Skiing & Shashlik

Just wanted to post a few pictures from our arctic outdoor adventure on Saturday. Connie, our strategy coordinator, her friend Clauvdia, our new friend Jenia, Holli, and I (Zach…who else could it be, right?) went cross-country skiing at a place about 20 miles south of the city. The place is called dvadset-chetiree kilomyeter (24 kilometer), which we suppose is how many kilometers of trails they have back in the woods and, interestingly, corresponds with the number of times I fell down. For only 50 rubles, less than two dollars, you can rent skis, poles, and boots for an hour of tangled skis, digging yourself out of bushes and trees, snow in your boots, collisions with strangers, and, occasionally, cross-country skiing. Seriously, we had an awesome time and would love to be able to go back every Saturday if we could. In between the yelps from people who were sliding backwards down a slope or falling over in the snow, it was really nice to listen to the wind in the trees and take in the beauty of God’s creation, and we’re so thankful He gave us the opportunity to delight in Him and what He made. One cool thing about this place is that you can bring your own meat and vegetables and, for 200 rubles, the staff will fire up their outdoor grill and cook shashlik, or shish-ka-bobs, for you. It was very, very good, and pretty much the closest thing Russia has to Texas barbeque. Except, unlike in Texas, on the side they served little pastries, hot lemon tea, and jam you eat by itself with a spoon. You can’t get that at Luther’s BBQ!