Winter Arrives

It's been a long time since I posted, but here are some pictures detailing some of the things I have been up to!





Here, I am extremely happy to be discovering the secrets of sushi-making, thanks to my Japanese neighbour, Fumi!

After supper, Fumi turned me into her student and taught me some Japanese characters, which I studied with great interest.

Elena, a student at VGUES, took me on a tour of this fort; it is actually the last fortress built in the world, and one of many in Vladivostok.

 My wonderful guide. She is standing in front of an ancient instrument of war. I believe it throws stones.

Here is an ancient cross-bow.

...and a more modern weapon.

After the fort, we went to a restaurant that afforded a beautiful view of the city. There, we were joined by my old Canadian classmate, Emma--who had taken the Trans-Siberian train here all the way from Moscow.

On the right, you can see my first very Russian meal: pierogies, meat soup with a bread covering, and fish shoup. I like soup.

At the downtown market again. Notice the tall ships that are newly docked in the harbour.

Two innocent Canadians dreaming of naval officers, while two ominous war-ships sit docked behind them.

A walk along the new quay, named after the crown prince Nicholas II. Elena, I hope that's right!

You will all be fascinated to know that this is a Russian birthday party. There was plenty of food, live music, and even a little cookie for when you left, complete with a fortune for future happiness.

All these pictures, of course, are memories now. The present reality is that there is a lot of snow here, and it has become unfathomably cold. There is nothing like being near the sea in the winter, it's damp and windy. 

Here I make my way down the pedestrian path from the Catholic Church to another street. You'll notice the house on the right; I could hear some American pop music when I passed it, but it is quite possible that they don't even have running water.

Two of the 8 babies in the room.

Br. Edwin took me along with him to visit the orphanage that he visits every Saturday. We played with the babies because the toddlers were taking a nap. As soon as I picked this little boy up, the others started crying out of jealousy.

One of the children had AIDS, but most of the children are here because they were abandoned. Over the years, many have been adopted by Americans, but Canadians are also free to do so...




While I was there, one of the babies soiled himself and was crying because of it. I asked the nurses if I could change his diaper, but they said that I shouldn't do it and that they would do it after their lunch break was over. I took the baby out of his crib and put him on the change table, but the mattress was already wet. The nurses waited around 20 minutes; that's a very clear difference between a mother and a nurse!

It seems that this situation happens often, the whole room smelled like sour milk and urine.