Merry Christmas All Over Again!

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas in accordance with the old Julian calendar. So today, January 7th, is Christmas in Russia. This was my second white Christmas this holiday season. I celebrated today pretty much the same as I did on December 25th, by skiing fresh powder!

For this Christmas, I’m at the ski resort town called Sheregesh, where I arrived yesterday after a train trip across a decent chunk of the vast expanse of Russia. True to its reputation for receiving plentiful dry snow, more than a foot of new snow fell overnight here. Fortunately for me, three early 20-something ski instructors took me under their wings this morning and showed me the best skiing on the mountain. Of course, they worked me hard and wore me out. Tonight, they invited me to join them and other ski instructor friends for a traditional banya (sauna), which definitely helped revive me. It has been such a wonder-filled Christmas!

The 2nd France gallery and the Cyprus gallery have already been shared, which was the route from Morocco. From Cyprus, I flew to Baku, Azerbaijan, where I spent a few days, especially enjoying the old city. Here’s the link to that new gallery:

https://balloonbill.smugmug.com/Other/Baku

My plan is to ski at Sheregesh for a week, with no set plan for what comes after that. No doubt something will develop. I mean, it must! As fun as it is here, I don’t think I’ll stay forever, but who knows.

Good tidings to you and double Christmas wishes for celebration of this special life every day!

Bill