Old Orthodox church
April 13, 1996 It was a cold, snowy Saturday. Also the Orthodox Easter weekend. The blue domed Cathedral of the Raising of the Cross was packed with people. In a long line at Ben and Jerry's, a Lada pulled up with a bride, groom, and wedding party. They were allowed to go to front of line to get wedding day treats.
To buy food was a 3 step process. First I had to find what I wanted and write down the prices. Then at the pay booth (usually a long line), I submitted my list of prices and paid the total. At each food booth (liquor, fruits, bread, etc), I submitted the itemized price receipt and pointed out the item I wanted. The clerk would give me the item and cross out the item price on the receipt.
Many mothers with babies had baby buggies. Even on cold days, a mother shopping would go into a shop, leaving the baby and buggy on the sidewalk. Sometimes I would see 2 or 3 un-attended baby buggies lined up outside a shop. I could not imagine seeing that in the USA.
Near my apartment was a free market alternative. Everyday, merchants would set up tables outside near the tram stop and sell fruits, vegetables, canned goods, etc. There I could buy fresh bananas, kiwi fruit, and many other Items that seemed out of place here.
Photo: Sasha, Alexander, wife, Sergei & daughter
April 14,1996 The snow flakes were huge. At noon Alexander arrived with Sergei, his son in law. Sergei was a vascular surgeon. We went to the Blue Dome, the remodeled Alexander Nevsky, and another of the Orthodox churches. Then to Alexander's apartment for an Easter dinner with his family. His daughter was also a doctor. His son, Sasha, was a singer in a rock and roll band and studying medicine. Alexanders wife worked in the city administration. We ate many fish dishes, a special Easter cake, and chicken. Although communication was difficult without an interpreter, it was a very pleasant visit.
When I first got to Alexander's apartment, he saw me looking at the protraits of Lenin in a prominent place on the wall. Alexander said that they could not deny the past nor should they be ashamed of it. The free market capitalism was new to them, but it does not change who they are.