Staraya Russia, Starberries, and more.

Hello again!

This past saturday we went to Staraya Russia and visited the home of Dostoevskii (picture's above of his home, which has been turned into a museum of sorts, and a picture from the street out front.  This is where he wrote Brothers Karamzov.)  We had a nice tour and it was very interesting.  The town was gorgeous!  We went out to a resturant afterwards and since we called ahead, they even had food I could eat (yay!).  They also served tea after the meal.  Note especially for Danielle: We must have tea after every meal from now on.

Sveta went to her dacha this weekend and picked 2 large baskets of strawberries.  OOOOOHHHH they are so good!  Not to mention the fresh jam!  I'm never going to be able to eat American food again when I come home.  There really aren't any large grocery stores that I have seen.  Everything seems to be small stores only, and as a result there is a much higher density of locally grown, fresh food.  With some exceptions of course, like things that don't grow in Russia, which are generally more scarce, or of lower quality.

Sveta's husband (Igor) and daughter (Nastya) returned yesterday as well.  They are extremely nice too.  I didn't get to spend a lot of time talking to them, because they got in very late, and then I had to leave early for class this morning, but I like them already.  Igor speaks very good English, and Nastya is learning.  Yesterday was Sveta's birthday as well, so we had a small impromptu celebration. 

We are going to St. Petersburg from Thursday - Sunday.  I am very exciting about that trip, as you might imagine.  I'll be posting one more time this week, and then again next monday when we get back.

-Doug

(In the picture of the house:  Francesca on the left.  From the doorway outwards: Magda (almost all the way through the door), Matt, Jim, and Colin.