I finally did something that I've been looking forward to since I arrived in Kazakhstan a year and a half ago. I realize that to some people this sounds a bit crazy, but I would never forgive myself if I left Kazakhstan without doing this one seemingly insane thing: Kreshenya.
Kreshenya, meaning Baptism, is a Russian Orthodox holiday. On this day, a hole is cut into the frozen river and priests bless the water. You dip yourself 3 times and you will have good health for the rest of the year. There are also crosses cut into the river where people take water to sprinkle in their homes, wash with, etc. This year the weather was great - sunny and -25 C (that's about -13 F for those of you keeping track). How could I resist?
Hannah and I arrived in Petro on Tuesday and got to catch up with Tes, Elena, Shannon, Nena (a friend from Germany), Becky, Corrine and Nick. The next morning we prepared our things for the river dip and headed out. We got on a bus and rode out quite far and got off when the conductor told us we should - too soon. We ended up walking for another half an hour or so to the river. It was a pleasent-ish sort of walk though, but we were already pretty frozen by the time we got there.
And when we arrived, this is what we saw:
There was also Latin sounding cathedral-ish music being blasted from speakers that really set the tone for the day... er, something. Anyway. First things first. We went over to the crosses cut out in the river and Becky helped Lena bottle-up some water to take home. Then we, somewhat reluctantly, headed towards our goal: dipping in the river.
There were 2 tents set up: one for men, and one for women. Inside the women's tent was another hole cut out, so that we didn't actually have to go outside to do the baptism. Not that it was really any warmer in there or anything, but it just gave for more privacy anyway. But American girls are brave (read: stupid?) enough to do it outside. So we undressed and made our way out.... I'll let the pictures/video do the talking now.....
And... a video!
I was pretty upset when I got out and couldn't find who had taken my towel! When I finally found it I went to put my flip-flops on, only to find that it was impossible due to a lack of feeling in my feet. So, I picked them up and RAN for the tent. It took a long time for the feeling to come back - although, when there was feeling again, that feeling was just pain for a good hour or so. Once I had dried off and put my clothes back on, the rest of my body really wasn't *too* cold anymore.
So then we hustled a bus, and then another bus, and eventually made it to a super luxurious sauna and chilled there for a couple hours. And it was absolutely fantastic.
Then the next day I did a teacher training at Sid's institute. Not so exciting, but I got some work done, and that's what's important!
After the teacher training I had a sore throat from all that talking I was doing... but it's still sore now... I'm not getting sick already, am I? Was that dip in the river all in vein!?! I'll let you know. Stay tuned!
Kreshenya, meaning Baptism, is a Russian Orthodox holiday. On this day, a hole is cut into the frozen river and priests bless the water. You dip yourself 3 times and you will have good health for the rest of the year. There are also crosses cut into the river where people take water to sprinkle in their homes, wash with, etc. This year the weather was great - sunny and -25 C (that's about -13 F for those of you keeping track). How could I resist?
Hannah and I arrived in Petro on Tuesday and got to catch up with Tes, Elena, Shannon, Nena (a friend from Germany), Becky, Corrine and Nick. The next morning we prepared our things for the river dip and headed out. We got on a bus and rode out quite far and got off when the conductor told us we should - too soon. We ended up walking for another half an hour or so to the river. It was a pleasent-ish sort of walk though, but we were already pretty frozen by the time we got there.
And when we arrived, this is what we saw:
There was also Latin sounding cathedral-ish music being blasted from speakers that really set the tone for the day... er, something. Anyway. First things first. We went over to the crosses cut out in the river and Becky helped Lena bottle-up some water to take home. Then we, somewhat reluctantly, headed towards our goal: dipping in the river.
There were 2 tents set up: one for men, and one for women. Inside the women's tent was another hole cut out, so that we didn't actually have to go outside to do the baptism. Not that it was really any warmer in there or anything, but it just gave for more privacy anyway. But American girls are brave (read: stupid?) enough to do it outside. So we undressed and made our way out.... I'll let the pictures/video do the talking now.....
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| Some people make it look so easy. |
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| If this little guy can do it (in his underwear) then... |
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| HAD to include this picture of Elena. That look says it all. |
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| Still smiling. Somehow. |
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| Hannah + Holly = Sitemate Love. |
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| Taking off the flip-flops... deep breath... |
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| Getting dressed has never been SO difficult. My body actually warmed up pretty quickly once I was dry, but my toes and fingers just would. not. work! I had to stop every now and then just to warm them up and remember how to make them move again. |
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| That doesn't look forced at all..... |
I was pretty upset when I got out and couldn't find who had taken my towel! When I finally found it I went to put my flip-flops on, only to find that it was impossible due to a lack of feeling in my feet. So, I picked them up and RAN for the tent. It took a long time for the feeling to come back - although, when there was feeling again, that feeling was just pain for a good hour or so. Once I had dried off and put my clothes back on, the rest of my body really wasn't *too* cold anymore.
So then we hustled a bus, and then another bus, and eventually made it to a super luxurious sauna and chilled there for a couple hours. And it was absolutely fantastic.
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Later that night we went out to a karaoke bar and sang our little hearts out... or, I did, anyway. I didn't know I had it in me. But, for future reference - I do. I totally do. I've only done karaoke twice - both times here in the KZ - and both times I was like "Meh... I don't know, I don't really like to sing in front of people... No, no thanks... What's that? Dream On by Aerosmith? Yeah, I guess I kinda know that one. So, no, you keep the mic. Oh, there's two? Ok, well I guess I'll take it...." And then something happens and... well, you don't need to know what happens next. Anyway!
Then the next day I did a teacher training at Sid's institute. Not so exciting, but I got some work done, and that's what's important!
After the teacher training I had a sore throat from all that talking I was doing... but it's still sore now... I'm not getting sick already, am I? Was that dip in the river all in vein!?! I'll let you know. Stay tuned!
3 comments:
You are the cutest craziest girl I know. And I know a lot of girls. So you are really cute and really crazy. I like that you did something that normal people only do on accident.
Totally nuts! Totally!
Holly!!! woah thats cold. and sorry to break it to you but you could have done something similar here... i guess now you can do it when you get home! I read about it in this newspaper article: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/51005427-80/orthodox-blessing-christians-havens.html.csp
stay warm! -Kourtney
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