For the last 6 days, several ATA board members and the winning essay students have been time in Moscow and Tula. Education Committee members Mary Emerson, Dawn Weinraub, Sonja Stark along with 18-year olds Haewon Hwang and Rose Schneider have toured several Orthodox Churches, museums, exhibits and attended an incredible dance performance.
The five were graciously invited to enjoy a home-cooked meal at the homes of several Russian hosts, many long-term friends of the Albany-Tula Alliance. The tasty cuisine has included borsch with dollops of sourcream, zkuski (appetizers), a variety of salads, blinis and caviar and meat on skewers – all Russian favorites.
Yesterday was spent at the Yasnaya Polynana where a Fullbright scholar gave us a private tour of the many rooms where writer/author Leo Tolstoy was born, worked, wrote his genius works and is buried.
Everyone is amazed at the warm hospitality and generous nature of the Tulans including the small gift-giving tradition that takes place before parting ways.
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