While I love being able to blog and share my memories with friends and family through this virtual medium, I find that, at times, life moves at such a quick pace that I am unable to get everything I want to share up here in a timely manner. Today is one such time. At the end of September 2013 I had the honor of being invited to Russia for the second time to teach paper crafting workshops. I shared about my time in Moscow on this post here. However, there was a second part to my trip, a second, LOVELY part to my trip that I haven't shared with you yet. So, today I'd like to take some time to post a little round up from the second portion of my Russian trip from last year.
Immediately after teaching my last class in Moscow, I hopped on a plane and took a 2.5 hour flight to Yekaterinburg where I would be teaching 2 more workshops before heading back home to Canada. I landed at about 1:30 in the morning, yet my hostess Lida and her husband Sergey were there to greet me with hugs and smiles. We drove to their home right away where I would stay in their daughter's room as she was on a student exchange in China. The next morning the first of my workshops began and I was so pleased to hear from Lida that the 2 classes we would be offering at her shop had sold out! What a blessing. I taught my "Start to Finish" mini album class which combines scrapbooking and bookbinding techniques. Here are a few pictures from the day:
1.) My hostess Lida and I, 2.) One of my workshop groups, 3.) All of the students were SO nice. This sweet girl brought me a traditional Russian handiwork gift that her mother made for me, 4.) My sweet translator Helen, 5.) Lida, her husband Sergey and I, 6.) Nastya sewing the binding for each of the students, 7.) The second workshop group
I continue to be amazed by the generous, kind, lovely people who I have the pleasure of meeting during my workshops. I could not have completed the day in Yekaterinburg without the kindness and help of Helen Phillips. She was my translator for the day and was such a pleasure to work with. THANK YOU Helen. You helped make my day so much easier.
After a long day of workshops, I returned home with Lida and her husband for a quick dinner and then went immediately to bed. The next day I was leaving Yekaterinburg in the afternoon to head back to Moscow for one last night before my flight home the following morning. But, before they took me to the airport, Lida and Sergey had a fun morning planned for me. It started with Lida teaching me how to make one of my favorite Russian foods, Blini (basically the Russian version of a pancake). With her help I managed to make a few and we ate the fruits of our labor for breakfast. Next, they took me on a walking tour of their city. Yekaterinburg is the fourth largest city in Russia, and there was a really nice pedestrian walkway in a portion of the city which we explored before capping off our day with an amazing dinner at a FABULOUS traditional restaurant.
To say that I had a wonderful time in Yekaterinburg would be an understatement. Lida and Sergey, and her support team went out of their way to make me feel welcomed and to show me their local culture. I am so thankful and grateful for their kindness.
Hugs and Love to all my Russian friends. I hope to meet you all again some time!
