Kazan — summer 2014

I always take gifts when I go to Russia. First off, I like to take gifts for the teachers who have previously worked for us and are working with us again. Then there are some other random gifts. So what am I taking this year?

First off, I'm stopping in Bulgaria on the way, so I think for many of the women I will get Bulgarian rose oil. Bulgaria doesn't have much in the way of interesting souvenirs, but the rose oil is a standard, and they package it in amusing wooden bottles.

Next, there is a couple I know that are Harry Potter fanatics, so for them I'm bringing Dumbledore's wand. I had seen the wand previously in Skymall magazine, but they wanted $35 for it, which seemed excessive. I found it on meritline.com for $15. That much I can afford.

For our Kazan director I'm bringing a couple of kids books. Her second child is due, and she likes books in multiple languages. This time I'm bringing a soft book, plus a local AZ book “Lizards for Lunch.”

Last summer paraglider instructor Radik hosted me at his dacha, so for him I'm bringing a book on plane-spotting.

Last summer the son of one of our host families sat for a considerable time in the hospital with an ailing student of ours. I was very grateful for his kindess, so I'm bringing him a Skagen watch. I *love* Skagen.

The Osipov family has been quite kind to me, so I'm bringing them some gifts. Father Oleg gets an electronic guitar tuner. Mother Flyura, the heart of family hospitality, gets a lovely peach white tea recommended by a student of mine this year, along with some candy cuz she has a sweet tooth. Sons Sasha and Danila get t-shirts because I couldn't think of anything better, and daughter Dasha gets rose oil.

For my old Bulgarian teacher in Plovdiv I think I will take a Whitman Sampler.