“Take Summer School to Russia” – it started with that dream,
So they amassed a band, some teachers and a whole dancing team,
People who came from around the world, who wanted to see new sights,
Make new friends, learn new dances and…just maybe…party at night!
First stop, Moscow, and sights to behold – pay attention! Look left! Look right!
See the Cathedrals at the Kremlin, with saints rising to the heights.
By the day’s end though, it seemed to most, through tired, weary eyes
That it was the traffic to the airport that might just win a prize.
So a little late, the flight arrived in Krasnodar, to be greeted by the rain,
(In a few more days we’d wonder if we’d ever see sun again!)
But through the raindrops, with welcome smiles, and keen to lend a hand
Came Ilona’s Russian Scottish Group, the Dancers of Kuban.

After food and sleep the tiredness had mostly slipped away,
So board the buses to the Palace of Culture for the first class of the day.
And after lunch no time to rest, we had museums to go and see
With Cossack clothes and swords and ornate Samovars for making tea.
Then dinner, dance and so to bed, well…that was the general plan,
Though one or two found the bar – just a nightcap you understand?!
Next day more classes, then out to eat at a Cossack restaurant
For Borsch and meat and sauces, more food than you could want.
Some time to shop, visit the park or just have a walk around
Before an evening of Russian culture – of food and sight and sound.
Girls danced dressed as Samovars and there was Cossack dance – we had a go,
And we saw Russian passion mixed with Burns, and watched men in kilts tango.
Just a word of warning, though, if you’ll listen to the wise –
Go easy on the vodka as tomorrow it’s early to rise!

So to Hotel Yamal, the Black Sea shore and at last the sky turned blue,
Free time meant “hit the beach”, relax and perhaps swim too.
Scottish classes at Yamal were mixed with trips round and about,
A walk to Kisilov Rock meant a chance to test our rock climbing skills out!
Another day was held high up in the Caucus mountain air
With music and dancing on the open grass and a feast of sumptuous fare.
Take a short walk and then, perhaps, a Russian “banya” to round off the day?
But of that: “hot steam”, “oak twigs” and “plunge pool” is all I’m allowed to say…
The evenings brought time to learn Russian dance – well, at least we tried,
And gifts of music in the bar, Russians and Scots dancing side-by-side.
But memorable too was the fun to be had dancing “Alison’s Round Reel” in the sea
And scaling the hills behind the hotel to view the mountains covered in trees.
A formal dinner on our last night there, as the sunset again turned gold,
To the sounds of flamenco dance, Norwegian flute and Scottish songs of old.

So back to Krasnodar again – it felt like coming home.
We knew the shops, the food, the town and had a chance to roam.
But time slipped by much faster now, still so much to do –
A ceilidh, classes, gifts to buy – and being filmed by a tv crew!
Finally the Highland Ball, no time now to rest your feet,
One last dance with friends, one last party and the trip’s complete.
Farewells at the airport, but not goodbye – let’s toast to meeting up one day,
To music and dance and friendships made at Summer School – the Russian Way.