Top Ten List

We were talking on the tour bus about our experiences and thought we would post our top ten experiences in Russia not in any particular order:

1-Visiting Amga: We had a good couple of days in this remote village(by our standards). We were the first Americans to visit this village and was highlighted by a trip to the river, winning our dual and Raymond dancing for the summer camp.

2-Moscow: The most expensive city in the world, the city with the most billionaires and the capital of Russia was full of memories for us. The introduction to bargaining at the flea market, riding the Metro and Red Square stand out in our stay here.

3-The Roads: Not only do you gain an appreciation for another culture but you also can gain a deeper appreciation for what you have back home. Tarmac would be one of those things you really don't think about but would really miss if it weren't there.

4-Russian Nationals: Super passionate fans, multiple world and Olympic champions and a small venue makes for a once in a lifetime experience.

5-Hapsigai: The Sakha equivalent of our folkstyle was a lot of fun and led to two of our guys getting on the same mat as world and Olympic champs and representing their country!

6-Kamus: Fermented mares milk is a traditional way to welcome visitors to a Sakha village or home. We were offered this drink on several occasions and each time it left an impression. We do appreciate the thought but haven't quite acquired the taste yet.

7-Friendship Party: We had Cosmic Bowling, dancing and gifts exchanged on our last night in Yakutsk. It was a perfect way to end our tone with our new friends.

8-Portland Saturday Market: Trading, bargains and shady deals going on in the dorms was something to behold. I imagine Turkish rug merchants have nothing on these guys.

9-Mammoth Museum and Kingdom of Ice: We got to visit both of these on Saturday and had a great time.

10-Cultural Exchange: More than anything we were able to interact with and learn from a culture different from our own. With as many differences as there are between the average American teenager and that of Yakutia, we've found far more similarities. The universal truth that kids are kids rings true more so than ever after this trip.

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