Russia

So we just got back from Russia, me, Emily, Rose, John and Kevin. Well Kevin is still there due to return shortly. It was a wonderful week. It started out in Moscow and then we made our way to St. Petersburg. We all went by train from my site in Konotop which is between Kiev and Moscow. We are close enough to the border so we left from here. It was a pretty familiar experience. The trains to Russia are the same that make their way around Ukraine so I have been on them several times. I had an opportunity to go through border control by train when I went to Hungary and this was far better and easier I must say. There were however many more patrol people than last time but apparently they aren't used to seeing 5 American's in one car! But after we advised them we were not bringing in narcotics it was smooth sailing.

We only spent two days in Moscow but that was probably enough. We headed straight for Red Square after dropping our bags at the hostel. We took the metro which looked awfully scary at first glance. It is one big circle with 15 different lines sprouting everywhere. It isn't nearly as complicated as it looks. I am pretty sure Manhattan's metro was scarier for me. But Rose and I did a fine job of getting us where we needed to be the first time around.

Once in Red Square we took some photos of the surroundings (St. Basilics Church, Lenin's tomb and the History Museum). The church was quite candylandesque but very pretty. Apparently, there are many of those churches in Russia. Lenin's tomb was interesting but we couldn't take photos inside. He was laying in a glass case for all to see. I am sure that was not him as he is in perfect condition but he must be in there somewhere.

We walked the streets of Moscow for several hours since the sun shines on Russia for most of the entire day during the summer. There are only really 2 hours of darkness and it is more like a twilight. It was difficult figuring out how to sleep or what to do with yourself when you have sun light for so many hours in the day. Everything is just off. We checked out a bazaar and stayed there for several hours, had some shashlick and looked at old antiques and books. Monday it was off to St. Petersburg.

We walked around the streets here too. Hanging out in coffee shops, checking out bazaars, took a walking tour around the city, saw the Fortress of Peter and Paul and the Great Palace of Peter Hof. I forgot to mention the mall! There is something to be said when PCVs travel they spend quite some time in malls. Checking out stores that they haven't seen since they left America or their last trip somewhere out of Ukraine. There was a dunkin donuts in one mall which I haven't seen since February 2010! We had lunch a few times at subway also a rarity. Before Peace Corps I used to travel and I couldn't wait to try the food of the country but now I travel and I end up eating things that I miss in America. However, most of the countries I have visited since I have been here haven't really had the international cuisine that I would travel half around the world to eat. I love Ukrainian food and after a lot of traveling and eating whatever I can get my hands on I miss grechka and cutlets but I don't want to go to Russia and eat that! Apparently, they have a very similar cuisine.

We spent our last night on a pub crawl because why not! Have to see the bars too. During this crawl we were told that June 23rd was one of the longest days during the white nights and that at 125am the drawbridge would open up and it is a beautiful scene. We were told to take a boat tour in order to see it and I assume you go under it as well but since we were low on funds we decided it would be just as beautiful to see it from the side of the river. So we walked to the Hermitage to see the bridge and it was in fact pretty amazing. There was only twilight at this time so it was pretty light out and the lights on the bridge and around the city were gorgeous. It was also nice to share that moment with some good friends and some strangers we just met at the hostel!

It was a good trip to Russia. It feels as though we never left Ukraine. There are places in Ukraine that take longer to get to than Moscow and St. Pete combined. I am glad I paid the $250 for the VISA there. And for those who joined me thanks for the great memories!

Khotyn Camp 2011

This week I helped out with a camp in the west and I helped teach wiffle ball and the basics of baseball. It was a three week camp but I only helped out for a week. We have had such a blast! I am working this camp with a fellow PCV group 38er. Her name is Janet. We are also with Jim, Laura, Bernie and Megan. They are part of what we call the “older volunteers”. I can say this because they say this so I know that I am not offending them. We were supposed to have a reporter come down from Kiev to document this event that is being put on by the "older volunteers" which before now was apparently unheard of but the reporter couldn't make it.

Anyway, this is a great group. We have just been having tons of laughs amongst each other but the kids have been awesome. Jim, Janet and myself are responsible for coaching baseball which at this stage is wiffle ball and the kids have been so much fun to work with. In the morning we start out at Mother School and work with two groups for almost an hour. The kids vary in ages but we are working with 3^rd through 5^th form or grade. Since it is the summer time and school is essentially bare bones so we’ve had some really young kids that belong to the teachers so they are as young as 3 years.

The first two hours are slightly difficult only because the kids are so young they can’t easily grasp the concept of baseball and I don’t blame them it is difficult when you haven’t ever seen the game or played it. We do a lot of throwing drills with the kids. We would have them throw the balls in the air and catch them and then we would have them partner up and throw the ball back and forth to each other. That got old so after a little research into “how to coach little league” I decided to play some different games, but they were still along the lines of boring however, these kids had never done this before so for them they were having a blast and that was all that mattered to me. It made it all worth it to know that they were having fun.

The second half of the day we go to School number 5 and work with kids in the 4^th through 10^th grades. We have two groups in the afternoon as well. These kids, even though they aren’t much older, seem to understand a little more and they catch on much quicker. By today (the third day) we already have them running to second base which in our world right now that is a big deal. However, yesterday they seemed to have the concept down a little more than today because today we actually had one of our runners grab the ball that was being thrown to first base and he threw it away so that he could get to the base. He did this because he knew that if the ball got to the base before he did he would be OUT. Then when the next batter came up to the plate and hit the ball the same runner that was on first ran to second and again the ball came in his direction so he caught it and threw it away again so he could get to second base. It was like watching baseball bloopers! It was the funniest thing we have seen in ages. We all got a big kick out of that! Also, today before this incident we actually had a batter run with the bat. And if that wasn’t enough three people right after him ran with the bat as well. I have never coached baseball and probably never thought I would even though I always thought it would be a fun job and it is so I don’t know what kids do when they are learning a new sport and I certainly don’t remember what I did when I learned to play so this could all be normal. Either way it was super funny and ridiculous FUN! So I will say it again…this is why I joined the Peace Corps!

The second day was a little easier with the younger kids because they were now used to how to throw the balls and how to catch them. We almost had them playing the games we were playing with the big kids. They learned to hit and they learned to catch in the outfield. So we have got them in position…kind of. The little guys came into center field like a crowd waiting for the bouquet at a wedding. They didn’t understand “spread out” or you can’t all catch it at once! Again, the cutest thing to witness is little kids learning how to play baseball.

I have to say though the best part of our days are the warm ups. Jim does the commentary and he has taught the kids the “Airbourne” chant. For those of you who are Rangers or Army men (sorry if I have this wrong) you probably know this chant. He does it a little differently because it is not a song nor does it have words that start with F and from what I understand they could start with any letter of the alphabet. Service men know how to be creative! (please see my facebook page for video footage) Each time we got a new group out we started them with a warm up so we did this four times a day. The kids were in love with it and they really got a kick out of it.

The fourth day of camp was a little different. We had the little guys in the morning and we introduced them to batting off the tee and running just to first base. They seemed to get it and they were having fun with it. They have trouble catching the ball so it was really cute to see them try. After the first round we were invited to a performance. They all dressed up in feathers and painted their faces so they looked like little chiefs and Indians. They danced around a little and then they grabbed us for a dance and that was pretty much the end of the performance. Oh wait…it ended with an American xmas song…Jingle Bells!

The afternoon was trying for us. It looked as if it was going to rain and it was incredibly muggy. The bigger kids weren’t interested in listening today and they were fighting a lot. We introduced pitching to them and they seemed to really like it but the kids in the outfield that were supposed to be catching were sitting there and hanging out. They’ve been at this for 6 days so I can imagine they are as tired as I am. They are getting it though and they seem to be having fun.

The last day was something special. The little guys in the morning put a concert on for us. They sang, they played guitar and they danced. It was great. They gave us certificates, pencil holders and a mug. I was trying to keep the tears back. I get so emotional when they give me things because we are here to do this for them and they are so appreciative. And everything is so dramatic here! So in the end each of us stood up and sang for them. We sang "You are my sunshine". They really enjoyed it and they were not expecting it.

We had the same kind of deal at the other school. Not a concert but they gave us gifts and thanked us for coming out. All of the kids asked us if we would come back next year and bless their little souls I wanted to say yes but unfortunately, I won't be staying. You really get attached to the kids when you work with them all week. You start to get to know them and they know you. They wait for you to arrive! It is so cute.

It was difficult to say goodbye to the kids but we had to do it. I am off to Kiev again for a week of fun and games with the newbies. And then off to Russia!