During one of my visits to Malin hospital, girls from no.1 School who had voluteered to translate for me at the hospital asked if I would like to see their School. I said I would be happy to go to see a Ukrainian School as it would be very interesting for me as I had not been in any schools in Ukraine. I was also invited to go on a hunt for wild Boar by friends, but I declined their offer as I had already accepted the Schools offer. Next morning Anton the Doctors son took me to a very large building which was down at a lower level from our vantage point,he pointed to doors in the middle and said, that's the entrance I will see you later and left.
Making my way down past a large World War 2 monument,I approached the entrance,wondering where my Schoolgirl hosts were. Pushing through the old worn doors I saw I was in a large reception area, over to my left sat a woman behind a desk,I was just about to go over and try to explain in my limited Russian why I was there,when she indicated that I should keep going forward. I suddenly became aware that there was a large crowd of girls, boys, and what I assumed to be teachers standing in rows.
I thought I had arrived at the wrong time, probably some sort of school function was taking place. I started to walk over to the side out of the way, where I could wait for someone, anyone, to come to my rescue!
I heard a shout ,Mr.Gillies, Mr.Gillies turning round I saw Anastasia one of my tranlators heading towards me, this way she said leading the way towards the assembled crowd. Girls and boys dressed in Ukrainian dress offered me a circular loaf of crusty bread, in the middle a section of bread had been removed,and filled with salt.It was handed a piece of bread which I was asked to dip in the salt and eat. Anastasia explained that I was getting a Traditional welcome, and the local Press and TV reporters were there to cover the story of my visit. I was amazed, it was indeed a school function but to welcome me!
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