Diversions > Travel
Passport Traveler: Russia
Jarmaine Migala of Olivette
Thursday, November 20, 2008 11:08 PM CST
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| Jarmaine Migala, right, with Zina and Alex. |
In 2001, Zina Litvina arrived in St. Louis as a refugee from Kyrgyzstan, Russia. Through a friend, she learned of an employment opportunity as a nanny for the Migalas, an Olivette family with a 3-month-old boy, Alex. “As a new mom, my going back to work was difficult, but in walked Zina, and it was like a miracle,” says Jarmaine Migala, who became Zina’s friend and employer.
Seven years later, with Alex attending Community School, Zina has transitioned from nanny to family friend. As a gift of gratitude, Jarmaine planned a trip for the three of them to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg in August.
“We stayed at Zina’s uncle’s home in Moscow, and many of her friends and family traveled from different cities to see her,” Jarmaine recalls. “Each day we would meet with somebody, including former students from her teaching days back in Kyrgyzstan.”
While staying at her uncle’s home, Zina prepared a memorable dinner that included borscht, a traditional beet and cabbage soup usually served with sour cream. Another special meal was shared at the high-end restaurant, 1 Red Square, where they enjoyed a mushroom soup called grybnoy, among other delicacies. “We also like pelmeny, which are little meat-filled dumplings,” Jarmaine says. “We found the best ones at a self-serve cafe in Moscow!”
Jarmaine remembers Red Square in Moscow as a highlight of the trip, with the striking architecture of Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin and the GUM, which is a shopping mall.
In St. Petersburg, the trio visited the State Hermitage Museum, which displays artwork from around the world; St. Isaac’s Cathedral, once the city’s main church; and Peterhoff Palace with its 150 fountains, most of them gilded. “We really enjoyed St. Petersburg,” Jarmaine says. “We had a private tour guide there, so we experienced the city in a non-tourist kind of way.”
The three also took a day trip to Smolensk, a countryside village known for its many cathedrals. “It was a very picturesque, quaint town with little cafes,” recalls Jarmaine. “The entire trip was just incredible, we enjoyed the culture and food, and we began wonderful friendships with Zina’a family. We are all ready to go back!”
Seven years later, with Alex attending Community School, Zina has transitioned from nanny to family friend. As a gift of gratitude, Jarmaine planned a trip for the three of them to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg in August.
“We stayed at Zina’s uncle’s home in Moscow, and many of her friends and family traveled from different cities to see her,” Jarmaine recalls. “Each day we would meet with somebody, including former students from her teaching days back in Kyrgyzstan.”
While staying at her uncle’s home, Zina prepared a memorable dinner that included borscht, a traditional beet and cabbage soup usually served with sour cream. Another special meal was shared at the high-end restaurant, 1 Red Square, where they enjoyed a mushroom soup called grybnoy, among other delicacies. “We also like pelmeny, which are little meat-filled dumplings,” Jarmaine says. “We found the best ones at a self-serve cafe in Moscow!”
Jarmaine remembers Red Square in Moscow as a highlight of the trip, with the striking architecture of Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin and the GUM, which is a shopping mall.
In St. Petersburg, the trio visited the State Hermitage Museum, which displays artwork from around the world; St. Isaac’s Cathedral, once the city’s main church; and Peterhoff Palace with its 150 fountains, most of them gilded. “We really enjoyed St. Petersburg,” Jarmaine says. “We had a private tour guide there, so we experienced the city in a non-tourist kind of way.”
The three also took a day trip to Smolensk, a countryside village known for its many cathedrals. “It was a very picturesque, quaint town with little cafes,” recalls Jarmaine. “The entire trip was just incredible, we enjoyed the culture and food, and we began wonderful friendships with Zina’a family. We are all ready to go back!”
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| Passport Traveler: Hungary and Austria | Savannah |