Topaz Blog   Thursday 20th  October

Arriving at Moscow station at 7.30am it was a pleasant surprise to find no stairs!! and a welcome notice saying Trefoil Guild.

We were whisked off to the Peking hotel, an upgrade from the first one in Moscow where we were sharing beds!

We were allowed to put our luggage in store while some people has a quick walk and others rest in the lounge.

Near lunch time and under the very uncertain, watchful eye of the luggage porter all 8 of us invaded the sanctuary of his luggage store to get clean uniform, then resources for the afternoon and evening sessions before he locked everything away again.  We were in and out at least 3 times each and he seemed a bit grumpy at first but by the last of us he was helping us out!!  probably to get rid of us.  We took turns to get changed in a little cupboard. 

Then it was off to find the location of our first session at Moscow State secondary School no. 825.  We had directions for the underground and a small map of the area which helped us a bit but we were really glad of the advice from some local ladies as we journey from station to school.  We eventually arrived , a little frazzled, to a really warm welcome from the school staff and Head who escorted us up 5 flights of stairs!!

We expected 40 pupils but there was soon 50, then 60, then 70!!!  We were very quick counting the resources to see how far we could spread them!!

After a welcome and information about the team and the scouting programme we went on to do group sessions with the pupils.  They were so keen to participate in every group and tray every possible challenge.  The Head Teacher was also keen to join in and try everything.

We ended the session with parachute games and there was a lot of excitement before we sand camp fires burning and some other songs.

The young people must have been planning for our visit because at this point they put on a display of music and dance for us finishing with Maxim performing beat bop.  He is known in the school as very talented.  

After the sessions we were finished and the pupils dispersed we headed back down the stairs to the History room where we found a lovely wood panelled room with household artefacts, woodworking tools, dolls from around the world, traditions dress, musical instruments and many other items on display, the teaches had a lovely spread for us of cakes, chocolates and tea.

They presented us with a lovely doll to take back to Judy and our friends in UK and sent us off out again to find our next destination the Meridian Community centre.

We did have some difficulties on our journey as the Metro station in our information was a different one from the person who was meeting us had.  After a while we managed to get in touch through Marina and we met up. The power of the mobile phone in these situations cannot be underestimated!!   We arrived eventually but not all of the scouts had arrived at this point so still had time to set up and catch our breath as our interpreter arrived. 

This sessions was aimed at adults and scout leaders.  The presentations about the core `Scouting programme went well and everyone became involved in the activities used to demonstrate working in teams, even our external interpreter who loved it and decided she would like to join up!!  The all had fun making friendship bracelets and we finished with singing before the invitation to tea and more cake and fish sticks!!  We were presented with green Scouting tea shirts.

The discussions round the table were quite intense and went on late into the evening before we called taxis to take us back to the hotel at almost midnight.

Friday 21st October

A later start today before a catch up meeting to review last evening and regroup resources for tonights session.  the team went off in a number of directions to “do” a little of Moscow before setting off again for another underground journey to meet the Scout group ORUR.  We found our way to the building only to discover our hosts were at the station looking for us!!

One inside we found a small complex of 4 rooms used for scouting activities, one of which was a museum of scouting.  The Scout interpreter Grigory arrived and gave us a really full history of ORUR Scouting in Russia from its beginning around 1910.  Some of the history during the wars and the revolution was very painful to hear.  I was reminded of the war time stories of GIS members from UK as he went through the very detailed life of this group of Scouts.  They had many artefacts and books written about the life of ORUR.

The session following this with a small but enthusiastic group went well and we were again invited to tea and cake the evening finished by sharing some music from each of our countries and an exchange of gifts before returning to our hotel very late once again.

Saturday 22nd October

A day to recover and look a bit more around Moscow.  We all went in different directions and shared our experiences as we gathered for a meal at the end of the day.  Sites visited included Nova De Vinci, Kremlin armoury, the famous Metro stations and many others as we took the hop on hop bus around the city. 

We met in the evening for a nonsense photograph session on the stairs of hotel wearing the green T shirts. before setting off to find food in an Italian cafe before returning to pack for our departure on Saturday.  Luggage has to go into the hotel store before 9am. 

Tomorrow we have our last overnight journey!!!