The academic year had finished and we were expecting a well desired leisure, lots of opportunities, joyful events and surprises coming soon. The Shymkent community traditionally begins summer with the departure to nature on June the 1st, the International Child Protection Day.

  We called a parental committee meeting, discussed everything and ordered transport. … Finally, the day came, and more than 60 people turned up, cheerfully got onto a bus and went to the vacation place. The weather during this day was just right, and the southern sun was not burning (nevertheless, all of us got well tanned). The holiday began with the breakfast on the grass, after which everyone found a desired leisure. The children swam under parental supervision and the adults started cooking lunch. Did you ever try pilaf prepared on a bonfire in an enormously large saucepan? Yum! Irina Chibisova, Bella Atran and Alexander Korotkov were responsible for the cultural programme. They arranged an improvised concert in which favourite Jewish songs and verses sounded, and children and adults danced. Valentin Tutushin organised sport competitions for families which included running and swimming races and volleyball games. Cameras of our "own correspondents" Petya Goldfeld and Valentina Vorobyova clicked rapidly taking pictures.

   After lunch we went hiking to the nearest hills. Nobody wanted to go home, but the nature is capricious - the sky darkened in an instant, and a heavy rain started. We boarded the bus quickly and went to Shymkent in a wonderful mood. There were lots of impressions shared, emotions shown and conversations enjoyed. The holiday, which opened a warm season, was a success. Hello, summer!

Irina Chibisova