Blogging in Russia is Hard with Cyrillic Alphabet!

July 20, 2007


So this computer thing is difficult when you can't read the words on the screen!! The blog worked in Vladimir, but the Internet Cafe in St. Petersburg wouldn't let me post any blogs. I thought I had lost two blogs, but only saved them as a draft. Now, I believe I just erased them totally from the blog site. It is frustrating typing all of this and not knowing whether or not it will post. I spent two dollars to use the Internet for 30 minutes and it may two dollars lost!!

We took the overnight train from St. Pete to Moscow and I slept pretty well. Got to the hotel, showered, and met the group to go to a discussion with an NGO called the New Eurasian Foundation. They support a variety of social issues in Russia, education being one of them. It was interesting to hear how many projects they have going and how many programs they support or work in conjunction with. They may have been the most positive people we have met since leaving Vladimir!

Spent the afternoon shopping at the big flea market on this end of town. I've decided to do some important Christmas shopping while I'm here. I know my family will have a truly Russian Christmas and they will love it. :)

This evening Marina Ulanova is meeting me at my hotel and we are going out for dinner to talk about her family, her new job, and to remember our last visit to Penza. She was our interpreter when we were in Penza. Of course, her father, Konstantin, exchanged taught with me three years ago and we have been in touch ever since. Konstantin has been back to the states three times since the fall of 2003 and we have recently hooked up webcams on both sides of the pond, connecting the students of our classes. We are planning a year long venture with many topics for our students to discuss and learn from each other.

Less than one minute on the clock. I hope this works better than in St. Petersburg!