Again, it has been a while since I have updated the blog, getting distracted by watching the Russian national team attempt (quite well, I must admit) to qualify for the World Cup and just being in a small town in Russia, there has not been a lot going on.
However, a week or so ago, while a group of us were ordering food in Sanches, a very fine, reputable Mexican restaurant with an atmosphere second to none, we were approached by a man in a suit. He was American and asking us each where we came from in England (not that he knew any other place than London it seemed). Then, he got onto his agenda...
He was here in Petrozavodsk for a total time of two years to help spread the word of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, AKA Mormons. He asked us if we had even heard of them previously or Joseph Smith, in his words "except for in South Park". Now me being a rather non-religious man, I was hoping that he would not continue to ask us to his meetings in their church... he did.
He was pleasant enough but when we asked how many people had converted religions over the 17 or so years they have been here he replied with around 150. 14 a year seems a tiny amount and he even admitted that most do not turn up anymore. But the big question remains; Why are a group of Mormons, who believe in covering their bodies so much, in a reputable restaurant like Sanches, where the waitresses expose their midrift? In layman's terms, Sanches is almost the Russian version of Hooters, admittedly with better food. For those not in the know I have included a picture of some Hooters girls.
Anyway, to move back on to the subject, the conversation seemed to drag and he clearly believed that he could change our viewpoints. Just as we were growing bored of the conversation, the waitress brought us our Baltikas and Coronas. I think the Mormon could finally see he wouldn't be able to convert us. Why, when I am in a country with 1 Litre cans of Baltika and £2 bottles of Vodka would I want to be teetotal?
P.S. I am not an alcoholic.
However, a week or so ago, while a group of us were ordering food in Sanches, a very fine, reputable Mexican restaurant with an atmosphere second to none, we were approached by a man in a suit. He was American and asking us each where we came from in England (not that he knew any other place than London it seemed). Then, he got onto his agenda...
He was here in Petrozavodsk for a total time of two years to help spread the word of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, AKA Mormons. He asked us if we had even heard of them previously or Joseph Smith, in his words "except for in South Park". Now me being a rather non-religious man, I was hoping that he would not continue to ask us to his meetings in their church... he did.
He was pleasant enough but when we asked how many people had converted religions over the 17 or so years they have been here he replied with around 150. 14 a year seems a tiny amount and he even admitted that most do not turn up anymore. But the big question remains; Why are a group of Mormons, who believe in covering their bodies so much, in a reputable restaurant like Sanches, where the waitresses expose their midrift? In layman's terms, Sanches is almost the Russian version of Hooters, admittedly with better food. For those not in the know I have included a picture of some Hooters girls.
Anyway, to move back on to the subject, the conversation seemed to drag and he clearly believed that he could change our viewpoints. Just as we were growing bored of the conversation, the waitress brought us our Baltikas and Coronas. I think the Mormon could finally see he wouldn't be able to convert us. Why, when I am in a country with 1 Litre cans of Baltika and £2 bottles of Vodka would I want to be teetotal?
P.S. I am not an alcoholic.
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