circus school

I was so excited about the dacha I completely forgot to write about CIRCUS SCHOOL which should be a capital crime because it was awesome. they led us in to a big tent type room and we sat in chairs that were oh maybe 5 feet away from little 16 year old, super ripped little boys juggling everything you can imagine. I guess this doesn't happen to much because they were staring at us more than we stared at them. We saw a girl be raised in a silver hoop high above the ground and do weird gymnasticky things on it. We saw another girl, probably less experienced, who got raised in the hoop and screamed the whole way and then just sat up there, giggling. I'm pretty sure that's what I would be like, if I were about a foot shorter, 20 times more flexible and light enough to be hoisted in a silver hoop high above the floor. 

Eventually we were led into another room where we watched a strapping young gentleman do the rings and parallel bars, and a girl do a little tight rope dealio (it was only a foot from the floor) and fan us with her giant fan and she pranced by. She could tell we were super impressed with the guy doing the rings and looked a little disappointed that we truly did not appreciate her craft. Then again, she was a lot better then the kids just jumping on the trampoline. I mean, come on, I didn't come to circus school to watch you jump on a trampoline. All the circus boys were short with mullets or at least really short hair and spandex and ill fitting wife beaters, except for one kid, who had long, curly hair and was wearing pants and a striped shirt. He was jumping for all his worth on the trampoline and taking pictures of people, and I am fairly certain he is not a circus school student, but actually just snuck into circus school with some friends, taking advantage of their trampoline. Hilary said he might be a clown, but I don't buy it.

Anyways, we came away all thinking that we too had incredible circus talents but I'm afraid we don't. We spent about 5 minute mime juggling and pretending the street was a tight rope, but then the inevitable fact hit us eventually, we're students of Russia, not Russian circus. 

Last night Marina's artist friend Victor came over, and we drank wine mixed with mineral water (blegh) and cheese. Looking at what Marina gave me for dinner, he said "wow that's a lot." But then he said quietly "she's a tyrant, I know." Then she demanded he eat his potatoes and we exchanged a knowing glance. 

Well, off to school.