Preevet

We have been having language lessons and that is what I just can't seem to get, well quickly anyway. Sasha is our language teacher and he does a good job and some are really picking it up, but at less I can read it better know. I hate to disappoint everyone but the disco wasn't quite as crazy last night. We had gone on a Monday night and thought that was what happened every night. What was great is that Darla< our 65 year old member) had never been to a disco and had so much fun dancing. Her feet had been hurting but she just waved her arms. Shelia, who live on a farm outside of Clarksville, had never been before either and she had a blast. It's hard to recreate fun. I've learned to just take it when it comes my way. Monday was more fun, but we shared the experience last night and that was great also. Today we started out with a History lesson of the Altai region. Katyia from the other day brought her father who is also a teacher to tell us about the modern conditions in this area. This is starting to all come together for me now, I'm studied it before but to live makes a big difference. They spoke more openly about Soivet times than any of our other speakers. They spoke about the problems they are facing because young people don't want to go to the technical schools and work in the factories and so production is way down. The kids are also graduating and not liking the career they have been trained for and are not interested in doing a good job in their work. They broke the years down and we learned about the growth of the factories and how the government controlled everything. They are now producing 1/2 the amount that they were during soviet times. He told about all the different kinds of factories and how it was for the people during those times. How secret things were and how they didn't know life could be any different. Katiya filled in with great information about furs and their textile industries. After the 2 hr lecture she took us shopping. We had a great time in the grocery store, she showed us everything that is made right here in the Altai region. We bought honey, chocolates, cheese and vodka. I love the crafts they do with birch wood and that's what I've bought for my family. She took us to the pharmacy and we bought balsam and cedar oil to put in our tea and heal all of our problems. Most people think of Moscow when they think of Russia. We are a 5 hour plane ride and a 3 hour bus ride from Moscow and it is very different here. They don't have many American tourist. Katiya came back and met us tonight and took us to eat and to the internet cafe, she is so happy to be able to practice her English. she is 32 single and has a young son. She teaches 3 hrs a day at the university in town. We also had a language lesson and a geography lesson. WE are headed to the steppe tomorrow, about three hours on a bus. He had us to read the Endless Steppe before we left. This is the largest praire in the world. The book is about a young jewish girl you is moved from Poland to Russia and it takes place in the cities we are in. The next day we are headed to the Altai mountains, which I'm really excited about . Lena showed us lots of pictures today and it looks great. Do bray noche which means bye bye.