Tea and Piroshkies with Julia in Svirstroy, Russia

Svirstroy Is Typical Russian Village on the Svir River

Our home visit with Julia was a highlight of the day in Svirstroy. Grand Circle divided us into 12 groups of about 15 each and we visited at one of six different homes. It is always great to see how "real" people live in the small towns and villages around the world. We had just eaten lunch and thought we were only having tea. What a surprise to see this spread of piroshkies and cookies!

Julia was almost 80 years old and had lived in Svirstroy her entire life, except for a few years during World War II (the Great Patriotic War). During that time, the Finnish Army that was allied with the Germans occupied Svirstroy and she was evacuated "to the east" until the war was over. Svirstroy residents who stayed home were all imprisoned in concentration camps, and had a much more difficult time than she. Julia's home was small, but well kept, and she lived alone. Her two grown children live a few hours away. Julia spends her time in the summer working in her vegetable garden, but stays inside much of the harsh winter season and watches television. Interestingly, the most prominent feature in Julia's living room was a large television, but she didn't have cable or a satellite dish like some of her neighbors. She did receive two or three channels, which was surprising given the remoteness of Svirstroy. Her small living room with the large television reminded me of the home visit at a hutong in Beijing.