Sunday, January 24, 2010

We went to Novgorod again. This time it only took us two hours (it took us four to five hours by train). Kostya, our translators girlfriend, Masha, took us in her car. They also took us to a park that had old Russian wooden houses and churches. Some were built in the 15th and 16th century. The houses had the animals living on the ground floor. The people lived upstairs above the animals (wonder what it smelled like??? Animals!!!). They had two rooms. A small kitchen with an oven and a living area with a table. There was a little area above the living room that looked like a floor jutting out of the wall but there was only about 12 inches from it to the ceiling. It was just half a loft. That is where the people slept. They must have had to just slide into the beds because there was not enough room to stand. They must have had to sleep on straw as mattresses because there was no room for anything else. They must have had to go to bed at 4:30 p.m. because there was no light. In one corner was an icon that they prayed to. It was very interesting.


2 comments:

Stephani Polson said...

Beautiful pictures and what a gorgeous temple! We love you!

Christy said...

Hey Patti...it's christy moysh/madsen here! i love the pictures and following your adventure out there...i have a favor...

I am in the YW here in Logan and for girls camp, my ward has chosen the country of Russia to spotlight. The theme is a "voyage around the world". Anyway, i was hoping for a few ideas from you...we have to have a 5 min skit, 15 minute presentation of the country, and a camp cheer - all having to do with Russia.

Since you are over there and experiencing the country 1st hand, who better to provide some information :)

So - i was hoping maybe we could get some pen pals with YW over there...and possibly bounce some ideas for a treat off you.

Will you email me at cmoysh@yahoo.com??? Thanks!! and i am still extremely jealous of your badge...i need mine back :)