Петрозаводск // Petrozavodsk

Okay, okay, it's about time for another post. I know it's been a while, but I just want to share with you all a little bit about Petrozavodsk (where I was until, oh, about two weeks ago). Who knew that way up near Finland, I would find myself in the Russian sister-city of DULUTH?

"Duluth Fisherman" in Petrozavodsk

Yeah, that's right. This is one of the first places I have been to in Russia where people know where Minnesota is, and some of them have even BEEN there! Example:

(Scene: on a crowded bus with one of our hosts in Petrozavodsk)

Host: So, where are you from?

Me: Minnesota

Host: Oh! Minnesota! Do you know the city Duluth?

Me: Um, yes, of course --- wait a minute, you know Duluth? That's crazy!

Host: Yes, actually, I've been there.

Me: Wow, why?

Host: They are our sister city, and we organized a boat-making exchange. Two Minnesotans came here and made birch-bark canoes, and I went to Duluth!

Me: That is totally crazy, I never meet people in Russia who have even HEARD of Minnesota!

Man sitting behind us: (taps me on shoulder) Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt, but are you from Minnesota?

Me: Yes?

Man: Oh, That's wonderful! My son lives in Minnesota, and I was just in Duluth last year, what a great city!

Mind... 

...Blown.

But really, when you go to this city, it makes total sense why it is buddy-buddy with Duluth. I mean, just look at the snow on that frozen lake, and the smiles that come from romping all around it! We might as well be in Northern Minnesota, amirite?

Lake Superior? Noooo, lake Onezhskaya!

Silly Americans Romping

On a side-note, I also got to hold a real-live olympic torch, which there are like, a crazy lot of. Thousands. Seriously. But here's one, a real one, even has torch marks on it from when it was lit!

And as my fellowship in Russia came to an end, I grew incredibly lazy with my blogging because I was too busy hanging out with ALL THE AMINALS!

Aminal

Aminals

Aminalz

Aminal...

Aminal?

AMINAL

Love,

Sarah