I missed yesterday's blog due to pure exhaustion. We spent the day on an 11km uphill hike in a Siberian preserve called "Stolby". It is so nice to see that these teachers all hang out together out of work and really seem to enjoy each others company. My Floridian legs were not used to the steep climb or the deep snow at times. The hike ended with a rock climb at the top to the peak. I truly thought I would slip to my death at any moment but managed to avoid it usually by either sliding along on my butt (oh so graceful I know) or grabbing the nearest Russian :) Russian men by the way are the most chivalrous men I have ever met and don't hesitate to extend a hand, help you out or at one point even carry you across the deep snow as in the case of my partner Carrie who was hiking for the first time in her life and did so in cheer shoes. She was a trooper and did it all but the rock climbing despite threatening to quit about 50 times :)
I forgot that prior to our hike we visited the local flea market which was really interesting. They even had a bounce house :)
After surviving our hike which while beautiful seemed like it might never end, we then went to a ski resort and took the chair lift to the top for more fantastic views. Pictures in slide show below. The people are teachers from the school that went with us and the crazy looking guy in the yellow shirt and white glasses was our guide. A "professional" climber (retired) which Siberians call Stolbeasts. If his look and name don't make you laugh then imagine hiking the Siberian wilderness with him singing English children's songs. It truly was an amazing day.
After surviving our hike which while beautiful seemed like it might never end, we then went to a ski resort and took the chair lift to the top for more fantastic views. Pictures in slide show below. The people are teachers from the school that went with us and the crazy looking guy in the yellow shirt and white glasses was our guide. A "professional" climber (retired) which Siberians call Stolbeasts. If his look and name don't make you laugh then imagine hiking the Siberian wilderness with him singing English children's songs. It truly was an amazing day.