This is what I saved the first time I was writing, while the buses full of kids were idling at the gates. I actually can't remember what was there and again have almost no time here (have to go practice miming) so I'll just paste and peace:
Well, today's the last day of camp.
Desiree and I have ended up in the staff headquarters, and just now I can hear the buses finally pulling away. It was getting a bit too painful.. the last 45 minutes we spent walking up and down the line of buses, helping small children lift their bags into the hold, saying Goodbyes in English, Russian, and Japanese, taking pictures, giving hugs, handing out our e-mail addresses, talking a bit where we could... Heck, I even signed some boy's arm (God help me, I will never be able to remember everyone's name).
I never like saying goodbye, but it's ten times harder when you know almost beyond a doubt that you're never going to see the person again. And even e-mail--what a fragile thread connecting two people across continents, oceans, cultures. I'll certainly never forget their faces or my memories, but I wish I could keep them constant in my life.
I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to write. I feel very full, but also strangely empty. My emotions have reached a stalemate with one another--happy to have met, sad to be leaving.
What did I write on my memory square in grade school? "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened." I'm going to try to do that. And instead of listening to my warbling ramblings, I'll tell you what we did last night.
In full, we prepared all day for our evening performance. I can't tell you how many times I sang "Old McDonald" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Around 5:30 everyone gathered in the hall and we gave out awards to the groups who had the best performances, the best dance, and so on. Some groups performed new skits--our group, Pervui Otryad, Dobrii Zhyk, reenacted our poxod on stage while Tolya played his guitar--right down to Natasha holding her wet jeans over the fire (she had fallen in the shallow water climbing out of a canoe). "The Beatles"--that is, Gleb, Pasha, and two other boys from the Tretii Otryad--performed "Yesterday" in both English and Russian. They dedicated it to their counselors and us, who were "very kind and... and... pretty!" That's a pretty darn sad song to begin with, and after that, Desi and I almost started crying. After the Beatles, Sveta announced that it was a big holiday in America, and the entire hall congratulated us, and we launched into "Old McDomald." We had ducks, pigs, goats, cats, and a breakdancing farmer. Next, "My Country 'Tis of Thee" with Vika, Alyona, and Anton, and then the American national anthem. They brought a big American flag on stage, and then when we sang "Rossiya--Maya Zvezda" and the national anthem it was joined by a Russian flag. Our "Lanterns of Friendship" song made another appearance and we all peaced to get ready for the campfire.
Out at the big meeting spot by the shooting range, we all sat together and sang a few songs, then eagerly awaited the arrival of Robin Hood. Misha was in his element--I swear, he's never slouched in his life and is made for the "I'm gazing out over you from a platitude of legendary righteousness" role. The kids had assembled a puzzle of a castle, and presented him with the gift of a new "home." Misha declined, saying his home was in the woods, but he would visit his friends often--and then! Trumpet fanfare, and Richard the Lionheart had returned, bringing with him his friends from war. In celebration, Misha took a flaming arrow and lit our giant bonfire. More singing, dancing, etc.
Then came my favorite part of the night--everyone was given a string necklace, and at the bottom of it was tied a bundle of yarn, loosely so you could pull out little threads of it. Each group had a different color. When it was time, you went around and found people who were special and important to you, and tied a little piece of your yarn on their necklace. While doing so, of course (in true Russian fashion), you wished them good things and told them what you thought of them. Luck, happiness, friendship, and health were the most common; I thought it was funny to get wishes for "feminine happiness--like mama, babies!" and really liked the "I wish... that I will see you again"s. By the end, everyone had a multi-colored necklace and high self-esteem,
.....and it was a really wonderful beautiful tradition. Maybe more on that later. Bye!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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5 comments:
How special to make soo many new friends and to be able to capture these feelings and thoughts on the computer. It will be like photos that can ignite your memory again and again. The way everything is going so International you will be surprised how many of them you "WILL" see again. Savor the moments. Love ya GRMA
By the way one of my favorite tea sandwiches is Cream cheese and cucumber on pumpernickle bread.Yummy Love GRMA
I was tearing up just reading about your goodbyes, I can relate to how tough it must have been for you. You'll always have fond memories and your pictures to remember the special friendships you made with the kids. You never know, you could see some of them again. Love, Mom
AAAAAAHHH JACKIE I MISS YOU! things have been crazy and i haven't had enough time to read through your whole blog, but when do you come back?? aaand what's going on for your b-day? anything? i had a friend ask me to go camping the 24th - the 27th, but the 27th is your b-day.. so i don't know what to tell them - because i want to celebrate with you! i love and miss yoU!! :O)
- soup can
Awww your mom and grandma are sweet ( I so agree about the sandwiches GRMA) That necklace ceremony was so sweet. You'll have to like put it in a frame or shadow-box or something so it will always be around to remind you of those people.
Yesterday = heartbreakingly sad song.
Lots of Love,
~*Ery*~
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