2. Vacation Travel • Поездки

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.
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Inside the banya.
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Inside the banya.

rusurusu photographydiveevorussiabanyaDiveevskaya Slobodadiveevo russia

  • Nice to be away from Moscow.
  • Rustem, Diveevo hotel café.
  • Bow Wow! In the dog house on the grounds of our hotel.
  • The Banya (steamroom). A favorite Russian ritual. A place to sweat, drink (tea and/or vodka are the preferred choices), and bond. Rentable by the hour, this banya had 4 rooms and was booked solid for the entire weekend. Wisely, we'd booked in advance.
  • Inside the banya.
  • Banya kitchenette.
  • There are numerous banya traditions - smothering yourself in coffee grounds or honey - but, the most widely practiced ritual is to soak dried birch branches in water and then beat your partner or comrades with them in the steamroom. Gets the circulation going!
  • Banya at night.
  • Blini! Sweet Masha serves up pancakes.
  • Eating blini.
  • Can't get enough.
  • Those pancakes (blini) are lip-smacking good!
  • Everyone wants a spin in the sleigh.
  • Sleigh ride at Diveevo.
  • Not a traditional troika, but fun none-the-less.
  • Maslenitsa Mistress of Ceremonies.
  • Traditional Russian music, "Oy Moroz".
  • Let the games begin!
  • Dance, if the spirit moves you.
  • You can't not join in.
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