Nizhny Novgorod Diveevo (02.2009)

Our visit to Nizhny Novgorod & Diveevo for Maslenitsa - A seven hour overnight train ride brought us to Nizhny Novgorod, Russia's 3rd largest city. We spent the day touring Nizhny and then took a 2.5 hour bus ride to the town of Diveevo for our Maslenitsa weekend. Originally a pagan festival celebrating the end of winter, Maslenitsa a.k.a. Pancake Week, is a time of (over) indulgence before the start of Lent. Pancakes (blini) are key to Maslenitsa. Round, golden, and warm, they symbolize the sun and the coming of Spring. Served with your choice of honey, jam, sour cream, or caviar. Vodka helps things along. Why Russians celebrate the coming of Spring in February, is still beyond me.