The fall has been full of challenges- quarantine, wearing masks at school, and unease with the different response to COVID that our school and local community has taken. After a summer of wearing masks and social distancing and being very cautious, it was culture shock to return here where hardly anyone wears a mask and life seems to be carrying on as if nothing is different. Our kids are the only ones in their classes wearing masks and we are some of the only teachers wearing masks as well. Even the basic precautions the school has in place aren’t really followed by most. Windows are closed in fear of children catching a draft and canteen workers don their masks on their chins. The school does extensive testing and isolating of those who test positive. Unfortunately, by fall break many staff and several students had tested positive. As far as we know the cases have been mostly mild or asymptomatic, but it has been stressful to say the least. The good news is that we were all tested and were negative.

But, let’s focus on the brighter sides of the fall. Mila celebrated her seventh birthday in quarantine. Though she was disappointed not to be in school, she had a great time with our friends who were in our quarantine bubble. Thanks Nana for the tie-dye kit!

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Autumn has been a “Babya Leto” or grandma’s summer in Kazan. In early October, we took a day trip to the neighboring republic Mari El. First stop was Raifa where we explored a monastery and made friends with a cat Mila named Rainbow.

After saying a sad farewell to Rainbow, we continued on to the national park for a lakeside picnic and a loop around some small lakes. We tried to find Maple Mountain which Mila said was the source of her magic powers (seeing colors in sand, talking to squirrels, parachute power, and being half cat). Alas google led us astray and Magic Maple Mountain remained elusive.

A highlight of our day was visiting the roadside stands selling big buckets of chanterelles for the equivalent of around $3.50. We also picked up some berries, honey, and some sort of dandelion syrup that one vendor threw in for free.

Driving was a bit scary. I insisted Simon drive the speed limit and we were constantly passed and tailgated. Apparently the cost of sending a ticket is more than the penalty if you are going 0-20 km above. My Russian friend told me later that everyone goes 20 over, but don’t go 21 over or you will get a ticket.

We are now on our fall break and opted for another road trip, this time to Moscow’s Golden Ring. We are hoping to find Magic Maple Mountain on this trip!

Mila asks of our readers: Is Magic Maple Mountain real? True or False?