We still have no word on when we will be moving to our apartment in Kstovo, so we switched rooms. We now have a living area with couch, and newer TV, and a separate room for the bedroom, as well as a larger bathroom. With this new room comes gym access, better living space, and bad internet. I haven't really been on the computer much this past week due to the slow internet. But I was slacking with the blog, so I better get on it.
We ended up going to the hockey game last Friday night instead of Sunday. The stadium is actually quite small. Nothing compared to the United Center. But when the Torpedoes scored, it was like we were in the UC based on the noise and excitement level. They celebrated as if they just won the Stanley Cup. It was fun chanting TOR-PE-DO! with the crowd. It was even more fun to hear everyone yell the last name of the player who scored: IMM-O-NEN!
Classic crowd pleasing songs were played to get us riled up such as We Will Rock You, Can't Touch This, and Are You Ready For This. The Torpedoes won, and it was a great night!
We went to two malls as well. There was a four story mall, that only had fur stores. Lots and lots of fur coats and hats. The other mall was similar to an American mall, but instead of individual walled in stores on two sides, it was more of a flea market style on each floor. Many stores, also in the middle areas, but none enclosed by actual walls. The only thing we ended up buying was an XBOX One. William really wanted to play NHL 15. And I ended up buying Zoo Tycoon, so I get some use out of it too!
Monday, February 16, 2015
Thursday, February 5, 2015
It's Snow Problem
I know Illinois has gotten a lot of snow, but so has Nizhny. It's been snowing about 3-4 inches everyday for about 4 days now. At least it's not all at once, and mostly overnight.
Side road, and sidewalks are not clearly plowed. And commuting back from work can take William about an hour and half, normally 45 minutes. I went for a short walk today to the park, and that was mini workout trying to hike through the snow on the sidewalks. On the way back though, there was a tractor plowing part of the sidewalk.
Cross Country style skiing is very popular
Who's car was also like this in Illinois??!
Very pretty at the Park
The Snow Stroller is where it's at! Super popular here.
I usually see this style, but there are Deluxe versions too. Looks way more convenient than a wheeled stroller, but not as much storage area. Seen one on Amazon for those who are super interested :p
More snow to come this weekend. We also should be moving into the apartment this weekend. (FINALLY!) And I believe we are also catching a hockey game on Sunday. The Nizhny Novgorod
Torpedo vs The Novokuznetsk Metallurg Nk. The Torpedo Ice Rink is actually right next to our hotel now.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Crochet Projects
These are the projects I've completed while here.
Hat using single crochet
Same hat, turned into a basket. It's a bit big and bulky
Matching Cowl Scarf and Headband
Matching Long Scarf and Headband
3 long scarves.
2 end ones are done with single crochet
Middle one is done with half double and alternating front loop and back loop only.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Skiing
The last time I went skiing I was either a sophomore or junior in high school. I missed out on a couple ski trips that my friends went on recently, so it had been a very long time. William use to snowboard fairly often, but again, that was too many years ago. We had the opportunity to go this past weekend with a couple people from the Lukoil Refinery, Marie and Sergei. Another UOP guy, Ryan, also went with us.
After an about an hour taxi drive, and one minor spin out on the snowy side road, we made it to the ski resort, Habarskoe. We were warned a head of time that it was windy out, but it was a bit worse than I had thought. It was also snowing, so that was blowing everywhere as well. When Sergei and Marie arrived, we found out why the area was so empty. The slopes were closed due to the windy and near white out conditions on the hill. We did the next best thing, go the the restaurant to get drinks and snacks. Marie and I had some coffee while the guys had some beers. We enjoyed the company, although things were not quite as planned.
Soon, we saw the lifts going, and the restaurant was clearing out. The hill was now open! We decided to only rent for an hour at first, just because it was so windy out, which made it quite chilly at times. William was the only one to be on a snowboard in our group.
Marie and Sergei are professionals compared to us. Although I only fell down the hill once, it was pretty steep and icy at times. The lift is a bit different than the usual chairlift I was expecting to see. This is a surface lift that uses a T-bar attached to a cable, while we are being pushed back up the hill.
Just about an hour in, we were more confident, but a bit worn out. We went back to the restaurant for food and drinks. Hoegaaarden beers, borsch (beetroot soup), then a chicken and potatoes dish. Food was very good.
After an about an hour taxi drive, and one minor spin out on the snowy side road, we made it to the ski resort, Habarskoe. We were warned a head of time that it was windy out, but it was a bit worse than I had thought. It was also snowing, so that was blowing everywhere as well. When Sergei and Marie arrived, we found out why the area was so empty. The slopes were closed due to the windy and near white out conditions on the hill. We did the next best thing, go the the restaurant to get drinks and snacks. Marie and I had some coffee while the guys had some beers. We enjoyed the company, although things were not quite as planned.
Soon, we saw the lifts going, and the restaurant was clearing out. The hill was now open! We decided to only rent for an hour at first, just because it was so windy out, which made it quite chilly at times. William was the only one to be on a snowboard in our group.
Marie and Sergei are professionals compared to us. Although I only fell down the hill once, it was pretty steep and icy at times. The lift is a bit different than the usual chairlift I was expecting to see. This is a surface lift that uses a T-bar attached to a cable, while we are being pushed back up the hill.
Ryan and William
Sums up how the day went.
Just about an hour in, we were more confident, but a bit worn out. We went back to the restaurant for food and drinks. Hoegaaarden beers, borsch (beetroot soup), then a chicken and potatoes dish. Food was very good.
Borsch
We definitely plan on going skiing again while we are here. It was a blast!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
New Look
I'd like to thank my sister in law Jessica for the updated blog look!
Anyways,
Last Friday night we went into the downtown area to go to a bar to meet up with other people from UOP as well as people from the Lukoil Refinery. The taxi dropped us off, but we weren't too sure of where we were going. We walked around one side of the building, and didn't see any signs for the bar, Harat's. After two sketchy doors, and walking around the entire block in the cold, we finally found the bar.
Only a few people were fluent in English, but there was enough beers to go around that it didn't matter much. We even managed to make potential plans to go skiing this next weekend.
I just learned to crochet before I left for Russia. I've been keeping busy making some scarves and even attempted a hat with the yarn I brought with me. There is a yarn store close to the hotel, and got some more yarn for super cheap. More scarves and hats coming! Although its warming up, its still cold enough to bundle up.
Our original apartment plans fell through, but we have another one picked out now. Not sure when we will be moving into that one. Hopefully soon though.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Nizhny Novgorod
Well, we have been in Russia now for about a week. I guess I will start in the beginning when I crossed through immigration illegally.
Upon arrival to our hotel at three in the morning, they proceeded to scan our passports and departure cards. The lady at reception shows me that there is no stamp in my book and even asks me to look for it. It is not there. How could this be, what in the world can I do, how did this happen?!
Well, there is not much one can do at 3am, so we try to get some sleep in our tiny accommodations. After a few hours rest, William is contacting people at work that can help us figure this out. A car is then arranged for us to go back to the airport to get a stamp. We end up needing to go to a sketchy looking building next to the main airport entrance. On the 3rd floor, there is no signs, just 2 doors, a window and a buzzer. Ringing the buzzer got us a man opening the window, saying something in Russian, and closing the window. No idea what to do, so we decided to wait a minute to see if anything else happened. And we got a man a the door then, and he took my passport and papers as we tried to explain why we were there, and hopefully someone had already told him about our situation. He takes my stuff and goes back behind the door. He returns with a stamp on my passport, and all is well.
As for Russia in general, YES, it is cold.. Not as cold as it would be if we were further northeast in Siberia, but still cold. Lots of snow, and just as much ice. Be thankful for plowed and salted sidewalks and parking lots. Even our hotel parking lot is only partially plowed, the rest is an ice mess.
The food is good here. Familiar things are on the menus. Even at the grocery store, its easy to find things. Breakfast in particular has coco puffs, yogurt, potatoes, sliced meats and cheeses, and really good hot chocolate. There is a restaurant/ pool hall/ bowling alley in the basement of the hotel. The food is pretty good: Hamburgers, pasta, soup, pizza, coffee and beer.
We will be moving into an apartment in Kstovo, hopefully by February 1st. It will be nice to actually have living space, and a kitchen to cook some meals in. Also the commute to work for William will be a bit shorter. Only about 15 minutes away. The town is small, but easy to walk to restaurants and shops. Unlike the hotel which is on the outskirts of Niznhy, so we need to taxi to the main area, or walk an hour in the cold, no thanks.
Upon arrival to our hotel at three in the morning, they proceeded to scan our passports and departure cards. The lady at reception shows me that there is no stamp in my book and even asks me to look for it. It is not there. How could this be, what in the world can I do, how did this happen?!
Well, there is not much one can do at 3am, so we try to get some sleep in our tiny accommodations. After a few hours rest, William is contacting people at work that can help us figure this out. A car is then arranged for us to go back to the airport to get a stamp. We end up needing to go to a sketchy looking building next to the main airport entrance. On the 3rd floor, there is no signs, just 2 doors, a window and a buzzer. Ringing the buzzer got us a man opening the window, saying something in Russian, and closing the window. No idea what to do, so we decided to wait a minute to see if anything else happened. And we got a man a the door then, and he took my passport and papers as we tried to explain why we were there, and hopefully someone had already told him about our situation. He takes my stuff and goes back behind the door. He returns with a stamp on my passport, and all is well.
As for Russia in general, YES, it is cold.. Not as cold as it would be if we were further northeast in Siberia, but still cold. Lots of snow, and just as much ice. Be thankful for plowed and salted sidewalks and parking lots. Even our hotel parking lot is only partially plowed, the rest is an ice mess.
The food is good here. Familiar things are on the menus. Even at the grocery store, its easy to find things. Breakfast in particular has coco puffs, yogurt, potatoes, sliced meats and cheeses, and really good hot chocolate. There is a restaurant/ pool hall/ bowling alley in the basement of the hotel. The food is pretty good: Hamburgers, pasta, soup, pizza, coffee and beer.
We will be moving into an apartment in Kstovo, hopefully by February 1st. It will be nice to actually have living space, and a kitchen to cook some meals in. Also the commute to work for William will be a bit shorter. Only about 15 minutes away. The town is small, but easy to walk to restaurants and shops. Unlike the hotel which is on the outskirts of Niznhy, so we need to taxi to the main area, or walk an hour in the cold, no thanks.
Our Hotel
A park down the street from hotel
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Zibo Photos
View From Hotel Window
Sugar Covered Mini Apple Fruit
Our Hotel
One of many streets that had street vendors and small markets
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