And now I've been to Siberia

Anya and I...checking the maps..."now WHERE is it you live?"
Nadeshda and Luda. We stayed with N. and her husband, Sasha, in the city of Omsk.

...the early morning path "out-back" in Korsina, Siberia
Sunday morning in Korsina, Siberia. Luda, Olga and her daughter Anya.
Olga's house in Korsina, Siberia
Siberia....
I hardly know where to begin!
Our trip began in the early morning darkness as we hurried down the elevator to the taxi waiting to take us to the train station. I do enjoy the travel by train...a place to sit, or to lie down; a table, windows to look out at the passing countryside; hot water always available for
coffee or tea, time to read, to study, or just be quiet.
Some 13 hours later we arrived in the city of Omsk, quite a distance and another time zone further east. It is another BIG city...a million or so. We went to the apartment of Sasha and Nadezhda, who have assured our friends in the past, and assured us again, that "our home
is your home". A warm welcome and a meal far too big awaited us. It was nice to have a shower and bed. In the morning, we had a Gospel meeting with Nadezhda and then it was time to go through the city again to get on the bus to Korcina.
The sun was shining and a little wind blowing and it felt SO MUCH
like Nebraska! I loved that chilly wind in my face! But, I get all kinds of worried looks and admonitions here if I leave my coat unzipped or don't cover my head. Omsk is a rather pretty city. It has an air of progress about it that I haven't seen in most of these villages or cities. There are many new buildings and very attractive apartment buildings. The trees had not all lost their leaves there and I even saw a few flowers still blooming.
So, we boarded the small bus to Korcina. Tooooo hot..seemed the heat was on full blast and I was next too it. We travelled 6 or 7, or maybe 8 hours, mainly north. I lost track of time. The road, though paved, goes on record among the WORST I have been over. Mostly, the landscape was quite empty. Always there were forests of birch in sight, and in between vast pastures or sometimes plowed fields. I saw a few flocks of sheep, quite a few cattle, and in one pasture there must have been 100 or more horses with many little colts. Side roads all looked very muddy and impassible. It was all very flat. After 6 hours or so, we stopped in Kolosofki and Luda and I went in a little store to get a few things to take, while the bus went off to get more gasoline (Benzene they call it in Russian).
On again, now in the darkness, over more rough roads. In another hour we stopped in the tiny Siberian village of Korcina. We got off in the darkness, and there was dear Olga waiting to guide us thru the dark to her house. They were SO happy to see us! Olga teaches in the school
there, as does her older son who lives near. Anya, 15, and Sergei, 13, are home. Their house is very comfortable, pretty with nice wallpaper and lacy curtains, but the plumbing doesn't work and they carry in water and heat with wood. The bathroom is good for some uses, but the path
outside in the cold leads to the "outhouse". You wouldn't want to see it...very typical Russian...only a hole with no seat. Bus stop toilets and even ones in train stations are that way. SOoooo best get your leg muscles in shape!
Our Sunday together was so special, so much more than I can put into words. Monday morning came, and Olga walked through the cold early morning darkness with us...a little snow in places...puddles iced over...a faint moon shining...to the place where the bus comes. More people came, just dark shapes appearing, and finally the bus came and we
were off again, jouncing and swaying, the heat full blast. At long last, we came to Omskagain...across the city again to Nadezhda's and food, a Bible study, a little rest, and then to the train station and the night train "home".
Now, we look forward to going again!