Девушка, как вы не холодны?? : Lady, how are you not cold??

Tomsk State University

In Siberia, I am convinced that women either run extra warm-blooded or refuse to show pain.  James and I visited the university in Tomsk and were amazed at how much skin we saw.  Maybe the Soviet scientists invented a revolutionary heat-retaining synthetic fabric and refused to share its secrets with the West.

According to other locals I met, this phenomenon of pantless-Russian women continues all year, even during the Siberian winter.  Here I am, in nylons, jeans, two shirts, a fur hat and leather gloves - still feeling cold.  Earlier, a woman in a mini shirt and stillettos walked by me eating an ice cream bar.  I really wanted to ask her, "Девушка, как вы не холодны??" : "Lady, how are you not cold??"  

Woman in mini shorts on her way to class

After my summer in St. Petersburg, I was determined to dress up and wear heels to class every day.  Looking back, this new devotion to Russification and the Berkeley hills probably are to blame for my partially torn Achilles heel.  

How the women of Russia survive the frigid temperature in heels in mini-skirts will continue to baffle the Western world for years to come.

The World War II memorial was a somber change of pace.  129,000 Russian soldiers went to the front, and only 57,000 returned one memorial reflected.  So many friends and family members were lost.  I stepped back for a moment and reflected on how incredibly lucky I am to have never had to personally be affected by something as grisly as losing my father or love during a war.  If you are lucky enough to have family or a loved one close by, please hug them and tell them you love them.  I will be sure to do the same when I arrive in Austin.

My irreverence prevails

I go through life laughing, and cracking jokes, even in Eastern Europe where a smile is like a slap in the face that says, "Stranger, you are so typical and predictable that I feel like I already know you."  In the end, though stoic and somber when necessary, my irreverence prevails.




Let me recap my day.  I woke up this morning, happy that I was in a bed that was not moving and jolting.  I got dressed and got ready to tackle a new day. 


First stop, former NKVD (precursor to the KGB) prison turned museum.

Please don't take me to Siberian Gulag, my friend

I didn't see a sign that said, "No Photography" but I figured that the nature of my pictures would probably get me kicked out, so ever snap shot gave me a jolt of adrenaline.  For example, I really wanted to give Lenin a kiss, but I am sure that must go against some national law of defacing and defiling Soviet monuments and statues.

OK Lenin, I go 90 per cent, you go 10 per cent

After we left, I kept thinking that my irreverence at the NKVD museum was a little uncalled for.  I mean, I did ask if they sold souvenirs.  

Erica:  "Do you think they sell Soviet pins here?"

James:  "Erica, would you ask for a souvenir from Auschwitz?"

Erica:  "Ummm...maybe?"

James:  "Remind me to never take you to a concentration camp."

We continued our day, making our way through the туристические достопримечательности.  Yes, that is how you say "tourist attractions."  My theory is that Russians really don't take kindly to strangers - so they really make it as difficult as possible to ask, "Where are your most famous tourist attractions?"

I'm the Richest Woman in Russia!

I took this picture next to a huge wooden 1 ruble coin (you need 30 of those to make a dollar these days).  

I have some more somber and equally awesome pictures, but the internet at this hostel is so slow!  I will have to update more upon arrival at Yekaterinburg.  See you soon!