Land of Smiles, Dotted with Gold

I began this blog as a way to keep track of my travels and provide an outlet of information to other fellow travelers traveling on a budget. Today I had a moment as I looked out from my balcony to the rows of gold shining off the Buddhist temples near by. I need to write!
 It's been a little over a year since hubs and I had our last international adventure... now life has opened another door. Life has brought me to Thailand. The Land of Smiles is another familiar name. It describes the people exactly. I wanted to share a little of the reason why I am here. 

Why am I here? 

About two months after hubs and I returned from Russia, I was offered a position at Orphanage Support Services (OSSO). 

For the past 15 years, OSSO has provided the opportunity for short term and long term volunteers to work in orphanages in Cuenca and Quito, Ecuador.

As an organization, OSSO provides monetary support to many orphanages throughout Ecuador. The OSSO staff in Ecuador assess current and critical needs. Donations made to the children go to provide food, medical care, and education. While OSSO is not an adoption agency,  the children have the ability to be adopted through provided resources, such as staff, to make this reality possible.

The same methodology that is held to in Ecuador is now being spread to Thailand. 

 Primarily in Chiang Mai; home to many children from the Northern countries of Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and of course throughout Thailand. 

OSSO has chosen to open a short term summer program to provide volunteers the opportunity to work with the sweet children of Thailand. 

As in the other orphanages we serve, it is important for consistency through volunteers. We hope to eventually have a more continual presence of people ready to serve. Through this, more donations can be made to meet the immediate needs of the children. Through small steps is when greater things can come. We are doing what we can with the time we are here. 

Just a little taste of what OSSO does and the importance of this work.

Learn More: http://www.orphanagesupport.org 

                     https://www.facebook.com/OSSO99

A little over 6 months ago I met the children here for the first time. I am grateful for the opportunity to see OSSO volunteers forget themselves and show their love and focus to these children. One group has come and gone, but I look forward to the following weeks. A few children have already stolen my heart. As has this country. 

I've been able to see how children show their love no matter who you are or your background. They are teaching me so much. 

 This country is full of opportunity for all walks of life. I will be writing of those experiences of the last two weeks and those that come.  While I will not be posting pictures of the children, to maintain their privacy, I will be sharing some tidbits of the children and the work we have be doing with them. I will also be showing the beauty and culture of this country. The people are amazing! I have already met so many lovely people both Thai and other volunteers. 

For now, how about a picture of the wonderful group who just left? They were a thrill to work with and see them put in their all to work with the children. Until we meet again! 

Adventure is Out There, St. Petersburg Edition

This post is for those budget-travelers, the backpackers, and those who want to explore the unbeaten path.

If you are like me and its your first time in Russia or Europe it can be overwhelming to know where to start to find those unique places of travel. And you might be thinking, how can I travel with a small budget? Look to the right and then go on.

  So now that I have been there and seen it I can offer those tips- those things I wish I knew before leaving the states. And even those places of interest they don't mention in the guidebooks. Because... I think it's better to find
your own adventure.

So if you look at the map above you will see all the cities that I will cover beginning with St. Petersburg. Then on to Helsinki, Tallin, and Riga.

Here we go:

Oh St.Petersburg, the city that leaves you yearning for more.
For one thing, you need a month to even see the whole city.
 But you only have 3 days- better have good walking shoes. And it can be done.
For starters budget for at least $20 for travel around the city. Metro cost 28r (rubles) a ride with limitless transfers. Coins can be purchased at any machine or "kacca"

I would recommend picking what you really want to see beforehand. St. Petersburg is so big so you will have to plan well.

Here are some of my favorite places, which aren't even highlights in any guidebook 

I have read. That is why they are my favorites. 

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
Morbidly named place where
 Alexander II was murdered by a Revolutionary Party.

Peter and Paul Fortress
Built by Peter the Great to keep out the
Swedish armies. Also home to all memorials for
past Romanovs, including Anastasia's family.
This was my most favorite part since I have been
studying the history of their family.
You can also go up to this bell tower and take a
panorama or two of the beautiful Neva River. Only
100 r or you can pay 250 r and observe from the "look-out".
IYTC and ISIC CARD DISCOUNT

Mariinsky Theatre
This is where I left my heart before I left for Finland.
Absolutely so beautiful and you cannot miss a performance!
This is where The Nutcracker first debuted and also flopped.
Hard to believe right?
I decided not to share a picture of the inside because it's worth
seeing on your own. Tickets can be purchased here:
http://www.mariinsky.ru/en/playbill/playbill

Places to Stay & Fill your Belly:

My hostel of choice is Pitersiky Dvorik ( (http://www.booking.com/hotel/ru/piterskiy-dvorik.en-gb.html?sid=59bcfdce95514bafe77744355fa87188;dcid=2)

Same line as all of the major sights but not quite in the middle of center where hostels are more expensive.

Stolle is he place to get cheap homemade food like your Russian grandma would make. Seriously, their pies or pirogi are delicious and what made them famous. They are everywhere since they originated here.

And my last highlight would of course be on the Hermitage. You can't visit St. Petersburg and not stop by and visit the wonderful collections. This being one of the largest in the world, thanks to Catherine the Great who began collecting many of the pieces. I wouldn't miss the beautiful Peacock Clock gifted to her either.

I would do a little bit of research to pick your rooms so you do not become to overwhelmed when you get there. 

If you have an ISIC or *IYTC card then the admission is free. Couldn't get better than that! 

(*ILPers this is the one provided by the office if you choose to purchase the travel insurance)

Another tip, I would get there right when it opens at 10:30 to get a spot in line. After 12 noon it can be close to impossible to enter, especially during the summer months. 

While I meant to continue with the other countries, I have already written quite a bit. So more later on Finland, Estonia & Latvia.

Until then, keep exploring and comment with any additional tips!

Uvidimsya!

Choose to see the Beautiful..

We are now entering into month 2 in Russia! And I had this realization that I have been too busy to sit and just write. This last month since my last entry has come and gone but I am continually seeing the good things in this experience- even with all of the ups and downs that have come from being in a leadership position.

 While I have been here I have tried to find one good thing a day and also try something new. Basically, I look for those things that make this country so unique-yet wonderful at the same time.

Things that will make this experience. 

There have been days where I really felt like I am supposed to be here but when I feel differently I think of the "good stuff".
One experience centered on this that I would like to share recently happened with my husband and I..
 The courage to say "hello".

 We have not met many natives outside of our little school but the last few weeks we keep seeing a family that are from our local LDS church we attend. We politely say hello and move on. Two Sundays ago I decided that it was about time we introduced ourselves. So Chaz being my little translator, we introduced ourselves and talked for a while. We exchanged numbers and they called us that evening and invited us for family night the following evening. I must say, that was exactly what I needed to lift me up from a past few stressful weeks. We shared in the sweetness of their little family getting to know them and taking part in Russian culture. And now we have another friend to sit alongside at church and another familiar smile. All it took was a hello and the time.
That was my "good stuff" for that week.

One last thing until next time. I have not even talked about my students yet! I teach six rambunctious yet sweet 8th graders. They are a handful at times but they have progressed so much this semester. It is so nice to see that I am actually making a difference. I teach twice a week and I am always looking for fun activities to share with them to make English learning more fun! So if anyone has anything to offer just comment!
I am truly loving this experience with these kids.

Until next time...
Choose to see the "good stuff."

One wonderful video to help us remember, "We are able to do all things through Christ, who strengthens us."

More on vacations and traveling tips in my next post.

Uniqueness of a Culture

The topic I have been wanting to write about is about the Russian babushka, or ба́бушка. The word meaning "grandmother". I believe that they are the support for all of Russia, young and old ( well younger than them.) I just admire their kindness whether it was from one exhibiting kindness towards me or to another on the street. They sweep up sidewalks that aren't theirs and feed stray dogs. They care for any and all. While I have two experiences with a babuska, one who lent me her umbrella and walked me to my destination and another that argued with my husband about whether we lived on on the 7th or 9th floor ( a wonderful story that should be shared by him)- both have been priceless moments that show the character of this country. I have just been meaning to share a little about what makes this country so unique. They care so much for their elderly, it just makes you want to go hug your grandma! ( So get up and call her already!) 

While this whole post was not all dedicated to the sweet grandmas of Russia I just wanted to shed some light on the experiences of the week. This city has so much to explore and so many little quirks. The hubs and I decided that Thursdays would be our "adventure" days since neither of us teach. So that is exactly what we did. We hopped on a bus and walked for about three hours in one direction. We just wanted to take in the beauty of this city and just find something new. 

But since we are a couple of foodies we really only found little food places that we can share. Russia has the most amazing food! Whether its on the street or in a nice restaurant- it is all good. Some may not agree but I believe that a food shows the back story of a countries culture. We have tried alot of Russian food and Jordanian food as well. My favorite has been a "Sharma", a Jordanian meal. While it was off the street it was delicious, even more so with a bottle of coke to "wash out the worms" as the hubs so eloquently puts it. But if it looks good eat it! 

So that is all for now. I try to refrain from long posts that have you stop reading at the 7th paragraph. More later on experiences in the classroom!



Fbody

The World At Large

Rainy day at Akatov-Alexeyevsky Monastery

 We are in Voronezh, Russia. 

The city is lovely and those that we met are even more so. We have been here a week and I feel like we have done so much already-too much to remember that is.
If you notice the map at the beginning of this post you see our city just below Moscow. We took an 8 hour bus ride from there and my group of 7 met their host families and it was "bon voyage" until the next day. I had only slept 4 hours in a 30 hour period so I was relieved to have a day to rest.
That same day the hubs did his best to keep me awake and we went out for lunch with our coordinators. They have been so wonderful so far and have done so much to ensure our semester starts off on the right foot.
So with a week under our belts our group is getting used to the idea of teaching English and are working so hard to prepare lesson plans and enforce the rules so their classes run smoothly.
When English class is an after school activity it is hard for many of the teenage students to really care. This might be the hardest thing about teaching for many of the teachers to get used to. All I can do as their mentor is to encourage them to plan interesting lessons with a lot of speaking-centered activities that catch their interest.  I know that the more they get to know their students they will recognize their needs and also their interests and this will help in planning as well.

Although teaching English has been the highlight of the first week we were already able to see some incredible pieces of culture and history. Above there are some pictures of our outing to a cathedral and a monastery ( this one being a the turqoise colored one).
They were so beautiful and so full of history; so much to take in all at once. A cultural tid-bit, when women go to visit a religious place they are required to wear a scarf over their heads in respect.

Voronezh has so much to offer through it's architecture and it's people. More soon, off to write my lesson plan! I start teaching 4th grade on Tuesday!

Poka!

How About We Stay Awhile?

We arrived in Moscow to the smell of cigarettes and Soviet smiles. Immigration was much less intimidating than China which was so nice. We pass through and our  coordinator met us and welcomed us warmly. To be honest, I had the impression that a rather larger and meaner looking woman would meet us. Oh Hollywood.

 She has been so kind to us so far, and so surprised to have two fluent Russian speakers in our group. I have a feeling she won't have to worry too much about showing us where the tualyet (bathroom) is. She just made me feel so at ease about the coming days. I look forward to working with her.

The feeling of living abroad hit me as we arrived in Munich. The air was much cooler than scorching Arizona. However, out of breath and sweaty we arrived at the gate since our Chicago flight was delayed... We barely made it to Munich. I feel I am ready for a marathon after that run.

Munich was so beautiful, even from the window, I just wanted to end our travels there and stay a while. It hit me though, while we were boarding our flight to Moscow that this was really happening. My first time in Russia wasn't a distant dream anymore.

So now we are here, on our way to Voronezh. My group of 7 teachers are all so great and excited to be here. 

I think I just might stay a while. 

Wish We Were Birds...

Because if we were, we wouldn't have to ride United. Not that I am being negative towards United, this is my first experience. I am just saying that flying just makes me anxious. Growing up a DELTA girl has made me spoiled with free flying which didn't let me experience other airlines. Now as an adult I am flying all the airlines my dad would say "no way" too and paying an arm and a leg to check my bags. But hey if this is what comes with flying as an adult then I am fine with it. With a ll airline politics aside I will just enjoy my ride to Munich with the anticipation of a great semester abroad.