Superior residents host Moscow guests

The David and Karen Frey residence resounded with the sound of the Russian language this weekend. Their son, Scott, a Denver resident, has been married to Sasha since 1999. Sasha is a native of Ossetia, a region of the former Soviet Union located on both sides of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. Ossetia is now divided into North and South Ossetia. Portions of the country lay within the borders of Georgia. Russia has backed the government of South Ossetia. The northern part of the country is known as North Ossetia-Alania and is a member of the Russian Federation.

North Ossetia became part of the Russian Empire in 1774. South Ossetia became part of the Georgia Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924. South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia in 1990. This led to civil unrest in the region. South Ossetians voted for independence in a 2006 referendum. The international community does not recognize South Ossetia as an independent nation but considers it as a part of Georgia.

Sasha, or Alexandria, was born in the region. She attended a school which specialized in English. Her father, Alexander Gutnov, and her mother, Nina Gutnova, worked in the area. Alexander, now retired, worked in the field of property management. Nina worked in the hospitality field, managing a large hotel and restaurant complex near the Caspian Sea, the source of Beluga caviar and a popular resort area. She is also retired.

Now for a confusing note. Sasha, or Alexandria, explained that Sasha is the nickname for Alexander or Alexandria, so her father is also called Sasha, leaving one to wonder who answered when Nina called for Sasha. The tone of her voice may have suggested the answer.

Sasha, or Alexandria, was part of a cultural exchange program begun by former United States Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey. The premise was to have students from the United States and former Soviet republics attend school in the other's country. Sasha found herself in Greeley, Colo., where she graduated from Greeley High School in 1995. Because of civil unrest in her home region, she remained in the United States on a student visa. She enrolled at the University of Northern Colorado where she majored in history with a minor in criminal justice. It was here she met Scott Frey. The two shared a passion for history which led to a passion for each other. They married in 1999, the year they both received their bachelor's degrees from the University of Northern Colorado.

Sasha (Alexandria) noted there was a bit of culture shock when she arrived in the United States. The English she had learned at her Ossetian school was the King's English or British English. There are some more than subtle differences between the King's English and what we Americans speak. The British spell words differently: gray versus grey, color versus colour, sneakers versus trainers, sweaters versus jumpers and erasers versus a product from the rubber tree. Asking to borrow an eraser in the King's English led to much hilarity in the classroom.

Another difference was gastronomical. The Ossetians cook their meat well done. There is also not an over abundance of beef. Sasha was faced with learning the subtleties of rare to well done steaks. She now prefers her steaks rare but notes in has been a long learning experience.

The Gutnovs relocated to Moscow out of an abundance of caution when civil unrest became prevalent in their area. The climate in Ossetia is moderate. Moscow is anything but moderate in the winter. Think of Minnesota or North Dakota winters on steroids and you have an idea. The winter cold compelled the Napoleonic armies to retreat after they burned the city in 1812 before they exited the gates of Moscow and stumbled back across the vast steppes of Russia to Europe. Hitler's armies were similarly stymied by the Russian winter.

Moscow is the capital city of Russia, now an independent nation, after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. It serves as the political center of the country. Much of the country's wealth is concentrated in Moscow. The city has a population of more than 12 million residents. Moscow is the northernmost and coldest megacity in the world.

Moscow is a city of contrasts. The Kremlin of Moscow (the city fortress) is the seat of government. Lenin's mausoleum remains a tourist attraction. The city has been revitalized in recent years. New high rises tower over the ubiquitous five-story apartment buildings constructed during the post-Stalin era of the 50s and 60s. Casinos and nightclubs abound. Russian Orthodox churches, closed during the Soviet era, are being restored.

Moscow was built around the city center, the Kremllin. Radial rings and spokes lead outward as they have been extended over the years.

Moscow has a reputation for harsh winters. Winter runs from mid-November to the end of March. The winter temperatures range from the 40s to 13 below zero. Summers are moderate but heat waves can send the temperatures into the 80s and 90s.

Moscow has 96 parks and 18 gardens. There are numerous museums dedicated to everything from military aircraft to art.

The city is the economic engine of Russia accounting for more than one-fifth of Russia's gross domestic product.

The Moscow Metro (subway) is noted for its murals, mosaics and chandeliers. It is notable as being one of the deepest subway systems in the world. It is also the busiest in Europe. The Gutnovs utilize the system to travel around the city.

Under the Soviet system, few citizens had access to automobiles. That has changed in the post-Soviet era but car ownership is nowhere near that of the United States. Lack of parking space and increased traffic have led to congestion on the major ring roads in the city.

Sasha serves as the vice-president of business development for a software company. Scott is the vice-president of business support for a reconstruction and restoration company.

The couple have two children. Kira is 15 and will be a sophomore in high school. Her interests are in music and theatre. She is member of the prestigious Cherry Creek Choir. Aleksander, 10, is not called Sasha. He plays soccer and flag football.

Sasha has one sister, Elena Abshire, an accountant, who resides in Denver.

Sasha makes periodic trips to Russia to visit with family. The couple's children have accompanied her on several trips. They have visited Moscow and the Kursk region, where Nina has extensive family ties.

The Gutnovs noted the Russian people and American people share a love of children and flowers.

Sasha related the story of how her daughter, Kira, became a United States citizen before she did. When Kira was born, she became an American citizen. It would take Sasha several more years to attain her citizenship. The bureaucratic hurdles were finally surmounted and she is now an American citizen.

David and Karen have visited Moscow. They were impressed with the sheer size and beauty of the city. The Gutnovs are uncertain if they will remain in Moscow or uproot themselves to begin a new life in Denver. They will be used to the winter weather if they do move to Colorado.