Friday, January 04, 2008

"Happy New Year! Merry Christmas!"

Christmas is just around the corner here in Russia, celebrated on January 7, as per the Orthodox calendar. For most of us, it's a tongue twister to say Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! Please join me for a quick tour of holiday greetings around beautiful Rostov-on-Don.

(Congratulations) on the New Year and Christmas! (In Russian, the congratulations is implied, not expressed. These translations are literal.)


(Congratulations) on the New Year, Rostovites!


(Congratulations) on the Holiday, Rostovities!


(Congratulations ) on the New Year!


(Congratulations) on the New Year!

7 comments:

Alida Sharp said...

I love your photos! We have never been to Rostov... it looks like a place I would love to spend time in!

Eileen said...

Hello A, Delighted that you like these photos! (Bet Krasnodar has some beautiful spots too!)Well, come on up to Rostov sometime - you're got a friend here already! ;) E

Unknown said...

Hello Eileen. I so enjoy your blog. I travel annually in late spring to Samara (and by the way, they think their city is the biggest...:) and your photos and stories take me right there...the cities must be twin sisters. I've fallen in love with Russia and her people-so it's great to be able to participate in your life there and have that additional sense of connection. Would love to hear more about the details sometime.

Jeanette
in Atascadero, California

Eileen said...

Hello Jeannette, Thank you for your visit. Neat that you go to Samara, that's right on the Volga, right? I've been there too but it was...hmmm...2001 or so for a conference. A bunch of us from here took the train there and I'm remembering how modern that train station was. How do you get from California to Samara? Go through Moscow perhaps or are there more direct flights. Happy travels to you! E. PS: Samara is famous for it's chocolate factory, as I recall. Did you happen to get some special chocolaes?

Unknown said...

Hi back. Yes, Samara is on the Volga, boasts the biggest train station in Eurpoe, and has YUMMY chocolate. My friends and family wait expectantly for my return each year with bars in bag. I usually travel from L.A. to Moscow, then to Samara, because it's the cheapest flight. Lufthansa has one that goes through Frankfurt then directly to Samara. But the layover in Frankfort is 9 hours. Misery. I work with a CCC ministry there (CrossRoads)...and 2001 was the year of my first visit to Samara too!

Again, I am truly enjoying your blog. It's not often that I get to see my beloved Russia through the eyes of an American who appreciates her.

Eileen said...

Hello Jeanette, thanks for the note. Sounds like you've got all the scoop on Samara. Yum the chocolate sounds good. The biggest train station in Europe? We're talking in terms of square meters? Surely not the busiest, is my guess though - what you think? Thanks for stopping by and saying Pree-VYET! Say, do you have some-mora Samara plans for this year? Tell me what CCC ministry does there... E

Unknown said...

Hi - me again. (If you'd like to take this discussion off your blog, you can e-mail me at
jeanette54@sbcglobal.net

Anyway - CCC has a ministry called "CrossRoads" - and their central training ministry location for Russia is in Samara. CrossRoads is a character development/HIV-AID education curriculum for teens that is used in the public schools, boarding schools, orphanages, drug & alcohol rehab centers etc. Jesus is presented as the role model for excellent character and the Jesus Film is part of both the intro/training of new teachers and in the classroom.

My part - well...for the past 7 years (and yes, I have plans to return in May) I have been going to Samara to teach Bible studies to the new believers (the teachers) and to bring whatever financial support I can raise to assist them with their ministry. I also bring the ever-appreciated gifts for them to use when making overtures to new school directors, and for use in hospitality etc. (You know what I mean...) I don't work for CCC, although the Moscow-based "NEW LIFE" directors know me and endorse my participation in what God is doing there in Samara.
This experience has changed my life radically--for the better. I can't imagine losing my connections to Samara. The friends I have there now are close, precious, and part of who I am.

Obviously, I could go on and on...but I won't.

Thanks for asking.
Jeanette