Mr. Spock Experiences the Russian Culture
Spock
enjoys a taste of Russian tea from the traditional samovar.
"Tea
is logical to keep oneself warm during the long Russian winters."
Spock
enjoys a repast of a traditional Russian meal during a picnic.
"Ah!
A vegetarians delight as all these vegetables are grown without chemicals."
Spock
enjoys a refreshing local drink, known as a NENC[?].
"The
markings on this container are most fascinating, but my tricorder translates
it as 'Pepsi'."
Spock
perches himself on a birch tree and admires the Russian forest from the
banks of the Volga river.
(Apologies
for the poor photo, but it's the best available.)
"The
birch tree is numerous on the countryside and is the national tree of Russia."
Spock
experiences the banya, the Russian bath house, where he gets nude in the
steam room and beats his body clean with the branches of the birch tree.
"Even
Vulcans have a need to bathe."
Using
public transport, Spock travels from Vladimir to Saint Petersburg in a
Russian sleeper train.
"The
transporter would have been a more efficient mode of travel, however the
train has provided a unique learning experience."
Spock
is surrounded by Russian wooden dolls, locally known as matryoshkas.
"Indeed,
toys are very logical. Some of my best friends are toys."
Spock
befriends Cheburashka and Gena from the Russian children's show, Crocodile
Gena and Cheburashaka.
Here, they celebrate Gena's birthday and Spock has brought him a present.
"It's
a pity... we've a birthday... only once a year."
Click HERE to hear
Gena sing his birthday song.
[Requires Real
Player (free software)]
Spock
plays the role of Gena as he and Cheburashka re-enact a famous scene from
the Crocodile Gena and
Cheburashka television
show. In this scene, Spock
and Cheburashka are travelling and Spock is carrying their suitcase.
Cheburaska offers to carry the suitcase for a while, but Spock explains
it is too heavy for Cheburashka to carry. Therefore Cheburashka comes
up with a brilliant idea. Cheburashka will carry the suitcase, while
Spock will carry Cheburashka. That way Spock will no longer have
to carry the suitcase.