From the far north back to Syktyvkar! The capital of the Komi Republic, home as well to the Komi Ped Institute, a partner with the University of Maine at Farmington, has been doing well in the past five years, even if it isn’t exactly a boom town. Life isn’t easy – while we were there Natasha’s parents didn’t have any hot water (though a heat wave the first week made that no problem – I got to enjoy refreshing cold water showers every morning!), wages are low for most, and there aren’t a lot of jobs. Still, the streets have been improved, new stores are opening, and there some economic vitality coming around, driven especially by the Komi Republic’s vast array of natural resources, ranging from gas to large forests, mostly untouched.
Although poverty is rampant, the people of Syktyvkar love to go out and walk around and have fun with friends. That is an aspect of Russian city life that I really enjoy, and which too often is lacking in the U.S. The first picture is taken near midnight (though it’s still light outside), and is of a city park where people were chatting, meeting friends, drinking beer, etc. Couples were making out, kids were playing games. A really lively and fun city. Russians may not have all the material conveniences we have, but they compensate by having a very developed social life, where friendship and comradery is valued above all else. The second photo is us celebrating with friends at a downtown outdoor café. Beer is becoming a much more popular drink among young people, especially women who find vodka too strong and "macho." The bar also served Schashlik. Not pictured is another place we went – a similar temporary tent bar (set up in summer to take advantage of the warmth and white nights) which had a very popular karoke machine. Russians know how to have fun!