12 May 2010 – 13 May 2010

More update here. Today was our international entrepreneurship day. Our first challenge was navigating Moscow and we used the Metro System, which is huge and very efficient and quick. We had no problems navigating the Metro, which is truly breathtaking in its beauty and size (see photos). However when we got out at the correct station and went looking for the Swissotel—one of the newest and biggest in all of Moscow. We asked a policeman standing on the corner and he gave us directions—the wrong directions so we walked about 15-20 minutes in the absolute wrong direction. We then stopped and asked directions again from a well-dressed man and he whipped out his phone, used Google maps and gave us partial direction. We got back to the Metro station and went searching for the hotel-so we decided to call the hotel for directions—the 1st thing they asked us was what street we were on—we asked several people for the name of the street and none of them knew it. In addition, the hotel people could not give us directions to their own hotel. We finally pulled out a guide to Moscow and used that to navigate to the hotel. LESSON: People in Moscow do not where they are and they cannot help you find a place or give you directions from one point to another.

We arrived at the Swissotel where Shawn McKenna a stalwart member of our Advisory Board had arranged everything—everything—he had food (students always love food) and an absolutely first rate program as I have noted earlier and paid for the use of the facility—then we went to one of Shawn’s restaurants for lunch—and all of the speakers came as well—these are men and women who are VERY successful and gave of their time and talents freely to our group (there are photos of the event, of lunch and of the entire group outside of the restaurant). The nicest thing was an email I received form Shawn McKenna where he said “What a delightful group of students, and so glad they asked and asked and asked questions. They really found a groove. I enjoyed myself as did other speakers.”

The students at night go off on their own to explore Moscow and we have a hard and fast rule that they travel at all times in a group and they have followed that to a “T.” It is always of interest to watch their reactions to the foods, smells, and culture of Moscow and Russia.

The more mature folks, Andrei, I and Bill Halteman (of our math department) went out around 8 PM and went over to a famous street closed to traffic (Arbat St) we had coffee, noted the passing scene and went home. It is a gift to have Bill with us as his knowledge of Russian is quite good and valuable.


13 May 2010

Up and out this morning—it is the day we go to Tretyakov Gallery and then on to the train station for our 26-hour trip to Syktyvkar. I know it is getting old, but it is hot hot hot hot and it is soooooo very different from last year that it is simply amazing.

We went to the gallery and passed by trees of locks (there are photos on line of this). When a young man and woman decide to get engaged, they go to this bridge and put a lock on their key, which symbolizes their enduring love for one another—and then they throw the key into the river. It is a highly symbolic and visible act.

The Gallery is where Svetlana works (photo of her uploaded) so she has a passion for the gallery and its works of art and that makes a big difference in being in a museum. It has a wonderful collection of art—18th to 19th Century and it was a highlight for us.

We then made our way to the train station and went through some of the more beautiful metro stations (photos up loaded) and got our luggage and boarded our train—the sleeper cars are fine, a bit “tight” but adequate—but again, it is sooooooo hot. Our car is about 5 or 6 cars away from the restaurant car. The other travel conditions are very different than ours. Imagine walking through a train car where the berths are on either side and basically open areas—and when you walk down the aisle you have feet in your face (another unique Russian experience).

The students are anticipating arriving in Syktyvkar and meeting their host families and finally meeting those they have been talking with via email. I am sure, though none will admit it, that there is some nervousness over this meeting. It always works out well, but there is probably some level of concern.

It is about 1140 PM, we have been travelling for more than 9 hours. I am in the restaurant car and I have always found the click clack of the rails and the swaying of the cars soothing. About half the group is here as well—many took a long long nap as there is nothing to do but look out the window and see the scenery (which I find beautiful and ever changing). Every so often we stop at an intermediate station for 10 – 15 minutes and one gets to see the life in the smaller towns of Russia. Although there are easily more than 500 people on the train, very few Russians use the one restaurant car (which only seats 25 people)—we see very few native Russians in this car (see photos of students on train)

Well that is it for today; I assume that the group going to London has started its journey. More to come from the Russian travelling group.

14 May 2010

Continuing our train journey across Russia—we do have the opportunity to see a Russia not many see when they fly to major cities. We pass numerous small villages and dachas (essentially small vacation homes for the wealthy who escape the cities on weekends). We finally arrive in Syktyvkar at approximately 4 PM. Chaos on the platform as our hosts rush to greet us (see photos) and take our students to their homes. It is an amazing time—absolute pandemonium and then the hosts and students are gone and it is eerily quiet and Andrei and I and our interpreter Natasha are the only ones left. We departed for our hotel—the hotel Avalon which is a great step up from our lodgings in Moscow. Early dinner and to bed.

15 May 2010

Today is our intellectual day at Syktyvkar and we hear from the head of the international business department and he speaks on the size of the University and student population and the like. We then hear about the history of the Komi Republic which is very informative (at the same time I am speaking to the faculty and Russian students on Entrepreneurship and Financial Regulations in the U. S.).
We then here from a German manager who was involved with a failed adventure in Russia. It is soooooo unique to hear about a failed adventure—so few ever want to talk about failures and that is what makes this presentation special. We then have lunch in the student cafeteria and have a final lecture by an official from the largest bank in Russia on the topic of lending to small businesses. A very full day and chock full of information.

At 5 PM (see both photos and videos) we go to the Komi Folklore Center for a reception for our host families. The people here seek to preserve the Komi Culture and they are passionate about it and it is catching to all who hear. We were able to hear Komi songs so old, no one know their meaning and more recent (50 years ago) songs. The folks at the Center lead us in a variety of activities that Komi families use to introduce one another and to just have plan fun (again, see the videos). Even the Russian Hosts are not familiar with the Komi Culture and language so it was a treat for them as well. After much dancing, singing and laughing we had a snack and called an end to the evening.

I personally like the visit to Syktyvkar for a variety of reasons. The city is not as overwhelming as Moscow, the students have the opportunity to stay with young Russian students and immerse themselves in the culture and familial life of small town Russian life (although Syktyvkar is not a small city by U. S. Standards), and the pace of life is just different. We are far north and the sun does not set until about 10 PM so there is a lot of light in the city.

Tomorrow we go to the city of Ub, an interesting ride to a city back in time. More to come from Russia.