pikkuaasi@gmail.com
Posted Oct 24, 2013, 10:15 pm
I´m quite new here, because it was only today my new mom Henna
rescued me from a circulation center, where I had already been
quite a long time waiting for a new home and life!
So today when a human picked me up and watched me I became
very exited!
And when she asked me if I would like to get a new home, and to travel round the world visiting other peoples homes and to get a lot
of new friends, I was so happy I could only nod!
So she took me to home, and there she asked
if I´m hungry.
Of course I was, specially seeing the wonderful, ripe banana!
Then Henna gave me warm clothes, and
now I´m getting to know my new home, and after that I´ll
find out more of this toyvoyagering thing!
I would be happy if you would help me!
Hug from Arwen!
Posted Nov 18, 2013, 10:21 am
The first place that I visit is Novosibirsk, the 'capital of Siberia'! I had arrived today to the post office and have met Dasha, my first host. (I am her first guest too
) She thanks you for the wonderful postcard and Moomi-goodies.
The weather here looks like... that. Winter is late - there is so little snow, although it usually comes in October!
The dull window view to the outskirts:
Anna Potapovna Bear welcomed me. I came right for the dinner, so she regaled me hot mushroom soup and rye bread with mustard. No bananas yet.
Then me and my new friends had raspberry tea and some sweets.
Now we all are going to have a forty winks after dinner. Tomorrow I'm going for a walk, hope it will get colder during the night!
Many hugs!
Your Arwen.
Posted Nov 19, 2013, 4:20 pm
)
Today we haven't had enough time to walk because my host had a competition. But Dasha took me with her and I could see a bit.
Fast breakfast:
Going by bus...
Then by subway. To get to it, you need to buy a token in a special machine.
By the way, there are some token machines which gives your subway token not for 18 roubles but for 32 up-and-down squats!!! You see, Olympics, sports, stuff like that...
In the subway.
Passing the central Lenina square.
This blue triangle is the countdown clock to Sochi 2014 Olympic game. (These are in every city in Russia). Now the Olympic torch is travelling through the country, so they're waiting for the moment when it arrives to NSK.
Finally Dasha and me reached the building where City Competition for students in Geography took place.
I secretly helped her to answer some questions, for example about Finland.
After that, we went to a nearby Italian restaurant.
Toom-toorooroom... Banana Split dessert!!! I love it!
On the way back I saw that stylish pub called "Liverpool". Sing! "Weeee aaall live..."
New Year is the favourite holiday of Russians. Somebody has already started to do decorating.
If I stay until January I'll able to see how it's being celebrated here. But I don't sure if I do. How do you Henna think?
Much love! С любовью!
Arwen
Posted Nov 24, 2013, 3:38 pm
Hello, dear mom Henna!
Today I've walked down the Red avenue (Krasniy prospect). It's the longest street in the city, I could pass only the half of it.
Started from the Lenina square again:
("Sochi 2014 countdown clock" says it's 75 days left until the Olympiade).
Some soviet posters
The Opera and Ballet Theatre - is the largest theatre building in Russia.
The Museum of Siberian History... and a taxi
This is a floral clock. In summer different kinds of flowers bloom in certain hours, thus showing the time. Now it's just a big clock under the snow.
Monument to the heroes of the revolution.
I've got hungry and have had some pizza and hot chocholate in New York Pizza. (Camera has got hungry too and it turned off, so we had to take photos with the phone).
Window view from our table.
Here you can see well what is Novosibirsk looks like. The prerevolutionary-time brick building next to a modern business center, soviet-type building on the left and a little chapel in the middle of the road. All is random.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the last building on the Red avenue.
When we finally reached the Ob' river, the sky was almost dark. We enjoyed the great view of shining skyscrapers, bridges and slowly floating barges... It's one of the most beatiful places in the city. But can you imagine?.. The phone battery was low too! (Russians usually say "the phone got hungry" or "the battery sat down" ). I used the camera of Alina's phone, who is a friend of Dasha. But the quality is very low. (It's all because Dasha's improvidence
)
Just believe that it's me
I think we'll wait for good snow and go there again. With good camera and full battery charge!
Обнимаю и целую! Hugs and kisses!
Your Arwen
Posted Dec 1, 2013, 2:50 pm
Happy First Winter's Day! We cheerfully celebrate it now, because everybody was afraid of not coming snow at all. It has never been so late before! This would mean bad soil and dim New Year, and we couldn't go to the ski resort in Sheregesh. But fortunately it's snowstorming today!
Snow must go on!
Walking on porch, I realised that I have warm cap and scarf, but my feet are bare! I asked Dasha to give me any boots, and she taught me how to make Siberian "valenki".
At first, we need a plastic template of my feet. It's called "kolodki"
Some wool and soapy water.
Soak and wrap it that way...
Then start to felt it. "To felt" is for "валять" (valyat' ) in Russian, that's why they called "valenki" - "made by felting"
Finally it needs drying on the "pechka" - the special stove. They don't have it in the flat, so we used an usual radiator.
My boots will be finished tomorrow morning. So Henna, don't worry, now I will not freeze!
Yours,
Arwen
Posted Dec 10, 2013, 7:38 am
A week ago I went to the river Ob' for the second time, but it was so dark that we weren't able to take definite photos again.(
TV tower seen on the way there.
...and "winter fountain".
On 6-7th of December there was the Olympics torch relay. I saw the real Olympic fire!
It went through the city and now is going to Omsk on troika. The people met it with big celebration.
Watching the firefork =)
It's 21 days left to New Year... waiting.
Hugs to everyone!
Arwen
Posted Dec 30, 2013, 6:52 pm
I'm so glad I'm finally can write here. We have bad problems with Internet. So sorry for long silence.
Hope you had a good Christmas!
Orthodox Christmas Day is celebrated on January 7th, and it is not such great as New Year celebration, that will be tomorrow.
That's how we are preparing for.
Paking presents...
Eating ice cream in a shopping mall
Tree Bazar.
Last years real fir-trees aren't popular in Novosibirsk. They are much more beautiful alive, growing in a forest all together. Besides, artificial tree is much easier to use
Anna Potapovna, Kori, Tyunya and me decorated a little New Year tree too.
This set ёлка-малютка ('yolka-malyutka', little New Year tree) is about 50 years old, even Dasha's granny decorated it with her dolls, but the most of balls still look like new
The traditional figures of New Year are Дед Мороз and Снегурочка (Ded Moroz and Snegurochka). Ded Moroz (can be translated as "Grandfather Frost" ))) brings gifts to the kids, and Snegurochka ("Snow Maiden" ) is his granddaugther and helper.
The little...
and the big ones.
Dancing khorovod around the tree
I wish you happiness, health, luck and love. Let every your wish come true, and let each day of new year bring something magical! Smile and create, enjoy every breath your take. Don't forget that world is huge and life in it is wonderful. Happy New Year!
Posted Jan 9, 2014, 11:28 am
3% of year 2014 complete. While loading I have a good time, hope you are too!
This is how I met New Year in Russia.
Helped a bit with cooking.
While cutting salads everybody was watching the traditional New Year comedy - "Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!" Do you know the phrase "There won't be Christmas unless Kevin stays home alone"? The same here, "New Year won't come unless Zhenya confuse Moscow to Leningrad".
Blinis, caviar canapes, salad as a horse (the symbol of year), pickled vegetables and fried fish on the table, and the whole family together: ready to celebrate!
It's almost midnight. Everybody in the country turns on TV, pours champagne and prepares a piece of paper, pencil and matches.
After president Putin finishes the congratulation, the chimes of the Spassky Tower strike twelve. 1, 2, 3, 4 - write your desire on the paper; 5, 6, 7, 8 - burn it and stir the ashes in champagne; 9, 10, 11, 12 - drink! If you manage to, your wish will come true this year.
Then the fireworks started, and they sounded here and there until 4 AM.
Both Dasha and me wrote the same desire: 'to travel a lot'. Can you imagine? It's already beginning to be fulfilled! By the chance, tomorrow we are going to Omsk, another big Siberian city.
Have a great and significant year everybody!
Your Arwen
Posted Jan 23, 2014, 8:43 am
Our trip to Omsk was quite good
In Novosibirsk, on the way to the train station we passed the exhibition of snow figures (most of them weren't finished) and the ice rink.
We were lucky to catch that colourful train in the subway, it's dedicated to the Olympics.
Near the station.
The way from Nsk to Omsk takes about 8-9 hours. Our train left in 2 am and arrived in 10 am, so we had a good sleep to the sound of wheels and lulling swaing of the wagon.
It was a bit cold in Omsk, so I haven't walked a lot
Although I've seen some of its main sights:
Irtysh river and the magic tree =)
monument "Locksmith Stepanych",
the beautiful church,
fire tower - the place, where the city began its life,
the huge library "Of Pushkin",
and the cinema museum.
One interesting fact: there is ONE subway station in Omsk. Not two, but only one
It's not finished and it's used as an underpass now.
The return train.
Now it's time to say goodbye to Dasha and to Russia
My next destination is Germany! Hurray!
Posted Feb 14, 2014, 11:04 am
I'm on my way to Germany and all is ok. I can't see from my pocket, but according to the post website and to the sounds around me, I successfully passed through customs control and will arrive soon.
Happy Valentine's Day, Henna and everybody!
Love you
Arwen
Posted Feb 27, 2014, 5:50 am
yesterday I finally arrived in Germany, after almost one month in that envelope. And now I am with Susie's.
She told me to send a big thank you to Abdysh for all the sweets she send along.
But uhm I must admit something....
There was that round box of chocolate sitting right next to for so long and I couldn't resist it... So I opend the box and munched away that chocolate. When Hostmum got me out of that envelope yesterday there were just some crumbs left and I was covered in those. So Susie's made me take a bath in the evening. And now I'm neat and clean again and ready for new adventures. 
Sending you a biiiiiig hug
Posted Mar 2, 2014, 8:21 am
I'm afraid there is not much I can tell you about so far.
Yesterday Susie's, her Mama and me drove to the town of Bad Kreuznach to visit a friend. The plan was to spend the night there. But after just a few hours Susie's Mum got sick and we had to drive back home in the evening.
But I can Show you some photos of the friends house and tell you that they had a very famous visitor last year. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel herself visited this building.
I Promis, it's the truth! This house is part of a very special Project. They call it: More Generation house. Which means that People of all Ages and different Generations life there together and spent their free time together and help each other....
But now I have to go. Cause hostmums wants to take me out. But she's not telling me what we will do..... Hmmmmm....
Posted Mar 2, 2014, 6:51 pm
since our weekendtrip ended after just a few hours, hostmum took me out to see something very special today. Something that is typical and traditional German. A carnivals Parade.
Lots of Music and dancing Groups, floats and what not. Of course everyone was wearing costumes and they gave away free Sweets.
But we just picked up a few and let the Kids that were around have the rest.
That was lots of fun.
XOXO
Yours Arwen
PS Helau is a special greeting during carnival.
Posted Mar 9, 2014, 5:16 pm
spring has sprung in Germany. We had sunshine all day long.
In the morning we spent some time in a park (with Susie's nephew) in Frankfurt which is made for Familys with Kids. There is a huge playground, a Basketball courd, miniature golf and what not.
And in the next travelog I will tell you what we did in the afternoon.
Send you hugs and kisses
Arwen
Posted Mar 9, 2014, 5:35 pm
Sending you lots and lots of suneshine
yours Arwen
PS I wonder what is so medieval about a ferris wheel...
PPS In the blue house that you see in the 1st and 2nd photo, Phillip Reis was Born. I'm sure you know who he is. Just in case you don't, here is a hint: ring ring....
Posted Mar 13, 2014, 7:43 pm
we still have sunshine all day long and try to take Advantage of it when ever we can. For example today.
In the late afternoon Susie's took we for a walk the Kurpark in the town of Bad Homburg.
Lots of things to see. Statues, flowers, fountains and a golden pavillion called Sala Thai.
Sonnige Grüße
XOXO
Arwen
Posted Mar 17, 2014, 6:46 pm
It's made with coffee and ground poppy seeds.
yummy yummy.
Posted Mar 21, 2014, 6:06 pm
today hostmum had a day off work and we took the Chance to drive to a place called Felsenmeer. Which could be translated as Rock Ocean.
The legend says that all of those rocks got in that place because two giants got in a fight threw those at each other.
That place is really fun cause you are allowed to climb on them. But we just did it for a little bit and then got back on the path. Cause rockclimbing is very exhausting.
Have a nice Weekend and talk to you soon.
Arwen
Posted Mar 23, 2014, 5:08 pm
how are you?
Hope you had a nice Weekend.
Yesterday we spent a few hours in Frankfurt and visited the Markethall (since 1954).
You shouldn't go there hungry. Cause there is delicious deli Food everywhere.
Everything is very fresh and very expensive. So we didn't buy anything and just strolled around. But they just don't have Food...
From the markethall we went on to a Shopping mall which has a view terrace on the top. But after just a Minute or two it started raining. So we went back inside and went on with our Shopping.
Sending you kisses
Yours Arwen
Posted Mar 31, 2014, 7:53 pm
this week a Special Event is taking place in Frankfurt.
It's called Luminale!
It has to do with all kinds of lights and arts and is spread all over town... you will see...
We've been there last night and planning on to go again during this week.
Love you
Posted Apr 4, 2014, 7:26 pm
remember that Luminale Event in Frankfurt?
We went back there last night to see some more of it...
Posted Apr 11, 2014, 7:33 pm
a few days ago it was Susie's best friends Birthday.
He invited us out for dinner.
We had a big plate full of so called fingerfood.
Nooooo, its not what it sounds like.....
Its small pices of Food that you can eat with your fingers.
And with it I got to enjoy yummy yummy Cocktails.
Sending you hugs and kisses.
Arwen
Posted Apr 15, 2014, 4:51 pm
Sunday we’ve been out again.
Hostmum and me spent the day at an adventure park called Green ocean. We are not too sure why it has this name, but we assume it’s cause it is in a forest.
That park is meant for kids, but Susie’s said she is still young at heart and therefore it’s the right place for her.
The Green Ocean has a petting zoo, several playgrounds. two viewing towers and paths made of boles.
I really enjoyed the day outside.
And how was your weekend?
Love you lots and lots and lots
Arwen.
PS And look who came home with us....
Posted Apr 19, 2014, 7:37 pm
And we brought our selfmade cupcakes. Very yummy.
And our present was a flowerbouquet. But it's a Special one. Cause we picked the tulips ourself. And all those shades of purple and pink are Susie's mums favorite Colors.
Love you mommy
Posted Apr 24, 2014, 10:11 am
guess what I did last weekend!?
I went to the zoo and got to see lots and lots of different animals.
And of course there were monkeys.
That means one life mission is completed.
I am super happy about it.
Yours Arwen
Posted May 19, 2014, 3:51 pm
just wanna let you know that you don’t need to worry about me. I’m still in Germany with Susie’s. Or I was till Saturday.
Her life is pretty crazy lately and she is super-duper busy. Therefor it was no time to go on adventures ever since we went to the zoo.
But I wasn’t lonely or bored. Cause I had good company of a guy named happy hippie. Susie’s bought him free from a souvenir store in San Francisco. And he wants to become a Toyvoyager too one day. So there was a lot to talk about.
But last Saturday hostmum gave me an envelope and told me to pack my things. Happy Hippie helped me.
And now I’m on my way to finland. That means I will be with you and the gang sooooooooon. I’m so super excited.
I can’t wait.
Yours Arwen
Posted Jan 16, 2015, 3:55 pm
today I arrived in Essen with all the stuff I brought with me for BlackCat. Jonathan greeted me right away and told me that we two will spend a lot of time together. He promised me to show me around a little in the next days and I am already excited.
Have a wonderful weekend
Arwen
Posted Jan 16, 2015, 6:43 pm
after I arrived BlackCat had to go to the main station to pick up her best friend who is here for the weekend. So we joined her for that. She showed me that Essen sign right in front of the main station which is famous here. Tourists take lots of photos of it usually.
And then we found the car from Harry Potter in the main station. It was there as an advertisement for the exhibition in Cologne. I took a photo with it of course. BlackCat is a big Harry Potter fan, but she didn't like the exhibition in Cologne that much - she loved the one in London though.
Hope you have a great day
Arwen
Posted Jan 18, 2015, 12:08 am
today we had a walk at the river Ruhr. BlackCat often walked this way with her family, so she decided to walk it with her best friend and us today. It was really nice. We hope you enjoy the photos.
Love
Arwen
pikkuaasi@gmail.com
Posted Jan 19, 2015, 10:24 pm
I just hopped here to tell I´m happy you have arrived safely,
and that you have already seen such nice things!
I wouldn´t have anything against a walk on the river Ruhr either!
Remember to behave!
Your mom
Posted Jan 21, 2015, 7:35 pm
thank you for your message. Of course I am a good girl. I am behaving really good so far and didn't get in any trouble - yet.
Today we went to the post office to pick up Pitzelpatz (who is jet lagged and we didn't take photos together because of that). On our way there BlackCat showed me her part of town. The part is called Kray and you can see many old but still good looking houses.
We found some flowers who reminded us of spring and we really would like spring right now. It is cold here - only 0°Celsius. I am used to it, but BlackCat is freezing a lot and complaining about it...
I also took some photos with busses. Just to show you how they look like. On our way back home we took the bus and I even got a photo from the inside of the bus. Hope you like it.
The big place with the cars on it is the market square. BlackCat went to the farmers market here when she was still a kid with her grandma, as her grandma lived in the corner house that is on the photos as well. The one with the grey bay. Really nice building, but old.
And the place with the BILD sign in front of it and the Kiosk written on its windows is a typical kiosk for the ruhr area. They sell everything - from pet food to candy for kids. Newspapers, magazines, drinks - you can seriously get everything there and they are usually open longer than most stores. When BlackCat was a kid most of them were open 24/7 and you had to ring a bell when you came at night or when the owner had dinner and they came running because their apartment was usually right behind the kiosk - it's not like that anymore though.
Hugs from Germany
Arwen
Posted Jan 23, 2015, 11:10 pm
today I joined BlackCat for work but as she was really busy I didn't get a tour of the office. But I was allowed to look at the places near the office when we left to go home.
There is an American diner with a Buddy Holly and a school bus as decoration, isn't it cool?
And the big metal thing is some kind of weird decoration for the area where the office is located. I am not sure why. There wasn't a sign or anything.
Love
Arwen
Posted Jan 23, 2015, 11:12 pm
today we welcomed Miia here at BlackCats place.
She placed an envelope next to us and told us to be nice. So we waited until Miia showed her face to us and then welcomed her. She brought chocolate and Jonathan ate one bar before BlackCat could take a photo. Can you see the empty wrapper in his hands?
I am excited for our adventures together.
Love
Arwen
Posted Jan 25, 2015, 12:28 pm
when BlackCat woke up today she looked out of the window and was shocked. There was snow. First just a little, but it was getting more and more every minute. So when it stopped snowing she told us that one of Jonathan's life missions is to build a snowbunny and that we could go out and do it today. We asked if Miia and I were allowed to build a snowman as well and she told us that sure - it would be nice.
So we walked to the park near her house where all the kids were having fun on their sleighs or building a snowman and started with our work. On the photos you can see how successful we were. I was all excited about it.
Love
Arwen
Posted Jan 25, 2015, 5:12 pm
today we drove to the castle ruin in Essen as BlackCat said it would look nice in the snow. We also saw the church near it, which is really old as well and looks so awesome in the snow.
Back home we got a little bit of BlackCats chocolate croissant. We shared it and it was really nice.
Hope you like the photos.
Love
Arwen
Posted Feb 12, 2015, 9:28 pm
today we were waiting for the bus to take BlackCat and us to her work and it was snowing like crazy...we had to wait a full hour until a bus came (usually they come every 10 minutes in the morning). So we took some snow photos. We are only on one photo, it was too cold.
Love
Arwen
Posted Feb 12, 2015, 9:35 pm
today we had a walk with BlackCat in her neighborhood. She showed us some nice houses and we found a shop with wallpapers where we saw a really cute wallpaper.
It wasn't a long walk, but we saw some really nice houses and I hope you like the photos.
Love
Arwen
Posted Feb 12, 2015, 9:43 pm
today we joined BlackCat at work again. We were alone there so it was fun to jump around in the office.
Nothing special happened, we just wanted some photos of the office and the hallway in front of it.
Love
Arwen
Posted Feb 12, 2015, 9:48 pm
today we went to a concert, but to get there we had to stop at the main station, where they show different stuff out of Harry Potter every week now. So this week it was the horse from the chess play.
Of course we took a photo.
Love
Arwen
Posted Feb 12, 2015, 9:52 pm
later that day we were in the city where the concert took place. We weren't allowed inside the bar, but we had a short stop at the Cologne main station and took a photo with the cathedral of Cologne, which is an UNESCO WHS.
Love
Arwen
Posted Feb 12, 2015, 9:58 pm
today we went to Senden, which is near the hometown of BlackCat's best friend. We drove there to go shopping and took some photos.
They have a lot of decoration like statues and such in Senden. You can see us with sheep, elephants and a fountain. We also saw the emblem of the city Senden. It was quite some fun.
Love
Arwen
Posted Apr 19, 2015, 11:11 am
today we checked out the ice skating rink in the city and also met the statue of Alfred Krupp. He was a factory owner back when WWII was happening and did a lot of good stuff here in Essen.
The ice skating rink is always in the city from New Years til March. So we wanted to check and see how it is there.
Love
Arwen
Posted Apr 19, 2015, 11:13 am
when we came home today we could welcome Batty the Bat here. It was really nice to see another Toy joining our travels.
Love
Arwen
Posted Apr 19, 2015, 11:14 am
today Miia and I said goodbye to BlackCat's house. While I am on my way to see you again, she is on her way to Russia. I hope we both will have a safe trip.
Love
Arwen