Daily Report: October 15

Another Busy Day!

We started early by picking up Metro Systems Analyst Runar Gareyev (past Russian friend from the 2005 delegation), who chatted with our delegates as we drove to a state of the art land fill and recycling facility in Hillsboro.

The Russians met first with the staff, then were given safety alert vests and walked to the viewing area for the massive recycling barn where construction waste was shoveled by giant machines onto a conveyor belt where it was sorted by about 10 men working fast. The Russians were given the vests to take home, but decided they must have all of the staff sign the vests before we left!

Metro

Next we returned to Metro where we were served a wonderful lunch in the sixth floor domed conference room with 180 degree views of Portland. David Bragdon explained the role of Metro in the Portland area, adapting his presentation to the questions of the delegates.

The delegates have observed that many services are dependent on federal dollars, so the discussion included funding sources for all levels of government. As usual with this group, the questions and discussion were excellent.

Portland State

We then took the MAX to Portland State University where Sandra Freels, head of the Language Department and Russian Flagship Program had organized a reception attended by the public and PSU students, most of whom were fluent in Russian. Each delegate stood to talk about their home towns and the experience of visiting the US for the first time. Irina and Veronika brought power point presentations with beautiful photographs of their hometowns, Novgorod and Apatity.

At a meet-and-greet afterwards, our delegates were engaged in conversation with students and people who have past connections with Russia. Free from language restrictions, our delegates reveled in lively conversations and many cards were exchanged.

Khabarovsk-Portland Sister City Celebration

We then jumped back on the MAX to City Hall, site of the Khabarovsk-Portland Sister City annual celebration, Bridge to Russia. Here, most of the assembled crowd spoke Russian, and through the evening many new friends were made.

Our Russians were introduced as special guests, and Irina spoke for the group to thank Portland for its wonderful welcome in the past week.

A giant spread of Russian food was served and entertainment included a ballroom dancing contest, Russian folk songs, a roving Russian accordion musician, and a program of Russian opera. It was a challenge to get our delegates out of the building and into our cars to return to their host families.