The cooks here are really trying with the Russian fare (in fact, 2 or 3 of them speak a little Russian); yesterday we had borscht and today cabbage soup. It's not like being in Russia, but it was good! The night baker-- one of the Russian speakers-- makes fairly incredible bread. I wouldn't say I'm getting fat here, but the food is okay (for a summer camp!). And there's plenty of coffee (Slava Bogu!)...
Today we had our first missing villager emergency (which turned out okay). We all wear these wooden nametags (tablichki) around our necks and the only time the villagers can remove them during the day is when they're swimming. One little girl forgot to put hers back on and left the lake, so the counselors couldn't get an accurate count. At first I thought it was a drill; I just happened to be at the designated meeting point-- the staff here moved very quickly. I was amazed (kind of like something from my Navy days)! Being a camp counselor (or a teacher) and having to search for a missing child is a HORRIBLE feeling. Watching the lifeguards search the water in the swimming area isn't very pleasant, either. But all the kids knew what to do when they heard the emergency signal and the girl came running for her tablichka-- she knew she had forgotten it. So all ended well.
My classes are going great. If I get a chance, I'll post a picture of me with my students soon. I have to teach in another cabin (where it smells like a cabin that little boys live in), but it's not too, too bad. The teaching part is really fun, and that's why I'm here.
And, lastly, our cabin led the flag-raising ceremony this morning (we raise the flag of Russia every morning before breakfast and then sing the Russian national anthem)... Come to think of it, THAT would have made a good picture. I'll get one next time we come up in the rotation...
Poka for now!
