It's been an action packed few days in Ufa. Yesterday was the first ever "Breast Cancer Awareness Ride" for the city and it appears to have been a great success. The 5 k bike ride included at least 350-400 people riding bikes through the city in support of this important cause. The event started at the Oncology Hospital and finished in the park at the center of the city. The weather was beautiful, the mood was upbeat, the the crowd was enthusiastic!
John and I joined a team from the Bashkir State Medical University and though the gracious support of the dean, we were provided bicycles for the event. We made the ride without a hitch and enjoyed new sites of the city that we had not previously seen. People on the sidewalks cheered in support as well as cars honking along the route. It was well orchestrated and supported by the local police.
Once we finished, there was a grandstand and various speakers thanked the community, sponsors, etc. for their support. I was then asked to say a few words as a visiting scholar and participant. Hesitant, I walked on stage and spoke of the importance of breast cancer awareness, the global impact, and the importance of self screening & routine mammograms for women. I also thanked the city for organizing the event and the warm welcome. Next was a demonstration from a Russian cyclist that could do the most phenomenal tricks on a bicycle that I have ever seen. He had all of us on edge with his skill and preciseness.
Today, I attended a follow up meeting today with several administrators from the school of medicine to explore options for teaching and to prepare a schedule for course load, topics, and objectives. I should have my schedule for teaching on Friday and will begin on Monday.
John's goal for the day was to locate and purchase a TV antenna. The TV in the apartment was reported to be broken but John has discovered it works. He borrowed an antenna and had success with a few channels on the TV, so he purchased a new antenna.
When I left for the university, he was watching a Russian soap opera, reciting the words in Russian...
Upon return, still in front of the TV he was excited and showed me a picture from the TV. OMG!?! It's me speaking about the event.
It is such a nice evening, we decide to take a walk through the city center and stop off at our favorite park for a coffee/drink. While there...a woman walks by and points to me and starts speaking to us in Russian. She points to me and to the TV...almost famous.
John and I joined a team from the Bashkir State Medical University and though the gracious support of the dean, we were provided bicycles for the event. We made the ride without a hitch and enjoyed new sites of the city that we had not previously seen. People on the sidewalks cheered in support as well as cars honking along the route. It was well orchestrated and supported by the local police.
Once we finished, there was a grandstand and various speakers thanked the community, sponsors, etc. for their support. I was then asked to say a few words as a visiting scholar and participant. Hesitant, I walked on stage and spoke of the importance of breast cancer awareness, the global impact, and the importance of self screening & routine mammograms for women. I also thanked the city for organizing the event and the warm welcome. Next was a demonstration from a Russian cyclist that could do the most phenomenal tricks on a bicycle that I have ever seen. He had all of us on edge with his skill and preciseness.
Today, I attended a follow up meeting today with several administrators from the school of medicine to explore options for teaching and to prepare a schedule for course load, topics, and objectives. I should have my schedule for teaching on Friday and will begin on Monday.
John's goal for the day was to locate and purchase a TV antenna. The TV in the apartment was reported to be broken but John has discovered it works. He borrowed an antenna and had success with a few channels on the TV, so he purchased a new antenna.
When I left for the university, he was watching a Russian soap opera, reciting the words in Russian...
Upon return, still in front of the TV he was excited and showed me a picture from the TV. OMG!?! It's me speaking about the event.
We can say we knew you "when"--famous on Russian TV, accomplished biker, great public speaker, and soon to be teaching the Russians a thing or two.
ReplyDeleteWe are all awaiting more celebrity sightings in Ufa. We all knew you would be a huge hit.
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