The Johnson's in Moscow

September 9, 2012, and another winter's Sunday night in Moscow. Goodness!. 1 September came and the weather has turned cold and rainy. I surely hope that we get a little fall weather. Today was 50, windy and rain. I think it's still 85 in Zion. I think we might be having the short end of the stick.

I have waited two weeks to write, hoping that Br. Thomsen can recuperate from the previous missive. I think he thinks there are just so many pixels (kind of like brain cells) on his monitor and he does not want to use them up looking at pictures from me, of Russia.

We have had two or three adventures in these weeks and I will explain them as the photos roll by. They are not in order, but how would you know that?

One adventure does require some explanation. There was on Red Square a military Tattoo performance which we attend on a Monday evening. (That's a bit of a redundancy, in that Tattoos are military by their very nature, but I thought that extra word would help Craig understand) Anyway, marching bands from several countries performed on the square. It was a fine spectacle and quite a fun evening. You will see several pictures of St. Basil's cathedral. I am looking, still, for the perfect picture of that structure. I don't have it yet, but I think I know what I want.

Look in your papers tomorrow for an announcement about something important happening in St. Petersburg.

One more thought--We came here thinking that almost all of the people we would meet would be anti-American, or anti-church, or just grumpy. We have found a variant of that prediction. Many of them look grumpy and there is a long story there to be told, but almost all of them willingly help us when we make our needs known. It is very rare for us to ask for help w/o getting it willingly and kindly given. But, something even more interesting and pleasant is to have someone be spontaneously kind. We have had several of those experiences, one I mentioned previously and one happened on Saturday. The previous one involved a lady who followed Marlene and I up an escalator and asked us as we got off where we were from. We told her "America" and she said, "You are beautiful people" and then disappeared into the crowd.

On Saturday, we were riding on the tram, chatting among ourselves and enjoying the sights. As one man got off he turned to us and said, "I hope you enjoy your time in Russia," and then he was off and gone. Very nice and very conducive to warm, fuzzy, feelings toward these people--who look just like us, but who have had experience none of us want to have.

Enjoy.

After the Tattoo we walked by GUM and found these in one of the windows. I know that Rachael is jealous.

These might be best for Becky. She is a kind of red and white fan.

Marlene was drawn to this display. I think it reminds her of a biology class, somehow.

One 1 September all of the children go to their schools to meet their teachers for the coming year. They don't go to class but the teachers haul home arm loads of bouquets.

Someone brought grandpa, for the fun of it.

The children are beautiful and cute and just like ours.

We felt a little out of place, what with my BYU sweatshirt and having no grandchildren to fuss over, but no one made us leave or threatened to shot us.
I think these might be the senior class officers.

We re on the Metro, headed somewhere. Elder Jones has found a new friend.

We had gone to ride the Tram Vie (an electric train) around the city, just to get another look at the above-ground view of things. Moscow is celebrating its 865th birthday.

Marlene caught this gentleman out the window of the Tram. I think it is Dave Paull disguised as a KGB agent.

Here is a babushka waiting for the next bus or tram. There are lots more these than there are old men.

We took the Jones' to Moscow State University. It was a Saturday and had the feel of the first day of school. This group of kids were willing to pose for us.

A larger gaggle of students at MSU.

A representation of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, about 1961 I think. He was a national hero.
That feat (first in space) was advertised as a demonstration of the superiority of Communism over western philosophies.

You can't miss the Iron Man connection.

Everywhere one goes there are men in orange clothing sweeping the streets.

Moscow State again. One of Stalin's masterpieces.

We are on Sparrow Hill again. This is our token bride picture, to prove that everywhere we go brides follow us around. She had been eating a cob of corn just before the photo, but opted to put it down for the picture.

The car that Nathanael has been craving his whole life.

Cute little venoochka.

Ahead of the Tattoo we are eating at the Beverly Hills diner about 200 yards east of Red Square. Those are the Bice's and the Jones'.

Our waitress. I asked if she would mind a picture and so she posed for me.

We are walking toward the Metropol hotel to take a back alley-way to the diner, because the main entrance to Red Square was closed because of the Tattoo.

Jim and Peggy Hopkinson host a group for dinner almost every Sunday. They are the MOST generous people. Jim is the Area controller. The Naegle's are at his left. They went with us on the boat tour. We have also three of the African brethren from the ward.

An idea for Ben from the B.H. diner. Ice in the urinal.

Another idea for Ben--a career change.

Chris is taking guitar lessons. There might be a place for him in Moscow.

I haven't seen Betty Boop since, when? Oh, yea, the last time I had dinner at the Thomsen's house.

Sister Johnson and a friend.

Some of the Tattoo guys getting ready of the performance. Anyone could have his or her picture taken with them. These were French, I believe, and one Pole to the right.

A large doll who was rolled in the middle of the 'stage' when the performance started. She played the role of the fair maiden.

Sister J. waiting for the performance to start.

This is the picture of St. Basil's that I am hoping to get some day. Must be last year's event.

A bride on a horse. I guess I did not need the picture from Sparrow Hill.
That is the Kremlin wall behind the tent.

Not too bad. The tree is in the way, but the lighting guys have begun to play their spot lights on the cathedral.
We learned the other day that after the Tsar (Vladimir the 33rd, or whatever) had this built, he was so happy with the result that he had the architect blinded because he did not want anything comparable ever built again.

There was a brief performance ahead of the actual Tattoo in which evil horsemen in red suits, spewing red smoke, came after the fair maiden, who was protected by military guys. I'm sure we could have followed the story better if we understood any Russian.

Not 'the one', but one.

Notice my red, white and blue outfit?

Hmmm.

A Kasack. They like the tall hats in this part of the vineyard.

I think the announcer said that this was Nero, with a feminine ending of the word, making her Mrs. Nero.

All the bands for the finale. It really was a very nice show.

Not quite like to poster, but I have time.

If you have been paying attention you will remember that Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 and got as far as Moscow. The defenders then burned everything in the city, destroying the supplies he hoped to get, so he was forced to retreat, with big losses.

These are Elder Walker's eight sisters. They have brought their 94 year old mother to Moscow, and the sisters are about to move on to Istanbul, leaving mom behind. All of these girls were raised in Weiser, Idaho.