2012-02-27 I Love Snow

Sunday brought about the fifth or so consecutive snowy day here. It simply will not stop snowing. It does not seem to accumulate much, yet is perpetually always falling from the sky. However I will not complain about it. Snow is very likely my favorite type of weather and Saint Petersburg is not disappointing. The weather has warmed so it is no longer Russian ‘death’ cold, and I can comfortably enjoy the winter. 

Sunday was also the host of the holiday named 'Масленица’  or 'Pancake’ day. A huge outdoor fair is held on a northern island named Yelagin or Елагин. It quite possibly was the most entertaining fair I have ever been to. Imagine a state fair in America… with everything from simple prize games, rides, shows, concerts, animals, actors in costume, and many people. Add a meter of snow, and constant more fluffy flakes pouring from the sky. Do not forget the tradition of burning dolls on sticks, a ritual to rid the city of winter, which can be done everywhere since… it is snowing, it simply eventually goes out due to the natural weather. Last but not least, pancakes. Or блины as they are aptly named here. This beautiful island had more stands selling the basic holiday food that I could count, and it was a surprisingly fun underrated holiday fair with my friends to bid farewell to winter.

It did not work, but alas, who needs warmth anyways?

My awkward Russian moment of the day? I asked a man for his галстук to light our dolls on fire with… he stared at me bewildered until, through my strange charades, he figured out that I wanted a lighter. It was then that I realized I asked for his tie… yes, his necktie. I, overly embarrassed, ran away.

For future use… 'awkward Russian moment of the day’ will be the new acronym… ARMOD. Nailed it.

Saturday’s ARMOD: At dinner with my host family after I had gotten some fish, I misunderstood a set of directions and added salt to the fish. My host mother laughed at me when she tried to clarify that she had already put salt on the fish, and in no way should I eat that double-salted piece of fish!