Sleeping in is one of my favorite things to do, especially during the summer months. My students always complain that I am way too perky in the morning. The secret is out: it's the only way I can be ready to teach that early in the morning. I am so agreeable to my students who want to sleep in and start school later. Studies show....not now.
We took the mini-van to down-town Penza and went to the floral shop. Svetlana thought it would be a good idea to take flowers when we visit their boss, Marina S.! When we got to her office (air-conditioned - yes!) S gave me the flowers and ushered me through the door towards Marina. Marina had visited the US in the spring and had been to dinner at my house, so I wasn't a total stranger. However, I wasn't aware that I would be giving the flowers. But, flowers do amazing things to people when they are given as gifts - smiles, hugs, laughing - S knew what she was doing!!
We sat down with tea and sweets and discussed our two school systems and our connections through relationships and with videoconferencing! They wanted to expand that line of communication! I said it would not be a problem (my own BOE is struggling to get it together this week) and we could expand forthwith! I spoke in front of a video camera for a video that they wanted to show their social studies teachers at the beginning of the school year. It was an incredible meeting and visit!
We went to lunch at the BierHaus, a lovely restaurant in the heart of Penza. I ordered a salad and an entree thinking of all the tiny little salads I've eaten in the last month. The salad was as big as the entree and I made a bit of a pig of myself. Dessert was fantastic as well! Chocolate is always good. Is there anyone in the world who doesn't like at least one kind of chocolate?
I packed at the flat and Igor picked us up in his 4x4 Lada again. This time to the train station. K and I shared a compartment with two total strangers, but they were very friendly. Sleeping on the train again was not a problem for me! We arrived in Moscow at 8:20 and our cab driver was waiting for us. Again, K was the master of logistics in Moscow! He went and fetched my big suitcase that we had stowed days earlier, went to the cab. We were worried that I would not make it to the airport in time, but the cab driver assured us that the big traffic was coming IN the city and we were on the way OUT. We arrived at the airport almost three hours before my flight! I took some time to even out the weight in my bags and then waited in several slow lines to have my bags checked. Packed the bags again and went to the check in. I didn't even show them my ticket - the passport number is entered and the computer knows that I have a ticket!
Another passport check. Another carry-on luggage search. Russian security seems a little more extreme than the US. Every two gates has a waiting area that you cannot leave once you enter and go through the metal detectors. As I was waiting, an American started a conversation and we found that he lives in NJ right across the Delaware from where I grew up in PA - small world! The flight was fairly enjoyable. I sat next to a man, a Russian, and I didn't think he spoke English. So there were no conversations on this flight. Ipod, movies, food and drink....home is coming soon!
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