Gorno Altalsk

We found out why we had such a long bus ride. We couldn't cross this bridge with our bus so we had to go around. It was a major event to get to town today. First we had to take a van down the hill=then we had to walk across a suspension bridge- old wooden-long. Those of you that know me well know I don't like swinging bridges and this one had cars and people on it over a raging river. After that crossing we had to cross a street and there were no lanes and about 10 cars coming at us and no light. We tried putting up our hand like stop. It didn't work. I really was afraid but we made it to our bus. WE started to town and had to stop often to blow the horn to make the cows in the road get out of the way. We stopped to get a friend of Evgenny's. The English teacher that was going to help out today had gotten her master's degree at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. We moved there every summer when I was 11,12, and 13. My Mom got her master's there also. We went to Gorno Altalsk state University. Their main focus is Archeology. They have digs in the mountains that are threatened by global warming. The highest mountain is Belukha,they are about the heighth of the Appalachians. They are known as Russian Tibet. This is the Altai Republic and they are a separate part of Russia, but still connected. The Altai People are considered to be very close to the American Indians and they have exchange programs with an indian university in Kansas and with NAU in Arizona. Their religion is Shamanism. They tie strings of cloth in trees as they say their prayers. Its a cool sight. We are right at the borders of Kazakstan, Mongolia, china. They lived in yurts(tepees) They do throat singing with a komus. Its a piece of metal put between the teeth. I'm bringing one home. There is only one city and 25 villages in this republic. Roerikh is a famous artist and considered a prophet from this area-he has a museum in NYC named after him. people here have a mongolian russian look. We were to a museum and I saw things dating back to early life on earth. I've never felt this connection to the beginings of life that I did today. Watch the old movie Lost Horizion-- It may have been about the Altai Mountains. A plane crashes and lands in Shangrila--It may be here. so beautiful and peaceful. I have a connection here with this place with the mountains, rivers and sky. Maybe my ancestors are Altai people. I rode on the back of a moped with Cindy today. Papa says we can't do anything dangerous although we want to go rafting on the Katua River. We have met people from all over the world. Lots of people want to practice their English with us when they hear us talking.