We took a week for some R&R (rest and relaxation) in Sochi, which happens to be where the winter olympics will be held in February 2014!
For those of you who don't know much about Sochi, here's a little briefing for you. It's located next to the Black Sea, it's very mountainous, the beaches are rocky (not sandy), and it's a pretty big tourist city.
We spent our week walking on the boardwalk, eating delicious food, shopping, sitting on the rock beach, and taking photos of the ski slopes and arenas which are still in construction.
I have some wonderful stories for you! I've even titled them for your personal enjoyment.
THE SNORING RUSSIAN MAN
We took a 13 hour train ride into Sochi. We had our own four bunks to sleep on during the ride. But across from our bunks was another bunk occupied by a very large Russian man. While he was awake, he didn't say a word. But, while he was sleeping, he sounded like a lawn mower being driven over rocks. He snored the whole night. We thought it was humorous until we were trying to get some sleep too.
YOU'RE AMERICAN? LET ME BUY YOU TEA...
On that same train ride, there were a couple men who who found it fascinating that we were from America. We were just minding our own business when one of the men poked his head around the corner with a big smile on his face. He then held up his smartphone which had "Where are you from?" translated on the screen. We answered and he invited us to have tea with him and his friend who knew some english. Jessica and I accepted and followed him to the end of the train car. His friend was inside a very very small compartment with two bunks and a tiny table. He motioned us inside to sit on the lower bunk. They bought us chocolate bars, bacon flavored chips, and tea. Funny thing is, Jessica can't have caffeinated drinks. So, to save Jessica, I drank both cups of tea. I drank a little of one cup, then casually switched to the other cup, then back to the first, etc. I don't think the guys noticed. After having a nice (smartphone-translated) conversation with them, we thanked them for the food and drink and went back to our bunks. It's interesting how quickly you can make friends when you speak english in a foreign country.
WHAT A BIG MALL YOU HAVE...
Our first day in Sochi, we went to Sochi's biggest mall. Coming from a small town with small shopping centers, this mall was culture shock. Have you seen the movie Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs? There's a scene when food starts falling from the sky and all the people look up at the sky and gasp dramatically. I think we had a lot in common with those people as we walked into that mall.
THE POOL IS BLUER ON THE OTHER SIDE
We stayed in a small hotel with four floors. Our third floor room had a lovely balcony with a great view of the city. Also from the balcony, we could look down and see our hotel's pool and the pool of the hotel next door. While the next door hotel's pool had crystal clear blue water, our pool had ominous murky black water. On Friday, Jessica was craving a swim, which is strange because the weather was definitely not warm enough for swimming. So she fearlessly waltzed up to the hotel next door and asked if she could use their pool. The front desk lady said, "Холодно, но вы можете плавать. (It's cold, but you can swim.)" So Joanna joined Jessica and they both took their swim in the icy cold water. Craziness.
RUSSIAN BREAKFAST
Every morning, the hotel served breakfast downstairs. Now this was certainly an experience. Unlike in America where the breakfast would be buffet style, the breakfast here was served to us at our table. And our waitress didn't take orders, she served everyone the same breakfast. The first morning, our breakfast consisted of buckwheat, a hot dog (I think), and a cup of very strong coffee. The second morning, it was pasta and coffee. The third morning was cream of wheat, a boiled egg, and coffee (fairly normal breakfast). And the fourth morning was a crepe filled with meat, and a cup of coffee. Well, now we know what Russians have for breakfast.
In conclusion, we had a relaxing and fun-filled week in Sochi. It was nice to get away from our normal lives, but we are so glad to be back with our friends.
We have two and a half weeks left in this town. We've made so many good friends, including locals. We're making plans to spend more time with them so that we might have more opportunities to share our Hope with them. Please continue to lift us up in these last few weeks. Thank you SO much for your love and support.
Stand Firm. Press Forward. Love the Truth.
For those of you who don't know much about Sochi, here's a little briefing for you. It's located next to the Black Sea, it's very mountainous, the beaches are rocky (not sandy), and it's a pretty big tourist city.
We spent our week walking on the boardwalk, eating delicious food, shopping, sitting on the rock beach, and taking photos of the ski slopes and arenas which are still in construction.
 |
| Joanna's hand stand! |
 |
| The ski jumps... |
I have some wonderful stories for you! I've even titled them for your personal enjoyment.
THE SNORING RUSSIAN MAN
We took a 13 hour train ride into Sochi. We had our own four bunks to sleep on during the ride. But across from our bunks was another bunk occupied by a very large Russian man. While he was awake, he didn't say a word. But, while he was sleeping, he sounded like a lawn mower being driven over rocks. He snored the whole night. We thought it was humorous until we were trying to get some sleep too.
YOU'RE AMERICAN? LET ME BUY YOU TEA...
On that same train ride, there were a couple men who who found it fascinating that we were from America. We were just minding our own business when one of the men poked his head around the corner with a big smile on his face. He then held up his smartphone which had "Where are you from?" translated on the screen. We answered and he invited us to have tea with him and his friend who knew some english. Jessica and I accepted and followed him to the end of the train car. His friend was inside a very very small compartment with two bunks and a tiny table. He motioned us inside to sit on the lower bunk. They bought us chocolate bars, bacon flavored chips, and tea. Funny thing is, Jessica can't have caffeinated drinks. So, to save Jessica, I drank both cups of tea. I drank a little of one cup, then casually switched to the other cup, then back to the first, etc. I don't think the guys noticed. After having a nice (smartphone-translated) conversation with them, we thanked them for the food and drink and went back to our bunks. It's interesting how quickly you can make friends when you speak english in a foreign country.
WHAT A BIG MALL YOU HAVE...
Our first day in Sochi, we went to Sochi's biggest mall. Coming from a small town with small shopping centers, this mall was culture shock. Have you seen the movie Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs? There's a scene when food starts falling from the sky and all the people look up at the sky and gasp dramatically. I think we had a lot in common with those people as we walked into that mall.
THE POOL IS BLUER ON THE OTHER SIDE
We stayed in a small hotel with four floors. Our third floor room had a lovely balcony with a great view of the city. Also from the balcony, we could look down and see our hotel's pool and the pool of the hotel next door. While the next door hotel's pool had crystal clear blue water, our pool had ominous murky black water. On Friday, Jessica was craving a swim, which is strange because the weather was definitely not warm enough for swimming. So she fearlessly waltzed up to the hotel next door and asked if she could use their pool. The front desk lady said, "Холодно, но вы можете плавать. (It's cold, but you can swim.)" So Joanna joined Jessica and they both took their swim in the icy cold water. Craziness.
RUSSIAN BREAKFAST
Every morning, the hotel served breakfast downstairs. Now this was certainly an experience. Unlike in America where the breakfast would be buffet style, the breakfast here was served to us at our table. And our waitress didn't take orders, she served everyone the same breakfast. The first morning, our breakfast consisted of buckwheat, a hot dog (I think), and a cup of very strong coffee. The second morning, it was pasta and coffee. The third morning was cream of wheat, a boiled egg, and coffee (fairly normal breakfast). And the fourth morning was a crepe filled with meat, and a cup of coffee. Well, now we know what Russians have for breakfast.
In conclusion, we had a relaxing and fun-filled week in Sochi. It was nice to get away from our normal lives, but we are so glad to be back with our friends.
We have two and a half weeks left in this town. We've made so many good friends, including locals. We're making plans to spend more time with them so that we might have more opportunities to share our Hope with them. Please continue to lift us up in these last few weeks. Thank you SO much for your love and support.
Stand Firm. Press Forward. Love the Truth.
