Friday, September 3

My photos of the day: http://picasaweb.google.com/nundabud/20100903#

Again it's 11pm before I get to this blog.  Today has been wonderfully exhausting.  Because the Forum occupied the whole day I've been running since 8a.m.   I met Florin in the lobby so we could go down to breakfast together and plan our introduction at the beginning of the Forum when each group attending got a chance to give an outline of who we are and what we do.   After breakfast, we went to a little coffee shop next to the hotel to have another cup of coffee (cappuccino, of course) and mineral water which tasted terrible but was probably really good for us.

After planning, we went to change for the day.  I had to wear a suit and clerical collar and dress shoes because I was "on" today.  We walked pretty far to where the conference was opening and found that our room would not be available for a while so we changed the schedule and went to lunch (another hefty walk) first and then came back to the conference hotel to find that we had to wait another half hour so we went (you guessed it) for a coffee.  I used the rest room on our way out and was very relieved to find that it was western style toilets instead of the most common Turkish-style toilets (picture a four foot square ceramic panel with a hole over which you squat).  We finally got into the conference hall and began with opening remarks and introductions of the groups attending from various places.  Florin gave a wonderful set of remarks about MCC and then I followed with an explanation of why I came from NY and why I believe so strongly in what they are doing by building a support network.  The only one who dressed to kill today was Rostek who was very handsome in a dark suit with a purple shirt and tie.  I posted a picture of him in the few photos I was able to take today.

After introductions we had a brief stretch break with tea and cheese and olives (a very Russian snack) and then headed in to my presentation, the first of the Forum.  Behind me was the panel: an Orthodox priest, a German Catholic teacher, an Orthodox monk from the monastery I showed yesterday, a minister from a new US small denomination with outreach to Europe, primarily Poland, and a Norwegian Lutheran priest.  They would help me field questions after my presentation.  I used a powerpoint presentation and Anna translated.  I met Anna last year in Romania (she's Ukrainian) and also in Malta.  My topic was controversial.  It was about how repressive attitudes have their origins in the bible.  Discussion and questions were intense and passionate which is a great way to open a conference.  The panelists were a great support.  The presentation was very well received.

After questioning ended we walked far and took the subway (metro) to the restaurant where we had supper.  It was a simple meal of a salad, fried spiced potatoes, and a fillet of fish.  Oh, I forgot to say that at lunch, I had a new taste treat:  kvass which is a fermented drink made with rye bread.  I know it doesn't sound good but it's delicious and refreshing.  We walked, took the metro and walked some more to return to the hotel.  I just wanted my shoes off.

Tomorrow will also be long.  We leave at 8:30 to go to a different conference venue.  So I'll report when I get back to the hotel tomorrow night.