Goodbye to winter?

So this weekend was the first day of Lent. Traditionally the Russians eat Pancakes on the first day of Lent. Their pancakes are more like French Crepes. They fill them with all manner of fillings and they are really delicious! They also have a public festival with performers. Lady winter appears on a tall stick and conducts contests with people at the festival. At the end of the festival she gets burned as a way of celebrating the end of winter. It really isn't the end of winter here, I wish. My feet were freezing. I was wishing I was wearing one of the fur coats that everyone else had on. The Russians erect a tall pole and rub it down with soap. The soap freezes making it difficult to climb. Anyone who successfully climbs it wins a boot for a prize. They also had pillow fighting contests, jugglers, fire eaters, a Balalika performance, sleigh rides for the children, and a pancake eating contest.
In between the contests the Russians drink, then they eat Shashlika. (Lovely Russian Barbecue) Then they drink some more, then they eat more Shashlika, then they drink more, and more and more. We left before it got too crazy. I prefer the Russians when they are atleast slightly sober.




It was a fun festival and lifted my spirits a bit after our return from London. The Russians really know how to throw a good party. Ya gotta luv 'em.