My travel to Russia
by Derek Haas
Editor’s Note: Derek Haas is 8 years old and will be in third grade in St.
Aloysius School in Sauk City. He travelled to Russia with his parents, David
and Viktoria on June 4-16 and saw, for the first time, his mother’s roots and
the rich history of her original country. Derek wrote a daily journal about his
travel, the content of which is encapsulated in these photos and selected
notes from his journal below:
... Today, we went on the metro, a really fast and very crowded subway. We
went to St. Basil’s Cathedral on the Red Square; it has a big icon of Mary.
The Red Square is like the center of the city. ... I saw the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldiers. We went to a war museum which was all about Russia in
World War II and how the Germans encircled the city of St. Petersburg.
... Today we went to the cemetery to visit my mom’s sister’s grave. We went
with my cousin Rita.
... Today we boarded a ship, called Ilya Repin, on the Volga River. and
went to a concert on the top floor. There are French people, South Africans,
Italians, Russians, Spanish people on the ship.
...We are heading to the City of Uglich, which is more than 1,000 years old.
I love Russian food!
... At Uglich we went to a little chapel (heard a legend), bought some
souvenirs... I got myself a military cap. We bought some flowers from an old
lady who was poor. We gave her some clothes.
... We went to some churches and then to a very big market.
... Today, we went to the city of Goritsa. We toured a famous monastery;
went to market; and then played Russian bingo.
...After breakfast, we watched a movie about the canals built by political
prisoners. A lot of people died of starvation and Stalin was the dictator.
Later, we went to the island of Kishi to see very old wooden churches and
other really old buildings.
... Today, we went to the park in Mondrogi. We had shalick for lunch. Then
we went to the Vodka Museum, bought some souvenirs, and then I played
with my new friends from Russia.. Tonight, we will dress nicely for the
Captain’s Dinner, and I will perform in the talent show.
.... Today, we arrived in St. Petersburg, toured the city and went shopping.
Then we went to a palace. When we were at the Metro, a cop told us to be
careful because there are people who take stuff from others.
... Today, we went to Petergoff which is outside St. Petersburg, and we saw
a palace.
... Today, we went to a cemetery where people (who died) from World War II
were buried.
... Today, we are are going back home to the U.S.A, but there was a
problem ... my visa was expired. Then I got a new one so I got to go on the
plane.
Editor’s Note: Derek Haas is 8 years old and will be in third grade in St.
Aloysius School in Sauk City. He travelled to Russia with his parents, David
and Viktoria on June 4-16 and saw, for the first time, his mother’s roots and
the rich history of her original country. Derek wrote a daily journal about his
travel, the content of which is encapsulated in these photos and selected
notes from his journal below:
... Today, we went on the metro, a really fast and very crowded subway. We
went to St. Basil’s Cathedral on the Red Square; it has a big icon of Mary.
The Red Square is like the center of the city. ... I saw the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldiers. We went to a war museum which was all about Russia in
World War II and how the Germans encircled the city of St. Petersburg.
... Today we went to the cemetery to visit my mom’s sister’s grave. We went
with my cousin Rita.
... Today we boarded a ship, called Ilya Repin, on the Volga River. and
went to a concert on the top floor. There are French people, South Africans,
Italians, Russians, Spanish people on the ship.
...We are heading to the City of Uglich, which is more than 1,000 years old.
I love Russian food!
... At Uglich we went to a little chapel (heard a legend), bought some
souvenirs... I got myself a military cap. We bought some flowers from an old
lady who was poor. We gave her some clothes.
... We went to some churches and then to a very big market.
... Today, we went to the city of Goritsa. We toured a famous monastery;
went to market; and then played Russian bingo.
...After breakfast, we watched a movie about the canals built by political
prisoners. A lot of people died of starvation and Stalin was the dictator.
Later, we went to the island of Kishi to see very old wooden churches and
other really old buildings.
... Today, we went to the park in Mondrogi. We had shalick for lunch. Then
we went to the Vodka Museum, bought some souvenirs, and then I played
with my new friends from Russia.. Tonight, we will dress nicely for the
Captain’s Dinner, and I will perform in the talent show.
.... Today, we arrived in St. Petersburg, toured the city and went shopping.
Then we went to a palace. When we were at the Metro, a cop told us to be
careful because there are people who take stuff from others.
... Today, we went to Petergoff which is outside St. Petersburg, and we saw
a palace.
... Today, we went to a cemetery where people (who died) from World War II
were buried.
... Today, we are are going back home to the U.S.A, but there was a
problem ... my visa was expired. Then I got a new one so I got to go on the
plane.
| (Counterclockwise from top left) Old church in the Volga River City of Uglich; Wooden cathedral on Volga River town of Kizhi; Museum on Red Square, Moscow; Historic monastery on the Volga River town of Goritsy; Church in Kremlin, Moscow; View of St. Petersburg from Neva River; Derek Haas met his cousin Rita for the first time in Moscow; Derek and new Russian friend in park in Village of Mondrogi; Derek busy writing his journal. |