Our last stop yesterday, after the appliance factory, blimp works, and brick factory, was the "mansion" once belonging to the "father of Russian aviation," Nikolai (I think) Zhukovsky. It was like a Twilight Zone episode... I'll try to get pictures up tomorrow. The lady who directs the place and who showed us around was happy, peppy, and bursting with love...way too much so for that late in the day. Another woman there and the director's daughter wore turn-of-the-century clothing and treated us with the hospitality of that time. While we were inside, we were offered a shot glass full of what tasted like cough medicine-- it turned out to be ashberry cognac. It went down kind of rough and spread through me like this stuff I used to take for asthma as a kid. (In fact, it cured my lazy eye and I no longer have a tic when I stand up too quickly.) (Okay, it didn't do all that, but some of use were sure we saw ol' Nikolai on the premises after partaking...) We were also offered tea and chocolates (that were melted into the box-- it was hot) and shown a place in the garden where we could make a wish that the director said would be sure to come true (and I think only one of us-- not me-- took her up on it).
Anyway. The word of the day today is agriculture. We're off to Suzdal (again) to visit some more rural areas, then to the village of Pavlovskoe for lunch... Another all day excursion.
One last thought/observation to share before I sign off for now. I find that I understand just about 100% of the Russian I hear (if I hear a word I don't know, I ask about it, and sometimes the context escapes me...), which is good, but all of our visits and lectures are usually given in Russian and then translated into English. Listening to everything twice, first in Russian, then in English (or vice versa) is like watching a movie in which the language and subtitles keep changing... I'm not complaining-- the practice I'm getting is GREAT. When the situation allows, I try to ask our Russian lecturers and guides questions in Russian, even in front of the other Americans (because I know someone will translate it), just for the practice. This is most definitely a unique experience for me!!
(Okay this is the last thought...) The local paper has a write-up today (Molva, issue number 75) of the 4th party and a picture of Ron (Dr. Pope to you) dancing... Only Terry is mentioned (as "a teacher from Seattle).
