Sharon's in Russia: August 2009

Friday, August 7, 2009

To Moscow we go

We were up early and ready to get out of this dorm. 5 days with no hot water for a shower had done us in. We had 4 hours on an extremley bumpy bus to look forward to. It was raining when we got to town but we were so happy to see our nice motel we didn't care. We quickly left on the shuttle to the bus to get to down town. We had to ride a bus for about 45 minutes and then take the metro for about 30minutes to get to Red Square. First we got out to see the Bocho Theatre, the headquarters of the KGB and a famous hotel where lots of spy stories have taken place==like James Bond and Jason Bourne. There were lots of people out and about on Monday. We got into the Kremlim and saw the churches where all the Tsars got their crowns and were married. We also saw the church where they all are buried. We got to hear some monks sing and it was beautiful. We then went to find Obama nesting dolls and lots of the girls and guys bought them. From there we went to Arbat St. It's a cool long street with lots of shops and places to hang out. We shopped for about two hours and finished up all the gifts we needed to buy for people. We then we to see the world's largest Mc Donald's before we made our way back to the hotel. We were ready to get packed and headed home.

Last Day in Ryazan

I've been back for several days and I feel the need to finish this up before I forget what I did. I know I've only left off about 2 and 1/2 days but each day was so filled with activites I still have lots to tell. The last day in Ryazan we started out by going to eat and then look for a bank to get more rubbles on a Sunday. We went all over town, I took a big fall as we were trying to find a place. It had started to rain and I just had on some cheap flip flops. They use smooth tiles and they are really slick. I only fell down three stairs and didn't end up hurting myself that much. We went to an art musuem and I didn't want to miss out on that. It was great. After all of our travels it was interesting to see Russia expressed in art. We saw all kinds of art( of course I liked the photography best). We then we to a huge open market, I've never seen so many pairs of shoes in my life. I didn't end up buying anything because I was so overwhelmed I couldn't decide on anything. I did buy a wrap. I had to tell them three times net!!! to more mayo and it still had to much on it for me to eat. They love mayo!!! We had a short time to rest and then out to the dasha for the farewell dinner.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Farewell Dinner

We just returned from a wonderful farewell dinner at Lena's parent's dasha in the country. It was about a twenty minute drive and a world of difference from the city. Lena loves flowers and she had a beautiful garden. Sasha fired up the grill for shashlik, while the dad took the guys and then the mom took the girls in for a banya. They had a huge picnic table that they filled with food. All fresh--tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, melon, watermelon, breads filled with cabbage and others with apples. Salami, cheese, chips. They served beer, wine, soft drinks and a drink made from grasses in Georgia. Then came the grilled pork on sticks. After all that eating we had tea and coffee along with a special Barbie birthday cake for Alona, who was turning 12. The cake was fruit and had a whipped cream icing. Everything was so great. Alona opened her gifts and she loved them all especially the bubbles. I must go internet is closing will finish later

Fulbright Members

Sasha, Alona, Lena, her parents, and Tim the dog

Dr. Brooks Green-Conway

Dayan-Fayetteville

Darla-Mena

Cindy-Conway

Karla-Fayetteville

Connie-Bryant

Amy-Bryant

Tim-Elkins

Chris-Rogers

Norma-Jonesboro

Shelia-Hagarsville

Cindy-Conway

Sharon-Bryant

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Typical Russian Village house

Poet Sergei Esenin

A visit to the Russian Graceland

I know that I've talked way to much about the bathroom situation in this country, but each day brings a new experience in one of the most basic elements of life. Again today I've been scared for life. I've taken pictures of many tiolets for you guys, but the worst ones are so bad I'm having to try to survive and forget about taking pictures until hours later after I have recovered. I'm sorry, but you will just have to travel in the Russian countryside for yourselves to get a picture. I also just learned yesterday how to properly squat on the things. I also just learned another interesting bit of info about the banya( remember the sauna experience) I had seen something for sale in a store--the hat i had worn and the glove for scrubbing--they also had a placemat made out of the wool-felt and I wondered why you would need a placemat. I was informed yesterday that is a butt matt. We had used our towels and had no idea such a thing exsisted. I'm learning more everyday. Anyway to my day--Saturday August 1st. We headed out to a men's monastry in the country. The cool experience today was we got in on a service. As I told you they don't have seats. The priests were wearing beautiful robes and chanting as they stood in a circle. The people were standing around, every few minutes they will bow and make the sign of the cross. Im talking 50 times in the short time I was in there. Some would bend over and touch the floor. As they enter and light candles they kiss the picture of the icon. i mean everyone does. No wonder their death rate is high ---I bet they get sick from that. This church was new inside and very very beautiful. I'm glad we had that experience. We were then off for the boyhood home of Sergei Esenin. I've mentioned him before. He is a famous poet from this area. He was only 30 years old when he died. He had married isadora duncan who was an American and the founder of modern dance. We saw the house of his patron. She was the rich land onwer , we saw his school and his boyhood home. He lived 1895-1925. Sasha says its a dark story. No one knows because of the Soviets just what happened. They said he hanged himself, but then others say it was a gun shot. There was this gaint photo of him over looking the river valley. People were everywhere just like at Graceland. We then went for McDonald's again. We worked on our pamphlets and powerpoints on our subject matter. I then spent some time walking around by myself, which was a nice welcome change. One more day here going to an Art museum and then for a farewell dinner at the dasha. On Monday we will travel to moscow--4hours by bus. Then Tuesday we will start the 24 or more hours journey home. I've so ready to see everyone and take a shower. This morning while i was trying to get clean I realized I live the closest to the airport and will be the first one in the shower. yeah!!!!!!!! Love to all.

more pictures

Very stylish couple taking pictures around town. I've crashed about 15 weddings in my 30 days here

Random pictures

This little russian man had walked up the hill from the dasha below

cool pic--you looked through this door at the monastry and saw the dasha down below--in the next pic

A babushka selling us something

Monastry we went to today in the Russian country side

Random pictures

We have a coffee bar and salon set up in our room. Everyone comes there for coffee or tea and to fix their hair.

I've had to heat water in a coffee pot and pour into pink dish pan then use that to try to get clean. all 10 of us use this one shower. It doesn't take that long because no one wants to take a long cold shower!!