As the days fly by I continue to prepare for my expedition to Russia. I have been working at a break neck pace so that I could have everything done earlier than necessary. All of this is because of the various events of the last two weeks before my departure. This week was highlighted by a visit from my sister, Line. She lives in North Carolina and we do not get to see each other very often so we try to pack in a lot when we get together.
This week we visited local sites, went to the shore for a day and visited Ellis Island and lower Manhattan in a three-day time span. A whirlwind tour for sure. I found it ironic that my sister decided that she wanted to see Ellis Island since she had seen the Statue of Liberty long ago but had not seen the newly renovated Ellis Island Museum. After all here I am getting ready to go abroad and we were on the island where so many Russians passed through to come to America. In fact, the second largest group of immigrants to pass through Ellis Island was Russians, surpassed only by Italians. Who knew?
A view of Ellis Island from the ferry as we approach it from Liberty State Park.
When we arrived we discovered that there was a temporary display of Barbie ™ from around the world. I, like a lot of little girls had a collection of Barbie™ and Barbie™ clothes to play with. However, I saw two Barbie™ dolls that I had never seen before. One represents Antarctica and the other Russia. I had to include both their pictures in my journal because it reminds me of the folks at PolarTREC in Fairbanks who will be so lucky as to go the continent of Antarctica this year. And the one from Russia just reminds me of all of the beautiful Russian women that we have seen over the years.
Even in Antarctica Barbie can be glamorous.
Russian Barbie wears a beautiful fur hat for the cold Russian winter.
While on the island my sister and I had the opportunity to see the Statue of Liberty and the spectacular sight of lower Manhattan and all of its huge skyscrapers. Using water ferries as transportation on this warm sunny day made the trip into the city even more enjoyable.
Two Canadian born sisters, now Naturalized American Citizens visit Ellis Island. Of course, we came over in a station wagon not a boat.
From the NY Waterway Ferry, we cross the Hudson River into the city.
So with just a few short days to go before I head east, I felt the need to pose with one our most American icons, Lady Liberty. I guess that once I am in Russia it will be even more obvious to me how American I am. I think it will be pretty obvious to the Russians as well.
Just two women who want to see the world.