My Parents

My Parents. My Mom and my Father.
I brought this picture with me from St Petersburg.
I look at it, and look, and look...

election

Today is the election day in Russia. The Party will win. I have discovered that the best time to travel to Russia is right before the election. The party will do anything (using government money?) to get your voice. Here is what people were getting from The Party - warm blankets, canned fish, cakes, chocolate, olive oil, trips to historical and holy places, tickets to the circus... Look at this street poster from the opposition. Zhirinovsky ("Zhirik") says: "Everything was taken from you except for your right to vote!"

Tikhvin Miracle Icon of Theotokos

This 600 year old Russian Icon disappeared from Tikhvin monastery in 1941 during the war. The Miracle Icon came back home to the newly reopened monastery in 2004 from... Chicago! The venerated, priceless old icon was given back to Russia by a Chicago resident of Russian descent who was more than aware of it's significance. I am very fortunate that I could visit the monastery for the first time during my short stay in St Petersburg, and lit the candle.

Monastery in Tikhvin

 

I went to Tikhvinsky Ouspensky Monastery 120 miles from St Petersburg. The monastery was closed in 1924 and reopened in 1995, now under restoration. This church is the place where the oldest Russian icon - Tikhvin Icon of Theotokos - resided for 600 years (!) and then disappeared. I made this picture from the bells tower.

playground

 

Typical playground in St Petersburg in the north part of town with buildings made out of blocks. Government was trying to move people out of the city center offering free housing with 1-2 room apartments called "kvartira" ("quar-tee-rah"). I think this word was born from the word "quarter".

Old Believers Church

This is Old Believers Church in the center of St Petersburg. The Old Believers separated after 1666 from the official Russian Orthodox Church as a protest against church reforms. My Grandma was an Old Believer, I kept her old metal cross. Most Old Believers moved to Siberia, some - to Alaska. I have visited their village in Alaska. These old arguments are still very important for Russians.

With my Mom. Piter, November 2011.

back from Piter

I'm back from Piter.

It was a long flight from Helsinki to New York due to very strong winds - 9 hours (instead of expected 7). It was very enjoyable flight (FinAir).

My luggage will arrive one day later (sometime today :) Can't wait fot it to arrive - my new camel blanket in it, my Mom's gift for winter :)

Great to see some sunshine again!