OK, we did it. A group of 17 Americans went to Moscow, then to Novosibirsk, and Saint Petersburg. We did have a conference, of course, and actually it worked well despite the language barrier. But for most people, it was also an adventure, an experience, and an event.
Can't speak for others, but here is my impression. It is rather interesting to see my own country through the eyes of my American friends. It does look a little different, a bit more exotic, and somewhat less explainable. The country has changed so much since I left it in 1991. Even though I have been back almost every year since 1996, it does feel like a different country. It is very familiar, and yet strange.
I just had to remind myself that every time I go to Russia, it is a holiday: I don't have to work, I see old friends and family, I get to be nostalgic. Vodka, banya, shashlyk, sightseeing – this is not real life, not everyday experience of a typical Russian. It is tempting to just come back, but I probably never will return for good. Like a transplanted tree, I have too many roots here, I like my job too much to abandon it. Our kids are here, one of them is married to an American, and neither will consider going back to Russia permanently. But it is fun to visit, and I would like to be more involved with Russian education. We do have much to learn from each other, and I hope we will. I was very happy to see how well my Russian and American friends got along with each other, considering all the cultural differences and the history of Cold War. I always believed Russians are much closer to Americans than to Asians or to Europeans, and this is just more evidence. Both cultures have a strong egalitarian streak, both value directness and openness in relationships. Both countries have revolutionary experience and can be mistrustful of governments and politicians, which they compensate by excessive believe in personal encounters. There are many profound differences, of course, about which I will write separately one day.
Just before my flight back to the States, I had some three hours to kill in Moscow, between 6 and 9 AM. I just walked the streets. Moscow is a beautiful city in the early morning. Muscovites are not early risers, and the streets were sunny and almost empty. The city is just incredibly varied – from ancient churches to Stalin's high-rises, to ultra-modern contemporary buildings. All of it is almost randomly thrown together, and yet there is some common sense to it. Anyway, it is hard to ex-plain, but I had the most wonderful walk through the city – from Belorusskiy Tran Station to Barrikadnaya Metro Station. Here is my exact rout, with some photographs which you can repeat, thanks to Google's magic. It is just hard to explain, but this was a wonderful walk.
A couple of links to our own pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncoeducation/ and http://picasaweb.google.com/eugene.sheehan/Russia2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCNa79ff-nJmNaQ&feat=email#
Hello, Sasha, and any other internet passersby. I am so appreciative of your description, Sasha, in words and photos; the narrative about Russians being more close in disposition and sentiment to Americans than to Asians or Europeans; the personal and professional bonds that have developed between your Russian friends of many years and me and other members of the group of American travelers from UNC that you so generously led. The closeness developed first here in Greeley when our Russian guests arrived in November, 2008, and were with us for 2 weeks. We learned from each other in professional and social activities. What a joy! I could hardly contain my excitement to go to Russia and be with them all again. And then in Russia, first in Moscow, then on the Transiberian Railroad for 2 nights and parts of three days, next our days - I think 6 - in Novosibirsk with our Russian friends - so much more than mere fellow faculty or professional associates, and finally our days in St. Petersburg, the overnight train ride to Moscow, and finally departure for the US, our homes. Wow! How fast it went! How wonderful the experience was. It is vivid in my mind and of course represented in the photos of my Colorado traveling companions, of my Russian friends, and of my own collection. I really kvelled during the presentations of my fellow UNC faculty members, and I felt such joy that our Russian counterparts were so receptive to the work we do. More than receptive, they shared their knowledge and experiences so generously. They cued us in on the value of Russian social and community education, so very little of which, if any, apparently exists in English language professional literature. We saw so much of Russian educational institutions, as you said, Sasha, in your original message here or in your post on the Examiners website. And it was so special and personally meaningful to have you share "your" Russia, one of your three homes, with me and our fellow Coloradoans. Thank you, Sasha, for that. I am certainly the richer personally and professionally as a result, Rick
ReplyDeleteHello, Sasha, and any other internet passersby. I am so appreciative of your description, Sasha, in words and photos; the narrative about Russians being more close in disposition and sentiment to Americans than to Asians or Europeans; the personal and professional bonds that have developed between your Russian friends of many years and me and other members of the group of American travelers from UNC that you so generously led. The closeness developed first here in Greeley when our Russian guests arrived in November, 2008, and were with us for 2 weeks. We learned from each other in professional and social activities. What a joy! I could hardly contain my excitement to go to Russia and be with them all again. And then in Russia, first in Moscow, then on the Transiberian Railroad for 2 nights and parts of three days, next our days - I think 6 - in Novosibirsk with our Russian friends - so much more than mere fellow faculty or professional associates, and finally our days in St. Petersburg, the overnight train ride to Moscow, and finally departure for the US, our homes. Wow! How fast it went! How wonderful the experience was. It is vivid in my mind and of course represented in the photos of my Colorado traveling companions, of my Russian friends, and of my own collection. I really kvelled during the presentations of my fellow UNC faculty members, and I felt such joy that our Russian counterparts were so receptive to the work we do. More than receptive, they shared their knowledge and experiences so generously. They cued us in on the value of Russian social and community education, so very little of which, if any, apparently exists in English professional literature. We saw so much of Russian educational institutions, as you said, Sasha, in the message or in your post on the Examiners website. And it was so special and personally meaningful to have you share "your" Russia with me and my fellow Coloradoans. Thank you, Sasha, for that. I am richer personally and professionally as a result, Rick
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