Pancake Week - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Pancake Week
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Posted by: samovar

I understand that this is Pancake Week, a kind of celebration of the inpending end of winter. Can anyone provide more info?

Thanks.

..Nate

Posted by: Jim_FL

Maslenitsa was celebrated yesterday in Liliya's town, everyone came out for it. Unfortunately, she was not able to attend the celebration because her son has caught the Flu and had very high fever

Posted by: pharmrep2

Hi Jim
Sorry to hear that your fiancee's son has the flu and high fever, and your fiancee missed the celebration. I think the flu seems to be going around there, because my fiancee Sveta also had the flu and high fever she was sick for almost 2 weeks,

. But she is doing much better. I really dont know how well the health system is there. But when I got sick in NN, I had a good doctor, though my fiancee and her family had contradicting ways of trying to help me recover. For example when I had a high fever they wanted me sweat by putting a lot of blankets on top of me, which has been totally the opposite from what my parents and doctors did in the US. I thought you are suppose to cool down if you have a high fever, by undressing and having a wet towel over your head. At least that was what I was taught, but I am no doctor so I really dont know. I wonder if it is a cultural thing, that some people have different ways of treating illnesses???? or maybe they are not well-informed??? Sorry for going off the beaten track.
Dax

Posted by: Jim_FL

Dax,
She told me this is the worst time of year for it there. It spreads quickly in the schools and on public transportation. The biggest contributing factor, she thinks, is the lack of available vitamins. When I went in Nov. one of our first stops was at a pharmacy on the main street of the old section (near the yellow drama theatre)
to get some massive doses of vitamin C in me so I would "be healthy" LOL (she forgets I live in the land of oranges

)

Posted by: Khashyar

It's very interesting to read about "pancake week".. I just asked Lena about it, and she said that they also celebrate it in her home town and (she also agreed) everywhere in Russia...

Yes Jim... sorry about your girlfriend's son's flu...

When I was in Belarus this past summer, I also received some kind of flu (and a temperature of 104...) Lena's friend was a nurse and she brought me some anti-inflammatory medicine (and antibiotics) and after a few days, the temperature went down...

Lena told me that it was customary to give the doctors a present/ gift for their prompt attention... (Doctors in Russia make so very little)...

Khashyar

Posted by: Harry

This is more of a quick question to the Americans on the forum...

You guys do celebrate Shrove Tuesday don't you?
I know it's normally in March or April but I've never seen it mentioned in American culture. In the UK it's a really big thing. It serves roughly the same purpose as this Russian event though it is now also closely allied with the Easter celebrations.

But this also brings me to wonder whether pancakes were first invented in Russia... anyone know the answer. If I get time, I'll check on:

Ruscuisine

Speaking of cooking, if there isn't already a thread for Russian cooking then there certainly should be!

Posted by: ConnerVT

I had to do some quick research (thank you, Google!), but I have an answer.

In America, we do celebrate Shrove Tuesday, but it's not called that. Here it is usually refered to as "Fat Tuesday", which is the final day of the celebration held in New Orleans known as Mardi Gras. As Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, where good practicing Cathlolics give up almost every enjoyable vice, Fat Tuesday is the time for everyone to go wild and overendulge on whatever vice they want.