Where to live?

While we were in Ak-Dovurak one of our goals was to look into places to live when we move there in the Fall of 2010. We thought maybe we could make connections with a real estate agent who we could contact in the summer to start looking into options before we moved. The only problem is that there are no agents there. Because we have to have some sort of official lease for our visa documents we will probably end up having to go all the way to Tuva's capital (Kyzyl) to file paper work with an agent there

The good news is that one of friends in Ak-

Dovurak has already started looking

for places for us. He even said that he has started asking around to see which apartment buildings have nice people living there. In Ak-Dovurak we have two general choices for housing: living in an apartment building or in a home. Initially a home sounds nicer, but you have to remember that pretty much none of the homes have indoor plumbing (otherwise put: they have outhouses) and are heated by a wood/coal stove. While we were in Ak-Dovurak we stayed in an apartment connected to the local church. The guys gave us a run-down of the stove. Getting the wood fire started was no problem but when and how much coal to add was a little more tricky. Anyway, the experience confirmed to us that we want to live in an apartment building that has radiators and an indoor toilet. Using the outhouse in -20 weather is a chilling experience.

Top picture: Some of the apartment buildings in Ak-Dovurak. Bottom pciture: Lucas adding coal to the stove.

Pictures from Tuva Trip

We had a great and productive trip to Tuva We took the train ride from Novosibirsk to Abakan (23 hours) and then a taxi (5 hours) to the capital of Tuva, Kyzyl. After meeting with people there for a day and a half, we took a taxi from Kyzyl to Ak-Dovurak (4.5 hours). And finally we took yet another taxi back to Abakan on a different road (7 hours). To see a Google map of these locations click here. The final leg of the trip to Abakan from Western Tuva was gorgeous. Below are a few pics from the journey. In the next week, I am planning to blog about some of the other great experiences that we had on the trip.

At the border of Tuva and Khakassia The mountains were so beautiful!.

From inside the taxi at before heading up into the mountains.

Mountains as far as the eye can see!

Our taxi driver said this is the area where Tuvans will come and ski. No ski lifts though. You just have a driver the drives you to the top of a slope and then meets you at the bottom.

Chicken Pox and Going Green

Don't worry. We don't have chicken pox. This morning our language professor told us that her daughter came down with chicken pox over the weekend. She told us that they had a long weekend hanging out inside and that her daughter looked funny all green.

After a little explanation, we found out the Russians use an antiseptic medicine on chicken pox that is a bright green color. The name of the medicine even means green. I did a image search and found the picture of the boy below (nobody we know).

It's a Robot, it's a Sumo Wrestler, it's Cabbage Boy!!!

Winter has arrived in Novosibirsk, and we have finally made the last few purchases for Samuel's winter outfit: boots and a hat. In Russia, when a person bundles up in the many layers required to survive the cold, they call it капуста (ka-POO-sta)-- the Russian word for cabbage.

Although kapoosta works in describing the layers, we usually end up calling Samuel- sumo boy or robot boy because of the puffiness of his new winter coat. Anyway, all that matters is that he is warm. It does get expensive having to buy new winter outfits for our growing boy every year, but at least we have another baby on the way so we can get more than one winter out of the outfit. Our nanny has already given us some great ideas on how we can change his gear into a more "girly" outfit if have a girl, like pulling the stitched-in cars out of his hat and sewing in some flowers.

Jamie gets an UZI

Today Jamie went in for her first UZI (УЗИ), the Russian abbreviation for an ultrasound. The 10-week old "embrionchik" (baby) is healthy and the doctor gave us a due date of May 23rd.

So what's difference between an ultrasound in the US and in Russia? Nothing, except that you're wearing plastic bags over your shoes while you get the ultrasound. Everyone who enters a hospital or clinic in Russia has to put blue plastic booties over their shoes. You can also find these fashionable foot covers in airports to put over your feet when you take off your shoes to go through security.

Let it snow!

We've had a pretty mild Autumn this years, but the temperatures have finally stayed below freezing for the third straight day in a row and it's been snowing regularly for the past 36 hours. The view out of our windows is gorgeous, the forest is covered in a fresh blanket of snow.

We bundled Sam up yesterday and took him outside to play. Now that he's talking, it interesting to hear his perspective on things. At first it was just a constant "Burr, burr, burr. . ." Then he asked to go down the slide, but found out it his heavy winter gear, climbing the steps wasn't very easy, so he decided to be happy watching so big boys take part in a snow ball fight.

Sam was not too sure about his new snow pants/overalls, but he eventually got used to them.

Who milked the buffalo?

Jamie's been craving potato chips with this pregnancy, which is strange because she rarely enjoys them. So I say some new Lay's chips at the store and picked up a small bag for her. The flavor: "Buffalo Mozzarella with pesto sauce." At first we thought that the "buffalo" was just a type of mozzarella, but after reading the description on the back we found out that "supposedly" the mozzeralla cheese was made from buffalo milk. Hmmmm. . . kind of doubt it, but it made us laugh at least.

Other flavors of chips that you can find in Russia:

Red Caviar

Shashlik: very similar to BBQ in the U.S. but with a few different spices

Green Onion- but they also have sour cream and onion

Crab

Bacon

Dill

Ham and Cheese

Jamie's Pregnant!!!

We are so excited!!! Two weeks ago we found out that Jamie is pregnant!!! We are thrilled to have a new addition to our family on the way. Samuel is already giving kisses to the baby in mommy's tummy and we're sure he will make a great big brother.

Jamie will have her first doctor's appointment in a week or so. I'm sure it will be an adventure, but we are grateful that a friend recommended the name of a great OBGYN.

Yesterday, we participated in a "photocross" (like a picture scavenger hunt, where you have to take pictures of things on a list). One of the items, was to take a picture of a pregnant women. Hence the picture above. No, she's not showing that much yet. I think that's a purse under the coat. :) Below are a few more pictures from the photocross.

Wow! One year, already

Wow! It's difficult to believe that one year ago we landed in Novosibirsk to begin our language study. It certainly has not been the easiest year of our lives because of the intensity of learning the Russian language, but we are so thankful for the opportunity.

For fun, here's a list of things that used to be a part of our everyday lives, that we haven't done for a year now.

• Driving! It's been over a year now since I have been behind the wheel of a vehicle. Yes, people do have cars in Siberia, but they also have an amazing and cheap public transportation system, so there has been no need to drive.
• Thai Food! Our favorite place to eat out in Chicago was a Thai place not far from Moody. There are a couple Chinese place around us in Novosibirsk, but it's just not quite the same.
• Ice: Let me clarify. . . I have definitely seen ice: icicles, ice sculptures, ice-slides. . . for 4+ months walked to the university on paths of snow packed to ice. I'm talking about ice cubes. I have not had ice in a drink for over a year now. Russians usually prefer their drinks at room temperature or slightly cool, but never with ice.

On the other hand, here are three things that have become a part of our lives in Russia that weren't there before.

• Tea Time! I know that sounds British, but drinking tea is an important part of Russian culture. If you have guest over, you usually serve tea and snacks. Luckily I grew up in a family that drank tea everyday, but I didn't expect to be drinking it 3-4 times a day!
• Organic Produce! In the U.S. our budget did not allow us to spend the extra cash on the organic fruits and vegetables, but in Russia almost everything we buy is organically grown in someone's garden, and it's the cheapest type available. Most people don't use pesticides or special fertilizers in their gardens and then sell some of their produce on the sidewalk in various areas of our town. Organic strawberries may be smaller, but they are so much more tastier!
• Fresh Bread! Bread is served with every meal in Russia, so fresh bread is available in every grocery store for about 50 cents.

Stiletto Heels and Workplace Requirements

There's no denying it: high heels are so much more popular in Russia than in the U.S. From students at our university to the bank employees to mothers pushing strollers down the sidewalk, they are everywhere!

Yesterday in language class we were going over the sentence structure for saying that somebody requires something. The example our professor gave was that her friend, who worked for a popular Russian call phone company was required to wear a red blouse or blazer, short skirt and, yes, high heels.

We asked if she was serious. How could someone be required to wear high heels, the most uncomfortable form of footwear available, all day long? She confirmed that there are many companies that require high heels from their female employees. It's just part of Russian business dress for women.

There is one thing that makes stiletto heels useful in Siberia. In the winter the heels act as ice picks giving women tractions as they walk down snow packed, icy pathes.