I hope the post title caught your attention. No…I didn’t fall down. But it is fall here in Samara. My first wish has already come true…that I would get to see the trees turning. Just this week it’s starting…
Rise has to do with sunrise. I’m up before it due to jet lag. But it’s okay. For example, this morning a did a load of laundry. Yesterday I shopped for food. Always something to do in Samara!
Yesterday I enjoyed a delightful afternoon and evening at the dacha of Nina Alexandrova. And a banya! So all the stress and yuck of the travel has been sweat and washed out of my pores. Remind me to tell the story about the rag. (I’ll leaving you guessing for now…)
So today has been a typical day of schedule adjustment. I met Tanya at the bus stop near her place (on the other side of the city…yes, I got there all by myself…) in order to attend her English lesson with the pre-schoolers. But the lesson was canceled at the last minute because so many kids were sick. So instead, we went to the office and did some business there…chatting and shopping along the way there and back at the various roadside produce stands and kiosks. Back at Tanya’s place, we shared a tasty lunch of chicken soup, fresh bread and village sour cream (YUM), tea and fresh honey. I’m enjoying the autumn harvest, to say the least.
And now I have spent the last 30 minutes having English lessons with Tanya’s new student, Natasha…a truly lovely woman who is catching on quickly and isn’t a bit shy to try her new language skills on a native speaker.
All this, and it’s only 1:30. Our next adventure will be to get downtown so I can register my visa (my whereabouts) with the local authorities. We are hoping Natasha (the student) will drive us downtown…
So, there you have it in a nutshell…my rising in the fall in Russia on Monday, Sept 27, 2010.
I cannot wait to get there. After reading this post, I am even more ready to get on that plane!
See you soon Jeanette…blessings and hugs!
Thanks for updating:)
Love,
Kasey
What a treat to read about your day. It makes me feel as I am part of your experience. Although the trees here are as you left them, I’m looking forward to the change in color and the fall meals of squash and stews. I’m hoping you bring some new recipes home with you (sugar, dairy, and gluten free….that may be a little too much to hope for, but I’m hoping!)
As for the English lesson, your experience as a editor and writer probably makes you a really good person to practice English on–you know what is proper and what is not.
Keep the updates coming. I so enjoy reading them.
I think if I’m honest,…. I’m feeling a bit of envy Jeanette…….( : Please extend greetings to Tanya from Peter and I would you? Wishing we were alongside you and her in all your activities, gatherings, outings, tea drinkings, chats, banyas, (i never did experience a banya back in our year there, but Peter did. I’d pass on the palm from beatings i think!?) Sure enjoyed your diary entry “Rise and Fall” …i agree with Susan, keep ’em comin’. Love to you and Tanya.
Cathi
Love the updates.
Some of your jet lag is showing. I see a little error in paragraph 2. (For example, this morning a did a load of laundry.) So not like you to make a mistake. You know I think you’re perfect.
Say hi to Tanya for me. Any news on Katya yet?
It’s inspiring to hear how easily you feel comfortable there. I know how we can feel at home where the Lord leads us, even if that place is thousands of miles away from our permanent home. God bless you as you willingly and cheerfully serve Him in Russia.
Jeanette, do you have any phone number yet? Looks like not many activities so far and we have badly missed on my Natasha’s time in Samara (she is leaving for Indonesia, Bali, on Oct04 until Oct 18….dang, will you have any farewell last day party? My brother would invite you to a flat where he lives after our Granny’s sister-in-law passed away last March, a very historical flat, I, too, lived there at some point of time as a student:) It is in 22-nd party convention street, near store called “Kristall” (if you tell anyone, they will know). By metro, it is up to “Pobeda” station and then just a 3 minute walk up the street:)
P.S. I said “not many activities”…but this is very easy to play with imagination when one sits in one’s chair and has no ongoing daily schedule (like myself). I DO understand there is, literally, never a lazy or a relaxed moment in Samara! Even leisure activities are very intellectually, physically or morally/emotionally demanding. I see, you have already lost much weight!
Would still love to be there….it’s a way of life there…all the walking and such. I haven’t forgotten! Remember we toted 3 kids with us as well ( :
Yes, you did! I’m still in awe of that. Let’s just say I’m feeling my 60 years and call it even.