Exeter Children's Orchestra, working together with Russian City Breaks, are taking a group of 105 children and adults to Yaroslavl, Exeter's twin town in Russia, in August 2010. Our visit will form part of Yaroslavl's Millienium Celebration. We will be staying at the Park Hotel, hosted by Yaroslavl's Municipal Council. As well as a number of concerts we're hoping to sneak in plenty of relaxation time, and some sightseeing too.
Yaroslavl is an ancient city built on the confluence of two rivers, one of which is Russia's greatest waterway, the Volga. It is one of the beautiful old towns which form a circle around Moscow, known as the Golden Ring. The city centre has many fine historic buildings, notably the churches with their characteristic onion domes, inside which are some of the finest mediaeval wall paintings in Russia. At its heart is the ancient Kremlin whose huge white walls and towers enclose an old monastery and a little gold-domed cathedral.
Our visit in August will be the orchestra's third, although the first two were by the Chamber Orchestra; this is the first time it has been open to all ECO players. Our first trip was in the summer of 1990 (in an August heatwave) when Russia was still a communist state. President Gorbachev's reforms were opening the country to the West for the first time, and a visit by young people from England was a rare and very significant event for the ordinary people of Yaroslavl. Our second visit, only seven years later in March and April 1997, was to a very different country, not just politically but also visually - we landed at Moscow Airport in a blizzard, and wherever we went the landscape was still carpeted in deep Russian winter snow. During both visits we gave concerts to large, enthusiastic audiences, and we enjoyed sightseeing trips around Yaroslavl and other Golden Ring cities.
This year's trip is being organised by Ron Delve, who has plenty of invaluable experience of taking groups to Russia, and we are indebted to him for all his hard work.
Please read on below.
IMPORTANT DATES
Flights:
OUTWARD: Monday, 09 AUG 08.55-15.50 BA872
INWARD: Tuesday,17 AUG 21.25-22.20 BA875
TO TAKE LIST – A REMINDER
- First Aid Kit – strong sun tan/burn lotions; plasters; mosquito repellent and bite treatment; travel sickness pills; pain killers; etc. Remember, if on medication, take a few days extra allowance, in case...
- Electrical conversion plug(s) – 3 to 2; all purpose, multi-size rubber sink plug
- Clothes – hot weather needs good cover. In Churches, Kremlins etc. RF expects girls/ladies to cover legs, hair and possibly shoulders (scarf etc).
- Lightweight waterproof – in case!
- Swim wear (if required) – hotel has pool, sauna etc – and, possibly, a towel
- ECO- black & white as usual – laundry facilities available; cost depends on speed/amount
- For Reception, possibly a little more formal but not dressy
- Sunglasses, sun hat, sandals and sturdy shoes – RF roads can be bad and very dusty
- Reading/music playing material etc (long periods of wait at airports & on journeys). Do not leave valuables lying around anywhere, including bedrooms
- Some toilet paper – carried at all times
- Small presents (mostly for young people, if met). If invited to RF home, usual to take bunch of ODD number of flowers for hostess – available almost everywhere
- Camera, pencil/pen & paper. Spare batteries and films, if appropriate or charger
- Small back backpack or carrier for valuable items and daily travel
- ECO – instrument(s) & music folder with ALL required music (we are not taking spares).
- String players bring rosin and take at least a spare top string, preferably all four. Oboes, clarinets and saxes take at least one spare used reed. Brass bring valve/slide oil etc and trumpets remember your mutes. Pegs to hold music when playing outside
- ‘Group List’ and ‘Copy of Advice & Code of Conduct’ (contains useful information)
- Money (sterling – airport; roubles – immediate use in Russia; US dollars – to exchange)
- If covered by independent travel insurance, details and emergency contact numbers
- Pack biscuits and snacks for 'those hungry moments'
Hold baggage limit: One case, no heavier than 23kilos, per person. Maximum size 90cms x 75cms x 43cms.
Excess baggage: 24 to 32 kilos £30 per journey; extra case >23 kilos £35 per journey.
Hand luggage limit: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. No weight limit + one handbag, laptop size bag or briefcase.
No sharp items – scissors penknives etc.
Liquids - restricted to 100mls in hand luggage e.g. hand lotion, perfume. Has to be in 100ml (or less) sized bottle. Water etc can be bought 'airside' following security clearance.
Make sure cases etc are securely fastened.
Pack musical instruments, if you can, otherwise carry on as hand baggage – limit in size to that of ‘normal guitar’.
£50 (per person return cost) to Steve if travelling by ECO minibuses, asap, please
TERMINAL 5 at HEATHROW – Check-in Gate open at 5.55.
Arrival at Check-in - NO LATER THAN 06.55! This is the time that BA says that our group MUST be there ready for check-in.
Here are some comments written by members of the orchestra after the 1997 trip:
"If only you all could have come! What a week, cramming in culture, rehearsals, sightseeing, concerts, socialising and shopping!"
"It was great fun. We got to learn about different ways of life and seeing how well-off we actually are. It's a different country with a different atmosphere, but the people are just the same."
"From the moment we entered Russia you could feel the air of change: everything you imagined about the country went out of the window. I have never felt so loved or been given such hospitality."
"Nearly every corner you go round you see a lovely gold cross at the top of a patterned dome. The hosts are great and will go to any length to ensure you're happy and well-fed. They treated us like royalty!"
"The excursion to Pereslavl was fun until we found the museum was closed, so instead we had a massive snowball fight, Russians v English, and then, thanks to a stray snowball that landed down Richard's jumper, everybody v Richard. This was what I call fun!"
"The people are kind, friendly and eager to share whatever they have. They bent over backwards to make us happy, and believe me we were. I had the best time of my life."
"The trip was really cool fun, and we love the black fruit tea!"
"The concerts were really, truly, fantastic, and I can modestly say that we were absolutely superb!"
