May 23, 2014

I shall continue to post on this blog regularly for some time in order to fully convey the experience of teaching in Russia. Thank you as always for reading. There were 11,000 visits (from about 20 countries!) to the blog from mid January until now!

May 21, 2014

I am going home in two days. I will be with my wife and dogs on Saturday evening. I miss them so much it hurts. It has been a surreal experience the last few days here in Russia. I have been overwhelmed by kindness and goodwill from this city(Saratov) and this country. I will have lunch with my dear friends from the International office tomorrow, meet with the Director, finish cleaning and packing. The train for Moscow leaves Friday afternoon. I can hardly believe it will end. I have been changed in so many profound and positive ways. Saratov, Russia is not my real home but it will have a place in my soul for the remainder of my life.

I spent a nice hour today in an English language club meeting. A wonderful teacher, Anna Remontova invited me. We spoke about leadership---not an easy topic. I came away impressed as always---these students are a pleasure to interact with.

 

This is my pal Vladimir Michaelovich; he is standing next to a restored Lada on the way to our picnic on Sunday. He is wearing a Jethro Tull T-shirt. Renaissance man!

 

Russians.

 

The faces of Russians....

 

What will I remember most about Russia? Russian faces.