Friday, August 21, 2009

Branch Picnic





Elder McEvoy plays his first real game of b-ball here; walking to the bus stop afterward--Yekat in the distance; lunch and watermelon; charades; bus stop.

Sister McEvoy talked with a recent convert, Anna, about Soviet times. People talk freely about these things now; they have to explain it to their children since it was some 20 years ago.

Anna said, among other things, that everything was the same. There was no "brilliance," no "color." Since everyone was "equal" when you visited someone's apartment it was exactly like yours--everyone had the same things. Even clothes were the same.

We mentioned that some Russians say the Soviet Era was a peaceful and safe time. They say, "We never had to lock our apartments." Anna laughed and said, "Of course not. There was nothing to steal!"

She did say that immediately after the Soviet demise there were some rough years. More on that another time. Thanks to Sister Sulimenko for translating!

2 comments:

Hermana Whitehead said...

Very interesting! I can't wait to hear more about the Soviet Union and what people thought.

Ashley Thalman said...

What am I going to do when you come home and I can't spy on all my old friends?!

That middle photo with the girls preparing food reminds me of the Russian attention to detail. I loved being removed from conveniences- it gave such a wonderful opportunity to learn about people and their talents.