Our first stop was Moscow. Max and I flew in early to visit friends and family and also to break up the long flights. We are fortunate to have a dear friend in Moscow, who welcomed us to her apartment. Sorry but her name must stay in my heart to allow some privacy! First stop was the nearby Georgian restaurant for some traditional delights!
The second day we travelled to the Butovo Range. A tragic but forested area where 20,000 innocent people were shot during Stalin’s purge in 1937-1938. No trials, only a phone call would lead to your death. One of my ancestors was murdered there. He is now a saint, having withstood the torture and never giving in...St Dimitri Dobrosernova. We were given a tour of the area by the very kind Father Kyril. You can see St Dimitri in the middle of the next photo.
Returning to our friend’s apartment, we enjoyed a late dinner with an old friend. And then we were off to Omsk, Siberia to visit family.
Omsk is a patchwork city of old wooden houses and tall Soviet era buildings. The Volga River runs through it, plentiful with fish and nourishing the forest that sprawls through the region.
After a lunch with family we went to the cemetery to visit my aunt and cousin’s graves. My cousin looked so much like a Soviet Dana, and was murdered on August 16, just like Dana was. It’s a horrible coincidence....
Yesterday, we were treated to another traditional meal complete with a greeting at the door of bread and salt. These are the days Max and I share together. Seeking spirituality and regional customs...
And soon we fly to Vladivostock! We have never been there before, due to unforeseen events many years ago, when our show got abruptly cancelled.... but that’s another story! The band and crew are waiting and the fans are anxious!!! Arise Beneath the Remains!!!!!
Class dismissed....
