My City

Who would’ve thought that the weather in Russia in mid-September could be so pleasant?  However, don’t be fooled.  I am about as far south as you can go in Russia without chillin in Chechnya or climbing over the Caucasus mountains to say hello to my friends in Georgia or Armenia.  It so turns out that I am on the same parallel as Minneapolis, MN.  The difference is that I am flanked on either side by the Black and Caspian seas.  It’s actually warmer than Minneapolis could ever hope to be in the winter.  Having said all this, it is nice to feel the fall season again.  I haven’t felt one since fall 2009.  The leaves are changing and a brisk wind whips through the air, carrying with it the smell of autumn. 

              

Stavropol is a beautiful city full of wooded parks, towering churches, and Soviet monuments.  A leisurely stroll through the city center will treat you to a variety of modern shops and the smell of spiced kebabs, beer, and fresh fruit.  Dispersed throughout the modern city are reminders of the Soviet past as well as the grandeur of Russian Orthodox churches.  The sun gleaming off the domes of the largest church in the city can be viewed from my windows.  It has been under construction for a few years, as it is being rebuilt since it was completely destroyed in WWII.  Not too far from the church a giant monument of the famous Soviet “Unknown Soldier” guards a scenic outlook facing north that displays the beauty of the forested city.  The Unknown Soldier represents a piece of the soul of the Russian people and the sacrifices that they made in defending their country in WWII.  The Soviet Union lost nearly 26 million people during that time.  A couple more minutes of walking through town you can see Lenin’s square, boasting a statue of the man himself.  In the immediate area around Lenin’s square you can see an array of gardens, parks, and even a soccer stadium.  FK Stavropol is the soccer team here.  It’s pretty small but the first game is on the 18^th of September and I plan to go.   All in all, I’m glad I chose to come to a smaller-sized town with a distinct sense of Russian soul.  You can view the pictures to see what I’m talking about!

              

I started my Job this week and it’s somewhat too early to make a complete assessment about it.  However, so far, I love it.  The kids (and adults) are great and eager to learn.  It feels good to be back.  I will post something next week about the job when I know more.  As always the president’s superior Judo techniques and unmatchable mystique will crush any dreams you had of being cool.  Check out this link to see what I mean: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/09/vladimir-putin-action-man/100147/