After a wonderful day visiting the Saint Springs and the Sanitorium (read previous Blogs), we all enjoyed what would be my final meal for this year at Lyudmila's home. The newer person in the group picture is Elena's boyfriend, Vitaly.
Lyudmila and I have been busy packing all day and re-packing). Unfortunately, Delta is getting good at their games. When I came over to Moscow, I was a Delta SkyMiles "Silver Medallion" member, which this membership expired (you have to travel a minimum mileage each year to maintain it) at the end of March so the two bag allowance, each allowing 70 pounds is now not allowed...
I will now have to pay for the second bag (roughly $70) and the maximum weight on each is 50#. How fair is that, to get me here and allow 2 bags at #70/each, but if you want to get home, you are going to pay dearly? These airline companies are getting repulsive in their actions. Makes you never want to travel. Oh, well.
This has been a wonderful month in Russia and there are so many people to thank for their hospitality and kindness that it would take the end of the Internet to begin. I am really fortunate to have such wonderful friends in Russia as well as the best Mother-in-Law anyone could ever have. I am truly blessed and do not take that for granted. Thanks to everyone!! And thanks to you for having enough interest in this wonderful culture and its people to learn more about it through my eyes... hope we can do it again!
In Russia (and other former Soviet republics), many companies and even government-related employers own “Sanitoriums” that are used for rest and relaxation by employees. These facilities are similar to that of a spa resort in the US. In Olga’s hometown, the nuclear power plant owns a sanatorium named “Lesnaya Polyana” that is outside of the city, not far from the popular Saint Springs.
At Lesnaya Polyana, employees that work at the actual power plant can visit for up to 21 days per year. While visiting, the employees can get free massages, go ice skating, participate in many sports and dancing activities, eat for free and housing is provided at no cost too.
I have hear of this type of location for several years and wanted to see it myself so Olga asked Lyudmila to take me for a visit and I am glad we did. We had a lot of fun during our short visit. Maybe Clemson University needs one of these “Sanitoriums” for employees?
On the very last slide, there is a distant picture of the Great Patriotic War Memorial (World War II) in Desnogorsk. I have visited it many times and it serves as a source of pride for all living in this city. I cannot overstate how impressive it is that this county recognizes its veterans and the lives lost in former wars and battles. Even young children are taught to honor their defenders as they all walk to local memorials in pairs on Victory Day (May 9th) with daffodils or tulips that they will lay on graves or war memorials in cities throughout Russia.
Overview of Lesnaya Polyana (Desnogorsk Sanitorium) part 1
Overview of Lesnaya Polyana (Desnogorsk Sanitorium) part 2
Today (Easter) we visited the Spring of Kazanski, which is also known as a Saint Spring, outside of Desnogorsk. If you want to pay the price of the wear and tear on your vehicle, you can get some of the best water in Russia for use in your home. Saint Springs are found all around Russia and they are very popular. Each time I have been to a Saint Spring, I have seen numerous people with large bottles to take water home. The water is also used at local Russian Orthodox Russian churches in various ceremonies.
Fortunately, the state Hydrologist, Luba, is my wife's Godmother and she is the person that certifies the water is potable at all of the Saint Springs throughout the Oblast (state) of Smolensk. Luba's husband, Sergey, is the person that took us to the springs today (and in the past too).
Last year they built a small chapel at the springs and it is now a beautiful centerpiece. There are two springs at this location and also a private "pool" are where people go to enter the water. I am including a couple of videos to show the springs and how people collect and also how they wash their face three times (trinity).
Usually there is a nice river next to the springs and due to all of the melting snow, it is flooded today.
Thanks Sergey and Luba for the wonderful time visiting the springs today!
An Overview Video of The Spring of Kazanski
Testing the Water at The Spring of Kazanski, Literally (part 1)
Testing the Water at The Spring of Kazanski, Literally (part 2)
Yesterday, Friday, April 2 Lyudmila (my Mother-in-Law) and Sergey (husband of Olga's Godmother) picked me up in Moscow for a 6-hour journey to Desnogorsk. Desnogorsk is in an Oblast (state) called Smolensk, which borders Belarus. I came down to visit all of the family (except Olga, of course, back in South Carolina, sadly) for Easter, before returning to the US on Tuesday morning.
This morning, Lyudmila and I toured Desnogorsk so I could see the changes that have occurred since I was here last year. In Soviet times, Desnogorsk was considered a "closed city" as it is home to a nuclear plant that was built in the 70s. Olga's Mom and Dad are nuclear engineers and were moved here to work at the plant in the 80s. This plant provides energy for several surrounding Oblasts.
The majority of the approximate 35,000 people here work at the nuclear plant and the growth in the city is minimal. It is in a remote location so there is no going to any local malls, Wal-Marts, Lowes... you get my drift. If you cannot find it here, you might wait a while... which, in some warped thought, is kind of neat to an outsider. This is a VERY safe community and it is nothing to see children that are 4-5 years old running the sidewalks to the store for their parents, or going for music/dance/sports training lessons on their own after school.
Speaking of shopping, Lyudmila and I went to visit the newest grocery store, which translates as "Dixie" in English. It would be interesting to know where this name came from. One of the other new arrivals to Desnogorsk is a street kiosk that sells different kind of fast-food items, pictured toward the end of the slideshow. The "Crazy Monkey" business is an Internet cafe. Notice that it, as many others, is in the bottom floor of a huge apartment building. Businesses in these small towns arrive in many shapes and forms, in some of the most unique places.
You will see a new church in many of the photographs. This Russian Orthodox church has been under construction for several years and should be completed this summer. Interestingly, the administration of the nuclear plant has funded the majority of its construction. Another community project funded by the nuclear plant was the city park and amphitheater seen in some of the pictures. As in all nuclear plant locations, the city is surrounded on two sides by Lake Desno, which provides a lot of recreational activities during the short summer months.
My Mom, Lucille, came here to visit Lyudmila with me two years ago and she fell in love with Desnogorsk. She thought that this city was a strong contrast to the hustle-bustle fast pace of Moscow that she experienced for more than a week.
If the weather cooperates, on Sunday we will go to a location called the "Saint Springs," which includes a couple of natural springs that have been blessed by one of the local Russian Orthodox priests. The water is potable and people take bottles there for water for their homes. The water is transported from the spring to the local churches for ceremonial activities. I hope we get to visit as I look forward to sharing some pictures from there with you too.
Earlier this evening, my students Isaac and Galya, joined my colleague from Penn State, Dennis Buffington and myself to visit a huge war memorial on the west side of Moscow. We went to a location known as Poklonnaya Hill, which has a large area called Victory Park. On the opposite end of the park is a Triumphal arch that was erected to commemorate the War of 1812.
The church that you will see in the photos is known as St. George's Church. I will add more details about these beautiful pictures soon... leaving tomorrow at noon so I must get some sleep.
More about this location on Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poklonnaya_Hill
Since today was the last day of class, we decided to have dinner together at Stolovaya 57 at the State Department Store (GUM) on Red Square. We had a nice evening out and the weather was really pleasant, so the sites around Red Square were even better.
Wednesday was my last official day of class for this year at Moscow State Agro-engineering University. The students made their final class project presentations, which were really well done. I have really enjoyed this group of students. It has also been a neat addition to have the new addition this year of the two French students.
The students had to create several materials for the class, and the main focus was on a video that promoted a special area within Russian culture. I will be adding the videos here soon.
Dr. Dennis Buffington, the Professor from Penn State that will teach the students in April, attended the students' presentations. Dennis is a highly successful Full Professor in Agricultural Engineering. This will be his tenth straight year teaching in this program and we are really fortunate to have him join us.
After class we went to Red Square to take some pictures and have dinner at Stolovaya 57 (Canteen) at GUM. I will definitely miss this group, as well as the many new Russian friends I made while here. On Friday, I will go spend Easter in another region of Russia with my mother-in-law. That will really be fun as she is such a wonderful person. Stay tuned!
Today we had an excursion just on the southwest side of Moscow to a company named "Ochakovo," which makes beer and soft drinks, including an extremely popular Russian drink called Kvas. For years, Kvas has been sold in smaller Russian cities in the Spring and Summer in yellow tanks on wheels, where the liquid was dispensed into cups and jars from a small spigot. You can see one of the traditional Kvas tanks in the next to the last picture in the slideshow.
This company is all Russian owned and began in 1998. They took us on a tour of some of the brewing process and a small museum about the company. I think the students really learned a lot and enjoyed the tour. When we wrapped up, we went into the store where they had many of their items for pretty good prices.
Thanks so much to all of our friends back in the US that have been checking in all day to see how everyone is doing after the horrible tragedies on the Metro lines this morning. My students have their major projects due on Wednesday and with an excursion scheduled for tomorrow, they were working into the morning. I was upstairs helping them until a few minutes ago with technical issues and left them at 12:45 a.m. still working. I am proud of them as they have been hard-working, mature individuals. It has been a great month. I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity.
I am sure you have read the news by now that at 7:50 this morning (Moscow time) and shortly after, two bombs went off in two separate Moscow Metro train stations.
All of my Clemson students and our French students are here in the Hostel and we are all fine.
I will try to keep you updated, but we will not be on the Metro system today.
Please keep the victims and our Russian friends in your thoughts and prayers.
On Sunday afternoon, my friend Igor took me and one of his friends, Irina, 20 Kilometers west of Moscow to Arkhangelskoye Estate. This estate was once owned by the Duke Yusupov family. Hopefully the pictures will speak for themselves. The estate borders the Moscow River and its beauty is amazing. The only thing better would be to see this in June or July when all of the gardens are in full bloom and fresh growth. We took a carriage ride and we learned even more about the estate (video will come soon).
After leaving the estate, we went to a restaurant near Moscow's Gagarin Square (memorializing the famous Soviet cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin — first human in outer space and first to orbit the earth) called Sky Lounge 22, which is an extremely classy (cost is extreme too) place. This restaurant is on the 22nd floor of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the view of Moscow is spectacular. One of the nicest views is of the gothic-style main building of Moscow State University, which you will see in many pictures. The food was really good and the atmosphere makes you feel like you are in the middle of some classic Russian movie. It is nice that they allow you to walk out onto an observation area on both sides of the restaurant so you can take countless pictures.
Thanks Igor and Irina for a wonderful afternoon/evening in Moscow!
A Video Clip of Some Buildings at Arkhangelskoye Estate
A City View from Sky Lounge
A View of Moscow State University from the Sky Lounge Restaurant
We are fortunate to have a "canteen" for our university behind the Hostel where we live. Most of the food is not too bad, but luckily I have not needed the canteen as much this year since Lyudmila has brought me some food for my room. However, at times I need to go by and get a bowl of hot soup. I was surprised today with the prices as a bowl of soup (mostly liquid and some rice and a few veggies), a chicken cutlet and a can of lipton iced tea was 195 Rubles. Sometimes these places are more reasonable than other restaurants but I am sure I could have gotten the same thing down the street for less... price of convenience? Maybe the cashier just wanted to burn the "rich American Professor?"
Today I made my way back out to Izmailovsky Market to get some gifts for special people back home. Every time you visit this place, you see something new. It was interesting to see the huge metal head of Lenin that was for sale at one booth. t reminds me of one of the places I still want to visit in Moscow, the "Fallen Monument Park" which has many statues from Soviet times, including many Stalin and Lenin statues. My interest is purely from a historical standpoint as I know both of these were tyrants that did more damage than good (many lives were lost for no reason during their times).
I had a plate of Shashlik (actually half as I brought some back to the Hostel in a doggie bag)... they are great at cooking it there. After lunch, I made my way over to some booths that sell Gzhel products as this is what I decided to bring as gifts this year, since my friend Igor and Elena gave Olga and I a Gzhel tea set the other night. See my posting below from a couple of days ago where I discussed Gzhel. It is nice having something hand made in Russia (blue porcelain products) like this and not junk made on an assembly line in China.
On the way back home, I shot a few pictures of some scenes of the beauty of the Metro system again as I am always so impressed with the beauty several hundred feet below Moscow. I thought I would provide a couple of interesting points on the Metro system. The Metro transports over 9 million people each day. The tracks of the Metros in Moscow add up to more than 190 miles in length, and more than 4,000 trains in service. The trains arrive at the Metro stations every three minutes, on average.
Today my students went to the heart of Moscow to shoot video for their projects. I gave them one of my cameras to take a few pictures of the process and these are some of the shots they took. The main shooting location was Red Square and surrounding areas, including the Kremlin and the Moscow River. It was actually a beautiful day for shooting video and pictures.
In 2005, I first visited Russia as a volunteer for a USAID sponsored organization called ACDI-VOCA in a program called Farmer to Farmer. Although I was not directly working with farmers, I was assisting agricultural professors in developing distance education/technology skills in order to teach farmers in remote locations. Olga went with me on this trip and we spent a little more than a week at a university named Mari El State University in a city named Yoshkar-Ola, 600 kilometers east of Moscow.
We were both really impressed with this beautiful city, but even more, the kindness and hospitality of the people in Yoshkar-Ola. A perfect example of this was through Igor and Elena Savinykh and their daughter, Julia. Igor worked in technology at the university I was assisting and we interacted a good bit during my project. Before we left, Igor and Elena invited Olga and I for dinner at their apartment and we had a wonderful evening as the food AND entertainment were both wonderful (Webpage from visit).
Thursday evening, Igor came to stay a couple nights with me at the Hostel. He has a conference that he presented at in Moscow (about distance education) and he is working to complete his dissertation in this topic area. We have MANY commonalities, including a strong interest in educational technologies, distance education and we are both married to beautiful Russian ladies.
One touching note to point out. When Olga and I first visited Igor and his family five years ago, one of the gifts I took was a popular ceramic cup from a local artist in Clemson, with a palm tree and crescent (found on the South Carolina flag) on it. I also took some pencils with Clemson on them. Igor brought both the cup and the pencil and explained that both of those items have been his main cup for use over the past five years and the pencil has been with him all the way through his Ph.D. I just thought this was really neat (see picture).
Igor and Elena brought a gift for Olga and I that is made in a small city southeast of Moscow called Gzhel. This Gzhel porcelain tea set is all hand-painted and made in Russia. See more about Gzhel at this page presented by Wikipedia. Words cannot easily express how kind this gift is as it is so beautiful. I really appreciate this and know Olga will love it.
Igor and I had some of Lyudmila's wonderful food for dinner so he seemed to feel right at home here in the Hostel. We had a wonderful evening talking about all of the new innovations and teaching techniques that we have learned about over the past five years. I am hoping to work on an opportunity to go back to Yoshkar-Ola and work more with the faculty at the agricultural institute there and share some of the newer ideas on educational technologies so they can assist their farmers even more.
On the last picture of the slideshow, you will see how I often communicate with Olga, via iChat. Since we both have Macs, we can use this program for free, which allows me to use high-quality audio and video, share my screen or hers, give her files, and the picture on both ends is great (or at least on my end it is, a bit scary on her end). She is holding up a map of New York as soon she will go see a performance in New York City, Cyrano de Bergerac, and the lead actor is the same one I saw earlier this week as the lead actor in Dead Souls, Sergey Bezrukov (her favorite Russian actor). It is quite ironic that the American guy watches a performance in Russia and Russian lady watches the same person soon after in New York! Needless to say, Olga is excited.
Today we took an agricultural excursion that was just a few miles down the road from our Hostel, to a company called Wimm-Bill-Dann. This is a Russian-owned company that was started in 1992 and it employs more than 17,000 people throughout the country and 6,000 in Moscow. The primary products they sell are dairy goods, juices, water and others. We visited the dairy processing plant. This was the first company to coin the word "Yogurt" in post-Soviet times and also the first company to package juice into cardboard containers, as seen in the West.
We began the tour (which was guided by a former student from the university I am collaborating with here in Moscow) in their "museum" and looked at the model layout of the plant we would be touring.
The next phase of the visit allowed us to see from overhead windows the various processing/packaging of many different dairy products. We eventually ended up in a room that David, one of our Clemson students, considered to be a "Focus Group" facility and he thinks maybe they even watched us sampling all of the goods. There were at least 40-50 items on the table for us to sample, including fruit yogurts, my favorite "Chudo" (vanilla and banana/caramel flavored milk) and also the flavored liquid yogurts.
The students really seemed to enjoy the visit. Thanks to Wimm-Bill-Dann!!
Today my students and I visited the National Mushroom Company in Kashira, Russia (near Tula, where i recently visited), which is 120 Kilometers south of Moscow. This is the largest mushroom producer in Russia, shipping more than 12,000 KG of Champignon mushrooms every day. The main concept is that the mushrooms are grown on a medium of pasteurized straw and chicken manure. Before the mixture is added to the metal shelves in the environmentally controlled vaults, "spawn" seeds are mixed into the medium. We were fortunate to have Alexander Khrenov, the Director of the Russia Mushroom School, join us for the two hour ride and share a lot of fascinating information about the industry.
This evening I had the fortune to join Irina Paisova, one of my wife's former co-workers here in Moscow, to see Gogol's "Dead Souls" at Maly Theater in Moscow. The main character, Chichikov, was played by my wife's favorite Russian actor, Sergey Bezrukov, making it even more interesting.
Every bit of this event was so interesting and enlightening. If you do not know the story behind Dead Souls, visit the Wikipedia page and look over the basic idea. The theater, as many in Moscow, is really beautiful... the performers were world-class, classically-trained actors... the play was one of the most well-known Russian performances, based on a novel that was (at that time) trying to tell Russia what its problems were (slavery of serfs, extreme wealth vs. extreme poverty, no middle class and more).
This Maly theater we attended is the "second stage" to the original Maly theater in Moscow, which is located immediately next to the famous Bolshoi Theater. The location of this theater was a short walk from one of the Metro stations that is one the ring that goes around Moscow, named Dobryninskaya. You will see many pictures of "Soviet-era" chandeliers in the station at the end of the slideshow as well as many picturesque marble carvings down in the Metro area.
A WONDERFUL evening! Thanks, Irina, and thanks Olga for recommending this.
Melting snow and rain creates a constant need to wear the waterproof hiking boots. I am really glad I have them here, but when I have to wear them and walk long distances at a fast pace (there is only one walking speed in Moscow, rapid), blisters will evolve. Unfortunately, I had to miss going to Tretyakov Gallery with one of my friends, Irina, on Sunday as I had to nurse this cruel blister.
I share this not to gross you out, but to mention how neat some of the medical treatments are in Russia. I walked across the street from my Hostel to the Apteka (Pharmacy) to see about some treatment as I have a theater performance to see on Monday night with Irina (Dead Souls by Gogol) and need to get the foot better quickly.
You can see in the pictures how most of the pharmacies are set up here. Just pick out what you need from the window and the cashier will get it for you. Need some antibiotics? Just know the name and dosage of what you need and they will sell you that too (no prescription needed).
In the past, anytime I had a cut, Olga puts the iodine from Russia on it and by the next day, all is well. The iodine here is many times the legal limit (concentration) you can buy in stores in the US. It works real well. The other item I bought is a neat Band-Aid-like cloth patch with some sort of medicine on the sticky side (maybe iodine), called Salipod (Салипод). From what I have learned, this is a real popular treatment for this situation I have. Beyond the strong medicinal smell, it seems to be working. I will bring home several of these with me... they can be cut into smaller pieces and each one costs 35 Rubles here at the Apteka in Moscow (approximately $1.20). It is so neat to learn about these different treatments in different cultures, although I would rather not have the blister.
One last note. If you leave the US for a period and want to keep up with the news, all you need is Internet access, iTunes on your laptop (free) and download Podcasts of NBC Nightly News, the Today Show and so many others, in either video or audio format... all for free! Note on the picture that I downloaded "Meet the Press" right after it aired on Sunday... now if I could have Tim Russert back..
This is a brief video clip of the Georgian singers at the restaurant that my friend Igor took me to this past Friday evening. I had to edit the video some where you could see it a little better, which reduced the quality. Very low lighting in the restaurant.
It was nice to see that these singers know how to tie their ties at the right length. I am always tickled at some guys that just slapped the obligatory tie on and were clueless that they look like "Wimpy" from Popeye with the tie 2/3 appropriate length.
Due to the low lighting, the video is not as good as I would like, but hopefully you will get the general idea. This was one of MANY dances by this couple that Igor and I enjoyed watching Friday night at the Georgian restaurant. If you make it to Moscow, this restaurant would definitely be one of my recommendations. Here is the English version of their Website.
After Isaac and I had lunch Saturday afternoon, I took the Metro to the south side of Moscow to meet with Kyra, the friend of Igor, that took me to Tula and the Georgian restaurant this past Friday night. Kyra's sister had a set of paintings on display at an exhibition and we went to see those. The artwork in the first six pictures of the slideshow above were created by her sister. I met Kyra three years ago and almost each year I come to Moscow I try to visit with her and Igor. After viewing all of the art on display, we took the Metro back up to the heart of the city and cruised to a tea shop where I got some Tiramisu and a pot of tea and we had a nice visit. By this time of the day, the rain that Isaac and I endured all morning stopped and the wonderful 6 degree celsius weather was almost a pleasure.
As we departed, Kyra and I went to the Metro station that is on Tverskaya street, which passes right in front of the beautiful State Museum, led by General Zhukov on his horse. This is the entrance to Red Square and the focal point of Moscow. Almost out of a movie, Kyra and I went down to the Metro cars and I got on the one to the left, headed for home, and hers was on the right.
The remaining pictures were ones I took when I was en-route to meet Kyra, mostly in the Metro station named "Ploshad Revolyutsii," (Revolution Square). This station is well known for its beautiful (72) bronze statues. Enjoy!
This morning (Saturday), Isaac and I took a Metro trip to the other side of Moscow to a famous location, Novodevichy “Maidens” Convent, founded in 1514. The cemetery at Novodevichy Convent is home to MANY famous Russians, including Boris Yeltsin (Flag headstone), Nikita Krushchev, writer Anton Chekhov, composer Dmitri Shostakovich, and writer Nikolai Gogol (author of “Dead Souls”).
I have to mention this one event that really tugged at my heartstrings. I was having difficulties finding the grave of the famous writer, Gogol. There was an elderly Russian lady cleaning the snow from one of the large sites (she was a worker there) and I went and asked her if she could point me to Gogol. She made a gesture that inferred that maybe she was deaf and implied to say it again. When I did, she then set her shovel down and started walking and gestured for me to follow her. This lady HAD to be in her 80s and she did not have to take this time to bother with me as that was not her job. She walked in a brisk fashion through the many inches of snow and cut a path (at least 100 yards) to a large fenced-in area and with her wool glove, she proceeded to gently uncover the snow from the top of the black granite vault so I could see the name "Gogol". I thanked her many times and she closed the fence back and made her way back to her job. I am sure that Isaac, who followed us over there, noticed how choked I was that she was so kind. One of my colleagues made a comment one time about Russians that bothers me, calling them "dour"... I wish he would have been with me today.
After Isaac and I visited the gravesites of some famous Russians, we made our way to the Convent. I hope the pictures do a better job describing the convent. However, you may find better details at the Wikipedia Web page about Novodevichy Convent.
After all of the walking, Isaac and I were hungry so we made our way to the center part of Moscow to a restaurant named “Yolky-Palky”. It was another very interesting day.
Tonight, my friend Igor took me to the heart of Moscow, not far from the Kremlin, to a WONDERFUL Georgian Restaurant named “Friend.” It is a well known fact that some of the best food one can have in this part of the world is Georgian cuisine. The other well known fact is that Georgians are amazing singers! It is very common in many restaurants in Russia that it is not just an eat and run activity. In the nicer restaurants, there is live entertainment, and in this one it included wonderful singing and also Georgian dancing. A young Georgian couple performed several dances throughout the evening. This was another one of those truly amazing evenings that is hard to describe, but hopefully the pictures (and soon the videos too) will help. Oh, did I mention that the food was amazing too?
First three pictures of the slideshow... Bob Barker needs to get his butt to Moscow... You cannot move 20 feet without seeing homeless/feral dogs running around. It is so sad, and often, as the dog in the first picture, they have some form of disability (she had a broken leg). On a lighter note of this topic, visit the Webpage titled "Smartest Dogs: Moscow Stray Dogs" to see how smart these dogs are... they are truly survivors!
Today I needed to exchange some American money for some Rubles so I tagged along with Sergey as he needed to go to a post office one Metro stop away. Here comes my lesson for the day: On the way, we saw a roadside booth, which I have used them in previous years, that had a real good rate of 29.2 Rubles/$1... most other places are in the high 28s. Here is the hitch, they charge a 3% commission, which is not posted on the huge digital sign outside, but on a tiny little slip of paper on the window in the booth. I was going to be charged 500 Rubles (roughly $17) just to exchange $500. Needless to say, I learned my lesson before taking the exchange and later we went to Sergey's favorite location and only paid 10 Rubles commission (.33 cents) for the whole transaction and still got 29 Rubles/Dollar. Lesson learned... stay away from the roadside exchange booths (note picture in slideshow).
OK... post office people! I have the solution to your problems. Get Hallmark to put cards in your post offices for sale. See the pictures when Sergey and I are in the post office. I have been fascinated for years how the main place to buy greetings cards in Russia is at the post office (but they do not screw you on prices like the Hallmark stores)... and the cards are beautiful.
Also, Sergey needed an envelope so we went next door to the Telegraph office... yes, Telegraph office. These stores were used for years to pay to use the phone, send telegraphs, etc. Today, you can go to get a catalog from Otto inside of the Telegraph office and the pay to use the phone booth to order items from the catalog. You can also pay to use the Internet at this store and finally, get passport pictures. Be sure to watch the slideshow a couple of times to see the pictures and they will now make sense after reading this... all five people that read this. By the way, Thank You! I love sharing the fascinating things this country has to offer and hopefully change mindsets created from years of silly propaganda. So often, when recruiting students from Clemson to participate in this program, it is the parents that are a real pain that keep their children from coming here, as they are still biased from the past... so many of them are my age... frustrating! End the ignorance!
Oh yeah, on the last picture of the slideshow, you will see a neat-looking bread-like pastry called "Khachapuri," or Georgian Cheese bread. Learn more about Khachapuri from the Wikipedia entry.
Saint Lyudmila returned to Moscow this afternoon to share some of her wonderful cooking with me again. Once again, how many Mother-in-Laws would travel 6 hours (one way) on roads from he__ just to bring food and a quick visit? I am really blessed to have Lyudmila as a mother-in-law and I do not take her sincere warmth and caring love for granted.
If you have been following this Blog, you probably saw the slideshow of these pictures a couple of days ago. I wanted to show the students the pictures from the excursion before class started yesterday so I quickly pulled them up in the Macintosh "iPhoto" program where I keep them stored. Within ten seconds, I picked a transition/theme (this neat theme is called "Shatter") and I let it use its own built-in music. The real video is much better than above since you have to compress videos to run them on the Web, losing a lot of picture quality.
Anyway, my point is that although cost may be a slight issue, with the performance that a Mac gives you as well as the creativity, why use anything else? If I need to use a specific Windows program, I can easily open Windows 7 on my Mac and run it here without a problem. Next time you need a computer, stop and think for a minute... virus-laiden PC, or Mac? Performance, or continuous headaches? I can list MANY more. For educators and students, it should be a no-brainer as Mac gives real nice discounts for them... so, students, no excuses, OK!?!
A couple of weeks ago, Lyudmila, my mother-in-law, cooked a lot of wonderful Russian food and brought to Moscow for me so I could eat in my room. I had some of the students come have some of the food and Sergey Kleymenov joined us. Sergey was home with his family over the weekend and his Mom said she wanted to cook something for us too. This evening I asked the Americans and French students come and eat the cutlets and mashed potatoes that Tatiana (Sergey’s Mom) made for us.
After dinner, I asked Sergey to cut up the Tulsky Pryanik that I bought for the students in Tula on Sunday. We enjoyed it with some Starbucks coffee and hot tea. We had a nice evening and I got the chance to meet Guillaume’s (French student) friend, whose name is also Tatiana.
I want to make one more comment about the level of hospitality that Russians have always given to me. It is really heartwarming to know how generous these people can be. In my opinion, there is a LOT we can learn back home…
Special Thanks to Tatjana Gennadevna for Her Wonderful Cooking
Today was the weekly agricultural excursion for my students. We visited the largest John Deere/agricultural machinery business in Russia, Ekoniva. Ekoniva was founded in 1994 and has grown strong over the past 16 years. They have now expanded to ownership of several farming operations, including seed production and dairy cattle, with plans to move into beef also.
We began with a brief tour of all of the facilities in the Moscow unit (there are several branches strategically located throughout Russia) and then moved indoors for a presentation by the founder and primary shareholder of the company, Stefan Duerr. Stefan came to the Soviet Union as a young man for training from West Germany. His innovative thinking has led the company to more than 15 years of growth, employing more than 1,500 people. Ekoniva is a major employer of many grads from the program at Moscow State Agro-engineering University. It is growing heavily into the service sector.
After enjoying the presentation, hot tea and some refreshments, it was time to fight the sub-zero (Celsius) temperatures while each of our students had an opportunity to drive one of the large John Deere tractors. I believe all of the students learned a lot from this excursion and had fun at the same time (especially the French students as they conquered the snow mountains)... see pictures.
