOfDpS4VsNBJ00aR3RKqcFWw8S0RV8QWl6r8PhyfndzJzoQ_7aC7DmbCrgsCoP8Z6zO6Td6s/s1600-h/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_Highway.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2eXPqwDSLG4taHjD8qjQJvPT6CDDNqthhyphenhyphenroD_ZEYQ7s6KwN6iaCTe0mnVfgZCECTZPbOfDpS4VsNBJ00aR3RKqcFWw8S0RV8QWl6r8PhyfndzJzoQ_7aC7DmbCrgsCoP8Z6zO6Td6s/s400/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_Highway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319023291283672530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Getting closer to Moscow.<br />See the apartment buildings to the left.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg410-lGoRdvJmx3phN0wnSwHY1eB5l3MIt-AUyWdRUgitdzzK0tNn7mjyPW1rGPmw2huNrjSeZtKDwpoFP4qiEAtKZng7WBAPOvW9WdY24w7n9UG-X0JOiSshU0zdp4I16ZjCr1gxm3qA/s1600-h/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_HotWaterPlant.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg410-lGoRdvJmx3phN0wnSwHY1eB5l3MIt-AUyWdRUgitdzzK0tNn7mjyPW1rGPmw2huNrjSeZtKDwpoFP4qiEAtKZng7WBAPOvW9WdY24w7n9UG-X0JOiSshU0zdp4I16ZjCr1gxm3qA/s400/Moscow_ExpressTrainDME_HotWaterPlant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319027535937971906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We think the tall smoke stacks in the background<br />may be part of a hot water plant that<br />provides hot water into apartments in Moscow.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Train tracks are in the foreground.</span></span></span><br /><br /></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-74709147018926844632009-03-22T05:13:00.000-07:002009-03-22T13:52:02.747-07:00Goodbyes<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This morning we first went to the International Branch and then hurried to our Yugo Zapadnaya Branch after sacrament meeting. Chris & Greg Shepard have completed their mission and are flying home to Texas tomorrow morning, so we went to hear them speak and to say our goodbyes. We have shared so much with them and have such good memories of times we have been together. You always feel good when you are with the Shepards; they are not only fun to be with, but they have good values and are spiritually uplifting. We will really miss them, but will definitely stay in touch and look forward to getting together in the U.S.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCKVO7bqS9PKEQV4NYkcHNVTBKe7SD-solCurLrRPxIcdnekTyQYn5BM8oJc8NLVepX5oBiAPqN9czBSgvJeTSmunp3xFLOIFB6wuzJtzZDZAxGRBX8G7SKLzIPiXvaLoFmc82WxBrhc/s1600-h/FHE_Grey&ChrisShepard_ChristmasMissionParty.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCKVO7bqS9PKEQV4NYkcHNVTBKe7SD-solCurLrRPxIcdnekTyQYn5BM8oJc8NLVepX5oBiAPqN9czBSgvJeTSmunp3xFLOIFB6wuzJtzZDZAxGRBX8G7SKLzIPiXvaLoFmc82WxBrhc/s400/FHE_Grey&ChrisShepard_ChristmasMissionParty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316020733997154242" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Greg & Chris Shepard<br />(photo taken at the Christmas Mission Activity)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We were a little late getting to our branch, and Priesthood and Relief Society had already started. There were nine sisters in Relief Society this morning. I gave the lesson last week, and it was Sister Natasha's turn today. The theme of the lesson was taken from the Parable of the Ten Virgins and being prepared.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder Neipp and President Karneov were the speakers in our branch and gave good talks, which were translated for us by Elder Aiken and Elder Terrell. Elder Neipp has a wonderful voice, and he accompanied himself while singing "O, My Father." It is one of my favorite hymns, and he sang it beautifully. Of course, he sang it in Russian; but here are the meaningful words in English:</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />O my Father, thou that dwellest<br />In the high and glorious place,<br />When shall I regain thy presence<br />And again behold thy face?<br />In thy holy habitation,<br />Did my spirit once reside?<br />In my first primeval childhood<br />Was I nurtured near thy side?<br /><br />For a wise and glorious purpose<br />Thou hast placed me here on earth<br />And withheld the recollection<br />Of my former friends and birth;<br />Yet oft times a secret something<br />Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"<br />And I felt that I had wandered<br />from a more exalted sphere.<br /><br />I had learned to call thee Father,<br />Thru thy Spirit from on high,<br />But, until the key of knowledge<br />Was restored, I knew not why.<br />In the heav'ns are parents single?<br />No, the thought makes reason stare!<br />Truth is reason; truth eternal<br />Tells me I've a mother there.<br /><br />When I leave this frail existence,<br />When I lay this mortal by,<br />Father, Mother, may I meet you<br />In your royal courts on high?<br />Then, at length, when I've completed<br />All you sent me forth to do,<br />With your mutual approbation<br />Let me come and dwell with you.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When I have said my last mortal goodbyes to family and friends, I would like this hymn to be sung at my farewell (more commonly referred to as a funeral). It is my most cherished wish that one day I will be reunited with my dear family in that high and glorious place where we will be a "forever family." I pray for this blessing every day of my life and am so grateful for my temple marriage to the good husband to whom I am sealed. Nothing is more important to me in this world than my family, and I pray that each and every one will have the desire to also want these eternal blessings.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sooner than it seemed possible when we arrived in Russia, our mission, too, is fast approaching its completion. Our visa expires April 30, and we will be flying back to the U.S. the day before. We will first go to Salt Lake and spend a couple of days with our family members in Utah, and then hopefully Todd will have found a minivan for us to drive home to South Dakota.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I am sure there will be more tears when it's our turn to say goodbye to our dear friends here in Moscow, but I expect I will have tears of joy to be reunited with our family, too. I love them so much!</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfn8jWfA8SVbmz8Gn4OhK34POaleh4IkjmPw3YuAMnZlaVV56AwnF-tvyOnY6w07PH45_5YMQ9VM-L5_wUtl-bZDzXIFhktxb2eSgMGV7_dC_UdToJpkgJeRJJxb_p4zcFchz18Ls1IWc/s1600-h/YugoZapadnayaBranch_EldersWilhite&Neipp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfn8jWfA8SVbmz8Gn4OhK34POaleh4IkjmPw3YuAMnZlaVV56AwnF-tvyOnY6w07PH45_5YMQ9VM-L5_wUtl-bZDzXIFhktxb2eSgMGV7_dC_UdToJpkgJeRJJxb_p4zcFchz18Ls1IWc/s400/YugoZapadnayaBranch_EldersWilhite&Neipp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316019098474528146" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder Wilhite & Elder Neipp with the beautiful voice<br />Yugo Zapadnaya Branch<br />Moscow Mission<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hV1xkbDF8Ff0MPP2h234oBLMxKIk-9-uogwLa5EkTOH2_-sxj2BBGtwRNcAnF7NApODqNEHDxJ4y6a94bQvp3AFgalm49EqNLPhJ5d4FHm1wcVR_TP-wtsnP7Bp_Ei4mF-RMivo7IeM/s1600-h/YugoZapadnayaBranch_EldersChemezov&Knuth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hV1xkbDF8Ff0MPP2h234oBLMxKIk-9-uogwLa5EkTOH2_-sxj2BBGtwRNcAnF7NApODqNEHDxJ4y6a94bQvp3AFgalm49EqNLPhJ5d4FHm1wcVR_TP-wtsnP7Bp_Ei4mF-RMivo7IeM/s400/YugoZapadnayaBranch_EldersChemezov&Knuth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316019108417034098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder Chemezov from Ukraine & Elder Knuth<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Yugo Zapadnaya Branch</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Moscow Mission<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUkYSF3r0Y0yQ5ZCVEWxQv63-S9_VsDpk4e4x580o1B8nmQ8kxTvj4Oe6vL4Z5ihLH4yVm7NFGgDrj75c5zUwMy1tKHQIirEWvzWxclKWMhviiFVbMp_xYuLMu16BfPowhJDf9c0fPks/s1600-h/YugoZapadnayaBranch_08-03-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUkYSF3r0Y0yQ5ZCVEWxQv63-S9_VsDpk4e4x580o1B8nmQ8kxTvj4Oe6vL4Z5ihLH4yVm7NFGgDrj75c5zUwMy1tKHQIirEWvzWxclKWMhviiFVbMp_xYuLMu16BfPowhJDf9c0fPks/s400/YugoZapadnayaBranch_08-03-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316019117590487826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Yugo Zapadnaya Branch</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Moscow Mission<br />Photo taken March 8, Women's Day.<br />All the ladies received flowers and candy.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">In the front row of the photo above are Elder Blodder & Elder Aiken from the Moscow West Mission, who are the office missionaries. Although we are now in the Moscow Mission, Elders Blodder & Aiken attend church with us on Sundays, since we still are meeting</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> in the Moscow West Mission office</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">. Elder Terrell (in front of Sister Ireland) and Elder Cannon (left of Elder Ireland), APs to President Collins, also meet with us in the Moscow West Mission. Elders from the Moscow Mission pictured in the photo are </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder Chemezov (back row, extreme left) and </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder Wilhite and Elder Knuth in the back row to the left of Elder Neipp. These young Elders and the others we have known in Tver and in Moscow are awesome, and we thoroughly enjoy our association with them. We love the members in the Tver Branch, and now we are blessed to be part of the Yugo Zapadnaya Branch. We will miss them when we return home. </span></span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQEMKIQQL-bpdDxU6ibGvWlPLVZiP9LusC3lPTQWKjTs2-UffgjFaMsv6WwTDRmf77iEtu1ADiD44jZMkDuGfFH312LHk2wPdT56JqZOhNgO6ASHYhaL9ikIF1OdAcxWQwRc0-SLytnM/s1600-h/IMG_6642.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQEMKIQQL-bpdDxU6ibGvWlPLVZiP9LusC3lPTQWKjTs2-UffgjFaMsv6WwTDRmf77iEtu1ADiD44jZMkDuGfFH312LHk2wPdT56JqZOhNgO6ASHYhaL9ikIF1OdAcxWQwRc0-SLytnM/s400/IMG_6642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316116199377258050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Relief Society Sisters on Women's Day<br />Yugo Zapadnaya Branch<br />President of the branch Relief Society, Sister Natalia,<br />is standing behind Sister Ireland.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-59749593769177850282009-03-19T10:33:00.000-07:002009-03-19T13:51:15.055-07:00Training in Samara<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">On March 11, we flew to Samara, Russia, to train the humanitarian couple who had arrived a week earlier from New Zealand. They didn't go to the MTC for training, so we were anxious to meet with them and provide training for doing humanitarian projects. It was helpful for the Grays to have the Gabels there a couple of days before the Gabels completed their mission and returned to the U.S., as the Gabels provided an orientation to the city and culture and to their humanitarian projects.</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Samara is in the southeastern part of "European Russia" and has a million and a half people with more than three million in the metropolitan area. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Samara River separates the city into two parts and flows into the Volga River. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Samara is located on the left bank of the Volga River, which is the longest river in Europe. It is a leading industrial center and is known for its aerospace launch vehicles, satellites, and space services, for chocolates made by the Russia Chocolate Factory, and for various other products including Rodnik vodka and Zhiguli beer. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">During World War II, Samara provided the front with aircraft, firearms, and ammunition. After the war, the defense industry developed new factories and became the missile shield center for the country, with the result that it became a closed city. It was at the Samara Progress Plant where the launch vehicle, Vostok, that delivered the first manned spaceship to orbit was built. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P4WygnEYXoclhBySt9H5jWapJqckQS_Gz6Xsd85lykVn3s_3dYSzgNxCyJKuLS_pz6gs80NRcHc0bXv4BeAiIuNyd983QOPx02oKbmgGecFZyKAHZy7RQxQOEfmj60qEV5C-l30qArs/s1600-h/Samara_Roger&SueGray_NewZealanders.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P4WygnEYXoclhBySt9H5jWapJqckQS_Gz6Xsd85lykVn3s_3dYSzgNxCyJKuLS_pz6gs80NRcHc0bXv4BeAiIuNyd983QOPx02oKbmgGecFZyKAHZy7RQxQOEfmj60qEV5C-l30qArs/s400/Samara_Roger&SueGray_NewZealanders.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314964630695401826" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Roger & Sue Gray from New Zealand,<br />Humanitarian Missionaries in Samara<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> After spending the day training, we took a bus to the center square and then walked around looking for a place to eat.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqBvBvs_r2-LePd8vwZvvf2_Y1eKkEaKwSsm2a-n2UudwhcUrQwkDQyX1Gu5EY-wm-V3k_uLfiWJ4RACP9DLkaT8IuHFdz1hlbDbefUtxdvlCblt5SSqdySqhfVvi7PgM3bjsHXKThw8/s1600-h/Samara_Monument_Mom&Child.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqBvBvs_r2-LePd8vwZvvf2_Y1eKkEaKwSsm2a-n2UudwhcUrQwkDQyX1Gu5EY-wm-V3k_uLfiWJ4RACP9DLkaT8IuHFdz1hlbDbefUtxdvlCblt5SSqdySqhfVvi7PgM3bjsHXKThw8/s400/Samara_Monument_Mom&Child.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314964219565191474" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A monument in city square<br />(The slender lady at the right is a typical young Russian<br />with her narrow stiletto high heels,<br />slim-legged pants, and fur jacket and hood.<br />Her little girl is at the left.)<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxiChLg7VBa7ImWk7Lr1UmEFF5J7rJwnAPE9UrlXRWzMVG6AjUHc1JC9OC-mOV_0n_e0yI4tRykXeot5BCHR6cEEPr3Yvgx_zaUV1sLEgwiLoSh44kIZSrLQO_rAV-MtwUmk1QvhfHsE/s1600-h/Samara_Blini_Sam,Sue%26RogerGray.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxiChLg7VBa7ImWk7Lr1UmEFF5J7rJwnAPE9UrlXRWzMVG6AjUHc1JC9OC-mOV_0n_e0yI4tRykXeot5BCHR6cEEPr3Yvgx_zaUV1sLEgwiLoSh44kIZSrLQO_rAV-MtwUmk1QvhfHsE/s400/Samara_Blini_Sam,Sue%26RogerGray.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314964220400708130" border="0" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We had a little trouble figuring out<br />the Russian menu, but we enjoyed the<br />blinis at this small restaurant.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTONMDkUa4nK9i8vGxW4E-N9XdIdvfbX1qFcFsrM474YsoPRF_E8mV-uAwXPeS-79i2dQVxsK9nHElFBwKNC__NxYcpSwyNXqJssvJpaX3ormo6TIHfDdGKSB1_wvZM7XVyqNaj561Xo/s1600-h/Samara_BliniMaking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTONMDkUa4nK9i8vGxW4E-N9XdIdvfbX1qFcFsrM474YsoPRF_E8mV-uAwXPeS-79i2dQVxsK9nHElFBwKNC__NxYcpSwyNXqJssvJpaX3ormo6TIHfDdGKSB1_wvZM7XVyqNaj561Xo/s400/Samara_BliniMaking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314964217849607490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I like watching them make blinis. They pour<br />the thin batter onto a hot griddle (to the lady's<br />left) and then level the batter by swinging<br />a wooden paddle around in circles.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We ordered chicken and cheese blinis, and I also wanted mushrooms in mine; but instead mine only had mushrooms. I liked it, though. For dessert, we had jam-filled blinis. We liked the strawberry ones better than the cherry, although both were good. Blinis are similar to crepes or pancakes; but the batter is very thin, and they are folded in half and then in quarters with a filling inside.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />We had planned to take the Grays out to dinner the next day; but since their apartment was across the Samara River a distance from the center of the city, it was more convenient to eat at their apartment - and the food was delicious. They had brought quite a lot of food with them from New Zealand, and I wondered how they had any room for clothes. We did have some good ice cream cones the next day.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rokimIowzNsvkVgfHdUUr-rMXg25cRtOi0Gj7ohCsciU_qrXejP0HdQfB7t9uYGiG0xfuIrgi4l-lx6AVEtSVLB5Un-cKefatzwTM16Xwyq3e6keOTVxGwblnwIXUivbMXxnas8EQso/s1600-h/Samara_IceCreamDisplay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rokimIowzNsvkVgfHdUUr-rMXg25cRtOi0Gj7ohCsciU_qrXejP0HdQfB7t9uYGiG0xfuIrgi4l-lx6AVEtSVLB5Un-cKefatzwTM16Xwyq3e6keOTVxGwblnwIXUivbMXxnas8EQso/s400/Samara_IceCreamDisplay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314964633252030786" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">It was hard to decide what flavor to get.<br />We finally decided on chocolate chip.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Before taking the bus back to their apartment after eating our blinis, we walked around a little to see some of the city. It was difficult to see much out of the bus windows later, because they were quite dirty. </span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6KmgL38JFzxrfEiHB3xFjs_oozcr0rxr_O6fczElINkRTY4kecSKaFW67SaDhwSRyav1HR1Vf39aRAE89jAfNXpiik90ngpuZLdYem1LL_72KVHsAqi8YZCydofYb0VTJyczKbh75AM/s1600-h/Samara_OldBuilding_SueGray&Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6KmgL38JFzxrfEiHB3xFjs_oozcr0rxr_O6fczElINkRTY4kecSKaFW67SaDhwSRyav1HR1Vf39aRAE89jAfNXpiik90ngpuZLdYem1LL_72KVHsAqi8YZCydofYb0VTJyczKbh75AM/s400/Samara_OldBuilding_SueGray&Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314964625564797954" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Walking tour of Samara<br />(Sue Gray and Narene)<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAIrSB3tGvpdPn7_-JjzH_Mi7Rt2KtwlVaJ9vR-tROpSFsMChkFW-SLQLK_0RLAqLjNh1g0mVNN-TIvUqynC2XTSQuFm0ugpxRot8_EdMRRQveJ_JHDmFyNfNI94hWZV3unoTSAmlszc/s1600-h/Samara_Street_Buildings_Car.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAIrSB3tGvpdPn7_-JjzH_Mi7Rt2KtwlVaJ9vR-tROpSFsMChkFW-SLQLK_0RLAqLjNh1g0mVNN-TIvUqynC2XTSQuFm0ugpxRot8_EdMRRQveJ_JHDmFyNfNI94hWZV3unoTSAmlszc/s400/Samara_Street_Buildings_Car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314964618717727570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Many of the buildings needed repairing<br />at least on the exteriors.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnJUpt2Xa14h3AE9i8bWDZwimwNEgAKpyUOMRw8Jax8J77ItosWEI1pYIOZs0tFGlzhnmhP9mVYBvZ9epd0-ajcwU-DZINQili6yoVOq2ofLgKDQ-bjARwnvLEGE951eFpsvLMLc-7og/s1600-h/Samara_Street_OldBuildings_Snow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnJUpt2Xa14h3AE9i8bWDZwimwNEgAKpyUOMRw8Jax8J77ItosWEI1pYIOZs0tFGlzhnmhP9mVYBvZ9epd0-ajcwU-DZINQili6yoVOq2ofLgKDQ-bjARwnvLEGE951eFpsvLMLc-7og/s400/Samara_Street_OldBuildings_Snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314964229241150786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The snow was piled along the roadside, and<br />the walks were slushy and full of puddles in the<br />uneven surfaces.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The weather was quite nice while we were in Samara. On the second day there, we took the bus and went to Ashan's grocery shopping with the Grays. As we walked through the Metro Mall, I noticed an Ecco shoe store. That is the brand of the brown boots I had gotten last year that have been so comfortable, but now the zipper is not dependable. I did get a pair on sale in black.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">It was nice getting to know the Grays, and the training seemed to go well. They will be a great humanitarian couple, as will the Lowrys, whom we trained in Voronezh. One of the neat things about our mission is meeting these special couples who have come to serve. We are looking forward to being with all who will be at the Area Humanitarian Conference in Armenia April 23 and 24.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-33863157249903093152009-03-18T12:00:00.000-07:002009-03-18T15:13:50.088-07:00Training in Voronezh<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />We flew to Voronezh in southwestern Russia on March 4 to provide training for a recently arrived humanitarian couple, Dan & Dellene Lowry. They had invited us to stay with them in their two-bedroom apartment, and we had a pleasant visit with them.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0UDtoolqq3q4pROHbHZfVu92qg2N9pPJEvT39q4YC7dYiGYG43hbf3PzwnfaVAcpILNQoLTDNs6mYgiXyhgqZC_1_8eSppJjp01YZsENY7dFP799jV5edkWkjwBVS_5stu_pudkWSFM/s1600-h/Voronezh_Lowrys,Irelands,Missionaries,Friends.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0UDtoolqq3q4pROHbHZfVu92qg2N9pPJEvT39q4YC7dYiGYG43hbf3PzwnfaVAcpILNQoLTDNs6mYgiXyhgqZC_1_8eSppJjp01YZsENY7dFP799jV5edkWkjwBVS_5stu_pudkWSFM/s400/Voronezh_Lowrys,Irelands,Missionaries,Friends.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314613989559272434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Meeting in the Lowry's apartment<br />with the young missionaries and the lady and<br />daughter they were teaching.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnw4yXPfJa0HqiBrfRYOLKWwYQEkADWBYGZeDvGc9oFjvauL0SF1XogTyx9pEgo_-DJZjCwkggA0ULLmSaeVDcfPPp6rGeAslfVFIi6YiT6QbnNqCYc3bHnEvtASOs_MgSkluGL6fZ_dQ/s1600-h/Voronezh_DelleneLowry_Wheeler&Curth_Flute.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnw4yXPfJa0HqiBrfRYOLKWwYQEkADWBYGZeDvGc9oFjvauL0SF1XogTyx9pEgo_-DJZjCwkggA0ULLmSaeVDcfPPp6rGeAslfVFIi6YiT6QbnNqCYc3bHnEvtASOs_MgSkluGL6fZ_dQ/s400/Voronezh_DelleneLowry_Wheeler&Curth_Flute.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314614016831450962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Elders have an apartment above the Lowry's.<br />Sister Lowry plays the flute well, and we sang<br />a couple of hymns while she played.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluPubk2EeHuUu6b8Hk43B9XVAnXH838epun2nKcZ1Kc-QASJ0_hVuo_wZ4hkcmmGgzH9WBjStUZMCE3wzdH89DueBQaf7clu_4WSSDFZ7eCgkJqyqXcSc_BL9hB46G8iKzLh8yWIKHM0/s1600-h/Voronezh_Dan&DelleneLowry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluPubk2EeHuUu6b8Hk43B9XVAnXH838epun2nKcZ1Kc-QASJ0_hVuo_wZ4hkcmmGgzH9WBjStUZMCE3wzdH89DueBQaf7clu_4WSSDFZ7eCgkJqyqXcSc_BL9hB46G8iKzLh8yWIKHM0/s400/Voronezh_Dan&DelleneLowry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314614007731413378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Dellene & Dan Lowry<br />Humanitarian Missionaries in Voronezh<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The next morning, we took the bus to meet the Public Affairs lady who had arranged a meeting with one of the local officials at the city office building. We met her in front of the library located in the city square.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLmwJmv6VJU7DOh48CfIK5b6fyt92SV8fYhZS0uqVpFZscKlgAFwsQp_L1ppq1tUKvUtVvDPUnYOOmkb4bZMwDconls_cR_wLoAAOqMGSFYb4c_vBFjuBK1wTue_ThU9bD_vB_64acAk/s1600-h/Voronezh_LeninMonument&Library.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLmwJmv6VJU7DOh48CfIK5b6fyt92SV8fYhZS0uqVpFZscKlgAFwsQp_L1ppq1tUKvUtVvDPUnYOOmkb4bZMwDconls_cR_wLoAAOqMGSFYb4c_vBFjuBK1wTue_ThU9bD_vB_64acAk/s400/Voronezh_LeninMonument&Library.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314614694256033794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Lenin monument in the city square<br />with the library in the background.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEhO7Ow5LZnNrxRunweNrSjyyR5J-tTHJuUOwqHNAU363Od8xjDpnyufG8rpiA2guuhZWK3avVykOHW4UDoRPSQTjjrIAkqdfAe-voTh5KSj8gw_Ukeo6QEa5Itas4h3o3Z-vOVRBWgw/s1600-h/Voronezh_ConcertHall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEhO7Ow5LZnNrxRunweNrSjyyR5J-tTHJuUOwqHNAU363Od8xjDpnyufG8rpiA2guuhZWK3avVykOHW4UDoRPSQTjjrIAkqdfAe-voTh5KSj8gw_Ukeo6QEa5Itas4h3o3Z-vOVRBWgw/s400/Voronezh_ConcertHall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314626014473330018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Concert Hall across the square from the library.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPjrRna1S442CRG15GUxq-_8qll9wgvJtbtV-4UUWOszB3gp88Vk0AA-YTh_g2Q7mX6ezz6ayTqWEZqGGd2VYQXImhaAc6PE5AWMlc5tzrutxwrGJVOZv6mQOAAOwtuhbBXjHO60-L20/s1600-h/Voronezh_RevolutionarySquare.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPjrRna1S442CRG15GUxq-_8qll9wgvJtbtV-4UUWOszB3gp88Vk0AA-YTh_g2Q7mX6ezz6ayTqWEZqGGd2VYQXImhaAc6PE5AWMlc5tzrutxwrGJVOZv6mQOAAOwtuhbBXjHO60-L20/s400/Voronezh_RevolutionarySquare.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314614702552616098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Another view from the city square.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The young Elders were the interpreters at the meeting where the government official was introduced to the Lowrys and us, and information was shared about our Church and the humanitarian service provided.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">It was a very cold day, but after the meeting we went for a walk to see more of the city. We stopped to take photos at a war memorial area. During World War II, fierce fighting took place in Voronezh between Russian and combined Axis troops. Here the Germans launched their attack on Stalingrad (St. Petersburg). </span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazXKsPNqYpFPQux8Iu6Brugl8AsCIpq-rjAAmEjeB0ceiqfdB6Hj3XYZRcBTeB1eBkgphhf2aw8kKvwe-4nWExUkoRu_eULtbdrCUceOxdOjyLbHuauRNhCk19Qbp1Tt7mWLDtgb8dh4/s1600-h/Voronezh_WarMemorialStatues.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazXKsPNqYpFPQux8Iu6Brugl8AsCIpq-rjAAmEjeB0ceiqfdB6Hj3XYZRcBTeB1eBkgphhf2aw8kKvwe-4nWExUkoRu_eULtbdrCUceOxdOjyLbHuauRNhCk19Qbp1Tt7mWLDtgb8dh4/s400/Voronezh_WarMemorialStatues.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314626039578999234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Wreaths had been placed on the memorial<br />on the Defenders of the Motherland Day,<br />which was February 23.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHRNiMSNPj8HptfHo1qVXhgE8F9FM6mTpqQuT6Fo7kICUu29sCIyA1cnK3uY4wDyK-PQvSWHPShlK_qjsnE6J-Qtj4qilUeSWh7IxIGwcVC3sd_iFtL204N-ImWNB9rR-sC0b7tE2ZVU/s1600-h/Voronezh_WarMemorialEternalFlame.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHRNiMSNPj8HptfHo1qVXhgE8F9FM6mTpqQuT6Fo7kICUu29sCIyA1cnK3uY4wDyK-PQvSWHPShlK_qjsnE6J-Qtj4qilUeSWh7IxIGwcVC3sd_iFtL204N-ImWNB9rR-sC0b7tE2ZVU/s400/Voronezh_WarMemorialEternalFlame.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314626042222718850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The eternal flame in front of the war memorial.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKSAO0EKNx3LSqeRna0-7NLyKWlrzCrN2Oeb_a8KztInfdY5XSk2qjlbA5L-VKeDOnkdGzSY07h6EA-yXEMMueJHS8rv10zSPUl9FxE5P8U6v0yPhIR2xzlqNrHAAyDdBDLloSdTW3sk/s1600-h/Voronezh_WarMemorialMonument.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKSAO0EKNx3LSqeRna0-7NLyKWlrzCrN2Oeb_a8KztInfdY5XSk2qjlbA5L-VKeDOnkdGzSY07h6EA-yXEMMueJHS8rv10zSPUl9FxE5P8U6v0yPhIR2xzlqNrHAAyDdBDLloSdTW3sk/s400/Voronezh_WarMemorialMonument.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314626019996379378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The war memorial tower<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh32Ehe0j4a_DEe6Zl3gIODqn57bujr4qmC3RwVQvahg-0dqZFhqaEi1q7ZxrtQHviNBkSe5eDW_XbY_Lk9X3n0H4zZ5ZYdSIgB1gqlyJIHfWwYGEYD4UTZeQsLuvwOa8wSB27VlRgxQs/s1600-h/Voronezh_PuppetTheater_Sam&Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh32Ehe0j4a_DEe6Zl3gIODqn57bujr4qmC3RwVQvahg-0dqZFhqaEi1q7ZxrtQHviNBkSe5eDW_XbY_Lk9X3n0H4zZ5ZYdSIgB1gqlyJIHfWwYGEYD4UTZeQsLuvwOa8wSB27VlRgxQs/s400/Voronezh_PuppetTheater_Sam&Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314631422843965058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam & Narene in front of the puppet theater.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgck02vaLLNOIuRJCCX6RqpIg-BSbl-s4s-djzq2LQaclNML0VHSSCol0r7N0Afwo9EBMcJv-gTLF4ec5RK4QiYLPmyQG5xe7oHoFw1UsVEA8i769q4Y8P2-V_xlpFyTHJw0bVniaMwa2A/s1600-h/Voronezh_PuppetClock_Narene&ElderWheeler.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgck02vaLLNOIuRJCCX6RqpIg-BSbl-s4s-djzq2LQaclNML0VHSSCol0r7N0Afwo9EBMcJv-gTLF4ec5RK4QiYLPmyQG5xe7oHoFw1UsVEA8i769q4Y8P2-V_xlpFyTHJw0bVniaMwa2A/s400/Voronezh_PuppetClock_Narene&ElderWheeler.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314614707564031074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Narene and Elder Wheeler acting like puppets<br />in front of the puppet clock.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQ-RuQhDmbWB_YWMYF1DWdET55Yjj0yoWwRkUo_PMA2vTlSl_Kv-Ds0okEkefvJF-Pt4UVNjpAHU1sGpGXsytBdi6px7CTDRdtkZLPVY4iletofs8USLBA3rRxvostrjt2V_xzDihYVM/s1600-h/Voronezh_PuppetTheaterDog_Narene&DelleneLowry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQ-RuQhDmbWB_YWMYF1DWdET55Yjj0yoWwRkUo_PMA2vTlSl_Kv-Ds0okEkefvJF-Pt4UVNjpAHU1sGpGXsytBdi6px7CTDRdtkZLPVY4iletofs8USLBA3rRxvostrjt2V_xzDihYVM/s400/Voronezh_PuppetTheaterDog_Narene&DelleneLowry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314614716184166418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Narene and Dellene touching the dog that is<br />supposed to bring good luck.<br /> The dog's right ear has been welded on after<br />it had been broken off and stolen.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QtX71EJnEscQucA_1hJbqtW3QQrHsbodcV5F47_wVhjd8Jz44pEISGFiUqBrAOfqQHsoNd64Uakgl9KDaKa0zNpu-cWaozs4_jhe7t0RXqvMYKpXyEEnWivGhxQMU5wAX6wjF2jPV_o/s1600-h/Voronezh_Peter+the+Great+Statue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QtX71EJnEscQucA_1hJbqtW3QQrHsbodcV5F47_wVhjd8Jz44pEISGFiUqBrAOfqQHsoNd64Uakgl9KDaKa0zNpu-cWaozs4_jhe7t0RXqvMYKpXyEEnWivGhxQMU5wAX6wjF2jPV_o/s400/Voronezh_Peter+the+Great+Statue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314631437402224930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Peter the Great monument<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG1mdcG1QI12zxGH5yzoU06Mc57tXUHTjMZF2Rx4_YllKSpD2ao6w3nNPFWE0HEHYCELLZ5PNqnje80jYqxrudrx4GIRVmZLfJB4yr-Zrw6vIkE2UQTE409jzHfHDbub_o0e__ZzMor8/s1600-h/Voronezh_Peter+the+Great+Statue_Sign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG1mdcG1QI12zxGH5yzoU06Mc57tXUHTjMZF2Rx4_YllKSpD2ao6w3nNPFWE0HEHYCELLZ5PNqnje80jYqxrudrx4GIRVmZLfJB4yr-Zrw6vIkE2UQTE409jzHfHDbub_o0e__ZzMor8/s400/Voronezh_Peter+the+Great+Statue_Sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314634563673432114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Cyrillic letters say<br />Emperor Peter Great<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The city was founded in 1585-1586 as a fort o</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">n the Voronezh River. Peter the Great built Russia's first fleet of ships here.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVaLJPdsqVyY1Mw3ocvZJpwzOpcZ7PCuQ9tPCy8Bbw1IuLugRw8m2VSz-VGuogA1Qu9gBFxHgY7CPXmn8Vw96-pVKnCiBKwkwowEiOxvwcW4GG1pKWVp6M_6yurxrPJcjLS5SF1CK4Wg/s1600-h/Voronezh_Park_Snow_Stores.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVaLJPdsqVyY1Mw3ocvZJpwzOpcZ7PCuQ9tPCy8Bbw1IuLugRw8m2VSz-VGuogA1Qu9gBFxHgY7CPXmn8Vw96-pVKnCiBKwkwowEiOxvwcW4GG1pKWVp6M_6yurxrPJcjLS5SF1CK4Wg/s400/Voronezh_Park_Snow_Stores.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314631430773171810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The park where Peter the Great statue is located.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">There was a lot of snow on the ground,</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> and the build up of ice and ruts</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> made for careful walking. We could be walking side by side, and one of us might be on packed ice six inches above the other due to the bumpy ruts. Although we have been walking on a lot of ice this winter, it made us appreciate walking in Moscow where they do try to keep the snow and ice from building up on the roads and walks even though it still can be very slick.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37O9ZEHR0H84mYI5_j9yLo0NvfgODNlSFDk_rfqJoNJFQIEiKRvw6rUr_2aOnw4I4qlZzqpxECiVrWVplZ6d6xFr0KQbHPzY1Io6X4pqTFTvPYMRoQ_3KTlLk9JLNpbAs8AV83KL5WjY/s1600-h/Voronezh_LargeBuilding_Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37O9ZEHR0H84mYI5_j9yLo0NvfgODNlSFDk_rfqJoNJFQIEiKRvw6rUr_2aOnw4I4qlZzqpxECiVrWVplZ6d6xFr0KQbHPzY1Io6X4pqTFTvPYMRoQ_3KTlLk9JLNpbAs8AV83KL5WjY/s400/Voronezh_LargeBuilding_Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314626050811304322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We walked to the end of the street passed<br />this large building on our way to a cathedral.<br />(I am in the foreground holding a tulip<br />that was given to me by a girl on the street.)<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvBJt-Xg76BK0WsaW8VWIioQQQI4ZbdzWPFRt1CggdJ-52gbR2KtNxhFlPpECICuu0NbI0ByEExJAh5jlYwFjQzRsTYBiygNozpkeI56C0bCWkSMVVwR17YhnbY0ib67rA3ZVi9duhmA/s1600-h/Voronezh_Cathedral.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvBJt-Xg76BK0WsaW8VWIioQQQI4ZbdzWPFRt1CggdJ-52gbR2KtNxhFlPpECICuu0NbI0ByEExJAh5jlYwFjQzRsTYBiygNozpkeI56C0bCWkSMVVwR17YhnbY0ib67rA3ZVi9duhmA/s400/Voronezh_Cathedral.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314631446886669602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The largest cathedral in Voronezh.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGlLx46HdrAYxNJ8OmEolSPQUn-TqDf1qKHNQK-tz6s7LVyH8lWpkWKpm2PAkGqZLl3m3FlFAsgc1yOEr-JVflsyxACMepuC0wb8nqMplORxZl5FegY2PQMVCmAOd6m_np5HB_dRzl7s/s1600-h/Voronezh_MetalSculpture_Street.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGlLx46HdrAYxNJ8OmEolSPQUn-TqDf1qKHNQK-tz6s7LVyH8lWpkWKpm2PAkGqZLl3m3FlFAsgc1yOEr-JVflsyxACMepuC0wb8nqMplORxZl5FegY2PQMVCmAOd6m_np5HB_dRzl7s/s400/Voronezh_MetalSculpture_Street.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314634574689887026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We walked past this unusual monument<br />as we looked for a place to eat.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxVoNsW4qI80hmEBv30EjGQBZCLGWqBgknLWh7QdYIpb9P0fu8h4RxXZVLSc3cnc4B9OBKjfUEhBCZXxsVJFw_PMvlJN-h2ogEkrOOVTeNMm-AM-0Cbx7VeTP7VmjCaC75MX2R5QSkP8/s1600-h/Voronezh_ItalianRestaurant_Narene&Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxVoNsW4qI80hmEBv30EjGQBZCLGWqBgknLWh7QdYIpb9P0fu8h4RxXZVLSc3cnc4B9OBKjfUEhBCZXxsVJFw_PMvlJN-h2ogEkrOOVTeNMm-AM-0Cbx7VeTP7VmjCaC75MX2R5QSkP8/s400/Voronezh_ItalianRestaurant_Narene&Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314634583839679810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> We found the Italian restaurant the Elders had<br />mentioned. The food was very good.<br />Even though we ordered the businessman's lunch,<br />the Lowrys were served different food<br />than we were; but Sam and Dan traded plates.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUqh3blCxFqYFbvDa74a6F-iF9J0reIi5ybhF0PQ2DhYc1-Zl-ZHVyUonhYV8PnVRPfkN35jZ9gz63GktaQ-Utl151PQRPba59zL_CrSoJrA-NuoDtVERKfgyHf9NArBfcP7QiDC2wxg/s1600-h/Voronezh_CraftLady_Narene_PaintedDish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUqh3blCxFqYFbvDa74a6F-iF9J0reIi5ybhF0PQ2DhYc1-Zl-ZHVyUonhYV8PnVRPfkN35jZ9gz63GktaQ-Utl151PQRPba59zL_CrSoJrA-NuoDtVERKfgyHf9NArBfcP7QiDC2wxg/s400/Voronezh_CraftLady_Narene_PaintedDish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314634572480622098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">On our walk, I stopped to admire this lady's<br />hand painted things and bought a small covered dish.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj393oBXXYOrGdobLQqgUtOG8ANzP_ZjXqWF8HM7M1lSNyR5IZ2S_IHdjR_-IkbHkrH9HLc-VgL094ptA8e9BwdeafZibLBpxqwVx0HVj22RYjx2WC8s7GQNybitw5hXRhHtpkSGK3Nco/s1600-h/Voronezh_BlueChurch_Archway.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj393oBXXYOrGdobLQqgUtOG8ANzP_ZjXqWF8HM7M1lSNyR5IZ2S_IHdjR_-IkbHkrH9HLc-VgL094ptA8e9BwdeafZibLBpxqwVx0HVj22RYjx2WC8s7GQNybitw5hXRhHtpkSGK3Nco/s400/Voronezh_BlueChurch_Archway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314634587956985650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">On our way back to the Lowry's apartment, we<br />got off the bus so we could get a picture of<br />this interesting church. We stopped at a grocery<br />store and then walked the rest of the way.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurfN66RYWB2GqKv8-8Is-DGpm2LZxs1xmomaDGiicuKh6553RmNa9CcJMfPo_OYiQuj5NNUXuCRT8tF9bYGMwqNw-jC4RfjV2Ty1jLT30K-Bv3I3eooJLS1xgJ3Ct0oEIs-AHADMDcgU/s1600-h/Voronezh_EldersWheeler&Ficklin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurfN66RYWB2GqKv8-8Is-DGpm2LZxs1xmomaDGiicuKh6553RmNa9CcJMfPo_OYiQuj5NNUXuCRT8tF9bYGMwqNw-jC4RfjV2Ty1jLT30K-Bv3I3eooJLS1xgJ3Ct0oEIs-AHADMDcgU/s400/Voronezh_EldersWheeler&Ficklin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314614682462423074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder Ficklin (right) forgot his<br />backpack, and he and Elder Wheeler<br />came down to get it that evening<br />wearing crazy hats.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwnRW5pUnZJ3h5a2moTu9jBN_1yLinxvjZxC28kD2LlH6z8VPxdJZE-wWKjdN1d8u_zj8x3IoBki72glb-pCR8IkORn8HlJly_r_gKTMYj4zt2m4SAyRIhWCiWabdJH1DLD2TO13KXAM/s1600-h/Voronezh_Chapel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwnRW5pUnZJ3h5a2moTu9jBN_1yLinxvjZxC28kD2LlH6z8VPxdJZE-wWKjdN1d8u_zj8x3IoBki72glb-pCR8IkORn8HlJly_r_gKTMYj4zt2m4SAyRIhWCiWabdJH1DLD2TO13KXAM/s400/Voronezh_Chapel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314613997069599794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> This is the LDS chapel in Voronezh. It used<br />to be a theater, and the Church has remodeled it.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3Oy7ct_C_9cnz2IKxz3HwHSlrk6Ye36xzKnA7zWwRmtqXk2TSzmFp_Cz6mTuIhwWMELOr-cnUDH0ILnKOy8V4XTqqnbUIvBo1QCfv2NFgOkaDjSLdsJOsiN4kNSnOhoeZzGaFLI5vJE/s1600-h/Voronezh_Road+to+Airport_Trees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3Oy7ct_C_9cnz2IKxz3HwHSlrk6Ye36xzKnA7zWwRmtqXk2TSzmFp_Cz6mTuIhwWMELOr-cnUDH0ILnKOy8V4XTqqnbUIvBo1QCfv2NFgOkaDjSLdsJOsiN4kNSnOhoeZzGaFLI5vJE/s400/Voronezh_Road+to+Airport_Trees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314634758531673794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">After spending two days in Voronezh training<br />the Lowrys and seeing a little bit of the city,<br />we went to the airport in a taxi. There are<br />many trees in Voronezh, and that is why<br />Peter the Great had his shipbuilding here.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-1471133477187550432009-03-01T07:36:00.000-08:002009-03-02T11:45:18.856-08:00Marvelous Moscow Metro<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We appreciate having the metro system in Moscow that makes it possible for us to more fully experience the city with inexpensive, efficient transportation. It frequently is very crowded and getting to sit isn't always possible. In fact, there are times when it seems there could not be room for another body to stand - but somehow there always is!</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74qQtrf8flBSyjwmkxejH6iTXjKekok1nAqWvy8gykpidPRozaNGfWKhVe4b64I_p64pcNRN5y6xhn-bNHb1WpIYN448lNYOoIBikYJ3gCfJ5IFC_NkJ3cAXhQgrWBPySfwgqoykb2G8/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Prospect+Mira_BrownLine_Chandeliers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74qQtrf8flBSyjwmkxejH6iTXjKekok1nAqWvy8gykpidPRozaNGfWKhVe4b64I_p64pcNRN5y6xhn-bNHb1WpIYN448lNYOoIBikYJ3gCfJ5IFC_NkJ3cAXhQgrWBPySfwgqoykb2G8/s400/Moscow_Metro_Prospect+Mira_BrownLine_Chandeliers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308312670870082562" border="0" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Prospect Mira (brown line)<br />Decorations including the lighting are different<br />in each metro station.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Often times in our hurry to get to our destination while trying to weave our way through the crowds in the train stations, we don't take time to fully enjoy the uniqueness of each station and the details of the decorations.</span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLo1XxPz2jZiZVGh2Ct61hkDpQUnfiK5cqp8HWdzg3tjUScmzvdpBM7WhePoagT4lK81VCX6blZ-VuadH1dC2_-bjiHb0PrjL5Pm0Q4YFR4xp7_77352S2vE0trUNt2DyHEkkS2BVduS8/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Komsomolskaya_Platform.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLo1XxPz2jZiZVGh2Ct61hkDpQUnfiK5cqp8HWdzg3tjUScmzvdpBM7WhePoagT4lK81VCX6blZ-VuadH1dC2_-bjiHb0PrjL5Pm0Q4YFR4xp7_77352S2vE0trUNt2DyHEkkS2BVduS8/s400/Moscow_Metro_Komsomolskaya_Platform.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308295164980092386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Komsomolskaya Station (brown line)<br />This is the station where we had to go to get the<br />bus or train to Tver when we were assigned<br />to that branch in the beginning of our mission.<br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">February 23, a Russian holiday commemorating "Defenders of the Motherland," was a good day to take photos of the metro when fewer people were riding. We went with the Masons and got off at each stop on the brown line starting in the north at Novoslobodskaya and going around the circle until we came to </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Serpukhovskaya</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> in the south.</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3vsTSSxE7BngHluT2pMYM1j46nZ01Ii6j6OWMEdEuOoaYj0FswvgpXdPtu4x8Z4rhnxM71tdPYlWN082_YRdNRJVChGgAeulw1_NBMw53-KrC0GKvdLJuWFLNRvgjJL9L_AbVyf_TO8/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Novoslobodskaya_MosaicMural.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3vsTSSxE7BngHluT2pMYM1j46nZ01Ii6j6OWMEdEuOoaYj0FswvgpXdPtu4x8Z4rhnxM71tdPYlWN082_YRdNRJVChGgAeulw1_NBMw53-KrC0GKvdLJuWFLNRvgjJL9L_AbVyf_TO8/s400/Moscow_Metro_Novoslobodskaya_MosaicMural.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308289354137763986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Novoslobodskaya Station in the north (brown line)</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA27swMNBA9BHwV5Oxv0y4lbfxYCz3nqZv9kN3R3m5VDCrQilAMvheL-yLXcFQefVYXIMu5Pt1nNkMpBTvK9WOYzlYJcnqxwptq4fg1PzWN6-UGYzelHejZakepW-d_W4ka3NQtyqH60/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Serpukhovskaya_GrayLine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA27swMNBA9BHwV5Oxv0y4lbfxYCz3nqZv9kN3R3m5VDCrQilAMvheL-yLXcFQefVYXIMu5Pt1nNkMpBTvK9WOYzlYJcnqxwptq4fg1PzWN6-UGYzelHejZakepW-d_W4ka3NQtyqH60/s400/Moscow_Metro_Serpukhovskaya_GrayLine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308306422794483058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Serpukhovskaya</span></span></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">in the south (brown line)</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xdvgfTR8UFfs1awm6duETaOgVLz9qEOklscblF0nOAXtL8BRQL5-fLSA8FU9z-tH1cTIwCox7JRiyBpVQnHwXHr97HJ-rFrgHXpRG9N2RNyaecxbQ86dZwlvu_KGb-KSn4JEDenu4xs/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Serpukhovskaya_GrayLine_Sign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xdvgfTR8UFfs1awm6duETaOgVLz9qEOklscblF0nOAXtL8BRQL5-fLSA8FU9z-tH1cTIwCox7JRiyBpVQnHwXHr97HJ-rFrgHXpRG9N2RNyaecxbQ86dZwlvu_KGb-KSn4JEDenu4xs/s400/Moscow_Metro_Serpukhovskaya_GrayLine_Sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308313691496325906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Serpukhovskaya station sign written in Cyrillic</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib15_zd27YIk8uN1Lmyd1YOw5yAUhHVZ159aJkOIJJkxp-KO73V5wHUsGL2vMS3E2Ox5NXAnVRoq5njZPaDel7PyA1CL2QTCiMp9Hni9uUPVY4BUDrHMetgiV_ZuKr69z92CmgO8CQFf8/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Taganskaya_Directory.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib15_zd27YIk8uN1Lmyd1YOw5yAUhHVZ159aJkOIJJkxp-KO73V5wHUsGL2vMS3E2Ox5NXAnVRoq5njZPaDel7PyA1CL2QTCiMp9Hni9uUPVY4BUDrHMetgiV_ZuKr69z92CmgO8CQFf8/s400/Moscow_Metro_Taganskaya_Directory.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308295115264806018" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">These signs are in each station so you can see<br />how many stops to your destination.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We also crossed the platforms at each stop along the way where there were other lines intersecting on the brown line.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0_wCf3A4Yr4qXJOkudLsgotF2PGOLLjyRiCVzundNKGOnBKi067fJQSyxsvr18NLxHIvfp522EC_BhB0lo3VsAyqUP56RzTR9bucBmjAAe-98KyM22JHg5aOfNN7gClbHv2H823vBMc/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Chkalovskaya_LtGreenLine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0_wCf3A4Yr4qXJOkudLsgotF2PGOLLjyRiCVzundNKGOnBKi067fJQSyxsvr18NLxHIvfp522EC_BhB0lo3VsAyqUP56RzTR9bucBmjAAe-98KyM22JHg5aOfNN7gClbHv2H823vBMc/s400/Moscow_Metro_Chkalovskaya_LtGreenLine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308295177952060818" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Chkalovskaya (light green line)<br />crossing Kurskaya on the brown line.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPAYeu0fE48iZ3ZGaOlCwRcoz4quwEmhOQ9v1YPZMKNPIYWoDFWiDdHKj7Bzbc8q2EyWrskjCpPq_gUYxbsl1nMRFSsVrNyTzDeFZopwQJyFnmJwPnIzDTryV48ZY4ySdTAf6uiMm1z0/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Taganskaya_BlueMotif2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPAYeu0fE48iZ3ZGaOlCwRcoz4quwEmhOQ9v1YPZMKNPIYWoDFWiDdHKj7Bzbc8q2EyWrskjCpPq_gUYxbsl1nMRFSsVrNyTzDeFZopwQJyFnmJwPnIzDTryV48ZY4ySdTAf6uiMm1z0/s400/Moscow_Metro_Taganskaya_BlueMotif2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308295121758407234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Taganskaya (brown line)</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiArvSae_aS_cZiv8qMf4-B1ikUYMwkoJnOk-Id8AsAtAwbFIkmWB2fy_m4jviiaH_A7AXlwRn0J7aFqxJNeKKYgOvTo4bTlWTysMapaM_-TgZZOQCr2CNUK3KzHHePEmxCYhC_opw618/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Taganskaya_Decoration_PurpleLine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiArvSae_aS_cZiv8qMf4-B1ikUYMwkoJnOk-Id8AsAtAwbFIkmWB2fy_m4jviiaH_A7AXlwRn0J7aFqxJNeKKYgOvTo4bTlWTysMapaM_-TgZZOQCr2CNUK3KzHHePEmxCYhC_opw618/s400/Moscow_Metro_Taganskaya_Decoration_PurpleLine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308303266273370306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Taganskaya (purple line)</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVJXJDMhrw23E-E_7p47u1iwcqpXHCXnniainlek7ECoudOL4Ta85aNVhox6HS5RDKHCVSfOudyzxhFRqa1-Zu6hexwEUFZUpElX6QGDZ5tTqxXLUrkKsYi_oFwuv6WILtbVOhb3xd6Y/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Marksistskaya_YellowLine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVJXJDMhrw23E-E_7p47u1iwcqpXHCXnniainlek7ECoudOL4Ta85aNVhox6HS5RDKHCVSfOudyzxhFRqa1-Zu6hexwEUFZUpElX6QGDZ5tTqxXLUrkKsYi_oFwuv6WILtbVOhb3xd6Y/s400/Moscow_Metro_Marksistskaya_YellowLine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308303280006004002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Marksistskaya (yellow line at </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Taganskaya</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">)<br />Stations on the brown line tend to be more<br />decorative than those on other lines.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WU6Mee15fi5gA4RVSJqxzjWlLleWYEBt5LbLJyZRJ66gRppxhjvzA2DnQRMqXsERZeebauCp7tcgi00cH7rnwl2Jh2xwp_31AV_kLtlteRSYLcmUJZ4yUcZQNrDdhqPlNfzG9MokDo0/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Dobrynenskaya.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WU6Mee15fi5gA4RVSJqxzjWlLleWYEBt5LbLJyZRJ66gRppxhjvzA2DnQRMqXsERZeebauCp7tcgi00cH7rnwl2Jh2xwp_31AV_kLtlteRSYLcmUJZ4yUcZQNrDdhqPlNfzG9MokDo0/s400/Moscow_Metro_Dobrynenskaya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308299452834280274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Dobrynenskaya in the south (brown line).<br />Notice the escalators at the end. Some stations<br />have very long escalators; others are shorter.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEios0Bx4OX5oMoua7dh8BUnptTQkw3-IxSWAPNXysuzo5NVcQa1HUj_8WWRvwXSqVLe0U3HzR8aYu_9rFu5s5wPyhsAUzRfXBayiBx6jOgAg2OJOY73emNQ-SUWfRmoNrAPaJ8o0nwzclc/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Escalator_Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEios0Bx4OX5oMoua7dh8BUnptTQkw3-IxSWAPNXysuzo5NVcQa1HUj_8WWRvwXSqVLe0U3HzR8aYu_9rFu5s5wPyhsAUzRfXBayiBx6jOgAg2OJOY73emNQ-SUWfRmoNrAPaJ8o0nwzclc/s400/Moscow_Metro_Escalator_Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308341179990984882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam going down one of the long escalators.<br />(Photo taken last year.)<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">After taking pictures at Dobrynenskaya and at Serpukhovskaya, we went on the grey line northwest past Polyanka to the intersection with four lines - Biblioteka em Lenina (orange line), Arbatskaya (blue line), Borovitskaya (gray line), and Aleksandrovsky Sad (light blue line). </span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4rPDP3ZjsBIC3x8Mk-wSF15tLYgv4m_-k6ojmtPTkBvTBB5Lb0pPRU6wlv2-S8MhfJ-W0NTpRU2871NmRlZCfenUVEXi2W-oUCNgA_z2cZEQVu_C61dOuvG5KuaWch28mrs6NyGGSMU/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Arbatskaya_Platform.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4rPDP3ZjsBIC3x8Mk-wSF15tLYgv4m_-k6ojmtPTkBvTBB5Lb0pPRU6wlv2-S8MhfJ-W0NTpRU2871NmRlZCfenUVEXi2W-oUCNgA_z2cZEQVu_C61dOuvG5KuaWch28mrs6NyGGSMU/s400/Moscow_Metro_Arbatskaya_Platform.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308333815843774978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Arbatskaya (blue line)<br />This is one of my favorite stations.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I read that the stations on the Arbatskaya line (or Arbat), built during the Cold War, are very deep and were planned as shelters in the event of a nuclear war.<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WYK-uSY8h0soV8cTPVr7hWd5s0-zZjIhr4ItOdO8KTPhsskWfMi0CcsH_x_3AxpyMWAj5H1gp6S2SZcHd3lQzUMCrUbmW0LQIf7ShP1b7BCx6e5NHwX-rjBrtL-zOTqeGXPYgxD4t2A/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Arbatskaya.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WYK-uSY8h0soV8cTPVr7hWd5s0-zZjIhr4ItOdO8KTPhsskWfMi0CcsH_x_3AxpyMWAj5H1gp6S2SZcHd3lQzUMCrUbmW0LQIf7ShP1b7BCx6e5NHwX-rjBrtL-zOTqeGXPYgxD4t2A/s400/Moscow_Metro_Arbatskaya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308289402711303858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">One of the newer trains on the blue line.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jPwutGCSazioxk5bz_Vglv8N5yOiZaKqEDWhoFxWtC2ieAMlhvwz2a7D3SUFSYgsbhvlhEosiNJmpeUbqni8fRRJ3n99lfCE04A5vmCAxBcVuareGtMI963gos5kpCMIRgnP8tCiSiE/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Polyanka_FamilyDecoration.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jPwutGCSazioxk5bz_Vglv8N5yOiZaKqEDWhoFxWtC2ieAMlhvwz2a7D3SUFSYgsbhvlhEosiNJmpeUbqni8fRRJ3n99lfCE04A5vmCAxBcVuareGtMI963gos5kpCMIRgnP8tCiSiE/s400/Moscow_Metro_Polyanka_FamilyDecoration.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308289387156894706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Polyanka station (grey line)<br /></span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We continued on the grey line to Tverskaya and changed to the green line to return to Sokol, the station near where we live.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhmhXgbeRC7CgGjTaqZDj6aPNcIE2xgyt_xKlEbXNPSGNPlpKaWdN8ZUaETMNsQhIicJnGKbnbkBySxdjjugo_HYZKoljUC-GSoSZjJF6O_xNvZ9UOQbqzRPlQ53vyH-U1_JHFRxeBoY/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Borovitskaya_GreyLine_Tree&Village.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhmhXgbeRC7CgGjTaqZDj6aPNcIE2xgyt_xKlEbXNPSGNPlpKaWdN8ZUaETMNsQhIicJnGKbnbkBySxdjjugo_HYZKoljUC-GSoSZjJF6O_xNvZ9UOQbqzRPlQ53vyH-U1_JHFRxeBoY/s400/Moscow_Metro_Borovitskaya_GreyLine_Tree&Village.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308289412513336770" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Borovitskaya station (grey line)<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrheXL3gg3c8yeZH6p-LDBoXTZSj5SoXiPpDrSyiq2cxkGYzh51Y1DoqITo9xZCsMRUl8C-nvSeT6bvcIFJQsA3TzpQNT7-t-M5XLTEWOtk2f2l1qNGYG_FFV0y1FUuf34iEeuc0zJQ4/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Chekhovskaya_Gazebo&Sign_GreyLine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrheXL3gg3c8yeZH6p-LDBoXTZSj5SoXiPpDrSyiq2cxkGYzh51Y1DoqITo9xZCsMRUl8C-nvSeT6bvcIFJQsA3TzpQNT7-t-M5XLTEWOtk2f2l1qNGYG_FFV0y1FUuf34iEeuc0zJQ4/s400/Moscow_Metro_Chekhovskaya_Gazebo&Sign_GreyLine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308289368493059794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Chekhovskaya station (gray line)</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRcydqhMArFijQUscgUgoozgy2N7Q3Hg-hYweWxyqA9WUs1wpY2QenX58SoDPGpSDpVCQLEwYfJ4jw2xCsSJsb2JfZJDDXiu7Km8voL2hHju_p9TC3J7fkxlLmXyj1HVAXdQY-lkLrhc/s1600-h/Moscow_Metro_Chekhovskaya_GreyLine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRcydqhMArFijQUscgUgoozgy2N7Q3Hg-hYweWxyqA9WUs1wpY2QenX58SoDPGpSDpVCQLEwYfJ4jw2xCsSJsb2JfZJDDXiu7Km8voL2hHju_p9TC3J7fkxlLmXyj1HVAXdQY-lkLrhc/s400/Moscow_Metro_Chekhovskaya_GreyLine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308295180055241138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Chekhovskaya station<br />N</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">ow with all the people </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">this station looks more normal<br />than other stations earlier in the day.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Sokol station is probably the least attractive metro station, but it is easy to pronounce and easy to hear announced. We frequently meet "on the bridge at Sokol" or "on the platform at Sokol" when we join the Shepards, Jorgensens, Nearons, and Masons to go to a Family Home Evening, a zone conference or district meeting, or a P-day outing, etc. Sokol is about a 15 or 20-minute walk from our apartment depending on the ice.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-56567349119875853812009-02-19T09:24:00.000-08:002009-02-19T11:04:27.174-08:00Missionaries in the Family<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We now have five missionaries from our family serving around the world. Our oldest granddaughter, Brittney, is serving in Houston, Texas. Her brother and our oldest grandson, Judd, is serving in Guatemala. Their cousin, Kyle, went into the MTC (Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah) yesterday and will be serving in Indiana. We are their grandparents and are serving in the Europe East Area living in Moscow, Russia. Another grandson, Trevor, will be going to Uruguay in May. We think this is great and hope they enjoy their mission service as much as we are enjoying ours. <br /><br />Of course, their missions will be special as they will be offering the Plan of Happiness to those they find who are wanting to listen to the Gospel message and come unto Christ. There is no greater gift to offer. Our mission has been rewarding, too; as we have been involved in helping organizations devoted to helping the poor and less fortunate and bringing some happiness into their lives.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlnwvoaS_Tr8t2am-WO5eCyR6Z7PJcceLaC7WY3Ci7MhklRh_pTTUlTOCap7rvxIn9vwdkJURjMhZmUWgQHfLM4vaXbjC6Pyr35JQQavQvGPLegn7rAmpphfv0_nTCwTkeM0CnGNixvU/s1600-h/Family+SamNarene%26grandchildren_Idaho2007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlnwvoaS_Tr8t2am-WO5eCyR6Z7PJcceLaC7WY3Ci7MhklRh_pTTUlTOCap7rvxIn9vwdkJURjMhZmUWgQHfLM4vaXbjC6Pyr35JQQavQvGPLegn7rAmpphfv0_nTCwTkeM0CnGNixvU/s400/Family+SamNarene%26grandchildren_Idaho2007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304565360518991634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Five current missionaries, one going in May, and<br />twenty-three potentials.<br />(Our newest granddaughter was born after<br />this picture was taken and after we came to Russia.)<br /><br /></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Serving a mission is voluntary, but it is certainly an opportunity to look forward to and one that brings blessings both to the missionary and to those they serve and meet. We will enjoy hearing from Brittney, Judd, Kyle, and Trevor as they share things from their missions.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">It has been such a great experience for Sam and me to serve together as a senior missionary couple. I highly recommend it as the best way to spend your Golden Years, as it is often referred to for those our age. The time has gone by so fast, and it's hard to believe that our eighteen-month mission will be finished at the end of April. <br /><br />How grateful I am that we have been able to serve in Russia. True, our mission is somewhat unique because there have been other senior couples in Moscow to meet together for Family Home Evenings, for struggling with the Russian language, and for exploring the city and culture on our P-days. Plus, having to leave the country every 90 days to renew our visas has taken us to interesting places that are outside of our mission. But take those benefits away, and we still have the blessing of sharing this time together as companions, being involved in humanitarian service, and associating with the members in our branch and the young Elders and Sister missionaries. It's been a wonderful opportunity.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">How grateful I am for my testimony of the Savior and His atonement. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I am grateful for my husband and eternal companion, for our children and their husbands and wives, and for our 29 grandchildren. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I am grateful for our extended family members who bring joy into our lives. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I am grateful for our friends both old and new (the new feel like we have known them for years!). I am grateful for the health we have that allows us to be here and to deal with the ice and snow. I am reminded of the hymn, "Count your blessings; - Name them one by one. - Count your many blessings; - See what God hath done." </span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbcfn6P554wb_Y9ZD3tMzoUpgP7eIVGzauqlpU_3_2movhvEULgJvB-WWjHPWmN87Ku9H_qZFbQ8sJXGz8skdo52SzCy1h0IYNxeXNAhW1hS1H8qK5mpYPOrUsdQAzpx-oVTD9mtBUF4/s1600-h/Family+Couples_Idaho2007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbcfn6P554wb_Y9ZD3tMzoUpgP7eIVGzauqlpU_3_2movhvEULgJvB-WWjHPWmN87Ku9H_qZFbQ8sJXGz8skdo52SzCy1h0IYNxeXNAhW1hS1H8qK5mpYPOrUsdQAzpx-oVTD9mtBUF4/s400/Family+Couples_Idaho2007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304579317997345762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Two daughters & husbands, five sons and wives,<br />eternal companions:</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Counting our blessings!</span></span></span><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-56484275432153706072009-02-16T10:26:00.000-08:002022-10-27T21:56:10.510-07:00Now We're in the Moscow Mission<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">
The ground is covered with snow, and Sunday coming home from church through the park we saw several snowmen. We actually like it better for walking when there is some new snow cover over the ice, but it usually doesn't stay that way for long as it gets packed down from people walking or gets shoveled away to expose the ice again.</span></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20DTkd4vdCtTAhqYl_uc6PCP8ETrrDBA8wACA6NU0yFoHjsvPtu5s500PvtEW4fuTaJUX2reQLtoI2QEQN-db0yn-bLYyulCOUNdu7izzcMprwh3rS5AQWQL90bFA4MCt1ki-BOytisA/s1600-h/Moscow_Snowmen_+inthePark.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303466076140272722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20DTkd4vdCtTAhqYl_uc6PCP8ETrrDBA8wACA6NU0yFoHjsvPtu5s500PvtEW4fuTaJUX2reQLtoI2QEQN-db0yn-bLYyulCOUNdu7izzcMprwh3rS5AQWQL90bFA4MCt1ki-BOytisA/s400/Moscow_Snowmen_+inthePark.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Snowmen in the Park</span></span></span>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">While we were in Madrid getting our visa renewed, we received a call from President Collins, our mission president for the Moscow West Mission. He called to let us know that we are now part of the Moscow Mission. Boundaries have been changed so that all of Moscow and the nearby suburb areas are part of the Moscow Mission, and the cities further out that had been part of the Moscow Mission as well as Kazakhstan and Belarus are now Moscow West Mission. We have enjoyed our association with President & Sister Collins and the young Elders and Sisters in the Moscow West Mission, so we will miss that relationship; but we also know President & Sister Cranny and like them very much. Before this change, the Curbishleys and Irelands were the only senior couples living in Moscow in the Moscow West Mission. Now we are in the same mission with the other senior couples in Moscow.</span></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;">Yugo Zapadnaya, our assigned branch and formerly in the Moscow West Mission, is now in the Moscow Mission. However, we will still see the office Elders for the Moscow West Mission as long as the branch continues to meet in the Moscow West Mission office. The branch will be moving to another building when the remodeling is finished, and this should happen this month.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000066;"> Both missions are scheduled to move to a building nearer Rosinka this summer when that building has the remodeling completed.</span></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Saturday and Sunday, February 7 & 8, we attended the Moscow District conference. The district presidency was reorganized and the outgoing district presidency spoke as well as the new district presidency. President Paul, first counselor in the Area Presidency, was also a speaker; and Sister Cranny spoke at the Saturday meeting and President Cranny spoke in Russian at the Sunday meeting. Vlad Nechiporov (our supervisor over humanitarian activities in the area) conducted one of the meetings. He was a counselor in the former district presidency. Vlad has been called to serve as a mission president, although it has not yet been announced to which mission.</span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">There are now two districts in the Moscow Mission. The Moscow West District was reorganized the week before when we were in Armenia. Right now, it looks as if we will continue attending the Yugo Zapadnaya Branch and will be part of the Moscow West District.</span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">On Tuesday, February 10th, our new mission had a zone conference with all missionaries (both young and old) in the mission attending. President Pieper (EEA President), Moscow Mission President Cranny and the two district presidents spoke to us. We had pizza afterward and then headed back to work. That evening, the Shepards had us over for supper and visiting (both were wonderful). Usually we have family night on Tuesdays; but since the senior couples had been to zone conference, it was canceled for the week.</span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">We called Elder & Sister Rasmussen, the new office couple for the Moscow West Mission, and invited them to the Valentine party with the senior couples being hosted by the Nearons on Saturday afternoon, February 14. We made arrangements to meet the Rasmussens that morning to show them the best place to buy souvenirs (Ismaly) and also the Asian market where all kinds of merchandise is for sale at negotiable prices. Elder Aiken and Elder Bladder wanted to look for some things; and since it was their P-day, they went with us. Sam showed them where the young Elders buy their silk ties for as low as $3.00 a tie. Elder Rasmussen bought a shopka (Russian fur hat), and Elder Bladder bought one with wolf fur. Sam and the Elders bought some Russian ties; and I bought a scarf, gloves, and purse to go with my black coat I had gotten the week before. We had gotten such a good deal on the coat and were actually surprised when the vendor accepted what rubles we had with us when we counted it out to show him that all we had was about 6350 rubles, which was a long way from the 21,000 rubles he first wanted.</span></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg32Evh4YyIRHqR7yDvAWrIFvnZSuUDvBT88Ctp0sHMPraQAIYMrV_YHNLJ_lx1f2VKhjk9C3gTrpYvPkDI38LE12w4yX8n5_7xdNYyEIrh9AjeTDCkCcXiFG8qkNpLqZmq-tkMSCjFw/s1600-h/Moscow_Ismaly_FurHats_Rasmussen,Bladder,Vendor.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303466064514907874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg32Evh4YyIRHqR7yDvAWrIFvnZSuUDvBT88Ctp0sHMPraQAIYMrV_YHNLJ_lx1f2VKhjk9C3gTrpYvPkDI38LE12w4yX8n5_7xdNYyEIrh9AjeTDCkCcXiFG8qkNpLqZmq-tkMSCjFw/s400/Moscow_Ismaly_FurHats_Rasmussen,Bladder,Vendor.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">Elder Rasmussen, Elder Bladder, and the hat vendor at Ismaly</span></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">Linda Nearon had made a savory stew served over a pie shell, and the rest of us brought other food for the dinner. Linda Rees brought a yummy three-layered chocolate cake for dessert. The meal was delicious. Linda Nearon had printed some poems about love she had people read and then each couple told about how they met and got engaged. It was a nice Valentine's party. Greg & Chris Shepard were the honored couple, as their mission ends March 28. They both shared some of their thoughts about their mission and bore their testimony. It was a special occasion.</span></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqmv1NXjMjzh8eFZGmT908L63SU0FQe53JFMNPW9SznauAByv-MNXwvAfpWZhI5_PD8gkZPfHFiEoyQ5_EwS7G62189KRn_jkHYG-kAvbZj4Sd24T0cjWYolBmoWWWmtipf_gutahJNg/s1600-h/FHE_Chris&GregShephard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303466058502154866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqmv1NXjMjzh8eFZGmT908L63SU0FQe53JFMNPW9SznauAByv-MNXwvAfpWZhI5_PD8gkZPfHFiEoyQ5_EwS7G62189KRn_jkHYG-kAvbZj4Sd24T0cjWYolBmoWWWmtipf_gutahJNg/s400/FHE_Chris&GregShephard.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">Chris & Greg Shepard
(Will be greatly missed
when their Mission is completed March 28.)</span></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVaSIJvIUZywpjUqGtE080gx1MP7IDyU66LydqgKoAMe4gAGDvouSkDmNbVFMNydFaZZefznlsFFu3hxXK0_Htw3lUcwTxC3H1OYnASExREcV4OcbigJ4IWj9P9txyU7tD9nGMyhyphenhypheny60/s1600-h/FHE_Linda&DavidNearon+and+Sam.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303465111237582338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVaSIJvIUZywpjUqGtE080gx1MP7IDyU66LydqgKoAMe4gAGDvouSkDmNbVFMNydFaZZefznlsFFu3hxXK0_Htw3lUcwTxC3H1OYnASExREcV4OcbigJ4IWj9P9txyU7tD9nGMyhyphenhypheny60/s400/FHE_Linda&DavidNearon+and+Sam.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">Linda & David Nearon and Sam
in matching shirts for Valentine's Day.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDeJO81Bzcz_dapJ0vkMUDbCbQAxOg-TJjEAYgL6SJ9E_lHbxMVXldRAnk2_R1Ya9hEJda7eE9vecrpftgKLnQzi-Bm7FaF08Gb5xZVG7zF4FtoDHUUIA-jDKFu31jBHfHixQ6Up8vAaJkR3IYlvOlu_MbqDjcOszsw2cfEtMK2LPgWMX6RFv0nqd/s2100/FHE_Dennis&SandyRassmussen_hq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2100" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDeJO81Bzcz_dapJ0vkMUDbCbQAxOg-TJjEAYgL6SJ9E_lHbxMVXldRAnk2_R1Ya9hEJda7eE9vecrpftgKLnQzi-Bm7FaF08Gb5xZVG7zF4FtoDHUUIA-jDKFu31jBHfHixQ6Up8vAaJkR3IYlvOlu_MbqDjcOszsw2cfEtMK2LPgWMX6RFv0nqd/w400-h286/FHE_Dennis&SandyRassmussen_hq.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 100%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Sandi & Dennis Rasmussen,
the new office couple in the Moscow West Mission.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWuLJEHQmPc4_Xtmn5D0P5iNGwNgq9MhsSh-sqkatkCArScw625CGV3cswWqyrIMmnp8rz7aBzG8iM-StkBxIJ_wW2kw-BPWnGd-RNBfXCnX4GCLFND1jJVVDz7q2CLzH5xdb7z4dM2I/s1600-h/FHE_Linda&SteveRees.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303465127360483010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWuLJEHQmPc4_Xtmn5D0P5iNGwNgq9MhsSh-sqkatkCArScw625CGV3cswWqyrIMmnp8rz7aBzG8iM-StkBxIJ_wW2kw-BPWnGd-RNBfXCnX4GCLFND1jJVVDz7q2CLzH5xdb7z4dM2I/s400/FHE_Linda&SteveRees.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">Linda & Steve Rees, the "junior couple"
until the Rasmussens arrived.</span></span></span><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;"> (He is the Area doctor.)
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3ImG72q9YRTUfm41ooz_mx6BLn9KkskjF2OTWDrTnzJYV2JuzrGRQs8rQMyI0pmVLTVIrvyNOG5_bjKYzQmwlIZwwJcFDL6DuUzw86X9NbccdnNzlCxf3Nwpb8mNlSj4KHqa1Qr9Cu0/s1600-h/FHE_Renee&ClarkMason.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303465119024704130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3ImG72q9YRTUfm41ooz_mx6BLn9KkskjF2OTWDrTnzJYV2JuzrGRQs8rQMyI0pmVLTVIrvyNOG5_bjKYzQmwlIZwwJcFDL6DuUzw86X9NbccdnNzlCxf3Nwpb8mNlSj4KHqa1Qr9Cu0/s400/FHE_Renee&ClarkMason.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">Renee & Clark Mason,
serving a 23-month mission with another winter.
</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYf8uYFFuD9frIIfRgQE0324dzdoVvHo9MWGYbLyMNSTMPqIHfGPZOORAAYojjvChNHwHfGuOp_zPvp9nilsafIk4W0rmhW0ldFxH3o8kSx_cXPAL-19NJ8agsHGm_ZWp7RYSlsxupEc/s1600-h/FHE_Darvel&KathyGregory.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303465126309948802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYf8uYFFuD9frIIfRgQE0324dzdoVvHo9MWGYbLyMNSTMPqIHfGPZOORAAYojjvChNHwHfGuOp_zPvp9nilsafIk4W0rmhW0ldFxH3o8kSx_cXPAL-19NJ8agsHGm_ZWp7RYSlsxupEc/s400/FHE_Darvel&KathyGregory.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">Darvel & Kathy Gregory,
who came a month after us
and will be the next to leave after us.</span></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7-BSphiWQo_bgBfI1mYxukODUX7L5KF9J4m8HtwE-qJ7vEQ-9AMjlaQoKI-twIm66NeVwJr7B7RrEtkAESbG0ur8JI6KyS0W15_UrzS9ScK4hO3G2kYtR8T0EWdFBNwMbbSNKhMGH68/s1600-h/FHE_Sharon&DavidYorgesen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303465116868483154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7-BSphiWQo_bgBfI1mYxukODUX7L5KF9J4m8HtwE-qJ7vEQ-9AMjlaQoKI-twIm66NeVwJr7B7RrEtkAESbG0ur8JI6KyS0W15_UrzS9ScK4hO3G2kYtR8T0EWdFBNwMbbSNKhMGH68/s400/FHE_Sharon&DavidYorgesen.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">Sharon & David Yorgesen
will complete their mission around the first of June.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">We really enjoy all of the senior couples, and we're glad to have the Rasmussens with us. George & Byrle Curbishley completed their third mission in Russia the first week in February, and we miss them.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmjFbR33KAu8NKtEOXl2s87hK7l4lh_e-TDA2gG55CKYkO9MoT6dg-sZGoWo8OLjODeNeMsmnR03azoeEpPOsxfKKjTEl6o3AiC_yzZ2Z7AXX241S82iJrB56TNj4WWMKyfNKDUotCDQ/s1600-h/FHE_Beryl+%26+George+Curbishley.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303466075506499266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmjFbR33KAu8NKtEOXl2s87hK7l4lh_e-TDA2gG55CKYkO9MoT6dg-sZGoWo8OLjODeNeMsmnR03azoeEpPOsxfKKjTEl6o3AiC_yzZ2Z7AXX241S82iJrB56TNj4WWMKyfNKDUotCDQ/s400/FHE_Beryl+%26+George+Curbishley.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 286px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">Beryl & George Curbishley
(originally from England) are now at home in California.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: 100%;">I gave the lesson in Relief Society Sunday. It was on "Missionary Service: A Holy Calling, a Glorious Work." That should be an easy lesson for a missionary to give, but it's always a challenge to give a lesson to Russian speakers when you have to have it translated from English. The pages in the Russian manual don't correspond to the pages in the English manual, so that complicates the process when you have someone read something from the manual. I print the lessons out in both languages and then go through and mark the page numbers and paragraphs.
The Shepards came to visit our branch Sunday, and they came to our apartment for dinner after church. We always enjoy our time spent with the Shepards and are going to really miss them. They have become dear friends, and we hope we will be able to get together again after our missions.</span></span></span>
</div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-76231713089746742792009-02-08T11:34:00.000-08:002009-02-15T10:46:24.492-08:00Armenia by Way of Turkey<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqjoIbs29kL2LLyfv7yKT7qiz_f_xAxgo9Ftxxy431g67qz6zvePPHGMEmqZKDBM23G8hYytdJ4cnNtfgSjWAf33DxuFPYNTm43-sNt0y7X8S4SBwuZNnEHDyoQbQKt2ZwFPM0NaeFZA/s1600-h/Armenia_Yerevan_Restaurant_Sam&Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqjoIbs29kL2LLyfv7yKT7qiz_f_xAxgo9Ftxxy431g67qz6zvePPHGMEmqZKDBM23G8hYytdJ4cnNtfgSjWAf33DxuFPYNTm43-sNt0y7X8S4SBwuZNnEHDyoQbQKt2ZwFPM0NaeFZA/s400/Armenia_Yerevan_Restaurant_Sam&Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303045148105935394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Eating Armenian food in Yerevan (very good)<br />(Sam & Narene)<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">With our visas renewed for another 90 days, we flew from Madrid on our way to Yerevan, Armenia, where we had scheduled training meetings with Elder & Sister Blotter, the recently arrived humanitarian missionary couple. Our flight seemed on time to arrive in Yerevan about 4:10 a.m., but we kept circling in air. Finally, the captain announced that because of the fog we would be going to Trabzon, Turkey.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIpzBVnoCRmsDYOGdS7M1NHJswxEsnQew6QhpdlK8Oaj0VE5nEyDhA4CUUwSi-B9jTC8Ix6z0yCY4_Nv8TEKu8QfqnlooM8dh8V6e50YyxIpi36xSd9Tl8SbeIs9mhXOE8gE1jJzL4cE/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_Airport.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIpzBVnoCRmsDYOGdS7M1NHJswxEsnQew6QhpdlK8Oaj0VE5nEyDhA4CUUwSi-B9jTC8Ix6z0yCY4_Nv8TEKu8QfqnlooM8dh8V6e50YyxIpi36xSd9Tl8SbeIs9mhXOE8gE1jJzL4cE/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_Airport.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303055081032600898" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Airport - Trabzon, Turkey</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">After landing, we sat in the terminal for about two hours before it was decided to take all the passengers in two buses to a hotel; but first we boarded the plane to get our carry-on luggage.</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVz4kEhTNxb7K6ntj6Iszvy7bcUvC6GpxNVzOuFbQh5xb9ElZwGixudbQlhu7FZ5Y4tGlJ_SiTVYzL-Cr8VAcZFD-5Z5t2fuvX2fzaVCcvXd6JPU2DanwkEEOXy4kDZ1z6cthlP-5zX4/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_PlaneCzechAir.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVz4kEhTNxb7K6ntj6Iszvy7bcUvC6GpxNVzOuFbQh5xb9ElZwGixudbQlhu7FZ5Y4tGlJ_SiTVYzL-Cr8VAcZFD-5Z5t2fuvX2fzaVCcvXd6JPU2DanwkEEOXy4kDZ1z6cthlP-5zX4/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_PlaneCzechAir.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303055080577322290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Czech Air - Madrid to Trabzon, Turkey<br />(and eventually to Yerevan)</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zCdoJ3f4YA2BWL4ppRhwPBKSxbIY5HNwJAUlrbEBZLTptlx7Cge6miSRwYTLI8AZTke-zoAnXlhUptVFMqNdBLqJoYifK0htaBaJsLnR2zR8v9D2eRf5L0IxYwDAmYHpp8viititdT8/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_CityViewfromBus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zCdoJ3f4YA2BWL4ppRhwPBKSxbIY5HNwJAUlrbEBZLTptlx7Cge6miSRwYTLI8AZTke-zoAnXlhUptVFMqNdBLqJoYifK0htaBaJsLnR2zR8v9D2eRf5L0IxYwDAmYHpp8viititdT8/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_CityViewfromBus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303055089314786514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This picture was taken from the bus<br />on our way to the hotel.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm13ZJ-3UU8fQYv9lzQa2xxjbanQkNmBaS5iFVgHfncBHKbdaArnJHs1Dig8gWnjGFi0PKX-yOxbGGVFYbCaFo_QGwAnxgQXVnAMMovRfNVfbwKnch8oi6NMhffSo3YQWIiPInZbOlBO4/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_NovotelHotel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm13ZJ-3UU8fQYv9lzQa2xxjbanQkNmBaS5iFVgHfncBHKbdaArnJHs1Dig8gWnjGFi0PKX-yOxbGGVFYbCaFo_QGwAnxgQXVnAMMovRfNVfbwKnch8oi6NMhffSo3YQWIiPInZbOlBO4/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_NovotelHotel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303045163522819074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Novotel Hotel in Trabzon, Turkey<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This was a five-star hotel opened only six months earlier. We were handed a key upon entering the lobby and shown to our nice room with a king size bed. After a nap and a shower, we joined the other passengers for the delicious buffet luncheon with all the varieties of things to choose, much like being on a cruise ship. This was not seeming like a hardship for us!<br /></span></span></span></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVDEQFCxvZbnCj0PjQNGrAsyY3o7wVvRHjK7XQ7VbsRUES0_erBIyYYL_kKSvg8E_Le7fDZZcRAM8lu0F52Q7Ug_zooSA9FgyhLKAQUi11yUgivO3uBh_PPfxpZ7SeOCQPxjCda_xyQQ/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_NovotelHotel_Back_Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVDEQFCxvZbnCj0PjQNGrAsyY3o7wVvRHjK7XQ7VbsRUES0_erBIyYYL_kKSvg8E_Le7fDZZcRAM8lu0F52Q7Ug_zooSA9FgyhLKAQUi11yUgivO3uBh_PPfxpZ7SeOCQPxjCda_xyQQ/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_NovotelHotel_Back_Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303045168758641522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The beach side of the hotel by the Black Sea.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">(Narene)</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli-r3IJwfgaRuy20oblEWczyDmMQ9INKg5cVhxtMkxmr1dkvV3vS4Ms-uBEnQSm5zA34CP59kRVygOLEkvK23I66iYQzcZnKwV2Alg1ef8MXsTqEB3QpLb9vQ2IP4qU4H3tA8snKK5Z4/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_BlackSeaWaves2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli-r3IJwfgaRuy20oblEWczyDmMQ9INKg5cVhxtMkxmr1dkvV3vS4Ms-uBEnQSm5zA34CP59kRVygOLEkvK23I66iYQzcZnKwV2Alg1ef8MXsTqEB3QpLb9vQ2IP4qU4H3tA8snKK5Z4/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_BlackSeaWaves2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303045156503344674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> The Black Sea behind the hotel.<br />Notice the dark colored sand.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqrtY-cN_9y2g5QtQ4BX2Tk4RAYkNsPLPzGPnj4MIioUdobxXvHKD7Q5ps0aeaAluR2Kk8T_tbJt6xPgyhLUzShkVWKN3PZtDkgn9aaHkcteXzBvDAnrI_7Pxxi0X3k7s0BDR9_cs4IA/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_BlackSea_Houses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqrtY-cN_9y2g5QtQ4BX2Tk4RAYkNsPLPzGPnj4MIioUdobxXvHKD7Q5ps0aeaAluR2Kk8T_tbJt6xPgyhLUzShkVWKN3PZtDkgn9aaHkcteXzBvDAnrI_7Pxxi0X3k7s0BDR9_cs4IA/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_BlackSea_Houses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303045155002971170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Another view of the sea and part of Trabzon.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORmbYDz30rN8hoAfeVQR-ER_pRFjNasag6kUm3AL4FHE4fCb-jYD_BBZlLhaldM8Ef-i_P2JeC1DKz8TjSRjZNSjfyVO_zt5v-NxzlildW8gCLfzlskpqkpeAcw-CUgCF6r_nnelaeGo/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_BlackSea_Sam&Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORmbYDz30rN8hoAfeVQR-ER_pRFjNasag6kUm3AL4FHE4fCb-jYD_BBZlLhaldM8Ef-i_P2JeC1DKz8TjSRjZNSjfyVO_zt5v-NxzlildW8gCLfzlskpqkpeAcw-CUgCF6r_nnelaeGo/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_BlackSea_Sam&Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303055665104096306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Black Sea behind us.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahnusOU2bmdfm6rIhkCED1pRuGnJ-rLbgMqPuCIwKxabrFqSgJ5vczfgRIayRGfJc73HrwfVSSz1L7TMfa_1qP7vpBWM8_LchonGG_v8-F2bMW6lZVYsG4luJPjEhx6pSvLrvVaYGl1U/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_NovotelHotel_Grounds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahnusOU2bmdfm6rIhkCED1pRuGnJ-rLbgMqPuCIwKxabrFqSgJ5vczfgRIayRGfJc73HrwfVSSz1L7TMfa_1qP7vpBWM8_LchonGG_v8-F2bMW6lZVYsG4luJPjEhx6pSvLrvVaYGl1U/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_NovotelHotel_Grounds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303055669101609250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The walkway leading from the hotel to the beach.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We walked on the beach and picked up some seashells and then we went out the front door of the hotel to get a view of Trabzon.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipD-cjVDCeqFdvkg89RFlcKRwrBg_D5W-kiOGH1SL3uG-BOh4C-Bnh5-ErFNsIueaBHLT9ubO-5waqSfCNx5n6DIsHShPgzR7Wji2Bdm6jVlpsqg6GpWSk2RQFNnvK4jUT_zkI40NNH_I/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_CityStreet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipD-cjVDCeqFdvkg89RFlcKRwrBg_D5W-kiOGH1SL3uG-BOh4C-Bnh5-ErFNsIueaBHLT9ubO-5waqSfCNx5n6DIsHShPgzR7Wji2Bdm6jVlpsqg6GpWSk2RQFNnvK4jUT_zkI40NNH_I/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_CityStreet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303055083851372146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We walked about a block toward the city<br />and took this picture.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The hotel served another buffet banquet for our evening meal. At 10:15 p.m. we boarded the buses again to return to the airport for our flight to Armenia.</span></span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZDxg2rc-mUW0RsNTmmACruW4vRSMrJnAvp0OvPk1Ut0Y5Tce04UjFujx53K8r_1mW7yvf3lx5ePMd98tWNA-9RfTGgoN3451ovgeeNYfzF-kAgDOXkG38p2EXRO8hYHv4s5fM317BEQ/s1600-h/Turkey_Trabzon_Airport2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZDxg2rc-mUW0RsNTmmACruW4vRSMrJnAvp0OvPk1Ut0Y5Tce04UjFujx53K8r_1mW7yvf3lx5ePMd98tWNA-9RfTGgoN3451ovgeeNYfzF-kAgDOXkG38p2EXRO8hYHv4s5fM317BEQ/s400/Turkey_Trabzon_Airport2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303055075795541346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">They were very organized in returning our passports<br />at the airport and getting us airborne.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahiAlX84jsar1LXs3g-teWs7YDKU7-esBpJkxQQzfzRGwHtvv9J6KTkrTDxEHepGmSTTSRgqPF-U_YLPvlnMveoKgmo6Lx6V4gtg5ALcFxNcJvDWvTcNPgcBFGZlReLGZ8X9ahYoxK6w/s1600-h/Armenia_Yerevan_CongressHotel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahiAlX84jsar1LXs3g-teWs7YDKU7-esBpJkxQQzfzRGwHtvv9J6KTkrTDxEHepGmSTTSRgqPF-U_YLPvlnMveoKgmo6Lx6V4gtg5ALcFxNcJvDWvTcNPgcBFGZlReLGZ8X9ahYoxK6w/s400/Armenia_Yerevan_CongressHotel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303055682717761666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We arrived in Yerevan, Armenia</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">at 3:20 a.m. on Friday, February 30, and<br />got to the Congress Hotel</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> about 4:30 a.m.<br />Our room was nice,<br />but</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> nothing like what we had left in Turkey.</span></span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1Hq8LXGOATQ2K7zyBjr5sepgoBZmfU3xQIovJWo3NqEbQ8edR6pDuMRggkeAOO5WgA6hToXajQOzKhDYCg7Ox2db9LwaxnynQiyaklCNuuEllr8IAcmzbcskGdOhJ49CdPdcm-etk_k/s1600-h/Armenia_Yerevan_Tom&JillBlotter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1Hq8LXGOATQ2K7zyBjr5sepgoBZmfU3xQIovJWo3NqEbQ8edR6pDuMRggkeAOO5WgA6hToXajQOzKhDYCg7Ox2db9LwaxnynQiyaklCNuuEllr8IAcmzbcskGdOhJ49CdPdcm-etk_k/s400/Armenia_Yerevan_Tom&JillBlotter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303055675020667650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder Tom & Sister Jill Blotter<br />Humanitarian Missionaries in Armenia<br /></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Igor from Finance in Moscow picked us up at our hotel and took us to the Mission office where we met Elder & Sister Blotter. After about two hours, Igor left to return to Moscow; and we remained to provide training for the Blotters. That evening we ate at a restaurant around the corner from our hotel with a sign out front letting us know the food was from a real Armenian kitchen. It was a small restaurant with very friendly service. I ordered something wrapped in grape vine leaves, and Sam's was wrapped in cabbage leaves. Both were very tasty. The man brought a pitcher to our table of red Armenian wine as a gift, and we had to thank him but let him know we don't drink wine. Pretty soon, he came smiling and exchanged it for some juice. I definitely would recommend this little cafe.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXC3bQrVCqEX4dj0Ij1uZJYCU9wA9tmneT9HR4k7wwZf66A_a1I0moBpwydKsNiCOyXkwt0pj78qfKQoLUGjj3W5gLXaD_S9U4TIWa382TjIGnyjWDQk1aLolFUo8pZr2-xvsMmlWuKo/s1600-h/Armenia_Yerevan_RealArmenianKitchen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXC3bQrVCqEX4dj0Ij1uZJYCU9wA9tmneT9HR4k7wwZf66A_a1I0moBpwydKsNiCOyXkwt0pj78qfKQoLUGjj3W5gLXaD_S9U4TIWa382TjIGnyjWDQk1aLolFUo8pZr2-xvsMmlWuKo/s400/Armenia_Yerevan_RealArmenianKitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303078966677357938" border="0" /></a></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Real Armenian kitchen - good food and service. </span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We met the next morning at 9:30 at the Mission office to continue the training. For lunch, we ordered some cheese filled bread and a salad and were served in a quaint private room (shown in the photo at the beginning of this blog).<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIlxjcwN39XJ2xkyG7mXWEhNhP6-1nQH6IkACeLZ635GXle-S-WM2bNKmtTrEm-ADocJWk6Qrq8t-5d86uO6DpS4kEqLAwF75UeWj91eWE_grq1RsSJi52_zv8nWoXKEPeJKQpfQUJLw/s1600-h/Armenia_Yerevan_Restaurant_BirthdayTable.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIlxjcwN39XJ2xkyG7mXWEhNhP6-1nQH6IkACeLZ635GXle-S-WM2bNKmtTrEm-ADocJWk6Qrq8t-5d86uO6DpS4kEqLAwF75UeWj91eWE_grq1RsSJi52_zv8nWoXKEPeJKQpfQUJLw/s400/Armenia_Yerevan_Restaurant_BirthdayTable.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303055670223876162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This table was set for a birthday party,<br />but we had our lunch in a small room at the back.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We finished with the training about 5:00 p.m. and went with the Blotters to a grocery store and then returned to our hotel. After eating a snack in our room, we went to Republic Square to take some pictures.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPiYcc56wBCG9z8atXwvYYv4Xs4zb1RZcejh7KOGVconxbFfGoRc6_Uj698g0Y3-2X3gTW84uq9Um5u2xe6NAqG1k_ZZYqZ7VJt4OvLWVOhrDuDOCstpLogpbD1Kaky1nftlY_MzmoZQ/s1600-h/Yerevan_RepublicSquare_Ministry+of+ForeignAffairs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPiYcc56wBCG9z8atXwvYYv4Xs4zb1RZcejh7KOGVconxbFfGoRc6_Uj698g0Y3-2X3gTW84uq9Um5u2xe6NAqG1k_ZZYqZ7VJt4OvLWVOhrDuDOCstpLogpbD1Kaky1nftlY_MzmoZQ/s400/Yerevan_RepublicSquare_Ministry+of+ForeignAffairs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303078968836622322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Ministry of Foreign Affairs<br />Republic Square<br /></span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfI4JjiWxdd2UdIETj9qMif_4JQg07zuTiaCFZUQsGsgPRDH7uK6KgCFli3I5TVp32L-ftXXJcsw4BWt76lwijQDJYwj0kFlC8HTg_3Q4eYldYSRm9NFhUuT5IALgUEhYWOB2CssfD-M/s1600-h/Yerevan_RepublicSquare_Marriot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfI4JjiWxdd2UdIETj9qMif_4JQg07zuTiaCFZUQsGsgPRDH7uK6KgCFli3I5TVp32L-ftXXJcsw4BWt76lwijQDJYwj0kFlC8HTg_3Q4eYldYSRm9NFhUuT5IALgUEhYWOB2CssfD-M/s400/Yerevan_RepublicSquare_Marriot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303078971827734914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Mariott Hotel in Republic Square<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGdasKBeG9s4TPoKA_RmIVqnuBEidF0TPon3PjemuGtjvY7Fq9oyyge8erj2GPhIxAbsdls1bLzRi7bYfTaTYcrC6FhIZURI7AEa-zVmCCxB16jSE0tu1Lts70sm3Oc83B0yi01NWNLk/s1600-h/Yerevan_RepublicSquare_NightLights.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGdasKBeG9s4TPoKA_RmIVqnuBEidF0TPon3PjemuGtjvY7Fq9oyyge8erj2GPhIxAbsdls1bLzRi7bYfTaTYcrC6FhIZURI7AEa-zVmCCxB16jSE0tu1Lts70sm3Oc83B0yi01NWNLk/s400/Yerevan_RepublicSquare_NightLights.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303078982007688242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Another view of Republic Square at night<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vJx25RUl4JAB_3Wq4e-8QDWE6YGCrYZYeBVCOhDs4XyVqwKpJkakRFvhVgX204qZup93pyaZG8vvjNkxPD1kXU3lpivF4sVnlP7ZcUbJgsCXhUHGGSI2Us7Qy9Pe2aaiCq-wg9Tup5k/s1600-h/Armenia_Yerevan_LDS+Church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vJx25RUl4JAB_3Wq4e-8QDWE6YGCrYZYeBVCOhDs4XyVqwKpJkakRFvhVgX204qZup93pyaZG8vvjNkxPD1kXU3lpivF4sVnlP7ZcUbJgsCXhUHGGSI2Us7Qy9Pe2aaiCq-wg9Tup5k/s400/Armenia_Yerevan_LDS+Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303084372375411730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sunday morning we attended church in this<br />building with the spire. Inside the<br />building is nice and clean<br />in contrast to the neighborhood.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiuEF1U7eA9ne0RLD51hktipHGJCnGvvUCbSFmbi8alAe3teCCsESTh4naw-sTM9ioHaTDVgJxNMVmjk8iYabwZxaYE-g-yuiJS9jIL-m9vbwoE-EpQj-ceVb7yXmZVRXGTHWsAe6-EY/s1600-h/Armenia_Yerevan_LDS+Church+Sign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiuEF1U7eA9ne0RLD51hktipHGJCnGvvUCbSFmbi8alAe3teCCsESTh4naw-sTM9ioHaTDVgJxNMVmjk8iYabwZxaYE-g-yuiJS9jIL-m9vbwoE-EpQj-ceVb7yXmZVRXGTHWsAe6-EY/s400/Armenia_Yerevan_LDS+Church+Sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303084361367643746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The sign on the building lets those who read<br />Aremenian know it is the<br />Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovKmx6kYuzlyh0imqrB_XrOR5E22idLrdzROwqmtWBsvzPyYOfb4Ib6x5ar-WXu0fIjHaKXL4py9C7XjZonxfDzZtEGyY3wciu5m4nWgVqvW810V0ZMhE40sP9SKRkk0_8rS0ybYD1sc/s1600-h/Armenia_Yerevan_Girl+at+Church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovKmx6kYuzlyh0imqrB_XrOR5E22idLrdzROwqmtWBsvzPyYOfb4Ib6x5ar-WXu0fIjHaKXL4py9C7XjZonxfDzZtEGyY3wciu5m4nWgVqvW810V0ZMhE40sP9SKRkk0_8rS0ybYD1sc/s400/Armenia_Yerevan_Girl+at+Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303084352649835858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This little girl was one of the first to greet us<br />at church Sunday morning.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgWQLlOSUIwK1CNrn7ceN4T3-5N1G_EcdbMSctKAG_hNCqaAcgdVlPDwrgiFuSAkoOs_7SCsq9sDO3Sg95BRePN9F-9Br835IHe61E8-Qkfvcyhj4NSeODxI6_fYJ_dzdP32cydb-bA8/s1600-h/Yerevan_Priests_Sacrament.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgWQLlOSUIwK1CNrn7ceN4T3-5N1G_EcdbMSctKAG_hNCqaAcgdVlPDwrgiFuSAkoOs_7SCsq9sDO3Sg95BRePN9F-9Br835IHe61E8-Qkfvcyhj4NSeODxI6_fYJ_dzdP32cydb-bA8/s400/Yerevan_Priests_Sacrament.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303084348678461154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This picture was taken before the meeting started.<br />Many Armenian men have beards.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1J8-8PXS4MA6F0A37hi3YjarhP59LNI2qI1S3Lf2blfYcqq32R5WCs69Mpp5LxqTYj9DRy0LBFS884mrnbrdbPC99eYqo_ppZSNO-dj_WYk0dwZNUrWWa-HyekAuUwPF6BobmGMGpys/s1600-h/Armenia_Yerevan_Statue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1J8-8PXS4MA6F0A37hi3YjarhP59LNI2qI1S3Lf2blfYcqq32R5WCs69Mpp5LxqTYj9DRy0LBFS884mrnbrdbPC99eYqo_ppZSNO-dj_WYk0dwZNUrWWa-HyekAuUwPF6BobmGMGpys/s400/Armenia_Yerevan_Statue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303078982251499986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> A monument in Yerevan taken Sunday morning<br />before we left for the airport.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We were supposed to fly out of Yerevan about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, but the flight was delayed a couple of hours. With all the flight delays and changes in schedules, I finished three books on this trip. <br /><br />Going through passport control in Moscow went the quickest yet, and we were back in our apartment by 10:00 that night. I did have a moment of confusion when the security personnel at passport control asked me how long I was staying in Moscow, and I replied with the expiration date on my visa - April 30. He was puzzled and kept asking me the same question. I finally realized the source of the confusion was caused by my ticket indicating I had a round-trip with a return to Yerevan in four days. They had issued me a round trip because it was cheaper than a one-way, but I wasn't using the return portion.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We will be returning to Yerevan in April for the Area Humanitarian Conference April 23 & 24. </span></span></span></div></div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-28859468194418183212009-02-07T11:30:00.000-08:002009-02-28T06:38:03.954-08:00Revisiting Toledo, Spain<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6vHUE2WVNcWu1sa2BCGBx7wc7RrnoEvYMHhENqBKBjfJCTNgEroEeUC-jZYzwPEgRmP442mP0VggDDIARBedJFa47DnAIZTDd2NcqQbh23dnAMLkCWh5KkoP9fXnGEprZI2L_7rsziM/s1600-h/Toledo_River&Bridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6vHUE2WVNcWu1sa2BCGBx7wc7RrnoEvYMHhENqBKBjfJCTNgEroEeUC-jZYzwPEgRmP442mP0VggDDIARBedJFa47DnAIZTDd2NcqQbh23dnAMLkCWh5KkoP9fXnGEprZI2L_7rsziM/s400/Toledo_River&Bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301765935425047922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Toledo, Spain<br />View of the Tagus River and Alcantara Bridge<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">On January 26</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">i</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">t took about 35 minutes on the AVE high speed train </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">for our second trip to Toledo south of Madrid, a distance of about 40 miles</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">. Our first trip on August 7 took a couple of hours on a tour bus from our hotel. This time we did a self-guided tour with three other missionary couples - the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Shepards</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Reeses</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Perrys</span> (from Samara); and for the most part we saw different things this time.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHKHA3RzV_Hya7b7yYlTwEOzH4wdIhfjgDc4jdhdLpVXs-Q3Ij48bQzYEkjWW2XGPcInD8MZXrL50nrcwcRnUIz-4yQzowZPjZa4rJU8bolUX-dMYyWzIhZOqZUkKwbfdUMLlDd5pxfE/s1600-h/Toledo_SeniorsGroup_ReesIrelandShepardPerry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHKHA3RzV_Hya7b7yYlTwEOzH4wdIhfjgDc4jdhdLpVXs-Q3Ij48bQzYEkjWW2XGPcInD8MZXrL50nrcwcRnUIz-4yQzowZPjZa4rJU8bolUX-dMYyWzIhZOqZUkKwbfdUMLlDd5pxfE/s400/Toledo_SeniorsGroup_ReesIrelandShepardPerry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300874495531425826" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Our group visiting Toledo:<br />Steve & Linda Reese, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Narene</span> (Sam<br />took the picture), Greg & Chris,<br />and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Perrys</span> from Samara Mission</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_6YzwI42274V8KeDN9vNKpeCf1FzyFPPsbuotsfQ1NTZyvFvOJy41Hjz-2v8X_v6ycDqtU7Wjrbtnbnjnx5Se-F5OH_DnPVGuvcojEdzkZZS7JDMxidd7WRL97h_J1-oB8rVFOnucjU/s1600-h/Madrid_RenfeTrainStation_AVEHighSpeed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_6YzwI42274V8KeDN9vNKpeCf1FzyFPPsbuotsfQ1NTZyvFvOJy41Hjz-2v8X_v6ycDqtU7Wjrbtnbnjnx5Se-F5OH_DnPVGuvcojEdzkZZS7JDMxidd7WRL97h_J1-oB8rVFOnucjU/s400/Madrid_RenfeTrainStation_AVEHighSpeed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300874489922357458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We left from this train station in Madrid for Toledo<br />on an AVE high-speed train.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHi-kum1tt_IAQC9xlWHezW_Y9kgkHdn3SHsuJI5kS0NgTtMcZ6ILUBt3TYSUpQvXC0HbziDgAhgZLgC9dv-ynFFsYNCP6YiMCIzq4Nsts1ksUEPH1_O1OfRD-YuCx4QStGWXFTnc16A/s1600-h/Toledo_Statue&Wall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHi-kum1tt_IAQC9xlWHezW_Y9kgkHdn3SHsuJI5kS0NgTtMcZ6ILUBt3TYSUpQvXC0HbziDgAhgZLgC9dv-ynFFsYNCP6YiMCIzq4Nsts1ksUEPH1_O1OfRD-YuCx4QStGWXFTnc16A/s400/Toledo_Statue&Wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300874492907317730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We were greeted by this statue outside the city wall.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LoSWwlWQfxdvokEi5irdM49krH_l-Qey2Qs5rKvD56fLXIf-hRVNJVei1sylcQZO_8bj9v-GhH4YErRG_fcMtI1p_kCZCl_ueooYaz9YrG-6tQyx-NhSdBAYb2rfZG2eeGpOkSVOahA/s1600-h/Toledo_CityWall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LoSWwlWQfxdvokEi5irdM49krH_l-Qey2Qs5rKvD56fLXIf-hRVNJVei1sylcQZO_8bj9v-GhH4YErRG_fcMtI1p_kCZCl_ueooYaz9YrG-6tQyx-NhSdBAYb2rfZG2eeGpOkSVOahA/s400/Toledo_CityWall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300874498948913074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Part of the city wall.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluZoGVYFEstSyve85IigtoFdStUBg2yh3Ca6rg078HZAgkRUf-cTx0OjBMMcMq7ZYGI1t4gS5acionysqaRna1xbnNkThy1NwGG-riF51GE8gBn_GcEPb1aQuW8ceodK0HbV9as1UYds/s1600-h/Toledo_Puerta+del+Sol+Gate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluZoGVYFEstSyve85IigtoFdStUBg2yh3Ca6rg078HZAgkRUf-cTx0OjBMMcMq7ZYGI1t4gS5acionysqaRna1xbnNkThy1NwGG-riF51GE8gBn_GcEPb1aQuW8ceodK0HbV9as1UYds/s400/Toledo_Puerta+del+Sol+Gate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300881901936499218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Puerta</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">del</span> Sol Gate<br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrKPkdMM8LlpH3CBZ7LBF3vHwdFryR2gtgsPJYGrTpQwhyphenhyphenTLzKHueI8dJUGF_WaatkYqFvYK06eaIhKdfwiplJZdhKnh_ediV8zWNUO4Gw8YfeKu56FyqJ_JHcZ43fa6zrEVnRzl07JM/s1600-h/Toledo_CityGate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrKPkdMM8LlpH3CBZ7LBF3vHwdFryR2gtgsPJYGrTpQwhyphenhyphenTLzKHueI8dJUGF_WaatkYqFvYK06eaIhKdfwiplJZdhKnh_ediV8zWNUO4Gw8YfeKu56FyqJ_JHcZ43fa6zrEVnRzl07JM/s400/Toledo_CityGate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300881909084346306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> One of several city gates</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0Btv2umgRWfV7KHA0QC4MNDcjhuONso5WDf26PoFQL3p8XAmGz440ZIekUjTNceZs9rWzsUEIoRIbIfvg_ZJ5AssYBgiFXynxNvPl1mawejJQZ9zm9HwFKeD6kvUHTW7SULwFCKBwnM/s1600-h/Toledo_NarrowStreet_NareneGregChris.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0Btv2umgRWfV7KHA0QC4MNDcjhuONso5WDf26PoFQL3p8XAmGz440ZIekUjTNceZs9rWzsUEIoRIbIfvg_ZJ5AssYBgiFXynxNvPl1mawejJQZ9zm9HwFKeD6kvUHTW7SULwFCKBwnM/s400/Toledo_NarrowStreet_NareneGregChris.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300881906981213922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Narene</span>, Chris & Greg walking up the<br />broad steps<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV15WzcHJ5-GPVqDAleGzG7Agi6GCOmScT3FWTsN8fQUXUp1QIgaPwYu3dyRpSSYdadUqvJYStQFlKRu10bn_AR4VZdPkWLsFuaUkONzzqncuS9hB30IptEHb0A9Yc-_HVbSsR8HZTH8c/s1600-h/Toledo_NarrowStreetBalconies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV15WzcHJ5-GPVqDAleGzG7Agi6GCOmScT3FWTsN8fQUXUp1QIgaPwYu3dyRpSSYdadUqvJYStQFlKRu10bn_AR4VZdPkWLsFuaUkONzzqncuS9hB30IptEHb0A9Yc-_HVbSsR8HZTH8c/s400/Toledo_NarrowStreetBalconies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300881915439867682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Narrow, cobbled streets</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnan_TnBVZLNH_XpsgJjUefoTnGA-zCkDDO2diNy8eg7oXgivlceXwdEFvBUjqJBRWD3iIxHTUHPHP_l4Zfi1Fi8OlL3sx0yfIbcIWp2ef5o-l3i6re-JzeQO4wQCl7mwIxf_a32fPqc/s1600-h/Toledo_GroceryWindow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnan_TnBVZLNH_XpsgJjUefoTnGA-zCkDDO2diNy8eg7oXgivlceXwdEFvBUjqJBRWD3iIxHTUHPHP_l4Zfi1Fi8OlL3sx0yfIbcIWp2ef5o-l3i6re-JzeQO4wQCl7mwIxf_a32fPqc/s400/Toledo_GroceryWindow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300881911935158034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Window in a small market.<br />No, we didn't buy anything here,<br />but Chris and I did each buy<br />a</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> small <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Talavera</span> pitcher in another shop.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVJ2YzRGEoTgPvCm3FnZLmraZBqQ8vqnEhD1Si0PJWVr-P1L01cIJOQv6wZxXU1EtgJu2lQ_LMUFdG7AH-cs3FYCAfcWuSLO7iOsC_YduF1gUomJc-2D7nz-mpLFV_nblfq1xhXI7FTE/s1600-h/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+Church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVJ2YzRGEoTgPvCm3FnZLmraZBqQ8vqnEhD1Si0PJWVr-P1L01cIJOQv6wZxXU1EtgJu2lQ_LMUFdG7AH-cs3FYCAfcWuSLO7iOsC_YduF1gUomJc-2D7nz-mpLFV_nblfq1xhXI7FTE/s400/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301591336634561042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Iglesia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">de</span> Los <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Jesuitas</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">(standing in front: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Perrys</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Narene</span>, and Linda)<br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTYAN4DTKVOHHBhOOHyLYO0RNkjxREnot8x60IlzT9FcvJ9LwMv6B-qlHYXCfcy2OtsBUw_BzOOmqMAkBVBj43JOGs6phBwgyM66z5HtT_cHwqQ9ETWw4zjgnZpugqbfojnnIQAXzQg4/s1600-h/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+Church_Inside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTYAN4DTKVOHHBhOOHyLYO0RNkjxREnot8x60IlzT9FcvJ9LwMv6B-qlHYXCfcy2OtsBUw_BzOOmqMAkBVBj43JOGs6phBwgyM66z5HtT_cHwqQ9ETWw4zjgnZpugqbfojnnIQAXzQg4/s400/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+Church_Inside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301591359899655442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Iglesia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">de</span> Los <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Jesuitas</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBZGgf5ygMCKYWbjefMzMQyY3iQW3o_5N0bwnjQBTsYy93LlghXPv2YRM6nDV6VgGVoCfKr3pHkN9SdyBvxw6KI54wag-xiTQXuBUmAq-Kol5LbTBGxS-Q6D9Ihdz8DrPT_J_CdZ3iv8/s1600-h/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+Church_Inside2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBZGgf5ygMCKYWbjefMzMQyY3iQW3o_5N0bwnjQBTsYy93LlghXPv2YRM6nDV6VgGVoCfKr3pHkN9SdyBvxw6KI54wag-xiTQXuBUmAq-Kol5LbTBGxS-Q6D9Ihdz8DrPT_J_CdZ3iv8/s400/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+Church_Inside2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301591412062558002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A closer look</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We climbed the several flights of stairs to the top of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Iglesia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">de</span> Los <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Jesuitas</span> for a great view of the city of Toledo. The stairs were not as steep and narrow as some of the cathedral towers we have climbed, such as in Prague. The following six photos are taken from this vantage point.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4iFWr9GRp8KI-3yHV9SD7ptFi-MFPDiwvNAvGcch05mPzf-lDHDYNU1s2OTB5XMUh7q5nzph2jZxvfWcWG8MBIYG71QNMnxz9lEMzCnm_x3QI_NA6OuSRekhISNnAKlfWUuSHaZlWhk/s1600-h/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas_View+of+Alcazar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4iFWr9GRp8KI-3yHV9SD7ptFi-MFPDiwvNAvGcch05mPzf-lDHDYNU1s2OTB5XMUh7q5nzph2jZxvfWcWG8MBIYG71QNMnxz9lEMzCnm_x3QI_NA6OuSRekhISNnAKlfWUuSHaZlWhk/s400/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas_View+of+Alcazar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301592579708346898" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">View of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Alcazar</span> with its four corner towers.<br />This castle fortress is now a museum.<br />It was closed for restoration<br />in August and maybe still is.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzOYrflNxZWBtnKpi14rSKWAWWIpAuv6NqYOvUxh5z2FPtWDbuLT97YjT-UqpX2cgakn7ujMmGJOSKRbnFvIe6k0yWzOaIQyTBJ2GBCo99-LMerySpBGAyBReCV3Yuev1reyJEu6Dkmo/s1600-h/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas_View+from+Tower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzOYrflNxZWBtnKpi14rSKWAWWIpAuv6NqYOvUxh5z2FPtWDbuLT97YjT-UqpX2cgakn7ujMmGJOSKRbnFvIe6k0yWzOaIQyTBJ2GBCo99-LMerySpBGAyBReCV3Yuev1reyJEu6Dkmo/s400/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas_View+from+Tower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301591432459697634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A view of the tile roof tops nearby.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRese2i0CLw6j7XCI4InzUGe_xR1MIWSvtmvICVN65BjQA2EXjfxVHhoaDRdqVulRj16Ku68DpoarAptgFSEzJRjWp_37KYy97_-lg9kCdBNx1wJEoNNkcg1anfdmnXHZN8KR0T4KSeE/s1600-h/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+Church_View+toward+Highway.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRese2i0CLw6j7XCI4InzUGe_xR1MIWSvtmvICVN65BjQA2EXjfxVHhoaDRdqVulRj16Ku68DpoarAptgFSEzJRjWp_37KYy97_-lg9kCdBNx1wJEoNNkcg1anfdmnXHZN8KR0T4KSeE/s400/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+Church_View+toward+Highway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301586798292812802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A view of the countryside and Tagus River</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk704cWtqZwLY8DUaZFiqvDEmI8Ut8uJhquO6cGWHiMaN2HrCCnAhTt8vRaFr7zkEpTHVkKuHTn8nBBtCuPLefPO9Sx0SN9eOoq7F98EFf41DhvenJNWKmHWSBcWe8t_wv7aOonZTcxLs/s1600-h/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas_Tower_Narene%26Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk704cWtqZwLY8DUaZFiqvDEmI8Ut8uJhquO6cGWHiMaN2HrCCnAhTt8vRaFr7zkEpTHVkKuHTn8nBBtCuPLefPO9Sx0SN9eOoq7F98EFf41DhvenJNWKmHWSBcWe8t_wv7aOonZTcxLs/s400/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas_Tower_Narene%26Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301586804083438498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Narene</span> & Sam on top of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Iglesia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">de</span> Los <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Jesuitas</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzvsbBCErie9JXl4a2itRbuE5us-Lk_1MDZGmjZvVrHlGaHf1dX2b9HKntcfBBbNyrh8rsDTqHq8ZoH60w6C-xt8Vv0hdirj2xwh-7xfcBBdsy47ilq5YN51F7QWQvbNNfdKHbYH7Lss/s1600-h/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+BellTower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzvsbBCErie9JXl4a2itRbuE5us-Lk_1MDZGmjZvVrHlGaHf1dX2b9HKntcfBBbNyrh8rsDTqHq8ZoH60w6C-xt8Vv0hdirj2xwh-7xfcBBdsy47ilq5YN51F7QWQvbNNfdKHbYH7Lss/s400/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+BellTower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301592582930493410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">In the bell tower of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Iglesia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">de</span> Los <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Jesuitas</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tVRaFhNqkrI7462s83uUYipQOcRGIVe-8F-Mz2wC0U9jqSC5L3CZt9xjoSq6rMbW7XJWXMAE4RnsjaWYGn3nySg3-DFwT8IIgPXue3tpMYeSUH1NC5JMyrS9LNnpJVjo7tq3uZ0b07o/s1600-h/Toledo_Cathedral_CityView.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tVRaFhNqkrI7462s83uUYipQOcRGIVe-8F-Mz2wC0U9jqSC5L3CZt9xjoSq6rMbW7XJWXMAE4RnsjaWYGn3nySg3-DFwT8IIgPXue3tpMYeSUH1NC5JMyrS9LNnpJVjo7tq3uZ0b07o/s400/Toledo_Cathedral_CityView.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301591429071283570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A good view of the Cathedral of Toledo<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">On our previous visit with a guided tour, we went inside this cathedral. It is probably the most impressive attraction in Toledo, but on this second visit we only took a quick peek inside and admired the exterior architecture.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2ngtjm5I-uzXxaGvxSgPlih8lghultW2T3pcbtiXBj1SBEgFuXbvr6CSiX8_G7x8xZ7Z98tIdqGk-Sdv-tjPcDYIN6KqPuZnqUe5dQUST3DTguB1jMFz_7coPUUSWsECSR_IGJMUp6c/s1600-h/Toledo_Cathedral+Exterior.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2ngtjm5I-uzXxaGvxSgPlih8lghultW2T3pcbtiXBj1SBEgFuXbvr6CSiX8_G7x8xZ7Z98tIdqGk-Sdv-tjPcDYIN6KqPuZnqUe5dQUST3DTguB1jMFz_7coPUUSWsECSR_IGJMUp6c/s400/Toledo_Cathedral+Exterior.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301161552120190002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Cathedral of Toledo</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGoRMC5iyqdlTwIkqBT1QeHyQV0P2zoXOC83J9B9X69Wg75a7WMu212BknGzigscrCU4Edl80qIjEaAjgbRJn3FQHHFqTQBd05wijVBlC3R7NIEJI_FTEKuNEPdyoc2Pp8wJcTJiJH9g/s1600-h/Toledo_Cathedral+EntranceClose-up.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGoRMC5iyqdlTwIkqBT1QeHyQV0P2zoXOC83J9B9X69Wg75a7WMu212BknGzigscrCU4Edl80qIjEaAjgbRJn3FQHHFqTQBd05wijVBlC3R7NIEJI_FTEKuNEPdyoc2Pp8wJcTJiJH9g/s400/Toledo_Cathedral+EntranceClose-up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301161559772950306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Close-up above an entrance to the Cathedral<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LRVtwGpeewBUpYNSUqOz4CDQtNEXJ_AdFQfRt0pnyTwnCpgen9zR9hYNFBBWqFC1b1F6nPYRfybPmq2i_tROddbXCIhSuDlGCvnySM6Mfc_CSBn8Pq29FhXXGSD8hYMVNqUky-s22UY/s1600-h/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+Church_Area.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LRVtwGpeewBUpYNSUqOz4CDQtNEXJ_AdFQfRt0pnyTwnCpgen9zR9hYNFBBWqFC1b1F6nPYRfybPmq2i_tROddbXCIhSuDlGCvnySM6Mfc_CSBn8Pq29FhXXGSD8hYMVNqUky-s22UY/s400/Toledo_Iglesia+de+Los+Jesuitas+Church_Area.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301586804341204130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Looking back at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Iglesia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">de</span> Los <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Jesuitas</span><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaIy2HHkJOnsDOAkFqodrvQy-NdOZimgPkcCcggHb8CFNQ6KUrkxJFj0_Wv0kOPyp0AgQ9wV6xYR_8vHVoGSeCFbfG2BlfduCh5I9FAMONdw1P4sQuxKx6vZBTQ669ils4CGeuiWC4Tk/s1600-h/Toledo_Museo+de+Santa+Cruz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaIy2HHkJOnsDOAkFqodrvQy-NdOZimgPkcCcggHb8CFNQ6KUrkxJFj0_Wv0kOPyp0AgQ9wV6xYR_8vHVoGSeCFbfG2BlfduCh5I9FAMONdw1P4sQuxKx6vZBTQ669ils4CGeuiWC4Tk/s400/Toledo_Museo+de+Santa+Cruz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301586808326993362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Museo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">de</span> Santa Cruz</span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Museo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">de</span> Santa Cruz is a free museum in a 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">th</span>-century building that was a hospital. The collection is divided into three sections: Archaeology (devoted to the Roman, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Visigothic</span>, Moorish, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Mudejar</span> cultures), Fine Arts (16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">th</span> and 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">th</span>-century paintings from Toledo and works by such artists as El <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Greco</span>), and Industrial Arts (with examples of traditional local crafts of ceramic, glass, fabric, wrought iron, and metalwork).</span></span></span><br /></div><span id="DetailBaseUserControl1_DetailBasePlaceholder"><span><span class="destacados"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="DetailBaseUserControl1_DetailBasePlaceholder"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhyjFBseMIH75qvD9dk8IImnoxS3Y3OC2gemqgVLqVkpM3c6IL20yMS2ZR3VBAZTNcdAeDJedX2WRlpbw1sVO_9k5bs8l31nrt1QjETWU5U3d88XunbI4BJ1TkoMdYroEzq0mNgYkORU/s1600-h/Toledo_Museo+de+Santa+Cruz_CourtyardFoliage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhyjFBseMIH75qvD9dk8IImnoxS3Y3OC2gemqgVLqVkpM3c6IL20yMS2ZR3VBAZTNcdAeDJedX2WRlpbw1sVO_9k5bs8l31nrt1QjETWU5U3d88XunbI4BJ1TkoMdYroEzq0mNgYkORU/s400/Toledo_Museo+de+Santa+Cruz_CourtyardFoliage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301592595844423538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Courtyard of the Museo de Santa Cruz</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtUHscfGi21oXth9kGyfA0N2iJJhK7iUekd0aTbSGA-Ighvyal1XTwgArTzB1wH_mFYVNsF7Wqu4ao3BT22klMSvP9OAgkaZP96Xe8BkJoc8XCgZ0Lth4bBVydfd3JCIeMImk5z_9ZF4/s1600-h/Toledo_Museo+de+Santa+Cruz_Carriage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtUHscfGi21oXth9kGyfA0N2iJJhK7iUekd0aTbSGA-Ighvyal1XTwgArTzB1wH_mFYVNsF7Wqu4ao3BT22klMSvP9OAgkaZP96Xe8BkJoc8XCgZ0Lth4bBVydfd3JCIeMImk5z_9ZF4/s400/Toledo_Museo+de+Santa+Cruz_Carriage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301592590470165554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Carriage in the Museo de Santa Cruz</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVEVgO29LU7gG4wioH_q5ikaR0UeeEbkC5ZHa5XRKsv5C8UXgorHsepYr1HDJjLc6XKtwjKV4q0-JFevlV0RdgdsiI8BMyJdpDp7SxejYov3PXIzE6U_OVQzg7rNqUU3jjozmBl7AsSc/s1600-h/Toledo_Museo+de+Santa+Cruz_Vase.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVEVgO29LU7gG4wioH_q5ikaR0UeeEbkC5ZHa5XRKsv5C8UXgorHsepYr1HDJjLc6XKtwjKV4q0-JFevlV0RdgdsiI8BMyJdpDp7SxejYov3PXIzE6U_OVQzg7rNqUU3jjozmBl7AsSc/s400/Toledo_Museo+de+Santa+Cruz_Vase.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301622626224546354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Vase in the Museo de Santa Cruz</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8zCPRQC8AfJ6Y4mCLTzf86nHiNjen_9a_m_eO7nkdHgUScVonMBkDlcTR8mvHrOFvQhwQsLNVQu86lSTij504vjPHUrz9Kil84-6pySWzrNU6x9bNFYDbQihHiQlHizkL7Q5VXrfKSM/s1600-h/Toledo_SideStreet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8zCPRQC8AfJ6Y4mCLTzf86nHiNjen_9a_m_eO7nkdHgUScVonMBkDlcTR8mvHrOFvQhwQsLNVQu86lSTij504vjPHUrz9Kil84-6pySWzrNU6x9bNFYDbQihHiQlHizkL7Q5VXrfKSM/s400/Toledo_SideStreet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301161567432884258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Another narrow street on our walking tour</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVitOoVrDCV3YOOLaGhjKGbYLat-m90OUH2h9jD12oOdtZv1W8R23wpx4nTy21mN_6O_r4LEYGWj3Lp04dRtkeLSfpFChp9FtH_jrGFUsnHM9tTDxYpvr6bLZxRaYoUmrq-rKS3YpUQz4/s1600-h/Toledo_Cervantes_Narene&Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVitOoVrDCV3YOOLaGhjKGbYLat-m90OUH2h9jD12oOdtZv1W8R23wpx4nTy21mN_6O_r4LEYGWj3Lp04dRtkeLSfpFChp9FtH_jrGFUsnHM9tTDxYpvr6bLZxRaYoUmrq-rKS3YpUQz4/s400/Toledo_Cervantes_Narene&Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301614621172523250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Narene & Sam pose with Cervantes</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mCcZ97pM0F7S92wnu_wP7hVtsmhjsz4jF1-2AsG9cZPrQFPkDg1ITZfRkn6AWDUacMNXMJSfv4dkxXLBQ3khopbboHt1M_NMbAMS8vLPMdzwoaXIoiVIFw5gqfrUe4pr5xIs29a8oWE/s1600-h/Toledo_Cervantes_Chris&Greg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mCcZ97pM0F7S92wnu_wP7hVtsmhjsz4jF1-2AsG9cZPrQFPkDg1ITZfRkn6AWDUacMNXMJSfv4dkxXLBQ3khopbboHt1M_NMbAMS8vLPMdzwoaXIoiVIFw5gqfrUe4pr5xIs29a8oWE/s400/Toledo_Cervantes_Chris&Greg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301616527100889938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Chris & Greg had their turn with Cervantes<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQJ6gGTjQBUmTPrwElYKxSCR3w_8bfiI5jhwW5-YWTBh0l8oAHYvORV9DH93D-IQqISLqgWv-CUElqhbnughwBu2rSSneiRaaeZ29agTIuFqNKgRIRREUgi7PeeFwUhFGGKZC8PA2ARo/s1600-h/Toledo_TagusRiver+%26+AlcantaraBridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQJ6gGTjQBUmTPrwElYKxSCR3w_8bfiI5jhwW5-YWTBh0l8oAHYvORV9DH93D-IQqISLqgWv-CUElqhbnughwBu2rSSneiRaaeZ29agTIuFqNKgRIRREUgi7PeeFwUhFGGKZC8PA2ARo/s400/Toledo_TagusRiver+%26+AlcantaraBridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307856842002100306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Alcantara Bridge over the Tagus River<br />(Sam took this picture on our way back to the<br />train station.)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4N3ZAsBvcGZiQofRbcm0uIC8JAypRrzXAWCg8ZI1atMi_3OxR27neoD4YV_cT_ea8pR6xdf02DMmLuCGPXxUtzF4XekCz2iH-BZLBYj1J3aiFLrbNyspHKOBXFQt_nOIgBbumMd7STU/s1600-h/Toledo_TrainStation_Chris&Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4N3ZAsBvcGZiQofRbcm0uIC8JAypRrzXAWCg8ZI1atMi_3OxR27neoD4YV_cT_ea8pR6xdf02DMmLuCGPXxUtzF4XekCz2iH-BZLBYj1J3aiFLrbNyspHKOBXFQt_nOIgBbumMd7STU/s400/Toledo_TrainStation_Chris&Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301614626868026146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Toledo train station<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2uOKhsH3-5FZtot2DQa8t4aP5dyxYKH0h8W0jEVTPYsMJQSMXFLUKTaALNMBzRqGtxQTCWJipOFTAKPQwcoa1E0wbhBf7gfv5XKO44QwaTJTq-zcM7yVtOTrzeJ15cZE7t535b56zM0/s1600-h/Toledo_Train_ReturnMadrid.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2uOKhsH3-5FZtot2DQa8t4aP5dyxYKH0h8W0jEVTPYsMJQSMXFLUKTaALNMBzRqGtxQTCWJipOFTAKPQwcoa1E0wbhBf7gfv5XKO44QwaTJTq-zcM7yVtOTrzeJ15cZE7t535b56zM0/s400/Toledo_Train_ReturnMadrid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301614630436040306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Back in Madrid</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqEVlVh4WbyIb_hN1LKNvNL_NJSpr4t2d50zadS1kiBaUMQJXnzlMnBRNrTVdxkHPJCOYihPNU974LMNivdWEM7kAzOnMN4ZiJnnQKwEABkhVZcHOBEZWQcVS0WGRmoSknEuooUzLnPQ/s1600-h/Toledo_MoscowTrainStation_BabySculpture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqEVlVh4WbyIb_hN1LKNvNL_NJSpr4t2d50zadS1kiBaUMQJXnzlMnBRNrTVdxkHPJCOYihPNU974LMNivdWEM7kAzOnMN4ZiJnnQKwEABkhVZcHOBEZWQcVS0WGRmoSknEuooUzLnPQ/s400/Toledo_MoscowTrainStation_BabySculpture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301614635092607666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">An unusal statue in the Madrid train station<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnTGK7m_1jx8sucMEg4jdeZM1J3FfvJraBDdxKcyEdaGijUPL2MSsYOFWJ3qp8Rhvhr3dtz4KiJcRH5VjG74QhKZhbY8rj4WuvKZiNZgUpCsdzMot6cu_HSnLUNe358lzIJofVXPqaWg/s1600-h/Madrid_LaTaperia_Tapas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnTGK7m_1jx8sucMEg4jdeZM1J3FfvJraBDdxKcyEdaGijUPL2MSsYOFWJ3qp8Rhvhr3dtz4KiJcRH5VjG74QhKZhbY8rj4WuvKZiNZgUpCsdzMot6cu_HSnLUNe358lzIJofVXPqaWg/s400/Madrid_LaTaperia_Tapas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301621183462287282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> We had tapas here in Madrid<br />when we returned from Toledo.<br />(Steve, Chris, Greg, & Narene in photo)<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">In Spain, it is common to have dinner between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., even as late as midnight; and tapas are considered a snack often eaten between work and dinner. Ours were filling and served for our dinner. Mine was a chicken dish.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Earlier, I only posted two photos<br />from our first visit to Toledo.<br />Since we saw other interesting attractions then,<br />I am adding some more pictures<br />from our August visit.</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghh7P5lNNn0UoaH7TLzjDZbfx4H26SU6qoKygmjDT4j1QzpgClXD0quDDIz6hEIRBy9_8P8B5-q0R_3mU3Yc8W41QY_nuJB94lsAkuxt_XctfyDbGyrJSkF975DNaJpwkKGhg0Yk3Uoa0/s1600-h/Toledo_TourGroup&Guide_Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghh7P5lNNn0UoaH7TLzjDZbfx4H26SU6qoKygmjDT4j1QzpgClXD0quDDIz6hEIRBy9_8P8B5-q0R_3mU3Yc8W41QY_nuJB94lsAkuxt_XctfyDbGyrJSkF975DNaJpwkKGhg0Yk3Uoa0/s400/Toledo_TourGroup&Guide_Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301629803020748738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Our small tour group in August.<br />The guide has her back to the camera.<br />She gave information in English and in Spanish;<br />as our group had two Spanish ladies, two from Japan,<br />two from Egypt, and Sam and me.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvq-yX_liehhaaXe1PmDBkzlMB4Ze4JAKHqKlCfxQwe-9R5CKo2hN2yDQGK6LlgfACSuCOSvZuo9_JNUuQtye-d5OhXGoexAMRMERn-_lOpBtrGVpMJzJQ2KCzmNV1rbqjRpoHH3l66KY/s1600-h/Toledo_Cathedral_Narene&Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvq-yX_liehhaaXe1PmDBkzlMB4Ze4JAKHqKlCfxQwe-9R5CKo2hN2yDQGK6LlgfACSuCOSvZuo9_JNUuQtye-d5OhXGoexAMRMERn-_lOpBtrGVpMJzJQ2KCzmNV1rbqjRpoHH3l66KY/s400/Toledo_Cathedral_Narene&Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301628151721723842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We toured inside the huge Cathedral of Toledo,<br />the city's major tourist attraction.<br />(Narene & Sam)<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyGJvWORd1pW3VVcjOKw8SYvcTYS8aZBgg23qysymFpRinsd26un11b2vwdpJHb8e1e1Q3L2LDyPlkKWe_KPvp1Pqefhny0G2TJuaCYUzChkSJxKu3xri3CjHMNTYXhCBeLQhQE0ddE8/s1600-h/Toledo_Cathedral_Interior.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyGJvWORd1pW3VVcjOKw8SYvcTYS8aZBgg23qysymFpRinsd26un11b2vwdpJHb8e1e1Q3L2LDyPlkKWe_KPvp1Pqefhny0G2TJuaCYUzChkSJxKu3xri3CjHMNTYXhCBeLQhQE0ddE8/s400/Toledo_Cathedral_Interior.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301626922713723266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Cathedral of Toledo</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTncpGRkuMqWBBeXsiBkrgsxeM4W4WmBpgv-r_Idamps3CpC8bw37p_YJjULG87FioJ_f8-o_QXmLHij9JJijdfPG0cRY_7t3Q2UL0XVHIijB864F9NWnQ-8r8IdRIcmAKI2VESpJpj2U/s1600-h/Toledo_San+Juan+de+Los+Reyes+Church+Side.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTncpGRkuMqWBBeXsiBkrgsxeM4W4WmBpgv-r_Idamps3CpC8bw37p_YJjULG87FioJ_f8-o_QXmLHij9JJijdfPG0cRY_7t3Q2UL0XVHIijB864F9NWnQ-8r8IdRIcmAKI2VESpJpj2U/s400/Toledo_San+Juan+de+Los+Reyes+Church+Side.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301626928240196242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We also toured inside the impressive<br />San Juan de Los Reyes Church.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYRzeI5z9HKoqviFNdLt168_g2q516BX-b0PABrquZwl1ZZhQoX9XoCEz37hr7ZMnVYiGGZE3ue4kclFrNNyPMy_me5cPZWl3fEQzJf6OrGMGUDuhaKv4z0PNeZZRUkgHOz-Srq0mCGA/s1600-h/Toledo_San+Juan+de+Los+Reyes+Church-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYRzeI5z9HKoqviFNdLt168_g2q516BX-b0PABrquZwl1ZZhQoX9XoCEz37hr7ZMnVYiGGZE3ue4kclFrNNyPMy_me5cPZWl3fEQzJf6OrGMGUDuhaKv4z0PNeZZRUkgHOz-Srq0mCGA/s400/Toledo_San+Juan+de+Los+Reyes+Church-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301626924309937298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">San Juan de Los Reyes Church<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjOFzR315ST_dR9HXxHR0xgToJ_pWtFfd_V-ZgORWPauTwliU7ebJ3EdKn8tmXB40NeEkY_VSWUI5tHbO4NLRP5-zd5v6FHunTK9h1oaNUxzpHtvgf8fwgpCj5so1ncFCgl2i-kVDd_0/s1600-h/Toledo_San+Juan+de+Los+Reyes+Church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjOFzR315ST_dR9HXxHR0xgToJ_pWtFfd_V-ZgORWPauTwliU7ebJ3EdKn8tmXB40NeEkY_VSWUI5tHbO4NLRP5-zd5v6FHunTK9h1oaNUxzpHtvgf8fwgpCj5so1ncFCgl2i-kVDd_0/s400/Toledo_San+Juan+de+Los+Reyes+Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301626928383831986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">San Juan de Los Reyes Church</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE0MYQQ0tWlGIi4H0pggAEwc2efxhVivx1gDfPv07YY9VboGIn8xfnREZq74wi-Q_E4rM26jaF8PziZ72ujRoiCoE5BqxzoW0ToJVEkAvgyb2PYsKtuWMsRQtrDTPcKywOPDrJJju_cs/s1600-h/Toledo_El+Greco%27s+Home+%26+Museum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE0MYQQ0tWlGIi4H0pggAEwc2efxhVivx1gDfPv07YY9VboGIn8xfnREZq74wi-Q_E4rM26jaF8PziZ72ujRoiCoE5BqxzoW0ToJVEkAvgyb2PYsKtuWMsRQtrDTPcKywOPDrJJju_cs/s400/Toledo_El+Greco%27s+Home+%26+Museum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301635607681163602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We went inside El Greco's Home & Museum.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qKy6RURvXnlBvi-1AqCgIjn9iRVXwV1JkNsXQlPkRksHSjnjNYBSvO_ldqzkaB3T-5IwXW4lxX932bzhHuXTfV51NIh9PA0gA90tk_watZMsfj-zjQCxU1NJCf2UvhlvCJboAEB-LyI/s1600-h/Toledo_Mezquita+del+Cristo+de+la+Luz.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qKy6RURvXnlBvi-1AqCgIjn9iRVXwV1JkNsXQlPkRksHSjnjNYBSvO_ldqzkaB3T-5IwXW4lxX932bzhHuXTfV51NIh9PA0gA90tk_watZMsfj-zjQCxU1NJCf2UvhlvCJboAEB-LyI/s400/Toledo_Mezquita+del+Cristo+de+la+Luz.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301638409312581938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We visited Mezquita del Cristo de las Luz.<br />(Mosque of Christ of the Light)<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Mosque of Christ of the Light dates back to 999 and is intact today and is the only surviving mosque out of ten that once stood throughout Toledo. Through the horseshoe arches there is a glimpse of Christian murals.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9znusq0aogxE9BxumGHWmKDT-mOn2jJSaCpEvfFyBF8prRulnsns67OVVqk6NlutmO8qz72__2sCKqfFE55F_cIX3QREIzs8ZGynSO2vlvA8GZ4jjskdpaDni1_VBGCxTr_a0YsSaXC4/s1600-h/Toledo_Rock+Walls_Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9znusq0aogxE9BxumGHWmKDT-mOn2jJSaCpEvfFyBF8prRulnsns67OVVqk6NlutmO8qz72__2sCKqfFE55F_cIX3QREIzs8ZGynSO2vlvA8GZ4jjskdpaDni1_VBGCxTr_a0YsSaXC4/s400/Toledo_Rock+Walls_Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301635620723495874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Rock walls in Toledo<br />(Narene walking up the cobbled street.)<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zUP6TvRaXnd5lywOQnzhtwKKf1sozD4_YvXkFs_I-xqXcIbYJjtxx8-YzRkH50e4Cn7zc7-FvaQCQdxBZ3a3xwPRWLaSCCbieZRTsXluhdX5vLL-EleWL2xRGF7Vq8pU2HzwVvLivLs/s1600-h/Toledo_Parroquia+de+Santa+Leocadia+Entrance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zUP6TvRaXnd5lywOQnzhtwKKf1sozD4_YvXkFs_I-xqXcIbYJjtxx8-YzRkH50e4Cn7zc7-FvaQCQdxBZ3a3xwPRWLaSCCbieZRTsXluhdX5vLL-EleWL2xRGF7Vq8pU2HzwVvLivLs/s400/Toledo_Parroquia+de+Santa+Leocadia+Entrance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301628163150094898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Parroquia de Santa Leocadia<br />(Church of Santa Leocadia)<br />by the Convent of San Domingo - 13th Century<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkj82v8tkUrd8lWHjaEhDyTNy5rxNSlpx2RWs7KoZDuVJd-KGap2rg8D5IaqmTHKMOKqcyIZe_oD5Hx2CkvF6RGcBaLddETVk31WCKsB2hfgP1sP5R1jrIPg0fTsha6dJ2nsWB5mlFtY/s1600-h/Toledo_Archbishop's+Palace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkj82v8tkUrd8lWHjaEhDyTNy5rxNSlpx2RWs7KoZDuVJd-KGap2rg8D5IaqmTHKMOKqcyIZe_oD5Hx2CkvF6RGcBaLddETVk31WCKsB2hfgP1sP5R1jrIPg0fTsha6dJ2nsWB5mlFtY/s400/Toledo_Archbishop's+Palace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301626921174834194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Archbishop's Palace<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZiOncP-dB1V-426Df2JA0xOzha33Yg7pmmSbyybfZEhJp6CjUWPmeqIuetkXvSaHljQSI2mYuvvQl2a24_2DbrMUwYPzRB0IPsvEj_VZEWvj90xdC3aUHP0TSDSIc55Es91sl5MBah8/s1600-h/Toledo_Narrow+Street-2_Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZiOncP-dB1V-426Df2JA0xOzha33Yg7pmmSbyybfZEhJp6CjUWPmeqIuetkXvSaHljQSI2mYuvvQl2a24_2DbrMUwYPzRB0IPsvEj_VZEWvj90xdC3aUHP0TSDSIc55Es91sl5MBah8/s400/Toledo_Narrow+Street-2_Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301638416410853138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Many narrow streets and walkways<br />(Narene)<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R6uqESezuQ1TSqgDiyVlglU7eveAvx6emcEGO_d-DinBTki3TaKzPEEOuVxbvkuykjvU2dG-xAup_AaJEPcbU6MSMpWmafAOqZmw4tJRmQY7z4JxfYcGnqFNoEKCEO4nWF4VAmwkjhY/s1600-h/Toledo_Narrow+Street-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R6uqESezuQ1TSqgDiyVlglU7eveAvx6emcEGO_d-DinBTki3TaKzPEEOuVxbvkuykjvU2dG-xAup_AaJEPcbU6MSMpWmafAOqZmw4tJRmQY7z4JxfYcGnqFNoEKCEO4nWF4VAmwkjhY/s400/Toledo_Narrow+Street-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301635625585405202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Occasionally we had to hug the wall for a car to pass.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNWBVJP5t7uCvbIne1CZ9CL9vOS7jFrk-pOTMOB73Ts1dND6UEo0Sr9ymdB7rBWUBBoYPmFa9cwa3keEeH7HFZASoEYOmlHBUJjg-6WyjUVbWFdWQYl1JpQ1slKmfItg14-epw-Rw33o/s1600-h/Toledo_Street+Scene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNWBVJP5t7uCvbIne1CZ9CL9vOS7jFrk-pOTMOB73Ts1dND6UEo0Sr9ymdB7rBWUBBoYPmFa9cwa3keEeH7HFZASoEYOmlHBUJjg-6WyjUVbWFdWQYl1JpQ1slKmfItg14-epw-Rw33o/s400/Toledo_Street+Scene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301629818139633506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Wider streets in the shopping area<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMcrBv-qxRvuHCYk1G3RScph8W7xcegUQTn9SYDZwwLtWYDejrvUr__Ga-vXjfbLJEAbQhetOgQfJtiKlu0KxIKGajW2gAQIfb0v0iRncennci0bEbDKrisPivUJ9n8B5bEnPvaQ7kNk/s1600-h/Toledo_Cambron+Gate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMcrBv-qxRvuHCYk1G3RScph8W7xcegUQTn9SYDZwwLtWYDejrvUr__Ga-vXjfbLJEAbQhetOgQfJtiKlu0KxIKGajW2gAQIfb0v0iRncennci0bEbDKrisPivUJ9n8B5bEnPvaQ7kNk/s400/Toledo_Cambron+Gate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301628159535860466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Cambron Gate<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7XI98XtkH6_ckHApYBk_-XXKe0wfhn3uoPp6cs0PfBcuaws83FnOrJCxhLlIzcd45PY58qUZQYzYS8wmX3e-cHSVTfH_3ZRa8IBxM3jf_EqBYbGHl6TaDsCEz0iIiOwqLTvQw6gvALQ/s1600-h/Toledo_Valmardon+Gate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7XI98XtkH6_ckHApYBk_-XXKe0wfhn3uoPp6cs0PfBcuaws83FnOrJCxhLlIzcd45PY58qUZQYzYS8wmX3e-cHSVTfH_3ZRa8IBxM3jf_EqBYbGHl6TaDsCEz0iIiOwqLTvQw6gvALQ/s400/Toledo_Valmardon+Gate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301628155495127266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Valmardon Gate<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobuTFCt8AGRdWBX5RXIXt0bcfARjHAsl_sluo3qts9COB58A0Fdqn1jU3KWnW5rzQWfw7xGX6c3pOkbIgjSLvgOrX-GHvwD9uWw7ukxrR9PqHELR75XNnZLxjSoeShJ9XqUmqgGS0koo/s1600-h/Toledo_San+Martin+Bridge+Eastern+Tower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobuTFCt8AGRdWBX5RXIXt0bcfARjHAsl_sluo3qts9COB58A0Fdqn1jU3KWnW5rzQWfw7xGX6c3pOkbIgjSLvgOrX-GHvwD9uWw7ukxrR9PqHELR75XNnZLxjSoeShJ9XqUmqgGS0koo/s400/Toledo_San+Martin+Bridge+Eastern+Tower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301629813701838402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">San Martin Bridge & Eastern Tower<br /><br /></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"Kings from all parts of the world have had swords and tabers forged from Toledo," as Toledo is known for the quality of its swords.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> We stopped at a factory where</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> steel swords and also unique jewelry were made.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> I bought a damascene necklace with matching bracelet and earrings.<br /><br />"Damascening is the application of gold or silver on iron or steel to produce a decorative pattern. The procedure used by the artisans is to cover the surface of the object lengthwise and across with fine, narrow grooves, by means of sharp steel cutting tools. Then gold threads or fine wires are taken and the decorative pattern drawn, the wire being pressed into grooves by means of a steel punch. In order that the gold is perfectly retained it is hammered in with a small punch and a hammer. Afterwards the part is blued using the same procedure as employed for blueing firearms," which gives it a protective blue-black finish.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxvEWIW51R6EgW4n56Fj5bDm3-V-eyC-RjUj7n2G-25nLwxPbGjtcAwB5kNwHoqwsmnoIkhRqIpc9xrbgpvYUG6FGjUPUrmURkgfPlFg627ZYKdY_pFqWML6ebx1fkFNCMqWtsTrVuqk/s1600-h/Toledo_Bullfight+Stadium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxvEWIW51R6EgW4n56Fj5bDm3-V-eyC-RjUj7n2G-25nLwxPbGjtcAwB5kNwHoqwsmnoIkhRqIpc9xrbgpvYUG6FGjUPUrmURkgfPlFg627ZYKdY_pFqWML6ebx1fkFNCMqWtsTrVuqk/s400/Toledo_Bullfight+Stadium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301629805858249538" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Bullfighting Stadium<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFCTiTgSfOv1jQYco2th8T0sSXkijzJHhJCC11C2T14qnKT6ILs7FAh-1BTOq9-HPlfJMzirLSSChOUxnrp8o_iOdpEhwBabrxzaOmkQV4nFl1WFHXMPIzGE0lwm174odEBxrq0CRbnM/s1600-h/Toledo_Outside+Wall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFCTiTgSfOv1jQYco2th8T0sSXkijzJHhJCC11C2T14qnKT6ILs7FAh-1BTOq9-HPlfJMzirLSSChOUxnrp8o_iOdpEhwBabrxzaOmkQV4nFl1WFHXMPIzGE0lwm174odEBxrq0CRbnM/s400/Toledo_Outside+Wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301628159330161090" border="0" /></a></div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Toledo city wall<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9EIQFLpgDLTI80mNRadoZPgMKSkz3D15hza-rFzAQZwnADp4P76lqpmjcoEkSKD2r_li0Un8RhcKyS-PSL-L13KSiR3MmzkNMZoQTvDB7kBrSeB5tbyhayNnsl9nhBIFXFdjLRkLOGQ/s1600-h/Toledo_TagusRiver+%26+AlcantaraBridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9EIQFLpgDLTI80mNRadoZPgMKSkz3D15hza-rFzAQZwnADp4P76lqpmjcoEkSKD2r_li0Un8RhcKyS-PSL-L13KSiR3MmzkNMZoQTvDB7kBrSeB5tbyhayNnsl9nhBIFXFdjLRkLOGQ/s400/Toledo_TagusRiver+%26+AlcantaraBridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302341698248113282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Tagus River & Alcantara Bridge</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj-BYN9Wpbgk9-yDjhX4ng3_nBxxfAQgD9l3f-hrra-j4LAOHMJLA6KovIoGy-4NQV2jR6ihTk2kC1h_gUA8319DO2QCAt8mWIBqdmR8QeX_FDi5eFlB7WVbhynYUtbLKdFn8Hpd34io/s1600-h/Toledo_TagusRiver+%26+CityView.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj-BYN9Wpbgk9-yDjhX4ng3_nBxxfAQgD9l3f-hrra-j4LAOHMJLA6KovIoGy-4NQV2jR6ihTk2kC1h_gUA8319DO2QCAt8mWIBqdmR8QeX_FDi5eFlB7WVbhynYUtbLKdFn8Hpd34io/s400/Toledo_TagusRiver+%26+CityView.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302341687286156914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Saying goodbye to Toledo</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">On our return from Toledo in August, we spent the evening visiting the Prado art museum. We have happy memories of both visits to Toledo.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-45379031372434598282009-02-04T09:06:00.000-08:002009-02-07T11:04:25.912-08:00Our Last Visa Renewal Trip to Madrid<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We left Moscow on January 24 for our last visa renewal trip that we have to make from Russia. Our new visa is good until April 30, so we know we will have to leave by then for our return home. Once again, we went to Madrid, Spain, which was our third trip there. As reported on an earlier blog, other visa renewal trips were to<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7061690572577007001&postID=3493969321455419090"></a> Tallinn in Estonia and to Prague in the Czech Republic.<br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We have enjoyed our visits to Spain, and this time of the year it was especially nice to have a break from Moscow's winter temperatures and walking on ice. On Sunday, we went to church at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MTC</span> in the morning and walked around <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Retiro</span> Park in the afternoon. The next morning we took a fast train and spent Monday sightseeing in Toledo. Tuesday morning we went to the temple, and that afternoon we did a self-guided walking tour around Madrid. </span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AbmCAIE4qZanojNsFgXZVEPWEyxmR-GnXieQeB082ERP_hyphenhyphenEVWgKf-pWW57dWQ25XJ4X8jadcpW07YrOSu_IW2IX2kqXrx1l2ol9L2qV0f3R2eRvjfOLQtu7WoGC4JihSHqRAt6lb7s/s1600-h/Madrid_RetiroPark_ArchRuins_Narene&Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AbmCAIE4qZanojNsFgXZVEPWEyxmR-GnXieQeB082ERP_hyphenhyphenEVWgKf-pWW57dWQ25XJ4X8jadcpW07YrOSu_IW2IX2kqXrx1l2ol9L2qV0f3R2eRvjfOLQtu7WoGC4JihSHqRAt6lb7s/s400/Madrid_RetiroPark_ArchRuins_Narene&Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299720115321765218" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Ancient ruins in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Retiro</span> Park<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Narene</span> & Sam on a walking tour in Madrid.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Since we always have double-entry visas, we use up one entry upon coming back into Russia. That leaves only one entry left to leave if we need to go to another country to do humanitarian training. For this reason, we combined our visa trip with a trip to Armenia to provide training to Elder & Sister Blotter, who began their service as humanitarian missionaries in Yerevan in January. We scheduled to do the training in Yerevan first and then go to Madrid, and we already had our airline tickets before we learned that if we had scheduled our trip the other way around, going to Madrid before going to Armenia, we could be in Madrid the same time as the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Shepards</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Reeses</span>. T</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Shepards</span> were going out early to renew their visas, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Reeses</span> did not have their duplicate passports yet so had to go to Madrid for their first visa renewal. Since our tickets were non-refundable, we thought</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> we would miss out on traveling together with them. Shortly before our trip, though, Victor from the travel department, came into our office to tell us "some bad news" - our flight had been canceled and our money was being refunded. He didn't realize until we told him that this was actually "good news," because now we could reschedule and go with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Shepards</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Reeses</span> to Spain and then to Armenia afterward.</span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKyw0TG3eMi_MDkQgKsuiFHJIlDQ0pJBLnUlqdQ7Dtli6u0u6lBlpGT78AhKsGa7tRs6E06m67dznrJExiG19ZkNbH0gKHRZJfC1aJR6t9DFLTRTgq7_MXAN9lDBJgw0jC2Eu2s6ozgc/s1600-h/Madrid_Metro_Reeses,+Perrys,+Shepards,+Irelands.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKyw0TG3eMi_MDkQgKsuiFHJIlDQ0pJBLnUlqdQ7Dtli6u0u6lBlpGT78AhKsGa7tRs6E06m67dznrJExiG19ZkNbH0gKHRZJfC1aJR6t9DFLTRTgq7_MXAN9lDBJgw0jC2Eu2s6ozgc/s400/Madrid_Metro_Reeses,+Perrys,+Shepards,+Irelands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299720112505073554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">In Madrid on the metro</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Reeses</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Perrys</span> (from Samara), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Shepards</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Irelands</span></span></span></span><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The metro in Madrid is quieter and typically less crowded than the metro in Moscow, but there is more interesting variety in the way the Moscow stations are decorated. The metro system in Moscow is really a great way to get around in spite of the pressing crowds and occasional homeless drunk sleeping off a hangover.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Riding the Madrid metro on the last day turned out to not be very pleasant for Chris, as her passport was stolen from her purse only two stops from the airport. Fortunately, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">after reporting the theft, s</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">he was successful in getting a replacement passport; and they we</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">re</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> able to take the red-eye plane back to Moscow with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Reeses</span> following a busy day getting a new passport and visa. </span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrmqxLrV9I5VKAEzhD9id5S2YR-D9YPk4M2NDFiXDyYqJ8ZCUecAn2o5x0Hfsv0HcYKByRqvPwWsLIaZX3wFVu9D13wZ0dkmNQiPvpV2TGo06sJhOT_0_DtuX4dh4bVubVmxbtSwtJvw/s1600-h/Madrid_RetiroPark_FallenAngelStatue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrmqxLrV9I5VKAEzhD9id5S2YR-D9YPk4M2NDFiXDyYqJ8ZCUecAn2o5x0Hfsv0HcYKByRqvPwWsLIaZX3wFVu9D13wZ0dkmNQiPvpV2TGo06sJhOT_0_DtuX4dh4bVubVmxbtSwtJvw/s400/Madrid_RetiroPark_FallenAngelStatue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299721812555919330" border="0" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Fallen Angel Monument in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Retiro</span> Park<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I read that this is one of three statues in the world dedicated to a fallen angel, although another site said it was the only one. It represents Lucifer falling from heaven and was inspired by a passage from Milton's "Paradise Lost." </span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG-rZG0lT4aYKf4V14p3O7wZ19D337JPXCl_04SMs0kCMP4kBf1E57i8R9lzG7uVciacl8oGjxgslysJJ0k_THdH7mmyJYp4MPZoMM9wCEL3cgEe10JkeJqQwkpqHT8QRA2kbFVupNxA/s1600-h/Madrid_RetiroPark_Statue&Fountain.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG-rZG0lT4aYKf4V14p3O7wZ19D337JPXCl_04SMs0kCMP4kBf1E57i8R9lzG7uVciacl8oGjxgslysJJ0k_THdH7mmyJYp4MPZoMM9wCEL3cgEe10JkeJqQwkpqHT8QRA2kbFVupNxA/s400/Madrid_RetiroPark_Statue&Fountain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299720118393383234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Another one of the many monuments<br />in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Retiro</span> Park.<br /><br /></span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZpefqZq6eTzXBDI6gbamEmod0wn44KK1n7745jubd8QKliDf5g0E9K46BubmKP4aE5-5aZYseFT0_6kR-GODytmfUKpCzcaK2l7GAZ5Sh0niR2QKYRq_BwhGbeyfLuNyw_CNCNyCcTQ/s1600-h/Madrid_RetiroPark_VelazquezPalace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZpefqZq6eTzXBDI6gbamEmod0wn44KK1n7745jubd8QKliDf5g0E9K46BubmKP4aE5-5aZYseFT0_6kR-GODytmfUKpCzcaK2l7GAZ5Sh0niR2QKYRq_BwhGbeyfLuNyw_CNCNyCcTQ/s400/Madrid_RetiroPark_VelazquezPalace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299720117066349810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Valazquez</span> Palace in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Retiro</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">ParK</span> (1833)<br />Now used as an exhibition hall for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">contempory</span> art.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5I8Di6OVAv4CxqwF4GjrRcilKnH9gyJUjqYhyLia249YFBHTeiYuVS12AdWz78vdm1IdRcihV0dW9Xz746W3EJft65EI-GFyj-IvoIaQvjm8LPy-ZLuhUeOuuEM9QZfC501Fz0pr97I/s1600-h/Madrid_RetiroPark_CrystalPalaceOutside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5I8Di6OVAv4CxqwF4GjrRcilKnH9gyJUjqYhyLia249YFBHTeiYuVS12AdWz78vdm1IdRcihV0dW9Xz746W3EJft65EI-GFyj-IvoIaQvjm8LPy-ZLuhUeOuuEM9QZfC501Fz0pr97I/s400/Madrid_RetiroPark_CrystalPalaceOutside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299721036981389538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Crystal Palace in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Retiro</span> Park</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhhOQe2GH0i_mjcrKigh31zrAjJujSz_bwLbCoIUgUUc1lm18LN9jCgnN03NtnUn2LgGksgEarzhvHdJqDTAC8gR_tiUbmTbCYtpB2bx2nXCTxqk8UZXC3leNTUjttUYp7Mr-DbOtFCs/s1600-h/Madrid_RetiroPark_CrystalPalaceInside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhhOQe2GH0i_mjcrKigh31zrAjJujSz_bwLbCoIUgUUc1lm18LN9jCgnN03NtnUn2LgGksgEarzhvHdJqDTAC8gR_tiUbmTbCYtpB2bx2nXCTxqk8UZXC3leNTUjttUYp7Mr-DbOtFCs/s400/Madrid_RetiroPark_CrystalPalaceInside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299721031381740498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Interior of the Crystal Palace in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Retiro</span> Park</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The hanging crystal decorations in the center of the Crystal Palace were new since our previous visits. Exhibitions of modern art are said to be regularly held here, but not while the remodeling work has taken place when we have been there.</span></span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uUUYJhnOqurjMuLZYFafHhvK02OmXUSUevrUfUoPq58R-0YnYT24K0AdpcioOdZphd6a3OoH1-CBZ-G9rw_sX7Z2iNO-qD9vfI99exmNfrLEiUYuNaKrqEupbVXLTVOf1Lxp9CPAg18/s1600-h/Madrid_RetiroPark_StatueAlfonsoXII&Lake_Evening.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uUUYJhnOqurjMuLZYFafHhvK02OmXUSUevrUfUoPq58R-0YnYT24K0AdpcioOdZphd6a3OoH1-CBZ-G9rw_sX7Z2iNO-qD9vfI99exmNfrLEiUYuNaKrqEupbVXLTVOf1Lxp9CPAg18/s400/Madrid_RetiroPark_StatueAlfonsoXII&Lake_Evening.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299724340113035570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Retiro</span> Park lake and monument to Alfonso XII<br />( Photo taken early evening on our<br />return walk to our hotel through the park.)<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlIgdIInUTm4Od84gAAThEBj9sLQnf3adw7gmyU33j3f3_8dUaJtM3fEXsakVemVpJ1SMfegV59_h8J1AyHLiz2R4g9OmFv2FnXrofaYEI_Eu9KPxerZcrPebbX4qv2bYYaZ4eKph-UE/s1600-h/Madrid_RetiroPark_MonumentAlfonsoXII.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlIgdIInUTm4Od84gAAThEBj9sLQnf3adw7gmyU33j3f3_8dUaJtM3fEXsakVemVpJ1SMfegV59_h8J1AyHLiz2R4g9OmFv2FnXrofaYEI_Eu9KPxerZcrPebbX4qv2bYYaZ4eKph-UE/s400/Madrid_RetiroPark_MonumentAlfonsoXII.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299720125801050946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Monument to Alfonso XII<br />by the lake in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Retiro</span> Park<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRtXAPrzAdztpSO4eqiNzncZK-t0qWvqny1NQN71GdUb8qJSveJDKOaiAj-unHL50yh_XDqZGwi7oItyjcYC3YfP0-sQ_fJ7c4sGiuNVj-6fO672s8Qj0vd1fJ3gSjQMkKcrVanPXl94/s1600-h/Madrid_RetiroPark_NearlyDark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRtXAPrzAdztpSO4eqiNzncZK-t0qWvqny1NQN71GdUb8qJSveJDKOaiAj-unHL50yh_XDqZGwi7oItyjcYC3YfP0-sQ_fJ7c4sGiuNVj-6fO672s8Qj0vd1fJ3gSjQMkKcrVanPXl94/s400/Madrid_RetiroPark_NearlyDark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299723355293491570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> A pretty sky in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Retiro</span> Park in early evening.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCW62FfhF3N3552Ivo581JpvX54cq1L1rck6Xiny8VqdhFt-WH9srZ89kFrO8nkk_8-zpU05hQQ5yBibHiPReotL3XGy1NMwfA9mR42-e2O89NdGUGiP-BLnF_lx395e3hTRvyc76hhEs/s1600-h/Madrid_Church&BellTower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCW62FfhF3N3552Ivo581JpvX54cq1L1rck6Xiny8VqdhFt-WH9srZ89kFrO8nkk_8-zpU05hQQ5yBibHiPReotL3XGy1NMwfA9mR42-e2O89NdGUGiP-BLnF_lx395e3hTRvyc76hhEs/s400/Madrid_Church&BellTower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299722538682498034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"The token photo"<br />Churches and cathedrals seem to be<br />important tourist attractions<br />in each city we visit.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4pg6ljS896-PmeR_6GkLAgwpy5MpSwAJuOBqUzpUN7uxWsKt12Mzdh8HI0J1o50sZI16dG8nU4xlDanEceu80QHzWBeEGwnfgW9eQ8XZareka_2e-D-rCIRNAkQjzgB7B69h_rMJ0rI/s1600-h/Madrid_CaixaForum&EarthGarden.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4pg6ljS896-PmeR_6GkLAgwpy5MpSwAJuOBqUzpUN7uxWsKt12Mzdh8HI0J1o50sZI16dG8nU4xlDanEceu80QHzWBeEGwnfgW9eQ8XZareka_2e-D-rCIRNAkQjzgB7B69h_rMJ0rI/s400/Madrid_CaixaForum&EarthGarden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299721814833411266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Caixa</span> Forum Cultural Center<br />with a wall of vegetation without earth.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This is a free museum where we had seen an </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Etruscan exhibit on our last trip to Madrid. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This time we saw an exhibition of Chinese art. The main stairs of the building widen steadily as the stairs rise upward producing an interesting effect. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYbVbKUmCv9QHrOKWOLitZ0LFJgE10sHTB2Ks-qiYQZinnLQiEwBA29S3Uu3XFhhcmyXOdT88qkwGCu9nzBPQozKzuZjihJnyMcvP_MQz_iy4V16EA-4ZwluIWY1CsKktQvQviVROIM4/s1600-h/Madrid_CaixaForumStairs_PerrysNareneGreg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYbVbKUmCv9QHrOKWOLitZ0LFJgE10sHTB2Ks-qiYQZinnLQiEwBA29S3Uu3XFhhcmyXOdT88qkwGCu9nzBPQozKzuZjihJnyMcvP_MQz_iy4V16EA-4ZwluIWY1CsKktQvQviVROIM4/s400/Madrid_CaixaForumStairs_PerrysNareneGreg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299721052304701218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Stairs inside the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Caixa</span> Forum<br />(Perrys, Narene, & Greg)<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKuoyH5LHKO5E5QSUtEh2feEGdzs7fdAAO5RhNh9rdEpwVB9fGhxaDEkqtqqrJ49fWjO_0nzjjrr-OwOzG8LXANrHfP3QhqDqi6i1FF_MZIx0RCERJGiBy_USQHXt5LrN3pZTep7vdp4/s1600-h/Madrid_LaCibelesFountain_GreekGoddess.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKuoyH5LHKO5E5QSUtEh2feEGdzs7fdAAO5RhNh9rdEpwVB9fGhxaDEkqtqqrJ49fWjO_0nzjjrr-OwOzG8LXANrHfP3QhqDqi6i1FF_MZIx0RCERJGiBy_USQHXt5LrN3pZTep7vdp4/s400/Madrid_LaCibelesFountain_GreekGoddess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299722533993500610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Cibeles</span> Fountain<br />dedicated to </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">the Greek goddess, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Cibeles</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I read that this fountain, built at the end of the 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">th</span> century, is the most important symbol of Madrid. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Cibeles</span>, t</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">he Greek goddess, holds in her hands a scepter and the keys to the city.<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuvcKZUmTh-hlA5rxE_US_NBgLLPhZKcZ7GgJIJmLh4M03rDJMSiHduOd4al58dUL_r23ICz2-J8FzsEjpTi-B94I4AepoL2sfYa-ATuLAZd7e5KLzeaqNedKue3wA-mHVc4_uFVKmLY/s1600-h/Madrid_AlcalaGate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuvcKZUmTh-hlA5rxE_US_NBgLLPhZKcZ7GgJIJmLh4M03rDJMSiHduOd4al58dUL_r23ICz2-J8FzsEjpTi-B94I4AepoL2sfYa-ATuLAZd7e5KLzeaqNedKue3wA-mHVc4_uFVKmLY/s400/Madrid_AlcalaGate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299722533549672242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Puerta</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Alcala</span>" or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Alcala</span> Gate<br />A monument very near the center of the city</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYsw_Q9T7pHnoSTMXRazpNpbvF0j6TY8l8xF67_GcK0tIi8FVoSjjsys7qCJ6mXcaT-njrL2aptLDkbywZhsBnc3BZQGIsggDuRV7SSceTWaSiXcu-M_h_ab4DgRTGQktLrkmzK7PzIM/s1600-h/Madrid_Year+of+the+Cow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYsw_Q9T7pHnoSTMXRazpNpbvF0j6TY8l8xF67_GcK0tIi8FVoSjjsys7qCJ6mXcaT-njrL2aptLDkbywZhsBnc3BZQGIsggDuRV7SSceTWaSiXcu-M_h_ab4DgRTGQktLrkmzK7PzIM/s400/Madrid_Year+of+the+Cow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299721046526564130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This is the "Year of the Cow" in Spain<br />and bright colored cows were seen around the city.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2m5iV3FTT2V2aGL5INNJlGjQjZn6sEH0d1cx041PYdox4veLmrnYWfiCDiXGLuEYqUGZcVCM4P2M0N3K-EsXTbUb3mDakauIPmLzTieGcuMslMhHemaPtnP7Cv7fp-Fjjpv60l9blDM/s1600-h/Madrid_PalaceHotel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2m5iV3FTT2V2aGL5INNJlGjQjZn6sEH0d1cx041PYdox4veLmrnYWfiCDiXGLuEYqUGZcVCM4P2M0N3K-EsXTbUb3mDakauIPmLzTieGcuMslMhHemaPtnP7Cv7fp-Fjjpv60l9blDM/s400/Madrid_PalaceHotel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299721819417182722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Palace Hotel</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqgrebwexL4YfUT0TqAM1l3ZieQUJaIZIcKKOGNwEoXzlhwoJOt4AjTJe7_BZOMKG9sXRNxCrETYiVkQwuY9zHFXyZEnIJX-II-WqVNIhO_hhpKs5G8jbygfuRmHZd6JAP8IogojK-5I/s1600-h/Madrid_PalaceHotel_Inside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqgrebwexL4YfUT0TqAM1l3ZieQUJaIZIcKKOGNwEoXzlhwoJOt4AjTJe7_BZOMKG9sXRNxCrETYiVkQwuY9zHFXyZEnIJX-II-WqVNIhO_hhpKs5G8jbygfuRmHZd6JAP8IogojK-5I/s400/Madrid_PalaceHotel_Inside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299721054973279474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Palace Hotel lobby</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjpPQA2KdsKSuzdtb9845C_tUp07d5bkdFxXc6DridEudHvbFHmVNNvvPLV0gx9tS1DICN3qJk7BVmLVAeNtZvH2vck6pJOyzdFGaX9rRjb9FUiz4QSL6meSUz_MxGxsqz4v19VQmcaw/s1600-h/Madrid_EternalFlame_2MayUprising.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjpPQA2KdsKSuzdtb9845C_tUp07d5bkdFxXc6DridEudHvbFHmVNNvvPLV0gx9tS1DICN3qJk7BVmLVAeNtZvH2vck6pJOyzdFGaX9rRjb9FUiz4QSL6meSUz_MxGxsqz4v19VQmcaw/s400/Madrid_EternalFlame_2MayUprising.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299722528428026498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Eternal flame in Loyalty Square<br />or "Plaza de la Lealtad"<br />near the Palace Hotel<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The eternal flame and obelisk is a memorial commemorating the victims of the uprising on 2 May 1808. On this day, the people of Madrid rebelled against the occupation of the city by Napoleon's French troops. The French were harsh in suppressing the rebellion, and it triggered the Spanish War of Independence.</span></span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLpcGl43Auii63u1144J0R2XVbg7CK14zu8P-j8xMt-d14pjIS6bKEdHJMFwWzZtLlypzAxHYaAKd5v4ATvJ2QHeTJsgn8MbomgQKi2nXZHV4J-gyLoPJW3tiFKr_B-jmJxoAbDjLe88/s1600-h/Madrid_RitzHotel_Outside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLpcGl43Auii63u1144J0R2XVbg7CK14zu8P-j8xMt-d14pjIS6bKEdHJMFwWzZtLlypzAxHYaAKd5v4ATvJ2QHeTJsgn8MbomgQKi2nXZHV4J-gyLoPJW3tiFKr_B-jmJxoAbDjLe88/s400/Madrid_RitzHotel_Outside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299721824536024690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Ritz Hotel<br />across the street from the Palace Hotel<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaEwPNfVtaJl8WFE7MgQA7g-mfrB4qRkGKuJLhjZKI_d_86XLHV6_P1yZXwqS5jTbcx_MT5o7zR8TJdEucsi9iYZxhNhkCHWKvRJc2Xh2HEO5TyK2ta2_uwdGBfrHFADITh3_iSKNLC4/s1600-h/Madrid_RitzHotel_Inside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaEwPNfVtaJl8WFE7MgQA7g-mfrB4qRkGKuJLhjZKI_d_86XLHV6_P1yZXwqS5jTbcx_MT5o7zR8TJdEucsi9iYZxhNhkCHWKvRJc2Xh2HEO5TyK2ta2_uwdGBfrHFADITh3_iSKNLC4/s400/Madrid_RitzHotel_Inside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299721825781740146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The lobby in the Ritz Hotel</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZUuDmsjAJxqh-QHfr0WFMtyTC47o3qZC7u7slQrg5-Ubna1hyUhg6M_09z6ApmHfaATlnqDbpddFvp3tL21JT_dht8bv8cbr0LjWazPI0rT6ZKCWmV_hPGB21y3bBm1KGnbtUJuhQ10/s1600-h/Madrid_ConvencionHotel_ChrisSteveLindaNareneGreg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZUuDmsjAJxqh-QHfr0WFMtyTC47o3qZC7u7slQrg5-Ubna1hyUhg6M_09z6ApmHfaATlnqDbpddFvp3tL21JT_dht8bv8cbr0LjWazPI0rT6ZKCWmV_hPGB21y3bBm1KGnbtUJuhQ10/s400/Madrid_ConvencionHotel_ChrisSteveLindaNareneGreg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299722540693195426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> We stayed in the Convencion Hotel.<br />(Chris, Steve, Linda, Narene, Greg;<br />Sam took the picture)<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I will add pictures from our Toledo trip on the next blog, and I also have pictures to post from our visit in Turkey enroute to Armenia.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-23019006033862929082009-01-23T08:37:00.000-08:002009-01-23T10:26:15.148-08:00The Life Cycle<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Our thoughts and prayers have been with my brother's family since hearing that their son, Ronald, passed away on Tuesday morning, January 20. He had struggled with pulmonary fibrosis since </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">having double pneumonia in 1988</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> which left him with permanent lung damage. We will miss Ronald's warm welcome that we had come to appreciate on our visits to Utah, but we find comfort in knowing that Ronald is now continuing with his progress and receiving eternal blessings. When I see a field of pretty sunflowers, I will think of Ronald and how he and I shared a fondness for them. Ronald's funeral is Saturday, January 24, in St. George with burial in Logan on Monday, January 26. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sam and I will be flying to Madrid tomorrow afternoon for our last visa renewal trip. We are pleased that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Shepards</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Reeses</span> are also going to Madrid on the same flight to renew their visas. It's a special blessing that we can attend the temple while we are in Madrid. From Madrid, we will go to Yerevan to train the Blotters, the humanitarian couple who arrived in Armenia January 16. We will return to Moscow on February 1.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We have been busy at the office this week wanting to have things caught up before we leave for a week; but we expect when we return from Armenia, there will be many new e-mails to process.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Today, we visited a children's hospital for orphans. Most are brought there as newborns and given medical help. Some were born to mothers who were addicted to drugs, some had problems due to being born prematurely, some were born with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">deformities</span> such as Down syndrome or encephalitis. Once the children reach age four or when the necessary treatment is finished, most of these children are then placed in an orphanage. A few do go home to a family, and a few with only minor <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">disabilities</span> are lucky enough to be adopted. It really pulls on your heartstrings to see these tiny babies with such a bleak future even though the caregivers at the hospital are providing compassionate care and doing what they can for them. The director expressed a need for infusion machines that can be used orally to feed those babies that cannot feed themselves and also <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">nebulizers</span>. I did have a hard time holding back the tears on this visit.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">How blessed we have been to have healthy babies and healthy grandchildren. Rochelle sent some darling pictures recently of our youngest grandchild (#29). Here is a sample:</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNCen0xC8tXX3ZHHvF3P3dKJn8kUYutWeK0RPdKTspR81IZajUznCkj5wYpY8WIPWxKTDnNnYQ7sLo8B3S4eh2uVrc38hgDiBEqQ6VtHvNEMk7OPX_0g9PuwocRual6NL-k-7c_fu9W8/s1600-h/a74241ec-d9dd-11dd-8fcf-001517649cf0w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNCen0xC8tXX3ZHHvF3P3dKJn8kUYutWeK0RPdKTspR81IZajUznCkj5wYpY8WIPWxKTDnNnYQ7sLo8B3S4eh2uVrc38hgDiBEqQ6VtHvNEMk7OPX_0g9PuwocRual6NL-k-7c_fu9W8/s400/a74241ec-d9dd-11dd-8fcf-001517649cf0w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294550586517136322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Kate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LaRee</span> Ireland<br />born 21 August 2008<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIhkrKPnXbb2OOcJX6RgjMCoE1Yjz9MT2O8DXqpAeTD5W-B_JWQ3nAYp-iaW-epxMfVWAMyk2t84aIpExsxSwdp1gPoeDgW4q26TM0DuXjGXWzzl9gtGQ27Vmz_r1cotMSJVjeVlHFJI/s1600-h/86969c13-d9dd-11dd-8fcf-001517649cf0w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIhkrKPnXbb2OOcJX6RgjMCoE1Yjz9MT2O8DXqpAeTD5W-B_JWQ3nAYp-iaW-epxMfVWAMyk2t84aIpExsxSwdp1gPoeDgW4q26TM0DuXjGXWzzl9gtGQ27Vmz_r1cotMSJVjeVlHFJI/s400/86969c13-d9dd-11dd-8fcf-001517649cf0w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294552283744652898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I want to give her a big hug!<br /><br /></span></span></span></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-25458211085726061712009-01-18T07:21:00.000-08:002009-02-04T09:52:01.782-08:00Enjoying the Metro<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Last year, we found </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">there were fewer people riding the metro </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">the first week in January, so it was a good time to take pictures of the various stations. This year, the Masons joined us on January 2 for another photo session on the metro. First, we took the blue line north clear to the end, and next we got on the brown line and stopped to take pictures at each of the stations on the south part of the circle.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Here is a sampling of what we enjoyed seeing in the metro stations that evening:</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeYTb-4k_WR6hGLazUujEjg1VBrCgB3A02_OnWLPKMYgweDQin0mB7nYRPVfkhyphenhyphenZvEy1RwRIszhsssLgXQ4wnAFjLO63ae91gi12-Ty1RmU7I_WYiTErQPrbCP4LHKZKxZBjwdSIFn50/s1600-h/Metro_WhiteEndStatue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeYTb-4k_WR6hGLazUujEjg1VBrCgB3A02_OnWLPKMYgweDQin0mB7nYRPVfkhyphenhyphenZvEy1RwRIszhsssLgXQ4wnAFjLO63ae91gi12-Ty1RmU7I_WYiTErQPrbCP4LHKZKxZBjwdSIFn50/s400/Metro_WhiteEndStatue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291998602445540578" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Moscow Metro is the second most heavily used rapid-transit system. It was opened in 1935. Many of the stations have unique ornate designs. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWKMO5UQS6QEg03GJVouWW_SFdt0-MyHwWKQUwe_RqlwWYq-FeQ023qRaRLZBT8nRA9sz7269nukH7m9khUzJUi1LVHhqgElswS_ZSgWJ3JkwocpGJ5YNsKbWyCkIYEZJzeixzCD7ymg/s1600-h/Metro_PeasantMural.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWKMO5UQS6QEg03GJVouWW_SFdt0-MyHwWKQUwe_RqlwWYq-FeQ023qRaRLZBT8nRA9sz7269nukH7m9khUzJUi1LVHhqgElswS_ZSgWJ3JkwocpGJ5YNsKbWyCkIYEZJzeixzCD7ymg/s400/Metro_PeasantMural.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291998607751186754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This one and the next three are photos<br />of designs created with tiny mosaic pieces.</span></span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ATo0dkwCc8HdZhGSuAyFGdj5bno5gyA-N0sJQ_CEhBOu2tZ7V1B7o6up4-hapt0481_9qRQFjLjeRWP5C5X_QoLJreP4bDUCHFO-z4XaYJYl_INXf_QHGDa5M8xhJqqc5NONwEZq5qw/s1600-h/Metro_Mosaic_WorkingParents.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ATo0dkwCc8HdZhGSuAyFGdj5bno5gyA-N0sJQ_CEhBOu2tZ7V1B7o6up4-hapt0481_9qRQFjLjeRWP5C5X_QoLJreP4bDUCHFO-z4XaYJYl_INXf_QHGDa5M8xhJqqc5NONwEZq5qw/s400/Metro_Mosaic_WorkingParents.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291998618197855090" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7xTIHWwY6cyJlw9-tPjPiRF-pBnomtHJb9oQQvixfnaLcslQqHto5T4_23e_cCWSeGHeiY_4AHnJ34gXQe3anatLoE5F8BY2t78CFbvryw6ND5nlb4GNdtmybSGFyYwrCEG-t7sp9Aw/s1600-h/Metro_Mosaic_Dancers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7xTIHWwY6cyJlw9-tPjPiRF-pBnomtHJb9oQQvixfnaLcslQqHto5T4_23e_cCWSeGHeiY_4AHnJ34gXQe3anatLoE5F8BY2t78CFbvryw6ND5nlb4GNdtmybSGFyYwrCEG-t7sp9Aw/s400/Metro_Mosaic_Dancers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291998621639296402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymB0MXvJfphsQb2zcj1XsqLdE7YkPcLYgePfJ58nHk0RvB3Rpw-bXwQRzzNSNXW_nj-VgICeaI68bE11WYVUdUKes7Q-GffV0uOYdXgFoe9n9ENP8ME9RK-6r0w0rMXuQk6-zX49ACVU/s1600-h/Metro_Mosaic_Musicians.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymB0MXvJfphsQb2zcj1XsqLdE7YkPcLYgePfJ58nHk0RvB3Rpw-bXwQRzzNSNXW_nj-VgICeaI68bE11WYVUdUKes7Q-GffV0uOYdXgFoe9n9ENP8ME9RK-6r0w0rMXuQk6-zX49ACVU/s400/Metro_Mosaic_Musicians.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291998627478491522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Moscow Metro is an amazing system. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">There are 12 lines and 285 stations (route length is over 200 miles). There are over 9 million passengers using the metro on a normal week day. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGmB7L-H-BWwrffWVKXI0TP32mnXOq6dkCJxXZ1boH2kBc8G9LZ5o-SR7Jer0l8TKgIgdE5fNUnTT2giircZ55KLBhuKPwcP3C9vbYlXrYpn3S7x4e8oX1N8IskOCEm6UgA54JejBTE8/s1600-h/Metro_Sign_ParkPobedy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGmB7L-H-BWwrffWVKXI0TP32mnXOq6dkCJxXZ1boH2kBc8G9LZ5o-SR7Jer0l8TKgIgdE5fNUnTT2giircZ55KLBhuKPwcP3C9vbYlXrYpn3S7x4e8oX1N8IskOCEm6UgA54JejBTE8/s400/Metro_Sign_ParkPobedy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292642765702933954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This photo and the next one were taken at the<br />station called "Park <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pobedi</span>" when transliterated. </span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrXkEOA-NxLNRI1eTPHOiHcFIsvqj3gNj0To8aPen-X0cOaMCKo0IAIZ5OGIKx-uCd59gpmDW9vv59shJiMmB-OjRaCGa-iYEz7xpnUe6V28w06gE436OxVPvGGzr80djD295hOYTZRM/s1600-h/Metro_ParkPobedy2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrXkEOA-NxLNRI1eTPHOiHcFIsvqj3gNj0To8aPen-X0cOaMCKo0IAIZ5OGIKx-uCd59gpmDW9vv59shJiMmB-OjRaCGa-iYEz7xpnUe6V28w06gE436OxVPvGGzr80djD295hOYTZRM/s400/Metro_ParkPobedy2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292642774034681458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Many of the stations have statues or mosaics with a World War II theme, or "Great Patriotic War," as the Russians refer to that war. Here is an example of a mosaic in honor of the victory:</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZDWNxdjvVDOjUYAS2tm0zNJdrjACWWGmYvDFy6hs3ox26y93Fd9kNDNMSfm0bsc7vY4P7R3wZvy4iQ5vfGjVEy-irP1QdMC7Tq3fxXso6CVd3WzTq7nUOX1zUtMmUMRfFW-0QNBd2bc/s1600-h/Metro_1945+Victory+Mural.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZDWNxdjvVDOjUYAS2tm0zNJdrjACWWGmYvDFy6hs3ox26y93Fd9kNDNMSfm0bsc7vY4P7R3wZvy4iQ5vfGjVEy-irP1QdMC7Tq3fxXso6CVd3WzTq7nUOX1zUtMmUMRfFW-0QNBd2bc/s400/Metro_1945+Victory+Mural.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292642779108106562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">1945 - Celebrating the victory</span></span></span>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL80NBGRUGDvNTQAgSX6jA9P6TmQ9mASMHuXVuD7XiA0e55xsiz002Pr64pVvElCu6sPkgsVqjM0-2QrMqaMxjkN6w3RvU6YUCA8laJNY206JOJ35Qt5chIzoQt77ZZTcuKUCl0dYuDk/s1600-h/Metro_SlavyanckeyBulvar_Narene&Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL80NBGRUGDvNTQAgSX6jA9P6TmQ9mASMHuXVuD7XiA0e55xsiz002Pr64pVvElCu6sPkgsVqjM0-2QrMqaMxjkN6w3RvU6YUCA8laJNY206JOJ35Qt5chIzoQt77ZZTcuKUCl0dYuDk/s400/Metro_SlavyanckeyBulvar_Narene&Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292643185351072562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Slavyanckee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bulvar</span>"<br />(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Narene</span> & Sam)<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This is a new metro that is not yet shown on the posted metro maps and is very clean and shiny. It is one of our favorites. It reminds me of a garden with the green trellises.<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe20tTQ8oq5oYvLNDpVlH1Y-0J6AE86J752H9_uw4I2qT6567kVTpB3hKfvxwuZAu0JsItyic9SsJGTumCG3RQzUGv4wtEEz2xM27-kBGrGhzTrKO7O6qehG0EuzzOteiC27Ckzy0nNQ/s1600-h/Metro_SlavyanckeyBulvar_Clark&Renee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe20tTQ8oq5oYvLNDpVlH1Y-0J6AE86J752H9_uw4I2qT6567kVTpB3hKfvxwuZAu0JsItyic9SsJGTumCG3RQzUGv4wtEEz2xM27-kBGrGhzTrKO7O6qehG0EuzzOteiC27Ckzy0nNQ/s400/Metro_SlavyanckeyBulvar_Clark&Renee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292642787802754514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Clark & Renee Mason,<br />our metro traveling companions on this day.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijl3moLqUVV_ti9DAym4qkOz9lj9kZqHWff6FAr841Clxt8oo1hMo6snn1w4a7AxYd1EA0XWeGiW07p1hz90bAERureSL17PB7HATIYGU8X-RVUiZ2wNfP1qk3DlAvsLw4Y8Z3kGsuu4I/s1600-h/Metro_SlavyanckeyBulvar_NareneReneeClark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijl3moLqUVV_ti9DAym4qkOz9lj9kZqHWff6FAr841Clxt8oo1hMo6snn1w4a7AxYd1EA0XWeGiW07p1hz90bAERureSL17PB7HATIYGU8X-RVUiZ2wNfP1qk3DlAvsLw4Y8Z3kGsuu4I/s400/Metro_SlavyanckeyBulvar_NareneReneeClark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292642780005969874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Another view of the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Slavyanckee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bulvar</span>" station.<br />(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Narene</span>, Renee & Clark - Sam took the picture)<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">There have been numerous times that we have had to stand on the metro since all the seats are taken; and many times during rush time the space appears to be filled to capacity, but when the doors open at the next stop, more people rush in. However, on the day after New Year's, we were amazed to find ourselves the only passengers when we got on this train. This was a first and only time this has happened for us. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtoUF7Mm0HFO5r46o290wIc-KvT0whn14GKolK84-jdVG0PWWUqGRph9M_bSRnwbp7s2jVm1PoXGWg8ot8ZdwixelP-W_lkQO_LyoSxpmGoPQmq9xfGofkkhgqj6H7GSmOgyNPbHATBg/s1600-h/Metro_EmptyCar_NareneReneeClark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtoUF7Mm0HFO5r46o290wIc-KvT0whn14GKolK84-jdVG0PWWUqGRph9M_bSRnwbp7s2jVm1PoXGWg8ot8ZdwixelP-W_lkQO_LyoSxpmGoPQmq9xfGofkkhgqj6H7GSmOgyNPbHATBg/s400/Metro_EmptyCar_NareneReneeClark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292643187964216578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This is one of the newer trains with padded seats.<br />Clark took advantage of having the whole car<br />to ourselves when we got on at<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Slavyanckee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bulvar</span>" during what would<br />be rush hour on most days.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aKrkW788K5O7mW1PuyOCeqaFmJK_o41JJ0ubOe4n31jKh7he4zIQaKHQEcWKoZ5ikOGUf6EN-JHPyB4BqG3ro4SO_Vdwz0VCMmBTAv7B3C17ysidxUzZKnMRas3IYX9RMZnQkiKPkwU/s1600-h/Metro_MarblePlatform.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aKrkW788K5O7mW1PuyOCeqaFmJK_o41JJ0ubOe4n31jKh7he4zIQaKHQEcWKoZ5ikOGUf6EN-JHPyB4BqG3ro4SO_Vdwz0VCMmBTAv7B3C17ysidxUzZKnMRas3IYX9RMZnQkiKPkwU/s400/Metro_MarblePlatform.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292643200485304802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Even the platforms were almost empty at the<br />various stops along the route. The next<br />two photos were taken at this station.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEF9Gg-a4bSLK_oh4xdorVaS8dJ56bk-k9Sc2sce09gNnHFANUJeCnVThYmuz4iLwXQj1don8V02Kucaweq7nTcGriZXPaVdo_Vc5_XL9u8BSR3Ng2VY0bKSewz3ayn7JI-zuDBCDzUos/s1600-h/Metro_FlowerGirlCameo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEF9Gg-a4bSLK_oh4xdorVaS8dJ56bk-k9Sc2sce09gNnHFANUJeCnVThYmuz4iLwXQj1don8V02Kucaweq7nTcGriZXPaVdo_Vc5_XL9u8BSR3Ng2VY0bKSewz3ayn7JI-zuDBCDzUos/s400/Metro_FlowerGirlCameo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292643203742943346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Each graphic inset had a different scene<br />framed with attractive marble.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgzWzd5LqggSTKWvUL4W4unNKKPf-90qVRQP-AT0Wk-SjAZNZYD3ELpvQrRKEa33wKfT4PHd0_an2YHeF2lJUty8gmc3VqthrdMSr1evimUJIaEQGI6w45g9VKOC1VYAVOaRSTSwpcjI/s1600-h/Metro_Woman&CowCameo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgzWzd5LqggSTKWvUL4W4unNKKPf-90qVRQP-AT0Wk-SjAZNZYD3ELpvQrRKEa33wKfT4PHd0_an2YHeF2lJUty8gmc3VqthrdMSr1evimUJIaEQGI6w45g9VKOC1VYAVOaRSTSwpcjI/s400/Metro_Woman&CowCameo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292643208953641874" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Trains run about every 90 seconds on most lines during peak hours. At other times during the day, they run every 2 to 3 1/2 minutes. Late at night, they run every 6 to 10 minutes.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g62Il58a_HBR5V5T_FZlw7DqHXXfhyEv53S3A4dKLdtwWUOP4d4ziSHjDPvNZ8B2kBRzmPZsZo5aKaGg2M0x0xrdjDeYu6fHQDRuVTORuc-ZBxmSju7WmUsWGerqsksVZCPbIJuebYc/s1600-h/Metro_Mother&ChildMosaic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g62Il58a_HBR5V5T_FZlw7DqHXXfhyEv53S3A4dKLdtwWUOP4d4ziSHjDPvNZ8B2kBRzmPZsZo5aKaGg2M0x0xrdjDeYu6fHQDRuVTORuc-ZBxmSju7WmUsWGerqsksVZCPbIJuebYc/s400/Metro_Mother&ChildMosaic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292644061012369042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Another mosaic - Mother and Child</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_gmBeeK9HUUS62VWtSwuc5SZI3exC6IICmRr58OzcCSNbikkaybiJQziafW05ruwgtQrCw-ifoOPjtjKVXSa8ZBz6Nzc9yBblMqsJpzGVVP4q3eXyLLksDWlKFflM2YCsnw2FnXimTo/s1600-h/Metro_Hammer&CycleDecoration.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_gmBeeK9HUUS62VWtSwuc5SZI3exC6IICmRr58OzcCSNbikkaybiJQziafW05ruwgtQrCw-ifoOPjtjKVXSa8ZBz6Nzc9yBblMqsJpzGVVP4q3eXyLLksDWlKFflM2YCsnw2FnXimTo/s400/Metro_Hammer&CycleDecoration.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292644064648164706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Interesting lighting and hammer & cycle motif.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">On January 16, we went with Anna, our interpreter, to see about doing a humanitarian project with an institution for deaf children. We met Anna at the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Slavyanckee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Bulvar</span>" stop, so we took another picture here with Anna.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTGz8Wboje_hk3SA1HZphioMNLrTZEVnOrWeT5zXepPhcsnOfRYZFBOSr_JZpkTB7Q2OhYvv1MdmsXlLgBcAqGTgQZVcoZCq-I1I1x5sSUH0FKy2_KYMs1y7lAl82vqWqAMgrSQC02aE/s1600-h/Metro_SlavyanckeeBulvar_Anna&NareneSitting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTGz8Wboje_hk3SA1HZphioMNLrTZEVnOrWeT5zXepPhcsnOfRYZFBOSr_JZpkTB7Q2OhYvv1MdmsXlLgBcAqGTgQZVcoZCq-I1I1x5sSUH0FKy2_KYMs1y7lAl82vqWqAMgrSQC02aE/s400/Metro_SlavyanckeeBulvar_Anna&NareneSitting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292644076570958338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Anna and Sister Ireland at the<br />"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Slavyanckee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Bulvar</span>" station.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXDXdDD7AudKdLkDJ1rTJDRoRtDaV0pDGWvTVND90l9KIW_qwQsxpFdU01gXPWnV9lXFfR0PXmIAzojhmmRWxEQ5itPqb0ApvQQYMvAnedCiLQ4S2sOgEre0LGYzzV0dwPeGtNJzWRJU/s1600-h/Metro_SlavyanckeeBulvar_Anna&Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXDXdDD7AudKdLkDJ1rTJDRoRtDaV0pDGWvTVND90l9KIW_qwQsxpFdU01gXPWnV9lXFfR0PXmIAzojhmmRWxEQ5itPqb0ApvQQYMvAnedCiLQ4S2sOgEre0LGYzzV0dwPeGtNJzWRJU/s400/Metro_SlavyanckeeBulvar_Anna&Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292681508362146402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Here we are with a view of the oncoming train.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When we first arrived in Moscow, we had difficulty understanding the names of the stations when they announced the next stop. Now this is not usually a problem, especially on lines where we have traveled before. When a man's voice announces the station, that indicates clockwise travel on the circle line or travel toward the center of Moscow on the radial lines. A woman's voice announcing indicates the reverse direction. Each line has a name, a number, and a color; and the metro map is displayed in each car. Where we work and live is on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Sokol</span> line, which is #2, and is on the green line. Nearly every where we go, we either walk or ride the metro.<br /><br />A 60-ride metro pass was 580 rubles (about $20 depending on the exchange rate) until after the first of the year. It is now 865 rubles.<br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-52927894785732542432009-01-17T09:05:00.000-08:002009-01-17T11:16:37.083-08:00Moscow Tour after Dark<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />One of the former employees at the Service Center, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kosta</span>, offered to take the Masons and us on a tour at night to see the city lights of Moscow. On January 14, he picked us up at 8:00 p.m. at the Mason's apartment, where we had been invited by Renee for supper before our tour began.</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_r7ZEqimr9cgfp4CWNrYNXhM4y51g0DusZWwn-T_DzeBTsT3LNS_MF1g6vtB8wyOJ0vjy7RaLB9Hydi8HPy6zXCs2faBsYOpuennazgigWGXCyQF1ey5dsFseFJCOxyePwYuBVsGbVU/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_GuideReneeNareneClark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_r7ZEqimr9cgfp4CWNrYNXhM4y51g0DusZWwn-T_DzeBTsT3LNS_MF1g6vtB8wyOJ0vjy7RaLB9Hydi8HPy6zXCs2faBsYOpuennazgigWGXCyQF1ey5dsFseFJCOxyePwYuBVsGbVU/s400/Moscow_NightTour_GuideReneeNareneClark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292313556927715186" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Costa, Renee, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Narene</span>, Clark (Sam took the picture).<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lZ68j54DMSYAs2xaxUuspQKB1i9PnJnNh0iY83bBj4pVTS4evBrUZLqkb7BZyV766FSxNsuqxItJXqXF1VU6RsA71_Nx6_2s7SU5aWkXsUCsIi_Y8OfJ9GRsGYYQbuiuHF5nz1Cv2E4/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_WhiteHouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lZ68j54DMSYAs2xaxUuspQKB1i9PnJnNh0iY83bBj4pVTS4evBrUZLqkb7BZyV766FSxNsuqxItJXqXF1VU6RsA71_Nx6_2s7SU5aWkXsUCsIi_Y8OfJ9GRsGYYQbuiuHF5nz1Cv2E4/s400/Moscow_NightTour_WhiteHouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292311534229931922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> The "White House" of Russia that housed the<br />Russian Parliament until 1993 and now<br />houses the Russian cabinet.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">In 1991,</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Gorbachev was President of the Soviet Union and also General Secretary of the Communist Party. Yeltsin was president of Russia at the time and was in the Russian White House during the coup in August 1991 when the hard-line Communists tried to overthrow Gorbachev. To protect their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Parliament</span> and Yeltsin, 50,000 people surrounded the White House. </span></span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_-J4kjI-4ZWFwEdX7sjoXRg3gH7Kc1cSAsnfQsn2jU5ZkS957eAb-aCgDXBgKZkq2L-v0if08dsX-thB4rdUX3QvVnCn1AJvxEHI4Zmq0c0VfJDR86-qAaZbidQGyvYjbwVgdqgAnzQ/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_LightedBridge,WhiteHouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_-J4kjI-4ZWFwEdX7sjoXRg3gH7Kc1cSAsnfQsn2jU5ZkS957eAb-aCgDXBgKZkq2L-v0if08dsX-thB4rdUX3QvVnCn1AJvxEHI4Zmq0c0VfJDR86-qAaZbidQGyvYjbwVgdqgAnzQ/s400/Moscow_NightTour_LightedBridge,WhiteHouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292311541776545298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Lighted bridge over the Moscow River.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr_rwrZUKyAja1KgLPiw_BH4ms5wVU5kKPCj1-L-G17JzH49n6gw8yBmN6XAV5eHvyX5JVaOzu3-hK61KCTMw0Ph-YPTo1MV7LUHZm9RfM0ivQG7eErQuPJPcP4Zy_W0kltgGgFG08sM/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_Bridge,WhiteHouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr_rwrZUKyAja1KgLPiw_BH4ms5wVU5kKPCj1-L-G17JzH49n6gw8yBmN6XAV5eHvyX5JVaOzu3-hK61KCTMw0Ph-YPTo1MV7LUHZm9RfM0ivQG7eErQuPJPcP4Zy_W0kltgGgFG08sM/s400/Moscow_NightTour_Bridge,WhiteHouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292311535441884818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The White House seen beyond the bridge.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlq2mj0vG1urZYOChDnDuD_GuanpkLukw1KNj2kH85JsBZqKFizX_82liftQm5iZCmS0-gufSX6BBw_ymWMZHVwNHaxGR6jQybzxjlsNjph-8fblazjBBxseMFiG9SAwPqsIsRCQ9YuSg/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_MoscowRiver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlq2mj0vG1urZYOChDnDuD_GuanpkLukw1KNj2kH85JsBZqKFizX_82liftQm5iZCmS0-gufSX6BBw_ymWMZHVwNHaxGR6jQybzxjlsNjph-8fblazjBBxseMFiG9SAwPqsIsRCQ9YuSg/s400/Moscow_NightTour_MoscowRiver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292311544443164706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The illuminated tower of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kievsky</span> Railway Station<br />with the Moscow River in the foreground.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zoncwY9JPpAtgru7CUmrDNf9bk8q-SMid1L-M0nc3qX8P9TK2s-J_YbR8bxMBDXLsaZf89lDiETEL6_53us2aIcMEVkQZd90vADLKoW3E62ea0IAVzQrubJ_QUiafFvzOoTW3XqdPNA/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_NovodevichyConvent.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zoncwY9JPpAtgru7CUmrDNf9bk8q-SMid1L-M0nc3qX8P9TK2s-J_YbR8bxMBDXLsaZf89lDiETEL6_53us2aIcMEVkQZd90vADLKoW3E62ea0IAVzQrubJ_QUiafFvzOoTW3XqdPNA/s400/Moscow_NightTour_NovodevichyConvent.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292312123797671074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Novodevichy</span> Convent<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzZnO4fOtsEA4i0mAajbwM16Tfbgs0oZDImgPOWMbLvmJWvhNTjw_Psb1Cy-H6dGsRk09rG3QIzt1q9DlM81XF9HdTfQt2mcajrP3ruR0apKu7IbisvLDY0tQObzd43hRms9hJklNlME/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_SportsArena.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzZnO4fOtsEA4i0mAajbwM16Tfbgs0oZDImgPOWMbLvmJWvhNTjw_Psb1Cy-H6dGsRk09rG3QIzt1q9DlM81XF9HdTfQt2mcajrP3ruR0apKu7IbisvLDY0tQObzd43hRms9hJklNlME/s400/Moscow_NightTour_SportsArena.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292312129032964706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Soccer stadium across the<br />Moscow River from Sparrow Hill.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTzd51wQaNykHO-rGO7aV4oYbonIGquQZgEwKmx2RfJexs5Nnyvw3XKocCtULopa7qW6DeLPLHGF8cb81UrThJ6Y9pC6x4tgl_yAQEyzRuwQcuUliYdGp9Jn0r1cpP-3X81Y47nyExOw/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_SparrowHill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTzd51wQaNykHO-rGO7aV4oYbonIGquQZgEwKmx2RfJexs5Nnyvw3XKocCtULopa7qW6DeLPLHGF8cb81UrThJ6Y9pC6x4tgl_yAQEyzRuwQcuUliYdGp9Jn0r1cpP-3X81Y47nyExOw/s400/Moscow_NightTour_SparrowHill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292312132828278210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Ski jump at Sparrow Hill</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Wy7Osw4RkzN42OOgDLXHRb3l_J2IGfQVni4rixFnQewmd8OTRMwMKkwLRZ0WK8OlqMyx5kq4lYuc7xpsZXidOmly3-dXP3l74fGgznCkx-7ywpJ-URRa5pgo9OXnxBtUu5VS2Y_lP10/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_SevenSisterUniversityofMoscow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Wy7Osw4RkzN42OOgDLXHRb3l_J2IGfQVni4rixFnQewmd8OTRMwMKkwLRZ0WK8OlqMyx5kq4lYuc7xpsZXidOmly3-dXP3l74fGgznCkx-7ywpJ-URRa5pgo9OXnxBtUu5VS2Y_lP10/s400/Moscow_NightTour_SevenSisterUniversityofMoscow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292312136708932978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Moscow University seen from Sparrow Hill<br />(one of the Seven Sisters buildings)<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDz8i2KRujefmgJyHKaPxM_e7-gcKi7e5qhu8EjyNOyd1c2btbEJqhcxUbwop5cD76RAbA6ckusek6GxjuPI9D96xKIQM-NjJxmNV8_hRuTw9iAkq27Z4ukJPb09C95wdXfp94ZqGYX7Y/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_GagarinMonumentFull.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDz8i2KRujefmgJyHKaPxM_e7-gcKi7e5qhu8EjyNOyd1c2btbEJqhcxUbwop5cD76RAbA6ckusek6GxjuPI9D96xKIQM-NjJxmNV8_hRuTw9iAkq27Z4ukJPb09C95wdXfp94ZqGYX7Y/s400/Moscow_NightTour_GagarinMonumentFull.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292312628916186018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Gagarin Monument<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUNg-UAYb06-ubCic_HnhLOpV44VdjhSdP6t0ZY-KpJIIwen4cKv1HvuM76fgc-FVjgb3S2ZS3wcz-u0k1rlzQzmQCY8I2ASvRiUoltq57e5M3XVkaeIlS7DviivcGIHgJaLTN0HyY_4/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_GagarinMonument.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUNg-UAYb06-ubCic_HnhLOpV44VdjhSdP6t0ZY-KpJIIwen4cKv1HvuM76fgc-FVjgb3S2ZS3wcz-u0k1rlzQzmQCY8I2ASvRiUoltq57e5M3XVkaeIlS7DviivcGIHgJaLTN0HyY_4/s400/Moscow_NightTour_GagarinMonument.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292312141971114258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Yuri Gagarin, Russian <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Cosmonaut</span>,<br />the first human to orbit the earth (1961).</span></span></span></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCFzYM6Qg7yI6TduGrkXTERLNwPhD6_2zR1hET5Qa3Okih9Xkn8KRQlDx5zAx78M_XnrzHgtuWAdoBJoUMWT1X56tfJFYVDOP1RT0CpL-Z_bmLQeXkLiaklQGlMXnJS17eL5khQNxZ7A/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_ArbatCenter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCFzYM6Qg7yI6TduGrkXTERLNwPhD6_2zR1hET5Qa3Okih9Xkn8KRQlDx5zAx78M_XnrzHgtuWAdoBJoUMWT1X56tfJFYVDOP1RT0CpL-Z_bmLQeXkLiaklQGlMXnJS17eL5khQNxZ7A/s400/Moscow_NightTour_ArbatCenter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292312637805886786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">One of several casinos along this street.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaeTrIla0WssmvsOHIfXP00Oye66kEt3rsSwK5z7Rkl8nRjUaDwBTaEXxoUNuLJxcHE7UA7T5scZG12XAwraYosbrVihgOkWnc61I15ys73fZRE2-YCyxcxJkeQrcJyTQj2WEwcebv4g/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_VictoryArch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaeTrIla0WssmvsOHIfXP00Oye66kEt3rsSwK5z7Rkl8nRjUaDwBTaEXxoUNuLJxcHE7UA7T5scZG12XAwraYosbrVihgOkWnc61I15ys73fZRE2-YCyxcxJkeQrcJyTQj2WEwcebv4g/s400/Moscow_NightTour_VictoryArch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292312639043336866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Triumphal Arch on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Poklonnaya</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gora</span><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTK76UWFe_f4a4ue0csiuUzl16XQxLniEN_fRLkFTIVxg5zbSLDL61toMs3izN4C5vAanDhLa_trEuXNZxOHouWols81j3DYA_8lk6m-rFXkQ6kY8KnexCeImUL0BwGhCZb_t_yRubf0/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_TriumphalArch_Close-up.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTK76UWFe_f4a4ue0csiuUzl16XQxLniEN_fRLkFTIVxg5zbSLDL61toMs3izN4C5vAanDhLa_trEuXNZxOHouWols81j3DYA_8lk6m-rFXkQ6kY8KnexCeImUL0BwGhCZb_t_yRubf0/s400/Moscow_NightTour_TriumphalArch_Close-up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292312644618500418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Close-up of the Triumphal Arch near Victory Park<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJQqXFfexxxfwz03lTsmXi6pVF1nQxMCa894erfk4QWC0Xd_Qs0Y-dfiwrpDl2X702s0gkZm3xEmXDAtXeFsNmmQIQW6bYicKiVEDQ4MW0nGmhNrlOZh9OnHSqC4msZddn7zRzWYeFtc/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_BusinessRoundTower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJQqXFfexxxfwz03lTsmXi6pVF1nQxMCa894erfk4QWC0Xd_Qs0Y-dfiwrpDl2X702s0gkZm3xEmXDAtXeFsNmmQIQW6bYicKiVEDQ4MW0nGmhNrlOZh9OnHSqC4msZddn7zRzWYeFtc/s400/Moscow_NightTour_BusinessRoundTower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292312649049687698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">New Business District</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65cTeK2SC8j8Tl1up8jeJaK-U56pvJaLQtlCDUY79Sew6Uk5uWGQti7NX6zjmrXaLJkHYNMqBvrdxfvT_w0EMIegt4Wma-Thc0ePhGtrC66CswgjbxnP0zaqYC7xzcKgUHfAEcJj-ICE/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_BusinessTowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65cTeK2SC8j8Tl1up8jeJaK-U56pvJaLQtlCDUY79Sew6Uk5uWGQti7NX6zjmrXaLJkHYNMqBvrdxfvT_w0EMIegt4Wma-Thc0ePhGtrC66CswgjbxnP0zaqYC7xzcKgUHfAEcJj-ICE/s400/Moscow_NightTour_BusinessTowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292313139191175538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">New Business District<br />still under construction<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDeLhxI_qHuOl79qrgICbJsHGTGGDuYPa-2fLvP9JOugEW-sTar-iLz640qG7D0T7sOZAl6ystEa4naNCObW9oK3GrhvIPAT_htT0JO06Eszulv9c8YPQc6wqM7WbMStCZE2zQ4r8LUQ/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_FoundingFather+of+MoscowMonument.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDeLhxI_qHuOl79qrgICbJsHGTGGDuYPa-2fLvP9JOugEW-sTar-iLz640qG7D0T7sOZAl6ystEa4naNCObW9oK3GrhvIPAT_htT0JO06Eszulv9c8YPQc6wqM7WbMStCZE2zQ4r8LUQ/s400/Moscow_NightTour_FoundingFather+of+MoscowMonument.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292313143828197042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Statue of the "Founding Father of Moscow"<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMAmJHsJieZLonf9HbeRYRMMYFyN6LpxQOxKVR2uTpuIeMQXRR8wYLg-FdjDwmUyUQKdMeuZhuus64AZ8jsg9LQkm5Be3jrXxhEgyyVe7F2DsszqpSqwq5LkpZQuO_eDrdglS9W5ODmw/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_Lubyanka_KGB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMAmJHsJieZLonf9HbeRYRMMYFyN6LpxQOxKVR2uTpuIeMQXRR8wYLg-FdjDwmUyUQKdMeuZhuus64AZ8jsg9LQkm5Be3jrXxhEgyyVe7F2DsszqpSqwq5LkpZQuO_eDrdglS9W5ODmw/s400/Moscow_NightTour_Lubyanka_KGB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292313145676827234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Moscow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Lubyanka</span> or KGB<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzE5Rsdd_PNQRop61IweeAycYkWfUCGDh1jN3yi2BGaDa7hOWTjvnXmmkU9Ln8jepkUJd9YNA5bRWrPmbyvz_1fWzQ3rLJdf2y1FGUZ08IczC3fpKpRQlxGsEljBzcNtcMN-8G98-_cM/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_OldMoscow_Church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzE5Rsdd_PNQRop61IweeAycYkWfUCGDh1jN3yi2BGaDa7hOWTjvnXmmkU9Ln8jepkUJd9YNA5bRWrPmbyvz_1fWzQ3rLJdf2y1FGUZ08IczC3fpKpRQlxGsEljBzcNtcMN-8G98-_cM/s400/Moscow_NightTour_OldMoscow_Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292313149503570290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Not lighted, but interesting architecture<br />in the old part of Moscow.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAXh-z4T2D7yTa1QsjDtS4lOavDGfN85Rwv6E3rGxzXjctvgF-dJi3AcisgDIvsz0g5TKNPODjBboJBYrd_aFmIttpwDnsjTAWgk4-WyslRlUEBJ5lpdZhdrXb-cEf38lDwhFRy1WQIM/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_OldMoscow_ChurchBellTowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAXh-z4T2D7yTa1QsjDtS4lOavDGfN85Rwv6E3rGxzXjctvgF-dJi3AcisgDIvsz0g5TKNPODjBboJBYrd_aFmIttpwDnsjTAWgk4-WyslRlUEBJ5lpdZhdrXb-cEf38lDwhFRy1WQIM/s400/Moscow_NightTour_OldMoscow_ChurchBellTowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292313159584723634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A church in "Old Moscow"<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh032ew2bwk3yX5tI156fxe40YUOri-ol88UzSm86shTSqDskDMo5r-2a3Ymo_NoRa3cJR9wC1WZ1kSdbijw9zeHz_z01zFuyxBkaRDFjiUkOAifaBbt7-xvstV9r64Uiy5j_Diekc3J1c/s1600-h/Moscow_NightTour_PovoslavianChurch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh032ew2bwk3yX5tI156fxe40YUOri-ol88UzSm86shTSqDskDMo5r-2a3Ymo_NoRa3cJR9wC1WZ1kSdbijw9zeHz_z01zFuyxBkaRDFjiUkOAifaBbt7-xvstV9r64Uiy5j_Diekc3J1c/s400/Moscow_NightTour_PovoslavianChurch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292313550000026722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Provoslavian</span> Church in "Old Moscow"<br />(Russian Orthodox)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnwgjEWhoog1EEGR4h03EmRowbmrj7SWtU1m02QWYWILV_QJKnSzhZSOIuEf8T-RWZBVPo1-P0ldeG8Da_3I0a6Dhq2CGTgXUsyGCg4izoHz9zR7bamkm9tjHy41geY8rL5rA9Uc5uEQ/s1600-h/Moscow_ApartmentViewNightMoon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnwgjEWhoog1EEGR4h03EmRowbmrj7SWtU1m02QWYWILV_QJKnSzhZSOIuEf8T-RWZBVPo1-P0ldeG8Da_3I0a6Dhq2CGTgXUsyGCg4izoHz9zR7bamkm9tjHy41geY8rL5rA9Uc5uEQ/s400/Moscow_ApartmentViewNightMoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292313563809990146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Our favorite view at night is the<br />Triumph Palace<br />seen from our 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">th</span> floor apartment window.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> The Triumph Palace is a 57-story apartment building, which is sometimes referred to as the 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span> Tower because of its similar appearance to the Seven Sisters skyscrapers built by Stalin in the 1950's. This building has 1,000 luxury apartments. When it was finished in 2003, it was the tallest building in Europe (866 ft.).<br /><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-12317441435867717412009-01-12T11:14:00.000-08:002009-01-12T13:43:08.855-08:00Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />The senior missionaries' excursion on Saturday, January 10, was to see the Turner Exhibition at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsTHNZp3khTUwX4ZIQKUy8IlIMtLQeGRsFdYhk_7GKsnZ2m1JBg0c70Js_iBwh92C_gJJfwX45oT7kdU3f_-YeELeNg9vwF98fBws28UdkdGg8AWe8YMk7uLocg5NUool966BHSIo9n8/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseumofFneArts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsTHNZp3khTUwX4ZIQKUy8IlIMtLQeGRsFdYhk_7GKsnZ2m1JBg0c70Js_iBwh92C_gJJfwX45oT7kdU3f_-YeELeNg9vwF98fBws28UdkdGg8AWe8YMk7uLocg5NUool966BHSIo9n8/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseumofFneArts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290508151008967506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Visiting the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts<br />Chris, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Narene</span>, Clark, Renee, and Linda <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nearon</span>;<br />also with us but not in the photo:<br />Greg, Sam, David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Yorgesen</span>,<br />Steve & Linda Rees<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">They prohibited taking pictures of the Turner paintings, but my favorite was a Venice scene. William Turner lived 1775-1851 and is considered perhaps the most famous English Romantic landscape artist as well as England's most famous marine artist according to a source I read online. He studied the science of light and color and is known as the "painter of light."</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">After looking at the Turner paintings on the second floor, we visited the other rooms of the museum, which we enjoyed even more. There is a large collection of tinted plaster casts of famous sculptures that is impressive.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHBwXL8CQeJVNlNfHP1BUpH5Skwc5P87cYVzJPHIPCbLZHSEBqDU8awztgtQMIaxIZReR-k0i7fHo-4m6FKer5BILy-9QUB-nByfG7sWd5lj-UPm1On2OZVSYvu9Em_rHTaX9uaRKb-Q/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_PlasterCasts1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHBwXL8CQeJVNlNfHP1BUpH5Skwc5P87cYVzJPHIPCbLZHSEBqDU8awztgtQMIaxIZReR-k0i7fHo-4m6FKer5BILy-9QUB-nByfG7sWd5lj-UPm1On2OZVSYvu9Em_rHTaX9uaRKb-Q/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_PlasterCasts1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290509304134300434" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">One of several rooms full of plaster cast sculptures.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjz0lgvqX0xJdhB9_G09_1XWerVQHRM1obdNkT1pFsg_xbgk5vPFUTGSf5-IgfyeY27EtxCFVZInUwFDZeigU4sRgrliCllnjgCGq5CjL-1LfqgvvQ4FoGQ9ZyT7pNcKSsBS3-6pUMUA/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_PlasterCasts12_Michelangelo'sDavid.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjz0lgvqX0xJdhB9_G09_1XWerVQHRM1obdNkT1pFsg_xbgk5vPFUTGSf5-IgfyeY27EtxCFVZInUwFDZeigU4sRgrliCllnjgCGq5CjL-1LfqgvvQ4FoGQ9ZyT7pNcKSsBS3-6pUMUA/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_PlasterCasts12_Michelangelo'sDavid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290509301428473042" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">At the left is the replica of<br />Michelangelo's "David."<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lcYRGM68mP6lVB70G8Lo0fhi9TTRCsRPo3KyUFszhyioRlRqjNfYi3FEXin2KF8EnhYhChAbkr3yx2e1_0_ipCMNH4GlKJ3rG0wzXcWB0u1Wc7MXBtCm8L-YaQ3aW7tIm8St8qcIovY/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_PlasterCasts10_Moses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lcYRGM68mP6lVB70G8Lo0fhi9TTRCsRPo3KyUFszhyioRlRqjNfYi3FEXin2KF8EnhYhChAbkr3yx2e1_0_ipCMNH4GlKJ3rG0wzXcWB0u1Wc7MXBtCm8L-YaQ3aW7tIm8St8qcIovY/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_PlasterCasts10_Moses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290508165635301650" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Plaster Cast of Michelangelo's "Moses."</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmKIusZZprUAwxUwWbxrYjn7kYHnBNG4lNMWLreTW78EEwj9ZW80SBn2gcnWukcQVkxmHJ50BW5-75Pd87jfR93WLcC3zD2fM70zoSxT4ic8S3xmkF8yu0xz56iei5DrMsY00KzmVN2s/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_PlasterCasts11_Michelangelo'sPieta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmKIusZZprUAwxUwWbxrYjn7kYHnBNG4lNMWLreTW78EEwj9ZW80SBn2gcnWukcQVkxmHJ50BW5-75Pd87jfR93WLcC3zD2fM70zoSxT4ic8S3xmkF8yu0xz56iei5DrMsY00KzmVN2s/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_PlasterCasts11_Michelangelo'sPieta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290508162492489234" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Plaster Cast of Michelangelo's "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pieta</span>."</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWWdBL5MnI-V1EZWBURpwjRJ4zKxzXfhUI-38p_qF8s7_jPpANT_Kgb4qB4PYRnAesVtXgHIckdkWMT3TYOXvN0XiwZMnEvcmBI_cQGb0yhb_IGAWMYrP0kIhcxqd7Oe3mLltWmtWzpk/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_Dragon&Horse2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWWdBL5MnI-V1EZWBURpwjRJ4zKxzXfhUI-38p_qF8s7_jPpANT_Kgb4qB4PYRnAesVtXgHIckdkWMT3TYOXvN0XiwZMnEvcmBI_cQGb0yhb_IGAWMYrP0kIhcxqd7Oe3mLltWmtWzpk/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_Dragon&Horse2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290509296586404690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Maybe St. George Slaying the Dragon </span></span></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwJXBCkUxCY27ljuYYFeIGBLL61ytT5b70gmv_MYGKIlTQ8HtyQz06hNCZouF6fJYXduRmS3STSs0kGrr3FN3wqJ8XlK7qWljkAfTLdU0Q1XVgfEJXHi15WIsxSCfE0y6JrczlvgWxaA/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_Room_GregNareneLooking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwJXBCkUxCY27ljuYYFeIGBLL61ytT5b70gmv_MYGKIlTQ8HtyQz06hNCZouF6fJYXduRmS3STSs0kGrr3FN3wqJ8XlK7qWljkAfTLdU0Q1XVgfEJXHi15WIsxSCfE0y6JrczlvgWxaA/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_Room_GregNareneLooking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290508178028803954" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Another room full of plaster cast art.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The first section we toured had works of art of ancient Egypt and artifacts. We could not take photos of the artifacts, but we could in the other rooms.</span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zyM6tSyDb2Jt_TqPLLbpd246r2kx8MgCKD7JH2sF-pjiZGc30KvCHGcj15JQHPVwC_C8fF-05fdjSNQv8yAIdsERiAQBqKKTADho8KMOd3d9ZuzKiKQtJSj2QQhzM-70X9SPsewM0Tw/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_LargeVase.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zyM6tSyDb2Jt_TqPLLbpd246r2kx8MgCKD7JH2sF-pjiZGc30KvCHGcj15JQHPVwC_C8fF-05fdjSNQv8yAIdsERiAQBqKKTADho8KMOd3d9ZuzKiKQtJSj2QQhzM-70X9SPsewM0Tw/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_LargeVase.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290519908248356802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Look at the size of that vase.<br /><br /></span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-T6yJJPXOr9lljEZXmzz9-Wz74bs9hwW2G7lTo6mBjMOYqUtRvIK1UeFs-2yx_-iiZdJlO49x2egoTdqaAkTzx-lyu_6F_1f0HTiCbJjf1brdWlHB8iYF-VUmFGSR7us1RbMs4gcxDM/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_EgyptianRoom_Narene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-T6yJJPXOr9lljEZXmzz9-Wz74bs9hwW2G7lTo6mBjMOYqUtRvIK1UeFs-2yx_-iiZdJlO49x2egoTdqaAkTzx-lyu_6F_1f0HTiCbJjf1brdWlHB8iYF-VUmFGSR7us1RbMs4gcxDM/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_EgyptianRoom_Narene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290508176339949746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Narene</span> in the Egyptian room.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGA1QfhXD3gF-7S1Mr8gdRxAH5ma4XjFP311Pbps_TJoEsIZLzQ5M0cRPQBtTiwP7q_cmS_j8E3HVJzrG_-CB0CRgZZRRNOGMG2ZmzVB4FCenspCp3vrOTOjliVcXksP9XHJd1SqFG7g/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_EgyptianWall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGA1QfhXD3gF-7S1Mr8gdRxAH5ma4XjFP311Pbps_TJoEsIZLzQ5M0cRPQBtTiwP7q_cmS_j8E3HVJzrG_-CB0CRgZZRRNOGMG2ZmzVB4FCenspCp3vrOTOjliVcXksP9XHJd1SqFG7g/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_EgyptianWall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290519899709008962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">One of the walls in the Egyptian room</span></span></span>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpFL7b1VTgm9wneRIMXeqyQt-8hxMIG_S3KPOgkP4_vKS284ybXY7C5-COD_wsfdwb0p-kQp5C4shATkKNB5rQUjVPhwVPOE0zY2jXS_Ywk7d8Lsx8OOzJYjEiCWQ5yAfjeKgPdASqkQ/s1600-h/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_FlowersPainting1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpFL7b1VTgm9wneRIMXeqyQt-8hxMIG_S3KPOgkP4_vKS284ybXY7C5-COD_wsfdwb0p-kQp5C4shATkKNB5rQUjVPhwVPOE0zY2jXS_Ywk7d8Lsx8OOzJYjEiCWQ5yAfjeKgPdASqkQ/s400/Moscow_PushkinMuseum_FlowersPainting1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290509287848835458" border="0" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I don't recall the artist's name,</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />but this painting was particularly colorful and<br />the flowers are gorgeous.<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv-Ky5IOkHE4kG-bWxqpeYFJ430D3oQ0E-b1HaFrbL-26Fwatp1MKAPAlh4emsbK0MZkLAgSgYGOGQ9UgoP50HMIoZDDHKotWK3GXb2mvRLc55waYvlQGEID2oqgHgYAku-jw-jZoTuU/s1600-h/MoscowMuseumofFineArt_Rembrandt_Portrait+of+His+Brother.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv-Ky5IOkHE4kG-bWxqpeYFJ430D3oQ0E-b1HaFrbL-26Fwatp1MKAPAlh4emsbK0MZkLAgSgYGOGQ9UgoP50HMIoZDDHKotWK3GXb2mvRLc55waYvlQGEID2oqgHgYAku-jw-jZoTuU/s400/MoscowMuseumofFineArt_Rembrandt_Portrait+of+His+Brother.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290509295632527602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Rembrandt's portrait of his brother<br />was one of our favorites.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZndIe9Gpz64zw5WzbygoJH_YLQzP0UavMdtK3UygOQJXYH97715c4uZBK5Mehvg8A-D9ohCx-VLe0ncT4MuRHg7Gcb5VfaldDJ-NKPU3bGlNrEpIexArtM6_b84z_UsjW8EPTYtkhhc0/s1600-h/Moscow_ChristtheRedeemerChurch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZndIe9Gpz64zw5WzbygoJH_YLQzP0UavMdtK3UygOQJXYH97715c4uZBK5Mehvg8A-D9ohCx-VLe0ncT4MuRHg7Gcb5VfaldDJ-NKPU3bGlNrEpIexArtM6_b84z_UsjW8EPTYtkhhc0/s400/Moscow_ChristtheRedeemerChurch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290519896423451426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Christ the Redeemer Cathedral<br />Photo taken as we walked back to the metro.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv40og_9nK4pZApbgYHCV_vsd9iXcIESXX02x4CQ-biKwY0PY7I4_TULC1mWFWeb7WW3ZkUkM8zsMzFkt25XkaoA1ynO3P6FdSZeya0803GxLS-bTPow9rjtaJDtC8b2SMIfypsEDiggA/s1600-h/Moscow_PetertheGreat_ChristRedeemerChurch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv40og_9nK4pZApbgYHCV_vsd9iXcIESXX02x4CQ-biKwY0PY7I4_TULC1mWFWeb7WW3ZkUkM8zsMzFkt25XkaoA1ynO3P6FdSZeya0803GxLS-bTPow9rjtaJDtC8b2SMIfypsEDiggA/s400/Moscow_PetertheGreat_ChristRedeemerChurch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290519886528466850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Peter the Great statue to the left in the distance,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">and Christ the Redeemer Cathedral on the right.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2AOD0Kh7T2p1Rj-NsTvNtQYmj0YT0p8uNDXdtesPTjhgPgm-buKgZVlDJN-44kIosmRYTE9gTcbjqdS1cmdyMen2UlQzmHg7XBkA8EZ6qVkO8PrGx8tWqUZ_h8fhcwsXboEs4QWU_QM/s1600-h/Metro_Chris&GregSleeping2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2AOD0Kh7T2p1Rj-NsTvNtQYmj0YT0p8uNDXdtesPTjhgPgm-buKgZVlDJN-44kIosmRYTE9gTcbjqdS1cmdyMen2UlQzmHg7XBkA8EZ6qVkO8PrGx8tWqUZ_h8fhcwsXboEs4QWU_QM/s400/Metro_Chris&GregSleeping2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290519881064461538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"Sleeping Beauties" riding home on the metro.<br />It had been a long day!<br /><br /></span></span></span></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061690572577007001.post-32755300387770785642009-01-11T12:30:00.000-08:002009-01-12T11:11:16.497-08:00Service Project with Seniors & Saying Goodbye to Elders<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTigjyei5mnPqYbubeGHuhz_aiM0anOFvc71O0SqeJpewYVyLGLjXXZLITzcz53YqTYDo4sTGy-X6denWg36lS0avS5_10j2mj3Wdzv5lfkHJNN_VWUxWfONnBYM0tfICAz5FOaJwbO8/s1600-h/IMG_6043.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The senior missionary couples looked forward to bringing some holiday cheer to the elderly at the same institution where we had done a service project last year at Christmas time. We were invited to go on January 9 to take the bags of candy we had packaged at our Family Home Evening and sing some Christmas songs. Marina Kharlamova, who works at the Meridian building and who is a counselor in the district Relief Society, helped us with preparations and was our interpreter.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4I5K_gqrQM0b32nti7b4nhWJfFWFh1iobzsQYYmZP6SD0uUdsKA-T1EHFiTmjNhBUZty-Ah_M89yTou157C6DwFb1b4nLTEqJMMll9lcAOU7nFIUOAkAAyyeDOu9FRH1Bc4YuG203Pqg/s1600-h/Moscow_ServiceProjectNursingHome_Marina.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4I5K_gqrQM0b32nti7b4nhWJfFWFh1iobzsQYYmZP6SD0uUdsKA-T1EHFiTmjNhBUZty-Ah_M89yTou157C6DwFb1b4nLTEqJMMll9lcAOU7nFIUOAkAAyyeDOu9FRH1Bc4YuG203Pqg/s400/Moscow_ServiceProjectNursingHome_Marina.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290443297508393634" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Marina Kharlamova<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50TJPGOEtLQKokFh8eRSV0dfVXZ1j8PHbbYDhXTEcrWl2KHQ_pCxm_h_VDpF72pR4Y0Z725vvf_EzWlvDHUMb6m-dlj9Wbw5Q-WWvzYNSXfdDjD5PRL2MlCAOoWdXXN5e9uQ4Y0fWw6Y/s1600-h/Moscow_ServiceProjectNursingHome_GroupPhotoOutside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50TJPGOEtLQKokFh8eRSV0dfVXZ1j8PHbbYDhXTEcrWl2KHQ_pCxm_h_VDpF72pR4Y0Z725vvf_EzWlvDHUMb6m-dlj9Wbw5Q-WWvzYNSXfdDjD5PRL2MlCAOoWdXXN5e9uQ4Y0fWw6Y/s400/Moscow_ServiceProjectNursingHome_GroupPhotoOutside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290442825812392114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Yes, it was snowing!<br />The sign on the building behind us says<br />"Happy New Year" in Russian.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">[left to right] Chris, Sharon, Steve & Linda Rees,<br />David Yorgensen, Clark & Renee, Linda Nearon,<br />Narene, Greg, David Nearon, and Sam<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We sang several songs and passed out the candy treats to four different rooms where elderly were seated and also walked through the halls delivering treats to those bedridden. We shook their hands as we handed them their ribbon-tied bag and wished them a "Happy New Year" in our best Russian. One lady smiled brightly as she told us "Happy New Year" back in her best English.<br /><br />In one room a group of ladies seemed to especially appreciate our rendition of "Frosty the Snowman" and "Jingle Bells" and clapped along in rhythm as we sang. In each room, we ended our music by singing "I am a Child of God" in Russian and then "Silent Night" in English. I started to get teary when we began singing "I am a Child of God," but it wasn't as emotional for me this year as it was last year. Perhaps it was easier this time because during the past year Sam and I have visited a number of institutions where children are disabled and limited in what they can do, and it is harder to see children with such a bleak future. It is rewarding, though, to see you have made someone smile or to know you have brought some cheer into someone's life if only for part of a day.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">After we finished with our service project, all but Marina went to eat at My My's at Aeroport. It is a buffet where you can see what you want to select. I like the borsch soup (beef broth with shredded beets, potatoes, cabbage, onions, carrots, thin strips of meat, and diced garlic and seasonings).</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We had some time before we needed to get back to our apartment, so we went to the Shepards and had time for some visiting and one round of Rummicube. While we were there, their landlady and family members came to get the rent. It seemed like a friendly social call more than business, and I was impressed with how Greg told her about our church in response to the landlady's question about whether or not we are a Protestant church.</span></span></span><br /><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When we left the Shepards, we met Elder Salinas and Elder Mills at Sokol. We had invited them to our apartment to eat with us and give us a spiritual thought. They had gotten permission from President Collins to come, as they would be going home on Monday after completing their two-year mission in Russia.<br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoEQYv-wCIJsrDNylf5Tmg5Z8zFiZUvx2qKJEcmYzkr1mE0Nc_bINIX0pUHHkDDJENfz9dcvnTr2pkEdUE4iZNORdvTg-VTx2-p6QmXHjyXnrtz0ABAB1ygcbrMtEK37Bsc9XixC-W7o/s1600-h/Missionary_ElderSalinasIrelandsElderMills_Apartment.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoEQYv-wCIJsrDNylf5Tmg5Z8zFiZUvx2qKJEcmYzkr1mE0Nc_bINIX0pUHHkDDJENfz9dcvnTr2pkEdUE4iZNORdvTg-VTx2-p6QmXHjyXnrtz0ABAB1ygcbrMtEK37Bsc9XixC-W7o/s400/Missionary_ElderSalinasIrelandsElderMills_Apartment.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290443303587461650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Elder Salinas, who will be going home to Texas;<br />Narene & Sam; and Elder Mills, who will be<br />returning home Monday to Las Vegas.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We first grew to love Elder Salinas in Tver when we were assigned to that branch, so we were pleased when he was transferred to Moscow and attended the Yugo Zapadnaya branch. Elder Mills is also a special young man whom we have grown to love. We will miss them both, but feel fortunate to have been in the same branches where they served. I had made chili the day before and baked chocolate chip bars, so it didn't take long to get the salad and other things ready to put on the table. The Elders gave us a nice spiritual thought about preparing yourself to withstand the storms of life and receive the Lord's blessings.</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder Mills also spoke in sacrament meeting on Sunday. I took oatmeal raisin cookies for people to help themselves to after church on Sunday. We met at 7:00 p.m. for church, because for Russians it was a work day in order to give them a longer Christmas/New Year's holiday. Here are some photos we took after church with a few of the branch members. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUX_-uOPFA4RSY4FHC3OzEnA6VhNFM5QbS4obiDzNAobong-22E13Tns4EiDWm2T8JSmqbE5wuMq1hICnV_c8np85LhKDTzW4rNUmo_VLWggRpBROw1UNDau6tw9qds1N5TceUj9Uyp0/s1600-h/YugoZapadnaya_ElderTerrell,Lydia,ElderLundquist,Anthony,ElderSalinas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUX_-uOPFA4RSY4FHC3OzEnA6VhNFM5QbS4obiDzNAobong-22E13Tns4EiDWm2T8JSmqbE5wuMq1hICnV_c8np85LhKDTzW4rNUmo_VLWggRpBROw1UNDau6tw9qds1N5TceUj9Uyp0/s400/YugoZapadnaya_ElderTerrell,Lydia,ElderLundquist,Anthony,ElderSalinas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290471590482780146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Elder Terrell, Lydia, Elder Lundquist (who had been<br />serving in Belarus and also was returning home<br />on Monday), Anthony, and Elder Salinas<br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQbPkaAcurcbc8mr-M_JYTO4GSv1Cx_8jB5gH6NxADgofTtx-kXFowAnEriG2CpI1_IcqJRZHxd8n_UG41Nc_AyOYpKQk_mcmc-WmWS69yvwFa6j4EWCYB_WTIg5aBYVt4LL_ZcOgrb8/s1600-h/YugoZapadnaya_Narene&Lydia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQbPkaAcurcbc8mr-M_JYTO4GSv1Cx_8jB5gH6NxADgofTtx-kXFowAnEriG2CpI1_IcqJRZHxd8n_UG41Nc_AyOYpKQk_mcmc-WmWS69yvwFa6j4EWCYB_WTIg5aBYVt4LL_ZcOgrb8/s400/YugoZapadnaya_Narene&Lydia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290471583794411538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sister Ireland & Sister Lydia<br />Lydia is a sweet lady who always gives me a<br />hug and a kiss. She was baptized as a new<br />member about the time we came to<br />the Yugo Zapadnaya branch.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zjgG62EQWtNzX23EnCz-YaQT_1Aw8Gc4cuzOYJnk1K9ODdiVDdr8cCNKe0rDosPdJ_6MgVGB4S3GlXWZPTfJZTNiB1Qk8_WKZEUSiyu_8_0c3D-gvUQ5czOT9ITLSh9ZFir9st6LLns/s1600-h/YugoZapadnaya_ElderMills,SisterNatalie%26husband.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zjgG62EQWtNzX23EnCz-YaQT_1Aw8Gc4cuzOYJnk1K9ODdiVDdr8cCNKe0rDosPdJ_6MgVGB4S3GlXWZPTfJZTNiB1Qk8_WKZEUSiyu_8_0c3D-gvUQ5czOT9ITLSh9ZFir9st6LLns/s400/YugoZapadnaya_ElderMills,SisterNatalie%26husband.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290471582474297298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder Mills with Sister Natalia and her husband.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIykYwkkTV943CEcjfmzD7lSRPurkLolcmlYr9qrXEAtVPGVq4gLYNSmcxBHZb4sHnyXHkqv2G19eAPiyRYd0t9gnIFd8cFlUX5o8PT60GC727RvnnC7WvhbOxki6IrpNu_VJqGCHsM0/s1600-h/YugoZapadnaya_ElderSalinas&Peter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIykYwkkTV943CEcjfmzD7lSRPurkLolcmlYr9qrXEAtVPGVq4gLYNSmcxBHZb4sHnyXHkqv2G19eAPiyRYd0t9gnIFd8cFlUX5o8PT60GC727RvnnC7WvhbOxki6IrpNu_VJqGCHsM0/s400/YugoZapadnaya_ElderSalinas&Peter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290475367500581122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> Elder Salinas and Peter<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Elder Salinas and Elder Mills will take home with them special memories of the time they served in Russia.</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>samnarenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12071269914388822042noreply@blogger.com0