Completion of my collection - Day 5

October 3, 2018

Even though Anna had come to the apartment and drain the cold water for the warm to come in I was very cold last night. I had asked her to not make it to warm as I was concerned about being hot. In Amsterdam we had such a system as they have here and it was either freezing cold or tropical. I was trying to prevent this but didn’t. I had to wear my sweats and a T-shirt and hoodie to bed and have an extra blanket on it was so cold. I slept hard but then early this morning I was not sleeping well. I did get up about 845 and that’s earlier than what the normal for me. Whatever. As I actually had food in the apartment, I got up and had some fruit and yogurt and then my pro bar along with some Coke zero. I don’t usually watch the television while I’m away but this morning as it was rainy I decided to turn on the TV. There were supposed to be eight channels in English of which I found one spoken English and one with English subtitles. The first thing I turned on was a documentary about Adolf Hitler. And the next was the Belarusian version of Judge Judy. I did try the other channels but I really didn’t care and turn the TV off. It was raining outside so I lounged around a bit around n and the next was the Belarusian version of Judge Judy. I did try the other channels but I really didn’t care and turn the TV off. It was raining outside so I lounged around a bit. Around noon I decided to take a shower and get ready for a museum day. I definitely wanted to go to the Belarusian art museum but then from there I was unsure. The weather was really bad and it was cold and I didn’t want to get sick.

The museum was very close by so I took a look on the map and headed out. It’s literally a couple blocks down the street, just passed the KGB. I’m serious, it’s just past the KGB. As most of the buildings are quite grand and signage is all in Cyrillic, I easily passed the building. I looked around it where I thought it should be, and I saw something with a Japanese name that I remember seeing that there was a special exhibit for. So I had found it. I paid my 10 ruble fee, two of it was for taking photos. I think that’s the cheapest I’ve ever had to pay for the privilege of taking photos. I saw a sign that said I needed to leave my backpack so I went to the coat check and proceeded to take anything of significant value out, and leave it with the lady attending.

In the entrance hall I did not see any clear signage as to where I would start. People were staring at me but no one was offering assistance so I took my best guess and went up the stairs. There seem to be nothing on the first floor. At the top of the stairs in a roped off area that was not available there seem to be a very interesting collection. I took pictures of what my camera lens could reach reasonably with the thought of it turning out well. It’s a real shame as it was all really interesting to me. I did get a few and I’m happy about that. The second floor was really mostly about 16th 17th and 18th century art which can become quite repetitive and it’s style. From here I couldn’t find where there was more to be seen. As I was very surprised by this, read that there was so much more, I went back downstairs to try and find someone who could tell me where to go.

I return to the cashier and slowly asked her for someone who could speak English. I wasn’t going to get by with out someone who could understand a bit I have English. The cashiers response was no. Two people thought I was looking for an audio guide but they were no help. I walked back into the main hall where there were several women standing around. I asked if any of them could speak English. One woman said she could and she actually was able to speak English pretty well. I explained that I was looking for more art that I had found on the second floor I had read that there was more art but couldn’t seem to find it. She did get out of her chair and take me to where the easily missed door that takes you to the third floor where there are the remaining exhibits. Actually there are more exhibits up there and on the second floor.

That is where I found gold. There were three areas up there, one with a Japanese art exhibit, One that is part that has been gifted to Belarus, and then finally 19 and 20th century art of Belarus. The last one is what I was looking for. I am thoroughly impressed with the expression that I experienced in this particular group. You feel their pain. You feel their oppression. But you also experience their pride in culture, who they really are. There is an expected gray/bleak appearance to their expression about being occupied, at war, being victims of aggression. Then there are paintings that showcase who they are as a people that transcends being the victims of occupation. They were Belarusian before they were Russian. There is a difference even though not everyone feels that way.

There are more modern paintings that show a new whimsical side, which I feel is hopefulness and optimism. Like many other places that I have been where they have at extreme conditions to deal with, Belarus is no different. Out of the pain has come great art. Free from assimilation, now Belarusian expression can be seen again. It had been raining very hard during my time at the museum and it continued. I did bring my umbrella so I was well protected as I made the journey back to the apartment… A couple of blocks. I climbed the six flights to the top thinking about having lunch. I got into the kitchen and pulled out my ingredients to realize I did not have a match to light the stove.ugh!!! I got dressed again and down six flights in across the street to the grocery where the lady gave me an angry face when I bought the matches for .06 rubles and I only had a 5 bill. As I realized that I still had almost 13 rubles left to spend. I did buy two pistachio macaroons for 2.70 BYN Another six flights up and I am finally able to make myself a good lunch and start going through the photos of the art that I just experienced. I work through them and posted many on Facebook curating special groups for people to see. I didn’t get to any other museums today but I am not unhappy with how much I have seen and done just a few days here in Belarus. I got what I came for an even a bit more. I finally made it and it was worth it, it was worth it.