Moments

                                            Re : Snow Train to Somewhere!

                                        Guess what? We are taking up the challenge.

There were mixed reactions when we said that we were planning on going to Russia to work for this coming academic year.                                                          

So as not to incriminate, the quotes will be edited and remain nameless.

• "..who did you say was mad? Russia...I think I should help you pack your bags! Not spending the summer on the Riviera, but the winter in a gulag...that's different. Who was your travel adviser?"

• I heard that you were thinking of going to Russia. If you fancy Vietnam, I saw a job advertised."

• "Russia! You must be mad! That's the most stupid thing I have ever heard of and at your age!"
  
  
  

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   There have been a few cheers of encouragement.      "That's wonderful. What an adventure."

   "And now you are going to Russia! It sounds Fantastic!"          

The planning has evolved over months with mountains of logistical, mental & emotional hurdles.Today we hear that our elusive "Letters of Invitation" are on the way from Moscow. At last, uncertainty has changed to reality and now Visas and tickets can be procured. We are booked on a flight for Moscow on Sept 8.

 

                                                        Vertical Challenge

Our first trip to Moscow entailed visiting the main office and fixing documents, getting our Registration sorted, officially signing contracts etc. The journey involved a long walk to the bus station for a journey by bus to the start of the Metro and then train to Moscow central. The trip was about 2 hours. Wearily we returned home and repeated the same journey the next day. The following day we were scheduled to start teaching......what with? who? where? How? So with nothing prepared and eager faces appearing for each scheduled lesson  ...somehow we blundered on with little sleep through the weekend till Tuesday. We will teach levels from young learners to adults.Quite an introduction! A real vertical Challenge!

Walk to Work in Winter

We go across the car park from the apartment.

Down a lane where the frozen wood  planks now creak and groan as you walk on them.

Down this uncleared road past a tumble down building.

Past the play ground.

and past the bus stop where the sparrows huddle in the bushes hoping for a crumb from the passers by

Here we cross the busy road

and walk past the Hospital

There is always a flurry of snow as we pass the Concert Theatre

past the parks

and Len

and the Park with the clock and the New year Tree

Here we are at the Institute

This is inside

Here we are at the office with Olga & Natasha