18-01 Update
May 5, 2001
Saturday was a real workday so Adel came to the apartment at noon and worked all afternoon.
Dima worked at the office and joined us later in the day. I later found out why they were working that
day. We have hit May again and somehow I had forgotten that it is the month that is wiped out by
holidays. May 1 is Labor Day so Tuesday was the day of the holiday; however, in true Russian fashion
that meant that Monday was a day to get ready and for some Wednesday was to recover. The official
days were Sunday, Monday and Tuesday so that meant that everyone had to work on Saturday to make
up for Sunday or Monday one. This coming week we do the same all over again.
Later we walked down to Bauman and had dinner at the Turkish restaurant. Dima told us
goodbye and he left us. Adel went to the supermarket with me and then walked me home so he could
help with the bag of canned goods I purchased. It had been a wonderful, productive day and we had
several projects well underway. On the way to Bauman, though, we had to walk around these large
advertising signs, which The Boys stated were signs to welcome people to Kazan. There were a
number of things questionable about their presence. 1) They are too large and actually are in the way
on the streets. 2) They must have cost a fortune so here are these massive signs placed on sidewalks on
which one might break a leg just casually walking down the street---much better to have used the
money for repairing the sidewalk. 3) They are not particularly attractive. I stated all the objections and
that I wished the mayor would go for a trip with me to review the REAL needs of the city for better
safety, cleanliness and beauty. Naturally I belabored the point and suddenly Adel smiled and said,
"Pat, it is probably good that you do not speak Russian because you might well stir up another
Revolution." Now, see----an excellent reason for not learning the language.
Language did go better this week and for that I am grateful. Some of Antonia's teaching came
back and I could whiz through a few points. Alfea felt more encouraged and Gulnor did not seem as
ready to throw in the towel. Even Galina was pleased with me, especially after between words and
charades, I translated two letters from American friends for her. She and I are the only ones who could
have made sense of the translation, but we were the only ones who needed to do so.
All reports were due and completed. The Orientation Manual is ready for editing and
polishing---planned for this Tuesday so that major project can be laid to rest soon. Dima and I
completed preparation for the Translators' course for the four sessions we will conduct in May. What
is not finished can quickly be polished each week on the day before or day of the classes. Feels good to
get some of this major writing "put to bed." That only leaves the American Culture Booklet for the
teachers, revamping the proposal for the building and request for funding and finally the completion of
the three Village proposals. Time is ticking on the villages because Adel will soon be gone and my
chief ally will have deserted me.
Wednesday was "Bed Day." Tim, Missy, Adel and I had made a reconnaissance flight on
Sunday afternoon when Tim brought us back into town. Then Monday and Tuesday were dead days
because of the holiday. This matter had become an emergency situation since Erin (of motorcycle
fame) was arriving on Thursday morning. Nothing like a guest's arrival to push one out the door. Adel
called first thing in the morning and said he had already called to borrow the van and would be over
shortly. I threw on clothes and was ready when he came through the door. He had a list to call and ask
if the shop were open, if they had single beds, how much and when the store could deliver. Tim came
with the van and off we went. The first store we entered had my second choice of style and first choice
of price. Adel was not content, though, until we had checked out all the possibilities. After
determining that we had the best style, price and quality, we returned to store #1 and purchased the bed
and mattress--not the cheapest, but the best quality for the price. With mattress in hand out the door we
went, loaded it into the van and took it to the apartment. Adel then folded down all the seats, measured
the space and decided we could get the bed frame in the van. If so, then they would not need to
disassemble it. We went back to the store, double-checked the measurement and then he and the sales
clerk loaded the assembled frame. At the apartment we found that the frame would not fit into the
elevator so up the four floors of steps we went. It was tricky, but the turns were exactly arranged so
that the frame could be turned---a fact Adel stated to be true of each building's stairs. Long experience
evidently provided for knowledge of the correct size for Russian furniture.
We did not stop until the frame was arranged in the room, the mattress unwrapped and placed
on the bed. Then came the spread and the bolster pillows made by Elsie. Adel stood in amazement
that they matched the room and fit the bed perfectly. He wondered how I had done this---only to be
told that I had not, but my friends, Elsie and Bea, had succeeded in doing so. When he arrived, Dima
was equally impressed and kept commenting on what a peaceful, well-coordinated room it was. Adel
sat on the bed, leaned against the large bolster bank of pillows and deemed it a marvelous thinking
place. All have agreed that though selected relatively piecemeal and constructed at various points, all
elements---furniture, wall paper, wood appointments, curtains and spread have come together into a
fantastic whole. Thanks are due to so many for the success of the room and my heart overflows with
gratitude for all. The overly large office chair perhaps is out of place, but after full days at the
computer, it proves over and over the wisdom of its selection.
Thursday morning Adel appeared at 6:45A to take me to the train station so we could meet
Erin. Since we did not know the car, we selected a spot close to the station and stood watching all the
passengers exit. Then, there she was. Back at the apartment Erin and I visited until time for Alfea and
Erin disappeared to the office with a warning that she could not listen to me murder the Russian
language. After class, we were again getting her acquainted with the apartment and especially the "get
it yourself" routine when Kevin arrived for the business meeting. He helped arrange the room---table
raised to dining level and chairs brought from all their resting places. Right on time at 1:30P the others
assembled and we started the meeting on time and finished a major portion of the work on the tick of
4:00P. Dinner (a pot roast with potatoes and carrots) for Kevin, Dima, Erin and me cooked while we
met because Dima, Erin and I had to be at School #132 by 6:30P. Kevin had to go home, finish
cleaning and pick up WesleyB at the airport at 9:30P. The day finally ended about 10:00P. Erin, who
had come to shadow me, had had one of our relatively normal days. We were both ready for sleep by
the time we retired about midnight.
The program at School #132 engaged a visiting construction team from Iowa and Michigan
with the students at School 132. CathyH had put it all together and invited us to join the group. The
evening involved eight Americans and about fifty English language students from a number of levels.
Cathy directed games to begin and then we sang awhile. The highlight of the evening was a
performance by President Abraham Lincoln. One of the construction crew was a gentleman, who looks
like and has made a hobby of portraying the president. He gave much about the life and principles of
Lincoln and his period of history. Naturally it was a treat for me and seemed to be a big hit with the
students and teachers at the school. Cathy dispersed the Americans into conversation groups with the
students and when the program ended, we went up stairs for tea and refreshments with the teachers. It
was good to be back among teachers because I have missed the teaching this semester and thus the time
with teachers.
Friday was sleep in morning. We both hesitated to get up and possibly disturb the other so we
got a late start. But from then on it became a typical day. My schedule was to work on the update,
consult with Dima and check materials for the afternoon classes for the August group of potential
translators. That meant that the morning was to be quiet, classes at 3-4:30P and 5:00-6:30P so we
could relax. Kevin called to say he would be by in thirty minutes to pick us up for lunch with WesleyB
and the rest of the team. Erin and I flew into action. I had to cancel class review with Dima. We went
to Tango's for lunch and then Tim rushed us back to the Center in time for a brief review of materials
as the translators began arriving. Dima brought us back home where we met Galina leaving the
building and reporting that Alfea had called and would come for class on Monday morning. Kevin had
called and he and WesleyB would be delighted to accept my invitation for a warm-up dinner of roast
and were on the way. Erin and I pulled all the food out of the refrigerator, started warming it and
preparing the table. Galina had left the apartment cleaned so it was in order. Kevina and Wesley
joined us for a relaxing dinner and conversation. It was a great way to end the week, but made it clear
that days unfold more often than follow the structure planned. Erin said she was glad to know that
everyone seemed to work this way---not just her.
Weather this week has been varied. It was hot on May 1 as late April had been----rather
unseasonably so. Then as I had been warned, it shifted. On Monday night it rained and May 2 was
windy and almost cold. Thursday and Friday were slightly warmer, sunny, windy and brisk. If my
guess is right today is warmer. It is sunny with an apparent wind---all observed from my window, not
experienced. It rained again Wednesday night and late yesterday. But we did not get the hail of last
May 1 and the wintry weather with it.
Dima gave the story of the week. He did not feel well last week. First was an upset stomach
for which he eventually went to the doctor and was prescribed medication. The druggist did not warn
of any side effects. By Thursday he was complaining of weakness, checked his blood pressure to find
it quite low. His description of the feelings he experienced was that his head felt empty. I laughed at
him assuring him I felt that way often. Finally we determined that the better expression would be light
headed, but the empty one probably explains us often, especially me. He took Friday off for recovery,
but came by for a short visit and said his head had filled back up so he was better.
Yesterday twenty-four of the potential translators showed up for the classes so we are on our
way to the August Festival. At the present things are shaping up. Carol, stateside coordinator, is a
jewel and keeps all the participants and me fully informed so plans are proceeding beautifully. We
have already obtained rooms for the first groups and trying to confirm for others that are presently
completing their paperwork. It is not quite the same as going to Paris where have passport will travel
prevails. Here there is the matter of passport, copy to us, application by us for a Letter of Invitation, its
processing and delivery to the appropriate Russian embassy and then the participant's application for a
visa there---expensive anyway, but unreal if they do not have two weeks to process it. The comfortable
lead time for just this process is a minimal month and preferably longer. Then the matter of procuring
hotel rooms during the Republic Day week is tricky---as early as it is now, they will not rent us all the
exact rooms we want because they reserve them for officials and possible need by them.
Dima has been out visiting this week and went to the State Historical Museum. The
administrators there are eager to work with GSN and our guests. Presently they have a display
"Treasures of Tatarstan," which I have seen twice, but have thoroughly enjoyed. Seems that visiting
the museum may be on some of the agendas for guests this summer. Later they want to meet with us
for some consultation. We have about decided consultation could be one of our services, especially
after yesterday and my desire to have Patty Melt on the Tango menu---am certain that they want me to
show them how so they can add it. Better yet Kevin can show them. He is the gourmet cook while I
am simply meat and potatoes.
Found vanilla wafers last Saturday night at Sub Continent, the supermarket downtown. With
wafers and bananas in hand this week I produced two fast food banana puddings. That means I used
pudding mix, not the wonderful made from scratch pudding that my mother used. It certainly did not
rate with hers, but since Galina, Alfea and Dima had never tasted hers, they were most impressed with
mine. Adel missed out on both because he did not show up for dinner twice this week. See, life
improves or becomes more like home every week.
The exotic salad (six-cup salad) made another appearance this week and properly impressed.
That means that once again the coconut and marshmallow fairies along with the pudding ones received
my lifted thanks for their care and contributions to more delicious meals.
Some more of Adel's list of superstitions follow:
1. If your nose is itchy, you will soon have a party with alcohol.
2. If someone is relating something to somebody and a child sneezes, it that means that that person is
telling truth.
3. If on your way somewhere you suddenly remember that you forgot something at home, do not
turn around and go back. If you do, your way will be difficult and unsuccessful. But if you must
go back, look at yourself in the mirror before you go out again.
4. If you put on something (shirt, dress etc) inside out, you will be beaten.
5. Do not throw away your cut hair. It is best to burn it.
6. Do not cut your nails in the evening. If you do, you will get sick.
7. Do not throw away old pieces of bread. If you do, your family will starve.
8. If a bird flies into the room or apartment, it means that bad news will come soon. Possibly
someone from the family will die.
9. If a car hits a dog in the street and the dog dies, some member of driver's family may possibly die.
10. Do not beat cats because they have long memories and evil eyes.
This is all I could remember. This is not a complete list of superstitions. It contains maybe 1% of
superstitions that Tatars have. There are many superstitions that people believe in villages.
Children who didn’t want to believe in all these used to say: "They are grandmother's fairy tales and
grandfather's prompting.
Remember Jon and Tim this week as they attend a meeting with nationals. Think about the
meeting also. Recall Wesley and Erin as they will be traveling. Erin will return for x-rays and advice
on the next steps of her recovery so keep this in mind. Continue to lift our planning, the translator
classes and our work. Keep in mind Adel's departure this month, strength for him and us. Speak about
the Festival and all the participants and all the paperwork necessary for the visit. Ask for comfort for
my Aunt Lorene, who is quite ill as well as other persons at my home place facing difficult medical
problems. Seek patience for me as I await the arrival of friends and family in June---among whom will
be my daughter and former Erskine roommate.
Thanks for the construction team and their other work while they are here. Gratitude for the
visits from Erin and Wesley and the time to share with them and be encouraged by them. Thankfulness
for the impending arrival of the AC tour group and the local friends who are excited about meeting
them and planning for their entertainment. Praise for LW who has volunteered to come and set up our
library. She will come in September and stay for at least two months to assist us. Would it not be
marvelous if we could be settled in the new building that we are requesting?? Think on that and the
funding of it.
Remember that we still want major groups to request video and brochures on the people of
Tatarstan so that they may set aside an entire day to be aware of the region in preparation for the
festival. One video per major meeting group can be passed around. I need address to which these can
be mailed if you will use them. I have a few, but not nearly enough.
Another wonderful week in Kazan has closed, but let's hope not without significant positive
consequences. Let that be always our hope.