infofarmer braindumps

Rediscovered, in a way. Today was a long and happy day.

Got on the usual express train to Kaluga from Kievsky train station in Moscow. Decided to go the first class. Was regretting the whole way, as the "Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears" Soviet movie classic was on, there was no way not to listen to it, and much as the film is great, I was counting on a quiet trip. Will try second class next time.

Got to Kozelsk from Kaluga by bus in no time - and almost didn't recognize it. A recent visit by our much-reveered president Medvedev gave rebirth to a few front streets of the otherwise faded town.

Optina was a miracle. Didn't seem to ward my current death spell off, but taught me not to mind it, genuinely. It was the feast of Saint Ambrose, crowds came from all over Russia on Friday, and that grew tenfold or so by the time I was leaving Saturday morning.

I'm reinforced for a while now, hopefully. Haven't been there for months, which is not good at all.

The way back was luckily facilitated by two cars and a few cofarers.