Lavradical

Checked out the Lavra today, a beautiful huge monastery complex built over catacombs.  The caves were creepy as what, especially when the really devout Christians kept kissing the glass tombs.  Everyone around us had bought these long candles, which I assumed were for some kind of ritual, but were in fact to light the way through the dark caves.  Luckily, it was crowded enough to be both bright and claustrophobic.  We also had the opportunity to check out part of a Russian Orthodox church service.  Church Slavonic melodies are so beautiful, and every inch of this church was covered in elaborate decoration.  I'm also quite a fan of the incense smell, probably because to me it's exotic and not connected with any sort of forced worship.  Incidentally, there are no pews in Orthodox churches; you stand the whole time.  And we thought synagogue was tough!  I took plenty of pictures at the monastery, including, of course, portraits of the Lavra cats.

Tonight half the group leaves for Moscow and the rest of us move into our apartment.  I've heard it's really nice, like jacuzzi nice.  Since we are done with our orientation, be sure to check back for more silly stories.