Thu Oct 2, 2008, Odessa
After school in the late afternoon, Afina
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The school, the students and I myself were quite relaxed today.
I can't tell why. German was not so energy absorbing because Svety
took half of my classes. I think she did a great job. Yes, she is
a beginner, but she will learn more and more how to teach classes.
Suddenly the door of my lecture room opens and a delegation of one
of my beginner classes makes abig gift to me: a Havanna cigar.
I have never before experienced such a strong sign of appreciation
from any of former groups.
World history was exciting. A new student joined our group: a
young man from Georgia (Grusinia). He lives not far from Tbilissi
and arrived in Odessa only two days ago. Serious for his age, a
real man compared to our Odessa boys.
During lecture I discussed the time between WW I and II, trying
to explain to them what happens when a victor deliberately humi-
liates a proud looser: it will get worse. Theory: WW I and II in
retrospective are one big war with a little intermezzo. Only after
1945 the New World Order begins for the bigger part of the world.
In the Soviet Union new times begin with Stalin's death in 1953.
But like with the abolition of slavery in Europe, Russia needs
much more time for a real "paradigm shift": 1989 the Soviet Union
breaks into pieces. Does now the New World Order invade the former
republics of the SU? We slightly touched this question.
Home assignment: Is 1945 a year of real change of the world order,
or are there only labels changed but old systems survive?
After the lectures Burgi meets me at "Afina" and we enjoy the mild
fall with sun and a good mood together down-town.