A new host

I was informed this morning that the host family I had been previously assigned is no longer able to host me. Goodbye French Bulldog. Hello Elena Anatolievna! 

Here is the description of my new living situation:

Elena Anatol'eva is 40 years old and has her education in medicine and psychology. She currently teaches in high school.

The district where Elena Anatol'ievna lives is nice and cozy. There is a market, grocery store, bank, drugstores, barbershop, dry cleaners, a cobbler and tailor, and a fitness center. There is a nordic ski and mountain ski center about one 1 km away from the apartment building, as well as the main "beach" area in Irkutsk. It takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the university by either bus, trolleybus, or "marshrutka". The bus stop is about 100 meters from the apartment building.

Two-room apartment on the fourth floor of a five story building. The apartment building is located in a picturesque district of Irkutsk not far from a man-made lake. The apartment is warm and bright and uncluttered. The neighbors are quiet.

I am quite excited!  A ski center 1 km away! In Germany I lived near the banks of the River Weser and spent many afternoons sitting at the riverside park with the ducks, swans, and bunnies studying grammar and reading the Bible. While it may not be warm enough for me to spend much time outside along the Angara River, but I'll know it's there :) 

Here are some pictures of Irkutsk in the winter...