Page 37 - Сахалину с любовью : литературный сборник
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The spectators were dressed warmly so I could not
spot Zhenya immediately. I decided to call her on her mobile
to say we had arrived. We heard a phone ring behind us and
there was Zhenya, very happy to see us. She went down to
the river quickly to prepare for her dip in the icy water.
She is such a small tiny girl, but very brave. Her
mother was there with her, ready with a towel and helped
her dressing afterwards, because the water may be around
zero, the air temperature was minus 17 degrees centigrade!
After Zhenya's bath she introduced us to her family. With an
unidentified strong drink and a mandarin we all toasted.
Kresjenyie! Meaning: “to the submersion of Jesus”, or to
Zhena’s dip, whatever………… What an experience,
wonderfully crazy Russians!
Сахалину – с любовью 35
