Maslenitsa!

I can't even begin to describe the giddiness I had last night at the Maslenitsa Festival, held right next to the colorful St. Basil's Cathedral and just a few steps below the Red Square. It was dark by the time my sister and I passed through the gates, but the party was in full swing. The first thing that I saw was the giant effigy of Lady Maslenitsa watching over the Russians enjoying their Blinis (Russian pancakes/crepes) and the folk songs and dances on the main stage of the Festival.

We purchased our hot blinis filled with berries and cream and warm honey-mead to drink, and warmed up after our trek from the Tretyakov Gallery. Suddenly, the group on stage, dressed in traditional Russian winter costume, breaks out into a song I recognize! "Oi Maroz, maroz! Nie maroz menya!" (O frost, frost! Do not freeze me!) This was a song I had learned while learning Russian last summer - except then it was comical singing about frost in the heat of summer. Now, as I sang along, I felt myself beg the frost to stay away - Moscow has cooled considerably since I arrived and there is usually a light dusting of snow/frost when I wake up in the morning. I didn't catch all the words in the verses, but I reflected on my time so far here in Russia and realized that last year at this time I had no idea I would be here in Moscow! In March of 2007 I didn't even know any Russian! And last night I was standing in the Russian cold, with St. Basil's cathedral on my right and a giant Lady Maslenitsa on my left and singing along in Russian! I am greatly amazed to be here and feel honored to have been selected for this internship and this opportunity to live and experience Moscow. Pictures and video will be posted soon!