Today we awoke to a freezing cold ship and pouring rain outside. It didn't detract from the scenery though. While Guy, Ngaire, Ken and Brad played Hearts, Leslie and I went to the enrichment lecture, Doug downloaded pictures and Yvonne read,

A few brief enrichment facts for today...

There were first some audience questions about the army situation. Boys must enter at the age of 18 for one year unless they receive a university deferment. Those who do not go on to further their studies, try to get doctors to find
something wrong with them or feign that they are gay as gays are not allowed in the military. Some even go into hiding until they are 27, when they are only called into service should there be a war.

Interestingly, the US is a main attraction for young people and there seems to be quite a detente between our nations. Russian universities find it fairly easy to acquire grants for its students in the US versus Europe. Additionally, students are attracted to the US because it was built on the premise of freedom and democracy. English is the ONLY foreign
language taught in the schools, it is obligatory and language training begins in first grade.

They know our current culture better than their own. They read all about Brad Pitt's and and Angelina Jolie's life, Jennifer Anniston's new hairstyle and Arnold Schwarzenegger's love child. It isn't suprising since 75% of Russians have Internet.

Due to the high mortality rates for drunk driving, there is a one year old law now stating that you can't buy alcohol after 10 pm unless you are over 90. I guess they figure you can't get to the liquor stores if you're over 90 or, more cynically, they won't have to pay your pension anymore if you get in an
accident while drunk driving.

Well, that's the government lesson for today. We rolled into Svirstroy and I decided to roam around outside until lunch. Grabbed an umbrella and a camera and headed out. There were all these wood huts that looked like a summer camp and a small beach and across the harbor, a pepto colored
hydroelectric plant. I ventured further into the hutted area and I noticed that, while devoid of folks, they were filed with merchandise. There was hut after hut. The first hut had mink hats and gloves. Have you ever seen mink mittens? Toasty
warm and ever so cheap? Hmmm, a little negotiating and I got good deal as I was the only customer in a sea of rain. A few minutes later I walked off with my mink mittens. Shucks, the rain was letting up...and I bumped into Yvonne. We wandered into one store after another.... ended up getting
I got some awfully funny matryoshka dolls but the crowds finally descended on us so we went in for lunch.

We sat with Bob and Lil, an adorable couple, who met at his deceased wife's memorial service and fell in love. We left the port at 2:45. I wish we had more time there. It cleared up and looked like a nice neighborhood to walk around to really get a feel of everyday life. Svirstroy is a small village of about 1000 residents located on the Svir River about 150 miles east of St. Petersburg. The Svir connects the two largest lakes in Europe--Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega.
After we got on our way, Brad, Ken and Ngaire saw a sucker and decided to teach me to play hearts. I'm not sure if they wanted to finally ensure that none of them would ever lose or if they wanted comical relief. I lost every game by about a million points.I decided to join because Ngaire and Ken always draw my bath for me and even get the right temperature. Today, they got two comic effects, they waked in on Brad in only a towel in their suite when he was in for his daily bath.

Before dinner, we all went to my room and un nested my dolls and Leslie took picture of them. The mind is a terrible thing to waste.

After dinner, I decided to challenge everyone to another game of Hearts with Guy coaching me. This was working til Yvonne came and took him to bed and I died on the next hand.

The other passengers on the ship are delightful. About We're actually getting used to the food.About 30% are American, 30% are Australian, and the rest are from Canada, South Africa and Belgium and other assorted places. As far as the food...It's amazing what you will eat when you are hungry. The accommodations...kinda Motel 6. But, I'm having a great time.