Walking, Blini and Central Park

Saturday evening Julia asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. Of course I said yes. We walked from our apartment all the way to the city center, which is about a half hour bus ride. Needless to say it was dark by the time we got there.
We walked along a creek and on one of the three main streets (Myra Street). I finally figured out where the street signs are. They are on the sides of buildings, sometimes nowhere near intersections. This street is the only street decorated for New Years. It was kind of funny- Lena mentioned this fact to me the day before Julia and I's excursion. She said that the city buys enough decorations for the three main streets, but only uses them on Myra street. The end product is so gaudy, some years it can make your eyes hurt.
It also has the most light-trees on it. I don't think I have told you, but for some reason Krasnoyarsk has these trees that are made of lights. They are different kinds of trees, too. Some are just of small flowers, others are fruits, and still others are just gaudy clusters of huge flowers. Julia said that it is because in the winter there isn't very much color, so the city added some! I thought that was kind of cool. Julia seems to have this way of speaking sometimes that is almost poetic, even a language that isn't her own.
We also went to a pancake shop. Well, it is the Russian pancakes, or bliny. It took them a long time to make our bliny. They were a little different than what Julia serves us at home. These were 3 or four of the thin pastries all rolled like a burrito with some kind of stuffing inside. Mine had hazel nuts, crispy fried apples, sugar, and cinnamon. I don't remember what Julia got, only that mine was pretty good. It was really expensive though. I can see why no one really eats out here. It was over 1000 ruples, and it wasn't a fine restaurant or anything.
After the pancake shop we went to the square with the fountains. For some reason they are still running/dancing. In the square were also our friends the white rappers and the fire spinners. The white rappers still made me laugh. We then called Arthur to come and get us. Walking back home was never really an option, and I think he was done with what he was doing anyways.
Lola texted me that night and asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. I don't know what it is with Russians and their really cool walks, but of course I said yes! I asked Julia the next morning, and she said yes. Instead of walking (we did do a lot of that) we went to the city's Central Park. This place was near the Yenisei River(however you spell that) and had different rides and vendors at it. Well, in the summer. In the fall it had some rides and a few vendors. We got there a half an hour before the park opened, so we walked around for a bit, just stalling.

The Cotton Club! Made me drool so I guess it is a thumbs up!

Lola and I with out cotton candy!

We went on 4 rides: the ferris wheel, a swing carousel, a roller coaster for kids, and a ride called the Cotton Club. There was a sling shot ride that Lola loves, but thank goodness it was not running that day. I can do roller coasters and spinning, but I cannot do dropping or upside-down for long periods of time. After we went on the rides (super fun), we got this weird drink called a cocktail. I think it is just the Russian version of a milkshake. My first run in with this drink was when we went to the zoo. I tried a chocolate one this time, and it was of course the weird delicious that only foreign (or, I guess, not foreign since I am the foreigner) things like this can be. We also got cotton candy, which also tastes different. And it was huge. Between all the rides and after getting the candy we walked around. Then we decided to head on home. When I got back I took yet another nap (love naps!).


The evening was kind of uneventful, and I hit the hay early (love going to bed early!). Overall I would say it was an excellent day!