Please meet my guests from all over the world. We are not only sharing meals but dancing too! 
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relaxing night after Russian banya : Chris and Frances Woolcott from NZ, Helen , Anastasia (web-designer)
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My thanks to the travellers who just stopped by but eventually left long-lasting marks on my heart:
* - visa registartion is only demanded if you stay at a particular place in Russia for MORE than 3 days (weekends don't count). Make sure you keep all your tickets till the last minute in Russia, they may ask you at the customs to provide evidence of your actual itinerary. If you stayed longer than 3 working days at any of the places - you must show your registration stamp. If you are NOT staying at a hotel which is supposed to provide registration, then you can arrange it at ANY post office in Russia. 1) For that you will need a local person at whose place you are staying , your passports and immigration cards. You will have to fill in the required forms and post them to the immigration authority. The post-office assistant will give you a receipt which will be a sufficient proof of your registration. Post-office fee will be around 300Rub for 2 people, but the process is usually quite time-consuming . If you prefer saving up time and want to speed up the process, we can arrange it through my connection at one of the Irkutskian hotels. My assistance at the post-office is free, option 2) is abt .....Rub.
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- from France:
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Valerian and Catherine played a lot with my daughter who learnt the funniest tricks with playing cards and "intellect-testing" games. I found in them unbeatable companions for philosophic talks (my favourite!)
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- from Argentina:
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The authentic Nora and Ariel brought hot aura of their country to my home and the city. This gifted couple made a sensation in Irkutsk by giving a master-class at La Palma dance club (shown on local TV). Nora and Ariel's hearts are so alive that they can't but speak out : they sing, they dance, they draw, they cook...All what they do comes from the heart and is very beautiful!
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- from Tasmania:
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George taught us more brain-breaking tricks with cards and told us stories about pirate ships with treasures which still can be found at Western shores of Australia. Also he introduced me to the scientific world of waves and particles - he is up to some "breakthrough" research!
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- from USA :
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A dear couple Marc and Myroon were an invaluable source of wisdom and parent-like loving care
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- from France:
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Phillip introduced me to Barjavel and French cuisine, also kindly provided his nice pictures of Irkutsk and the Lake Baikal (phlevy68-lp@yahoo.com)
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- from UK:
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Matilda became my “lost and found English sister” after we realized our mental and spiritual closeness
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- from USA:
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Ian has become my best friend ever since summer 2005 after he spent three months in Siberia. He is an extremely deep, accepting and understanding person I have ever known.
( imm_art@yahoo.com )
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-from Germany:
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Through Gulian I met a terrific team of Russian volunteers carrying out project to support children’s asylums, he also was fantastically sincere about his personal life philosophy and travel experiences
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- from UK:
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Sandra and Judy told me all about NGOs and social work, I have never heard before. They were very generous, exceptionally supportive and empathic. Great fun to be out with too!
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| -from Germany |
Andy and Axel from Heidelberg were hilarious. Intellectual giants full of humour . Natural and spontaneous like kids they mixed up with new people easily and promptly, switching between languages without batting an eyelid. The true cosmopolitans, greedy for the new and unexplored, they were a thrilling company. Adequate, generous, kind , with spacious souls.My daughter commented: They were cool! |
| -from Switzerland |
The Hudson family from Switzerland (Mike, Nadine and their two boys Lenny and Desmond) was a good example of The Family with mature parents and obedient kids. Soft and sensible mother, ironic and fairly-judging father and the kids who were never fussy or demanding. I loved listening to the Hudsons’ well-balanced opinions on things, deep insight into people and the world, “here and now” state of mind and sensitivity to other people’s needs. We had great talks and celebrated Lenny’s 5th Birthday all together!
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| -from Netherlands |
Roel and Heime Pot - a father and a son traveling together were a sample of close relationships between generations rarely found nowadays! Knowledgeable, inquisitive, sane thinkers! Heime enlightened me upon “warm vs cold sales” , how «passion brings success» and a few more rules of business. The Pots expressed big love to their own country but at the same time followed Russian rules with ease - never refused to have a glass of vodka for dinner! :) Funny enough- we have similar family names!
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| - from Paris |
Sweet Aude of 19yo came to make a trip around the Lake Baikal owing to the support of Zellidja Fund (France). Most loving and kind person, but also mature and brave. Played chess with my daughter at even score. No losers! |
| -from Spain |
Clara and Gustavo from sunny Spain have brought a gust of hot Spanish temperament! Talking to Clara was thrill, she has seen and experinced a lot however younger than myself. Gave me an exhaustive list of non-profitable organizations and charities around the world, shared what she knew on how people help the other in trouble and in the end gain through giving help...Full of joy, responsive, smart! My type of people , I will definitely come to visit them on Spanish beaches of the Meditteranean one day! |
| -from NZ |
Shirley and Norm -a tireless couple of travellers indeed who AFTER they retired has travelled through over 150 countries and has seen and experienced the riskiest and oddiest things!!! Must be an adventure bug in their blood as they don't seem to be willing to settle down. Even when home in NZ they go on travels in their home-on-wheels! Norm is just a terrific Granddad with most amazing stories of personal experiences at hand (from banji-jumping to Gorilla's hugs). Shirley is the liveliest woman who is definitely her man's best half! :)
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| - from Japan |
Rare bird in Russia- a Japanese traveller at my place. Tommy Yazaki. We were like two different worlds at most time (mine- loud, emotional, straightforward, his- quiet, intravert, no-rush, enigmatic). So I am still unsure if he was happy at my home or my manners and behaviour were too rough for the true Japanese valueing style and quiet harmony in the first place. |
| - from Italy |
Always sad to say goodbye to people who become part of your life and occupy big territory in your heart. Marco's bright and ever cheerful spirits (a beautiful sunny land of Italy produces the healthiest and strongest people, now I know it :) made two ordinary days of my family festive. Excellent pasta-and-wine dinner kindly served by Marco , his enthusiastic participation in any activities/talks and just generally accepting and sensitive nature of his made atmosphere in my flat warmer. Big man made a big difference :) Marco also kindly granted some of his pictures for this site. |
| - from UK |
The young couple from London was a gift for my teenager daughter - Samantha was an assistant to a manager of a famous British rock group (Kate's favourite)! So she simply got stuck to Sam pestering her with questions about the group soloist and kept us all laughing at her childish excitement . No wonder - she could not even dream of suddently becoming in such close touch with her idol ! Sam and Tim are great representatives of young highly educated generation, very intelligent and knowlegable but relaxed and open at the same time . Despite graduated from London and Cambridge Universities they failed to crack our favourite IQ testing games! :) Well, in return we were given a nice world-spread card game and their own IQ test which Kate and I successfully failed too ! |
| - from USA |
Bright personalities with classy manners and high style also visit my modest place. Well, once in a while even stars leave the sky to meet the earth ;) David from LA’s posh backgrounds was as chic as open-minded, simply terrific narrator and grateful listener. His tales on Russian history kept the audience by dinner table open-mouthed for minutes! Artful at supporting any point of view or initiative and staying cheerful and good-humored in the unlucky or unfavorable circumstances (oh, that trolley-bus ride took ages! J ) Enormous inner space, generous heart , fantastic company, which I’d gladly enjoy for a bit longer (Dave, there are more Russian fairy tales for you to learn by heart!) . |
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- from Japan and USA
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The stay of this international couple with a wonderful story of their love which overcame language barrier , distances and time was very intense. We talked, we laughed, we shared expertise and business-ideas a lot. Michie a woman with megawatts of energy is a Guinness book winner for her unique home plants back in Japan and an enthusiastic organizer of 14-day trips around her country for individuals in search of REAL Japan.David in the background of a bright star Michie was rather a quiet type of an intellectual. On one of the nights he surprisingly found my daughter a perfect companion for their 3-hour music exchange. |
| - from Australia |
Another international couple made me realise once again what a small world we live in. Women and men born thousands of miles from each other find their destiny by chance through travelling. The Finnish girl Marianne and a vivid Ozzie guy Cameron have planted a new idea into my Russian mind. The new concept was "never let anyone discriminate you by age, nationality or whatsoever " . I am very thankful to Marianne for telling me her life story and encouriging me for endevours I never thought I 'd dare to undertake! |
| - from USA (Portland/Hawaii) |
I wish we could have more spare time for talks with Richard and his daughter Jennifer. One night Jennifer made a performance for all of us - she played ukulele (Hawaiian guitar) and sang Hawaiian songs. Her soft voice, lullaby style of singing and heart-felt affection to the place where she currently lives (she moved from NY to Hawaii a few years ago and never regretted) touched my heart. I could listen to her tales on the Hawaiian language, music, traditions, beliefs for hours if just we had more time! :) I loved "pono" approach to life the Hawaiians exercise. It means "whatever you do , do it right". Hey, comrades, let's pick it up and apply in this country as well to replace the out-dated Soviet mentality "just do it SOMEHOW"...:) No wonder Richard has a daugher with the big heart, he himself is an open-minded and generous person, in love with Baikal Lake and the area.Dick has been here a number of times as a researcher, made life-long friends and even donated to the local environmental organization Great Baikal Trail. I appreciated Dick and Jennifer's stamina and non-complaining disposition. :) |
We are a 60 year old couple that travels extensively. In Irkutsk we stayed at Helen's Homestay. We had just spent a month camping in Mongolia and
staying with Helen was like coming home. Helen showed us around her
hometown of Irkutsk which retains many older wooden houses and is a charming
friendly city. She also took us to Lake Baikal where we feasted on smoked
fish with the local people on the beach. We got to see Siberia with a
native and learned many things about local customs and legends. Helen
speaks flawless English and can even do simultaneous translations between
you and the people you meet! And you couldn't stay with a nicer family then
Helen's!!
- Marc and Myroon Halpern
Denver, Colorado, USA
References: Helen's interview taken by travellers' section on Suite101.com : http://russia-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/helens_homestay_in_irkutsk
For hesitating customers: please contact Ruth Imershein from LonelyPlanet (she is in charge of Russian Section at ThornTree, nickname Everbrite) for info on Helen's Homestay. |
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