Taking the Plunge

Cars were lined up along the road in the city center as we drove slowly past, looking for a spot to park. Ahead of us, and behind us, was a train of cars, also trying to squeeze in. "Wow! Are they all here for...," I asked. "Yep," was the reply. I couldn't believe it. I knew it was important to the Russians, but I didn't know it was this important.  

Anna and I, and our Aunt and Dad, got dropped off. We walked along with the stream of people going down to the waterfront. I could see a throng of people, floodlights, cameras and warming huts. I had no idea it would be so big. I thought it would be a small family affair, with no one else watching. What an experience it turned out to be. 

Anna and I made our way out on to the frozen water and into one of the huts. It was crowded and steamy. There, we changed into swimsuits and with my mind screaming "This is ludicrous!" we stepped out of the hut and onto the ice. There was quite a line, but we joined and it moved quickly. As we approached the front of the line the lights that lit up the center of the crowd grew brighter. The powerful choral music got louder and the cold became intense. Running past us were the people who had already finished. Some were smiling, some were crying. I was at first acutely aware of the television cameras, but when it was my turn, every thought evaporated. I grabbed Anna's hand. "Let's go," she said, and hand in hand, we took the plunge. 

The sheer shock of the water took my breath away. I was only under for a second, but it was completely silent, and with my eyes screwed shut, incredibly dark. It was an exhilarating experience, but one that didn't last. I gasped, as my chest seemed to be crushed by the cold. In the shock, I had forgotten it was the ocean, as I spit out the salty water when I surfaced. As soon as I went in, I climbed out, pulling Anna out as well. Even standing on the ice in bare feet with the cold air, I felt completely warm. I looked back into the water that was alive with people jumping in and practically rocketing back out. 

I couldn't believe I had been in the ocean, in January, in Russia. I remember thinking about how cold the water must be when I was ice fishing a couple of weeks ago. I never thought I would ever be in it. But I was, and what an experience celebrating this Russian Orthodox Christmas tradition.