A Report from Moscow, Russia -- Part 1 of 3
Hello All,
I will pick up the story in Computer Camp near Krasnoyarsk 26, a prohibited city to all but a few people. I arrived at the computer center at 09:30 and after a few unrelated delays I was able to leave the town for the Computer Camp at about 15:00. After a very circuitous route to avoid the prohibited area, we arrived in Camp about 16:30. I was able to park Bubba in a large parking area behind the Dining Hall/Kitchen/Auditorium Building. After some cursory introductions I was left on my own while the teachers got together with their students to outline what they would be doing for the next 6 weeks.
This the 20th year for this Educational Center for Summer Studies for Children from the Krasnoyarsk Region. They have unique curricula in most fields of physical sciences, also music and other forms of arts are encouraged as sidelines to their primary studies. They have broken from the norm by encouraging independent thought and innovation in their chosen fields, as a result they have produced some very brilliant and successful scholars. The school is in beautiful setting in the Siberian forest on a plateau with a sports field below all the study and living area.
The mornings are devoted to small classes with everyone participating in an open exchange between the students and the teacher. This seems to be a wonderful way for everyone to express their individual thoughts and ideas. The afternoons are reserved for relaxation and sports or just sitting around and discussing the morning classes, a very informal and relaxed atmosphere. The first evening a opening ceremony was held, hosted by a local radio personality and a music teacher. They were very entertaining and humorous and the students enjoyed them very much. They poked fun at many established traditions and then introduced all the faculty. After the proceedings were over everyone retired to the recreation area for a bonfire and music. I was invited but was very tired from the day's activities and decided to go to bed. The festivities were cut short by a very vigorous thunderstorm with lots of thunder and lightening.
My 4 1/2 days passed very quickly. During the time I was able to look in on the Computer Classes and was very impressed with the programs the students were working on. Two classes were doing computer security projects, one was doing a spaceship design project, one was doing a traffic analysis program design project, one was doing graphic design in conjunction with publishing the camp newspaper. The younger students were doing a graphic design art project. Their original art work will be scanned into the computer, then they will use a art program to enhance what they have done. A bright bunch of young people in a wonderful relaxed atmosphere, enjoying working together and learning new and better ways to do exciting things.
Several of the students took time to stop by Bubba, say hello, talk about their work and help me with my computer. They are a marvelous group of young people and I hated to leave after the 4 1/2 days were up. I have made some wonderful friends here.
Early on Wednesday morning, Dan my able and helpful interpreter, came knocking on my door to go eat some breakfast and get on the road for Krasnoyarsk.
Today is 9 August, and the time is going much too fast. I arrived at Irena's office about 12:00 and missed my appointment to see a group of students. Instead, they came to Irena's office, we had a good discussion and agreed to be a part of the project, so we will be able to communicate with their school in Krasnoyarsk. By the end of the day I was a little tired and Irena came by to say goodbye as I would be leaving for Novosibirsk before she came to work Thursday morning.
A Russian school teacher, Nina, has agreed to travel with me as far as Moscow. Many people here feel it is too dangerous for me to travel alone. Although I have never felt the least bit of concern since I have been here. We left Krasnoyarsk about 10:00 and headed west for Novosibirsk knowing it would be a two day journey.
Everyone take care of yourselves and do the right thing.
As Always,
Bubba and Roger
NEXT WEEK: Part 2 - Novosibirsk, Russia
MODERATOR'S NOTE: -- A short message was received from Roger,
September 1, 1995:
The weather is nice and am looking forward to meeting Max and going to Yaroslavl', the trees are all turning colors and I am sure the trip to Yaroslavl' and St. Petersburg will be a delightful journey. Nina had to return to Krasnoyarsk on Tuesday and I feel very lost without her.
Roger