So we have arrived in Krasnoyarsk Russia, the middle of Siberia (13,293 km from America) and when our plane landed at the tiny airport here the first thing I noticed as I walked out of the plane and across the tarmac was that it is warm and I mean WARM....65 degrees F. (evidently some freak warm spell unheard of has hit the city this time of year), so my snow boots and gloves are staying packed away for now (and they say there is no such thing as global warming)..what are the chances!
Already exhausted from working all day and taking the midnight 5 hour flight from Moscow to Krasnoyarsk, we immediately had to hit the ground running. Our host was waiting with a sign to pick us up and amidst a parking lot of old dirty Ladas there was a tripped out all black new Land Rover waiting to whisk (and I do mean whisk as it drove crazy fast) us away. To add to the oddness of the moment our driver was listening to uncensored Eminem. Who would have thought?
Already exhausted from working all day and taking the midnight 5 hour flight from Moscow to Krasnoyarsk, we immediately had to hit the ground running. Our host was waiting with a sign to pick us up and amidst a parking lot of old dirty Ladas there was a tripped out all black new Land Rover waiting to whisk (and I do mean whisk as it drove crazy fast) us away. To add to the oddness of the moment our driver was listening to uncensored Eminem. Who would have thought?
We dropped our bags off at the hotel and went right away to the school (despite having not have slept or showered in two days). The teachers and students are beyond nice. We were truly treated like celebrities, being shown off from room to room all while cameras flashed around us. My initial thoughts were that students would be shy and straightfaced but I couldn't have been more wrong. The students were so excited to see us, to touch and/ or talk to us. They were eager to show us their English. It was really a touching day (but totally exhausting). I thought I knew what tired felt like but I didn't. This is tiring. To end our grueling first 48 hour long day we took a walking tour of the city which was very interesting but by the time this ended at 8 pm we could barely stand.
Day 2 started off meeting government officials for the city and also the dept of education. They were warm and welcoming and even showed us and let us hold the Olympic torch that was not only built in this city but held the Olympic flame as it traveled to Sochi.
After this we gave our school presentations to the juniors and seniors in the school who really enjoyed them and afterward they were dying to ask us questions. So one by one they asked questions while we were up on stage with microphones answering. Many questions were about if we liked Russia, their school, their food, music, etc.. They also wanted to know about our schools if students wore uniforms, had homework, etc.... They were so excited and happy to talk with us it really made you feel special.
After meeting with students we then had a round table meeting with all the teachers who asked us many questions about what it was like to be a teacher in the US. We realized we had many of the same challenges and joys.
After this we gave our school presentations to the juniors and seniors in the school who really enjoyed them and afterward they were dying to ask us questions. So one by one they asked questions while we were up on stage with microphones answering. Many questions were about if we liked Russia, their school, their food, music, etc.. They also wanted to know about our schools if students wore uniforms, had homework, etc.... They were so excited and happy to talk with us it really made you feel special.
After meeting with students we then had a round table meeting with all the teachers who asked us many questions about what it was like to be a teacher in the US. We realized we had many of the same challenges and joys.
After this a group of students took us on a delightful walking tour of the city where they pointed out all of the historical buildings and statues (Russians really love their statues and have a ton of them!). I was so incredibly impressed not only with their knowledge of the city, but also with their excellent English and enthusiasm. We even visited their Central Park and rode their giant ferris wheel (see pic below from the top)
Below: Carrie, Lisa and I under a famous Lenin statue. President Putin they love, Lenin not so much.
Below: Carrie, Lisa and I under a famous Lenin statue. President Putin they love, Lenin not so much.
After our walking tour and a quick dinner we then went on a three vehicle car tour of the city visiting all the sites and ending at the top of a mountain overlooking the city (My partner took pics since it was dark and my camera didn't have a decent flash so photos coming soon). It is now after 11pm and we are back in the hotel.