UFA

Welcome to Ufa!  I was feeling somewhat tentative upon arrival but my apprehension has subsided. My first day of Fulbright work included the touring of of one premier Simulation Laboratories here in Russia.  Ufa is known to have one of the finest and upon viewing the facility, I have to agree.  They are very innovative and passionate about the technology and it's benefit to medical/healthcare clinical practice.  While many of our Simulation facilities in the US are expansive and financially extravagant, I believe outcomes from each would be worth evaluating. After the tour, John & I were introduced to the Republic of Bashkorastan through the Archeological Museum.  OMG! It was unbelievable.  First off, we were welcomed by one of the researchers whom had more passion about his job than anyone that I have met in a very long time.  He was just oozing with information and such enthusiasm about their excavations and work in the region over many, many years.   You felt like you wanted to hug him when you left and he was a scientist for goodness sake!  There was a giant (and real!) mammoth that you could actually touch in the first room, followed by various weapons, cookery, jewelry, etc. etc. that had discovered in the region.  We saw snow skis carved from wood that were backed with elk fur (the nap of the fur prevented you from sliding backward), beautiful Tartar & Bashkir traditional clothing, and an actual nomadic round furnished home made from wool that can still be found in the areas of Asia well below Ufa.
Next was a Ukrainian meal (mmmmm good) of more dumplings (identifiable stuffing including cherries) and cooked fat (think uncooked pork rind) and the traditional borsch.
Now home to prepare for a presentation to be given tomorrow on "Professional Nursing in the USA" for a school of nursing and hospital nursing staff. We call this a "slam dunk".
(MUST STOP NOW...JUST GOT CRYPTIC MESSAGE FROM INTERNET CARRIER AND I THINK IT SAYS...PAY NOW!...WE PAY AS WE GO AND WITH 2 MONTHS OF RUSSIAN LESSONS (SORRY TRAY!) STILL CAN'T QUITE WORK THINGS OUT, IF THEY DON'T CUT ME OFF TONIGHT, I WILL CONTINUE!)        

Arrival Russia

Throughout the thirty minute descent into Ufa all I can see is farmland for miles and miles.  Not a city or a town anywhere. We enter the small airport for a city of 1 million people, reminding me of the Paducah, Ky airport where my father traveled frequently to/from in the 1960s and 70s.  We were on time and met by representatives from the university.  Within minutes, our bags were packed into the back of a van and we were informed that we were heading several hours west to another city to participate with a lecture to be given by a physical therapy professor from a university in the USA. I had agreed to "hit the ground running" but we were feeling pretty fuzzy as it was 4:00am for us without sleeping on the plane. 
As the 6 of us took off in the loaded-down van with the wind blowing in our hair, dodging semi-trucks by the hundreds (maybe thousands!) my excitement was waning and panic was creeping in (yes, Al we DID have a dash cam & radar).  Heading west we passed primarily sun flowers in the fields. After several hours, a "tactical stop" was requested and we pulled off the road into a muddy field,  "Women to the right, men to the left" ...I held it.
Once we made it to the next city we stopped at a quaint restaurant, meeting a representative from the  area.  We were escorted into a back room and were treated to a traditional meal of the region.  The meal started with a salad, salmon (oh yeah, bring it on) followed by beef tongue, and cured horse meat. Next to come was soup, bread, and a meat (not sure which) filled dumpling. A lovely gesture and a large amount and variety of food. I did not over indulge.
Next was the conference being held at a local hospital for approximately 200-250 medical professionals.  Interest was high and then application of techniques was demonstrated in the ICU which was very interesting to observe.
It is now after 6:00pm and we are taken to a lovely lodge for dinner and spent the night.  The meal was one of the most opulent I have ever experienced.  Yes, Trigger was on the table again joined by various other local delicacies.  We spent the evening discussing opportunities for collaborative healthcare projects and comparisons of our healthcare systems. A wonderful time.  
The morning ride back to Ufa was uneventful but with heavier semi-truck traffic, animals and accidents on the road.   The site of Ufa was a pleasant one as we pulled into the city.  Now for a place to live for the next 2 and 3/4 months...

(+forgive me for not posting pictures, my computer is not cooperating and John's only speaks Russian...hopefully soon!)

Prague

Prague was a stopping point for us on the way to Russia.  We have spent a few days here visiting Martin (an exchange student that lived with John in St. Louis more than 20 years ago) and his family.
We've just had a marvelous time seeing the sights of this lovely old city, and eating the good food.  We made a few castle tours, a boat trip on the river and a traditional Czech dinner with Martin's parents.
The summer tourist season was winding down which made our time here so much more enjoyable.  We stayed at a lovely little hotel at the base of the Charles Bridge that was one of the oldest in the city,  Our 3rd floor room overlooking the sights seemed like such a nice surprise until we discovered  there was no lift and the stairs were small and circular.  The big bags were schlepped up and down with people shaking their heads at the amount of luggage we had (people we are gonna be gone for 3 months, it's only two (but big) bags!
It's now midnight and we are about to board the flight to Ufa.  The flight is 4 hours and we loose 4 hours with arrival at 8:00am.  The Prague airport is almost empty with people mainly flying to destinations in the Middle East at this hour.  There are many women in full burqas doing major damage in the duty free shops. I passed many cheese and sausage shops on the way to the gate wishing they could come along with me but decided not to take a chance in donating  them to Russian customs. Russia we're getting close!

Leaving today-Russia here we come

Almost ready to go. We are now checking and rechecking our lists. It has been difficult to decide what we will REALLY need for this trip.  John has his 2 bags closed and at the front door, mine are still bulging and open filling the guest room.
We're driving to Orlando to catch our first flight to Frankfort.  After several hours in Frankfort, we will make Prague by the next evening where we will stay for 2 days prior to flying on to Ufa.

Bon Voyage all, will likely not hear from me again until we make Mother Russia!

Traveling again soon! Russia.

I am preparing for my next trip as a US Fulbright Scholar, lecturing at Bashkir State Medical University in Ufa, Russia.  The views I am expressing in this blog are strictly my own.  This is not an official Department of State website and does not represent the Fulbright Program or the Department of State.
We depart on September 2, 2013 and I hope you will join us! 

Home

Arrived home to Florida safely after a week of driving throughout California.  It was fun catching up with friends & family of Mr. Jhon there.

Back at home, my head is spinning with ideas for the new multicultural nursing course I will be teaching later this Fall.  My experience in Bali was so exciting, interesting, and thought provoking.  I hope to publish something about the concepts incorporated into mental health care there, including relationships to the banjar, family, spirituality, traditional healing, etc.

As I now work from the office in my comfortable home, typing on my laptop (at last!) enjoying "air con & hot water", I find myself missing the incense, people, vibe, beauty,smiles, and people  of Bali...

I will close my blog for now...but hopefully, the traveling nightingale will return soon with another adventure we can take together!!!

Om Swastyastu
(Peace be with you/us)

Heading home to the USA

The weather cleared quickly in Hong Kong. The winds were so strong that the next day the skies over the city were more beautiful than usual. No smog, fog, or mist. We toured Hong Kong island, Kowloon, Victoria Peak,etc. A ride on a sampan down on the harbor was especially fun. Lots of shopping opportunities here, but the suitcase is already bulging. I will be bringing home mostly memories from this trip. Last night was a huge celebration for the city. The 15 year anniversary for the new Hong Kong. A spectacular fireworks display. We first took the subway down to the celebration site, but decided it was tooooo crowded (yet, the most polite crowd you can imagine) and came back to the hotel to watch from the 42nd floor. An awesome site! Packing & repacking this morning. Off to the airport soon for the flight back to the USA. Only 13.5 flight hours and we will again be on home soil. I hope each of you have enjoyed reading the traveling nightingale blog. It has been fun sharing my traveling experience with you! Om santi santi santi om