In Novosibirsk to meet Olga

The Opera and Ballet Theatre is the largest in Russia. It is the home of the Novosibirsk Ballet Company and School.


Each day our comfort zone expands. Today we traveled into Novosibirsk in a 13-passenger jitney. This 45-minute trip was 25 rubles ($1 USD.) We got off at what looked like Ploshchad Lenina. It was and when you see it you will wonder why we were even in doubt! The Opera & Ballet Theatre is the backdrop for a huge statue of Lenin. This Novosibirsk guide has maps and other information about the city. Today, the weather is warm and sunny, perfect for exploring territory new to us.


We had lunch at an Italian restaurant on Krasny Prospekt before we went back to Lenin’s plaza to meet the mother of an exchange student who was at Blake five years ago.














Olga teaches English to 9th and 11th graders. We are going to her classes next Wednesday to speak English with the students. She explained which Metro station we should find and will meet us there next week to take us to her school. We had a brief visit and look forward to seeing her again.





Upon our departure she directed us to O’Hara’s. We found our way there and Bob bought a warm parka in anticipation of the weather that may be ahead.


Back in Akademgorodok, we bought some groceries and stopped for ice cream and lattes. Bob's students recognize us as we stroll around and are so friendly and sweet. Today a waitress from Traveler's Coffee shop stopped to say hello to us in the grocery. The students are so outgoing and friendly.