Julia Verne Visits... Russia

Julia and Henry have stopped on the roadside to see the beautiful spires of St. Basil's Cathedral.  The golden crosses reach high into the sky while the colorful and strange shapes of the rooflines take their breath away.  It is Julia's first Christmas away from her beloved England and she acknowledges to herself that it will be several more years before she spends the holiday at her own home.

The three bundled carolers remind Julia of the lovely nesting dolls, called matryoshkas, she saw at the shops earlier in the day.  Julia is clutching the Fabergé egg she purchased as a gift for her grandmother - which will be shipped in time to arrive before the New Year.

The carolers are singing a beautiful Russian song and the three Cossacks have started to dance, their swords flashing in the the reflected light.