SIS: Stranded in Switzerland?

It's our last travel day (or so we think) and we are all eager to get home to re-live our memories with our family and friends.  But first, we must get (1) out of Russia and (2) out of Switzerland.  Since we had no issues before, we didn't anticipate any issues on the way home.  Wrong (as the subject line of this post has already revealed).

First, at the airport in St. Pete, our tour guide tried diligently to keep our group together during the flight check-in process.  I don't know why that was a big deal for her, but she got into quite a spirited Russian exchange with an older woman who was trying to strong arm her way in the line.  Needless to say, it was a bit uncomfortable as we tried not to make eye contact while staying unusually close to the traveling partner in front or behind you.

And then we get to customs.  For some reason, I had the great idea to wear my hair all wrapped up - which I guess makes me look very different from the mulitple hairstyles shown on my passport and visa photos.  Here again led to a very uncomfortable point in our journey where the Russian passport control guard looked at my photo, looked at me, PICKED UP THE PHONE, typed on the computer, looked at me again - told me to look straight at him, PICKED UP THE PHONE AGAIN.  I could feel Stacy's eyes fill with worry as he and I were both thinking "what's taking so long?"  But, since the subject of this post is not Stranded in St. Petersburg, you know I got through that one.  Whew!

Then, we were off.  Trying not to start our good byes too soon but feeling a bit sad all the same.  Someone even suggested a reunion next year somewhere.  How we love to be with the friends!  So much so, that when we got to Switzerland and learned that our flight to the US was cancelled, we immediately started making plans for what we could do with our bonus day together.  And here's what we did in Zurich, Switzerland:

Met local friends doing cart witnessing near Old Town Zurich

Took a cruise around beautiful Lake Zurich for 8 Swiss Francs!

And found Jehovah's name prominently displayed in the artwork of an old church building - again!

The Hermitage Museum Tour

One of the largest museums in the world, the Hermitage is home to three million exhibits. If you looked at one piece for one minute each, it would take you 10 years to see everything.

Hermitage (er metage) - French meaning Hermit dwelling or place of solitude.  Founded in 18th century by Catherine the Great. She wrote in her diary "only I and the mice see the art".  The Winter Palace was designed by same architect who built Catherine's Palace.  It is the original structure. It was not destroyed during the war. Made into museum after the Revolution.

Don't follow Andria - she's just looking official today, but she's just a tourist!

All the art collections are divided by departments or countries.  Organized with the oldest collection first down through time.  The Hermitage includes only Western and European art. Russian art held in the Russian Art Museum. Only 10% of art is on display at any one time.  Tour highlights: 

The 300 year old Peacock Clock was created by Englishman James Cox.  It is on a mound with different animals underneath. The dial of the clock is a mushroom and shows hours only.  When the clock strikes at top of hour, all the animals come alive.

Leonardo DaVinci - Only 10 paintings by this artist has survived until today - the Hermitage museum has two of them. He was not a professional artist - he was a scientist- art was a hobby.  He was an innovator in art: used minerals mixed with oils and added windows.

The Raphael's Ledger or Bible. The pictures were scenes from the Vatican palace based on the Old Testament (mixed in with some mythology). Images created by special permission in the Vatican and then brought to Russia by order of Catherine the Great. 

The room of ancient knights. 

Rembrandt was known as the master of hands and faces. Most of the painting is dark, those features are lighter.  Notice this in the depiction of Abraham offering up Isaac.

The Prodigal Son was the very last painting by Rembrandt before he died.  My favorite piece of the day!!

Had to zoom in on this detail - reminds me of the new brochure Return to Jehovah. 

And of course it's always a treat to find Jehovah's name in this ancient art.  Ps 83:18 Good eye, Stacy!

. . .and a Razorback for all those Hog fans!

The largest vase in the exhibition is solid jasper. Took 1200 horses to move it. And the piece was moved into place first and then the room was built around it.

Just plain funny - thanks Joe!

Stroganoff - finally!

As soon as I learned that Beef Stroganoff was a 19th century Russian dish, I was on a quest to get some.  Of course, my group veto'd me and we had pizza last night (I know what you're thinking but I must admit it was really good).  But to my surprise, our last group lunch in Russia was at the famous Stroganoff Steakhouse!  And it was GOOD.  

All smiles now, but there was about to be a riot when we thought there were no more taters!

You just can't make this stuff up

Experiences shared by friends we met along the way

Don't knock it 'til you try it!

We met a single sister named Audilia.  She had moved to Virginia two years ago to serve where the need was greater.  She loved the ministry experienced from the recent Gilead graduation program so much that she taped the graduation and followed the presentations exactly in her ministry one month.  She went from having one bible study to starting 5 new bible studies - in a single month.  One of her responses was exactly as the sister's experience shared during the Gilead graduation where the householder asked her for a  bible study!

David and the Tuna caper

We got all kinds of great gifts from the friends we met in the many cities we have visited.  My favorite gifts were socks - hand made with love!  But our friend David got an unusal gift - a large can of tuna!  Like my socks, the tuna was a very practical gift.  Except when you are going through security and they tell you to remove all liquids from your carry-on bag and you don't even remember you have a large can of tuna in your bag.  Fortunately, David got to keep his tuna.

What do you mean we are not Jehovah's Witnesses?

Tannika and Justin (Detroit) shared their excitement about a new progressive study they are eager to get back to in the US. It is a family of 6 (4 children ages 3-12) who started studying in January. They are attending the meetings regularly and have already enjoyed their first assembly.

Most of the best stories came from the 6 yr old.  He was particularly distressed when there was a birthday party in his class.  He was so hurt that he could not convince his friend from going into the party.  But he was determined to avoid that party at all costs.  Even when the teacher came to get him from the library to return to class, he peeked inside the classroom and refused to enter.  Why?  He said that he saw cupcakes and decorations still sitting on the desk and he didn't want to fall for that trick!

During one of the studies, the sister was explaining how things might change when they become JW.  The boy was confused by this idea and exclaimed "What do you mean - we are not Jehovah's Witnesses?"  What appreciation for his Christian identity.  I love his enthusiasm - can't wait to hear about their progress.