We're not dead! Just very busy! Everyone back home who is coming, seriously get ready. Keep yourself in shape over the summer, you will do a lot of physical things. (Natasha's movement class is worse than Deborah describes it to you) Also, it's tough to go full speed 6 days a week, and it's nothing that we are used to back in the States. I know for my schedule that I even have Fridays "off" too, so it's just something that's tough to get used to. It's been half a semester, but my body is telling me it's been a lot longer. When you come, bring a copy of Chekov's work, and read as much Tolstoy, Gogol, and Pushkin as you can. Read plenty of Pushkin if you can only pick one, he is HUGE here. People will quote him all the time. I need to go to bed though, good luck back in America!

-Eric

We saw our first play at the Moscow Art Theatre the other day, and for those students who are following this blog, was it very interesting to see, especially since I can't speak any Russian. The Art Theatre puts a lot of importance on etudes, which for those of you who don't know, are basically stories told without words, just in movement. So the play, which was based on a short story written by Gogol, was very movement orientated, and even only knowing "dog" and "cat", I was more moved by this play than most I see in the States. The actors didn't rely on the words as much as the movements, which were much more specific than anything I've seen in the states. We have seen some truly remarkable things, so here's another picture.

-Eric

We are here!

So hello to everyone back home in the States, the journey has begun! We just started classes today, saw a lovely play yesterday based on a short story by Gogol, and went to the cemetery where Stanislavksy, Chekov, and Damrovich are buried. (Amongst many other of the Russian elites) TO EVERYONE GOING: LEARN RUSSIAN! It's been very hard to live normal life without speaking the language! I will give you a picture just to get your taste buds wet. Feel free to leave comments on this blog, especially if they are specific questions or concerns you have for those of us who are over here, and I will do my best to respond in ample time. Cheers!

-Eric

Here is the poster and postcard image that we are sending to audiences in Rockford.
The performance will take place at the New American Theatre in Rockford opening July 15th. Don't miss it!

Hello everyone!

To start and get through the icky stuff, Jason and I are in Ireland, safe and somewhat removed from the happenings in London. I've received an email from Josh and Richie, but for everyone's peace of mind, follow up on Eileen's request? Much appreciated-

Ireland has quickly ascended to my second favorite place on the planet, and possibly even contends with Alaska for spot number one. We're taking LOTS of pictures (of course) and drinking just as much. Jason and I both put away 6 pints of Guiness a piece last night--when in Rome, right? We are in Killarney now, on the SW side of the island and tomorrow do the Ring of Kerry Tour around the Kerry penninsula. Then we head to Cork, visit Blarney Castle, time permitting, and venture to London Saturday morning.

So, the final route: Chicago-London-Moscow-Milan (this is a fun story)-Paris-Dublin-Killarney-Cork-Homeward Bound. Yeah for a vacation finally!

B

Bonjour! Jason and I are in Paris, having a fabulous time! I would give a bigger update, but French keyboards are screwy and I have to pay for the time it takes me to find the right key. Wednesday we head for Ireland, then London and home on Sat for Jason, Sunday for me.

FYI to Alex, Fran, and Eileen; we lost our bags (actually we know where they are and why we dont have them, which we can explain later). To make our lives and travels easier, we had the bags sent to the office; you should be receiving an external frame pack, an internal frame pack, and a hanging bag sometime this week.

Hope everyone is having safe travel and zell see you soon!

B

Not a lot to report, but seeing as how I'm the only that seems to be posting here, here's another blurb from Moscow.

Josh has been for his second root canal appointment. Things are good for him and he looks like he's feeling a lot better. I'm just coming down from a fantastic overnight stomach bug. If you're ever in a foreign country, I highly recomend the random stomach virus and I'm sure that Josh would recomend the same for tooth problems.

Prof. Markle has just arrived and he's in the process of beating the jet-lag; this is just in time to wave fairwell to Prof. Baumgartner, who leaves tomorrow morning around 9 AM.

Classes are rockin, everyone's splits are coming along nicely (although we're still looking for Jessica's unidentified butt muscle), our script analysis skills are stronger than ever, but I feel that a lot of us are almost ready to come home. I certainly have taken for granted living in a country where you can speak with everyone--but my charade abilities are amazing! Don't get me wrong, the trip has been awesome and the things we have seen/done/partaken in have been amazing. But after four weeks of being away and two more to go...

BTW ("by the way" for non-internet-speaking readers), we may have found a way to start posting at least some pictures! Don't get your hopes up, but a couple of computers have surfaced and now the opportunities have begun to present themselves.

That's all for now. Email your loved ones that are on this trip and ask them to update to let you know what they've been up to, and at the same time let everyone else know what they're doing and their personal take on it.