Ramblings from Russia

October 26, 2009

Where does the time go? The month of October is speeding by and another Russian Ramblings is at hand.

A few observations on the streets as I walk around to and from work:
I think I mentioned how someone (mostly Babushkas or older women) are always sweeping the night's debris away or raking leaves in the parks. I noticed that many of their brooms are hand made out of tree twigs tied together with string. I've seen a few people begging on the streets but not many homeless people, though I was informed that the police bus them away to who knows where. One night I was walking to a friend's apartment five minutes from mine when a man jumped out in front of me and started yelling something in Russian in my face. I was told if this ever happened to look them straight in the eye and act a bit "off" which I did and he ran away. It worked! I saw a small bear on a leash that a man was peddling for photographs. The poor bear was very submissive and the man had a club in his hand to use if necessary. Poor bear. What a contrast to our wild, mostly healthy Juneau bears.

I was to meet my friend Kat at a wonderful French Bakery that we discovered a week ago. I was sure I could find it but somehow ended up at the wrong place and without a cell phone couldn't get in touch. I did discover many new restaurants : Indian, Turkish etc. to try by accident. My poor friend was worred but we finally connected once I made it home and my poor host drew me a map to find the place. I must say the latte and cinnamon roll were very comforting .

I tried to buy some yarn for a project with my class and was told where a yarn shop was. I entered and the yarn sat behind a counter and you couldn't touch it. The clerk was very frustrated with this non-Russian speaking woman pointing to yarn, touching it and having her put it back on the shelf until I found the one I wanted.

Halloween was celebrated here on the 23rd. I taught the kids the American game of tying a donut on a string and eating it with your hands behind your back. They were thrilled. I told them the story of Georgie Ghost that my mother used to tell when she was teaching and I've told every year since I've been a teacher. As most stories go I change it every time but to see the light in their eyes is a magical connection when a story is told. All the elementary classes had a costume parade through the other classrooms and the kids shared trays of cookies and candies wishing us all a Happy Halloween as they marched through our room. Very sweet! After school the Trunk or Treating began on the playground. The parents decorated the trunks of their cars and served treats as the kids went from car trunk to car trunk. Jars with candles surrounded the playground to add to the festivities.

On the weekend Ron, my principal, hosted a dinner threatre in his apartment where the high schoolers could perform poetry, music, singing or any other talent. It was wonderful. Their parents came and the kids prepared salad, lasagna, and dessert which they served. They even cleaned up. A wonderful, community building event.

My birthday was this weekend so I went to dinner with friends and then to a production of Swan Lake with a prima ballerina. Lovely! Today at school the children made me cards and sang Happy Birthday to me in all their languages plus Russian. It brought tears to my eyes.

Tom is in California helping to care for his brother Bill who is in the final stages of liver cancer, so at this point he's where he needs to be. He may have to postpone or cancel his trip here depending on how things progress. I was so looking forward to sharing this experience with him but I know he's doing the right thing. Time will tell.

Much love to all of you and I love hearing your news.

Kathy