Yidbits from Yaroslavl

-Today is December 22, the first day of winter 2007/2008.
-Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. The sunrise in Yaroslavl today was 9.02 and the sunset is 15.35.
- The sunrise in Nayabrisk, Siberia (where we will be next week) today was 9.38 and the sunsets at 14.14 this afternoon.
- The sun came out yesterday for the first time in over 30 days. Now I understand why December is the most depressing month in Yaroslavl. Not much snow, long nights, mud and no sun.
- When the sun is out it never rises more than about 15 or 20 degrees in the southern sky. Even in the middle of summer, the sun is never overhead but always in the southern sky but it is even more pronounced in the winter. Make sense when you think about it.
- Our last group of volunteers for 2007 arrived today. Eight American women who decided to spend there Christmas this year volunteering in Yaroslavl. Very cool.
- Christmas in Russia is January 7 but New Years Eve and New Year’s Day seem to be bigger holidays. However, the January 1-9th is a holiday for everyone.
- Merry Christmas everyone