Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Novosibirsk November 19





These photos (there are two stitched together) are the holes created by the stilleto heels worn by the women here. I was walking with someone today and mentioned how incredible I found it that the women can wear those heels and still walk on the ice. She agreed to some extent. She was wearing lower heels, but heels nonetheless. I proffered my theory that the heels act as stabilizers. She said "That's right." I WAS right. Such a lucky guess.

There is a Minerals Museum here, in the same building as the Geology Institute, I think. It is not a museum in the sense that hordes of people pay money to gain admittance. Private tours need to be arranged, in advance. Almira set up one such tour for me today. Siberia sits on a ton of oil, which gets exported to Europe. It is also the home of a large quantity and variety of mineral resources. This was demonstrated to me by the geologist who took me on the tour. She is not a professional guide. She spent twenty years in a remote part of Russia after graduating from University, doing geological work. With great care, and with great pride, she led me around and showed me the tremendous collection of rocks, diamonds, crystals, stones and meteorites (yes, meteorites) in the museum ( I was reminded of an "X Files" episode which took place in Siberia: I think "Tunguska" was the name of the episode, which had something to do with the presence of aliens on earth, although there were many explanations offered during the series).

What does every self-respecting museum have? A gift shop. And this museum was no exception. There was a vast collection of jewelry made of stones only found in Siberia. I'm not saying that I bought anything for anybody, but it was hard to resist.

Today was also the day to run, as in jog. My blogging buddy Luc from Ohio told me about it, and there was no way I was leaving Siberia without running here. I even bought running tights and a bacalava, thingking it would be about 10 degrees colder than it has been. But I got dressed and hit the ice. ( See photo(s) of garb - I haven't gotten the posting of photos down yet). It wasn't too bad. I didn't run that far, but the cold crisp air is certainly different hitting your face and lungs than the wet stuff that I encounter in Florida (even if I do run on a treadmill indoors). I expected quizzical looks from the people I encountered, but no one even paid a second glance. Which is interesting because I haven't seen ANYBODY running here.
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There isn't much else to report. For those really interested in the housing units so many people live in here, posted is a video of how I get into the flat. There are a lot of doors.


4 comments:

Scott Richardson said...

The one and only time I was crazy enough (i.e. I HAD TO) wear heels while in Colorado in winter, I observed that in thicker ice and/or snow the heels do actually help. It was the taking of the next step that I had a hard time with :) Good observations!

scott said...

I've spent lots of time in Akadem for work and my wife (I was running with Lucas in fact). Please post more pictures, it's so great to see pictures of the place I spent so much time in!

Lisa Tobin said...

HAHA, I did not even realize that it was saying I was Scott Richardson when I posted comments, I was signed in on your google calendar....just realized it...obviously YOU were not wearing heels..cracking up. OK, fixed now...sorry.

Luc said...

Scott,

Yes, Russian women amaze me with those heels; that is talent. I too never saw any runners over there (except for Scott and I). Perhaps they are smarter than that to go running in sub 0 weather. :)

Cool video! I loved your little walk through with the locks. I will never understand why so many (skeleton) keys are required.

Luc