Purely for research and despite my misgivings, I felt it was necessary to conduct some field study on what exactly happens in Haerbin after 9:00 P.M. The only information I had been able to gleen up to this point had been speculation, rumour and innuendo. The Younguns have a policy, "What happens at Russian Size stays at Russion Size" which had hampered my research somewhat. So leaving Nonie at home, I dared to venture out with the Younguns and see first hand what was fact and what was fiction. The party doesn't start till after 10:00 P.M. My first challenge was solved by a short power nap in the afternoon. A short taxi ride found us outside the Russian Size. The Russian Size is one of the local night spots in Haerbin. It is all neon inside and out. Stepping out of the taxi was like arriving at the Oscars. No red carpet but lots of people milling about and checking out the action. We had come early to make sure that we got a good table, but the place was already hopping. We were led to a nice table at the back which later grew into a private room. We were immediately provided with free snacks, mix and vodka. Four hours later found me home, safe and sound with fond memories of loud techno music, strobe lights, dirty dancing and a brass pole. WHAT HAPPENS A RUSSIAN SIZE STAYS AT RUSSIAN SIZE!!!
Our last week was spent preparing for our return to Canada and welcoming a guest from England who was brave or crazy enough to take the train across Siberia and Northern China in the dead of winter. Our friend Lorelie is not your typical tourist and has traveled extensively around the world. Her arrival was greeted by one of the coldest days that we have seen so far. -23C and the forecast was for it to get colder. She had heard about the world famous Haerbin Ice Festival and when she found out we were living there, decided to make the journey. The event did not disappoint. We started the -18 C day off attending the Snow Festival which features hundreds of snow sculptures. The featured sculpture was about the size of Munson Mountain and came complete with a 200 foot Santa Claus and slide. It was an awesome sight. Due to the lack of snow in Haerbin, only man made snow is used to create the sculptures. They start by erecting wooden frames, fill them with the snow then pack the snow down using only their feet. They add more frames to increase the height. The Santa mountain had to be at least 6 stories high and over 200 feet long.
But the snow festival was completely over shadowed by the size and the grandeur of the Ice Festival. Both festivals are located on separate sites but across from each other. As a facility guy, I was blown away by the size and complexity of the work. Some of the sculptures stand at least 10 stories high and are completely wired for sound and light. All the ice and there is lots of it, is hand cut from the Songhua River. Next year, I hope to actually see how they construct the huge towers. I have added a web address for a blog site if you want to see more pictures or just Google "Harbin Ice Festival" and you will find hundreds of sites. The only downside was that it was freakin cold.
www.rtoddking.com/chinawin2007_hb_if.htm
It was an awesome ending to our first four months in Haerbin. Next stop, Canada!
Our little baby has become a little boy. Even with Skype, we were not prepared for the little personality he has become. He is a thirty pound dynamo with attitude. He talks constantly in both official languages. He can discuss with absolute confidence issues of popo and pomme. He is very reasonable as long as he is getting his way. Which is most of the time. He has a temper and is not afraid to use it, his bottom lip sticking out so far, you could trip on it. He has his mother's beautiful eyes and his father's attention to detail. Some would say anal but he is too young, focused fits better. He will only watch Elmo on TV and nothing else. He is constantly moving, stopping only for short flashes of brilliance. He can recognize words and symbols. He will be reading before too long. He can fill a diaper in a flash and let you know all about it, so potty training is not far away. He is the poster child for two year olds. 
