Krasnoyarsk vol. 1 has finished.

9 months as an EVS volunteer in Krasnoyarsk has finished. So much adventures, interesting work and funny stories. I am having mixed emotions when I look back. At the same time I feel warmth and gratitude when thinking about Interra and my colleagues. Even when sometimes I was ridiculous, moody – I have a lot of respect for you guys.  All those projects, Russian lessons( Irina!!), forums and events that I could participate and help with,  left me with warmest memories. I will miss my English students and our funny arguments, miss Pilot and Furgon. When I look back, I can highlight some keywords.

Celebrating Krasnoyarsk´ birthday with different nationalities

On 12th of June the whole city was filled with events and parades. I was lucky to witness celebrations in Tatashev island, where different nations celebrated together. The event was called „ Communities of Yenisei“. The host nation was Chuvash Republic, a nation in the center of Russia, near Volga river.

One day of an Interra’s EVS volonteer

“What are you doing in Krasnoyarsk?” I have often been asked this question. It is a good question. What does an EVS volunteer do in Interra? Some answers with words and pictures.

« Et qu’est-ce que tu fais, à Krasnoïarsk ? » On m’a souvent posé cette question. C’est vrai, ça. Que fait un volontaire en service volontaire européen à Interra ? Quelques éléments de réponse en mots et en images.

“Чем ты занимаешься в Красноярске?” Мне очень много раз задавали этот вопрос. Это – хороший вопрос. Чем занимается ЕВС-волонтер в Интерре? Вот я отвечу, словами и фотографиями.

Amyil likes the bear bones and oh we also have someone who hunts them..

Unexpected home visits in Siberia are the best. There is something in the trust and hospitality of the Russian people that is not comparable to other nations. So was the story of last weekend, when I randomly become a cossack. My zemlak,  Estonian business man Artur, who has been a big helper in Estonian community in Krasnoyarsk took me to his sister´s teremok. While we drove there, in the radio russian cheesy pop songs were playing  – and we did not mind.

Redefining “Siberia”: A Weekend in Novosibirsk

This time last year I was working at a summer school in Germany with several international colleagues and students from the USA and different European countries. I remember that as we were getting to know each other at the beginning of the summer, we started throwing a plastic globe around the room and pointing out our homes, universities, dream travel destinations. One friend from America pointed at Russia, made a sweeping gesture across the huge space on the globe and said:

“Did you know, that to the east of Moscow there’s just… nothing?”

Tango in Siberia

When Argentine sun and Siberian snow meet, the result is great. This spring – yes, yes, we sank in six centimetres of snow when we ventured a bit in nature, but still, it was spring, Natalia taught the tango far from his country of origin, in a village lost in the depths of South Siberia. It is here, in Petropavlovka, that the organization Grüner Grashalm eV. stays and where adventurers from different countries get to know each other, make friends and share moments with the people of the village. In April 2017, the tango was in the spotlight.

We all need box of soul..

Every volunteer needs his/her box of soul. Being away, coping with culture stress, distances, harsh Siberian winter – all this leads to moments, where one feels lost, down and out.

How To Survive with EVS money in Russia?

 

It is a fact that you will not be rich with EVS money. However – when it comes to Russia, you can quite easily survive with that money.  Prices are cheap and there is a lot of entertainment you can get for free. After 8 months here, I want to share my financial strategy: how to take most of your Russian experience.

When I was a tourist in Krasnoyarsk

During my nine months in Krasnoyarsk, I have had plenty of time to visit the museums.

Pro Opera – my most interesting month in Krasnoyarsk.

Last month we organized  Pro Opera. What an intense 2-week period. Too much worrying for me. Many instances tested my nerves. Too much red wine and cigarettes. Too much arguing in his toilet; maybe too much kisses, while she storms out of the apartment and the bang of the door echoes in the empty corridor. Somewhere is Carmen, somewhere is King Igor, somewhere is Iolante, who are you?