Jane’s travelogue

Bogoyavlensky Church, Irkutsk uploaded on 13 December 2007

Shot at dusk from an observation point along the Angara River.

The apple tradition uploaded on 13 December 2007

There is a Russian wedding tradition in which an apple is stuck with many toothpicks. The bride and groom are supposed to take turns pulling toothpicks out of the apple. Each time a person pulls out a toothpick, he/she has to say something nice about his/her lover. According to Russian tradition, whoever pulls the final toothpick will always have the final say in everything in the marriage. Alyona pulled the final toothpick.

Britt and Alyona at their wedding uploaded on 13 December 2007

I adore Russian wedding traditions: First, the couple has an official wedding ceremony at a government building. Then, the newlyweds and a select group of close friends and family travel around the city together taking photographs at local landmarks, and visiting places where they are employed/study/etc to be congratulated by friends and coworkers. My coworker Britt, who taught at the American Home from 2004-2006 and his bride Alyona stopped by the American Home for a small party on their wedding day.

Testing the Waters uploaded on 13 December 2007

The waters of Siberia's Lake Baikal had only just begun to melt. Only my friend Joanna, a native of Minnesota, was brave enough to test them out. She didn't stay in for long!

Volcan Arenal as seen from La Fortuna uploaded on 13 December 2007

I took this photo while standing in the central square of La Fortuna, facing its Catholic church. The mountain in the background is the Arenal Volcano. (Photo taken on film in 2002.)

Angara River at Sunset uploaded on 13 December 2007

At the end of Karl Marx street, you will arrive at a nice park along the Angara - an excellent place to watch the sunset.

Vanya and Joanna uploaded on 13 December 2007

Vanya is one of the security guards at the American Home. He's a former tank driver for the Russian Army with an insane sense of humor. Joanna is a great friend of mine; she and I worked together at the AH during the 2005-2006 school year.

Assumption Cathedral, Vladimir, Russia uploaded on 12 December 2007

Assumption Cathedral, Vladimir, Russia uploaded on 12 December 2007

The Golden Gates and the ancient city ramparts uploaded on 12 December 2007