This morning we learned about Russian political history and the Russian people’s perception of Putin and his foreign policy. We then toured the Vladimir City Administration Building and had lunch in the canteen. Later we heard presentations from the first deputy mayor and the chair of the City Soviet.

A buffet lunch at the City Administration Building canteen.

Today was awesome. We focused on law in Russia and experienced insightful presentations by both a defense attorney and a prosecutor. Included in that discussion was a reflection on the new role of the jury in Russia. We visited a prison museum (a very sober moment for me), then met with officials at the Vladimir Juridical Institute, a "sophisticated" police academy.
.—Jill Acker, The Latin School of Chicago

Today began with a discussion of the Russian political situation with Percy Gurvitch, a highly respected professor of foreign languages at the Vladimir State Pedagogical University. He spent time in the Stalinist camps and was a personal witness to much of Russia's history, both before and after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Pat looks over a map with some of the children at the preschool. They know their geography — probably better than many American students!

Today the group visited the town of Vyazniki (population 40,000), which is normally about a 90-minute drive east of Vladimir, on the road to Nizhnii Novgorod. However, we were slowed down today first by a religious procession — as a cherished icon was being carried from Vladimir to Bogolubovo (Mark Johnson and Joe got up in time to see it leave the city). We were then further slowed down by extensive road work. We ended up taking back roads when returning to Vladimir later in the day!

In Vyazniki we visited School No. 2. The "teaching methods" faculty at the Vladimir State Pedagogical University has close ties with this school. There was an extensive, and very interesting, interchange between the Russian and American teachers.

The school was founded in 1807. In addition to its status as a highly-regarded experimental institution, School No. 2 is known for several famous Russians who attended it. These include cosmonaut Valeri Kubasov, one of the participants in the 1975 joint Russian-American Apollo-Soiuz space mission.

Mark Johnson with two young ladies who greeted us with the bread and salt. They made their own costumes. (The folk costume design students from School No. 2 won the grand prize in a recent international contest in Moscow).

Jason receives bread and salt, the traditional Russian folk welcome.

Tatyana Markelova, the director of School No. 2, thanks Jeff for bringing her a letter from one of her former teachers — who happens to be a friend of Jeff's host family.

Ron Pope, the trip director, presents basketballs to School No. 2 director Tatyana Markelova. The basketballs were provided by the ISU women's team and were carried to Vladimir in the group's luggage — which almost didn't make it!

A "grandfather" taking a rest from cutting grass for his goats.

Jill and her host, Yelena Klimova.

Jill taking notes at the Youth Palace. The young woman she is questioning has attended this palace since she was five years old. She spent a year in Oregon during high school, and did an excellent job of interpreting.

The group — along with the kids who performed for us, and the Palace staff.

Joe, Jason, Tom, Patrice, and Candy at the table that overflowed with homemade food and drink prepared by our hosts.