Airport Fun Again, 2018

Folks are almost always willing to put on a nose for a photo. 

Once again, traveling to Russia was all part of the fun and a great way to start my trip. The lady who checked me in at United Airlines, Nicki, was delightful and funny! I was standing in line waiting for an open spot. She hollered "OK clown, Come on down!". Her coworker next to her got a worried look on her face (especially with United's recent history), until she saw me of course :0). Then we all had a good laugh. I have nothing but good things to say about United. Nicki even arranged my seating around to give me window seats. Or maybe to keep me as far from the aisle as possible? Ha. Later when I was in line at security I heard someone call out "Mr. Daly!". I was a little nervous I did something wrong, but alas it was Nicki and a friend waving to me with big smiles.

Once I get thru security the fun continues. Michael came up to me, a little awkward and shy, and asked to take my photo. I happily obliged. I in turn asked him to put on a nose and take a photo with me. He gladly reciprocated.

Natural Clowns abound

A petite young blond woman asked me why I was dressed as a clown. This question is asked several times on my trips usually. It gives me the opportunity to talk about Maria's Children and the wonderful friends I have in Russia. It also allows me to ask questions in return. This particular young woman was fascinating to me. Her name is Amy Fearnside and she is the 3rd ranked wrestler in the USA in her weight class. She was on her way to an international competition. After she went to her plane, I googled her (with her permission). She seems to have quite an interesting story according to the World Wide Web. I love meeting people like that. You truly never know who you are talking to at any given moment, unless it is George Clooney or someone of that stature.

I played with 2 young Hispanic boys ages 6 and 9. Their mom joined in for a few minutes before they thanked me and went off to eat lunch. An airline employee came up to me and told me how nice that was... apparently they had just missed their flight and were going to have to wait 5 hours for another flight. I never know these details unless someone offers it up. I am just there to play with whoever is willing. These two boys and their mother were willing, and a language barrier had no bearing on the fun :0).

One young girl saw me on the plane ride from Helsinki to Moscow and proceeded to "play" with me for 2 hours using her stuffed animal as I used my bird puppet Freddy. When we deboarded, her mom asked if she could take a photo of us. As this 5 year old girl turned to leave me, she turned back and gave me a big bear hug! My heart always melts in moments like this.

As you travel throughout this great big world, remember to always have fun and enjoy the ride. You just never know who you might meet.

           Now Go Out and Hug a Traveler Today!!!

Zhorik and a Spy House

Zhorik in his Poker Room

My friend Justin AKA Zhorik wanted to be a spy. Instead he fell in love with a Russian woman 30 years ago. Check out his Memoir on Amazon "How Not To Become a Spy" by Justin Lifflander. 

          https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Become-Spy-memoir-ebook/dp/B00NOU9XP6

He has lived in Russia for 30 years now and currently lives in what I call a Spy House. He had it custom built and it has several surprises, tunnels, hidden doors, and more. I only spent one night there, and hope to spend more in the future. He also has a 'cabin' in the corner of his fenced in yard that he uses as a Poker House. Of course a hidden tunnel leads to it. It is a poker players dream to play in such "houses". We played poker in the regular house this trip due to snow/cold.

Notice the space helmet and other stuff.

I slept in a room that resembled a rocket. Actually, I am told it is modeled after the bridge of the Starship Enterprise! It was quite cozy and fun, complete with a green light that changed the color of the room. Star Wars and Star Trek memorabilia and a space helmet adorned the cabinets in the room. If you ever want to spend a night in a Spy's House and sleep in a rocket room, let me know. I can probably hook you up. You will have to travel to Russia to do so.

His wine cellar

After lunch the first room we visited was the wine cellar. He has quite the collection. A homemade wine cabinet is on the right wall, beautifully decorated in Russian artwork. Justin and his wife Alla are depicted on the cabinet. On the opposite wall is a hidden door.... Because after visiting the wine cellar you should really go for a swim.

The hidden door is behind the painting on the left wall.

You can not tell there is a hidden door behind the painting on the left wall. I mean it is not noticeable, and YOU CAN NOT TELL ANYONE! :0). The pool and hot tub were very inviting, but alas I was not dressed for a swim. Onto the next room...\

Combo Home Theater and Billiards Room

There are so many twists and turns and hidden passageways that I honestly don't remember how we got to this room. I imagine it could double as a bunker if there was ever a nuclear attack, but just a guess. I could sit in those comfy seats and watch movies all night!

Behind the billiards table (not z bookcase)

Ah, another hidden door and tunnel led us from the Home Theater/Billiards room to another room of intrigue and beauty. I called it the Dragon Room. Justin probably has a more formal name for it? Actually, before I posted this he informed me it is indeed called "The Dragon Room" I like it!

Dragon Room

There is a dragon on the far wall. Another one greets you with wine in it's paws as you enter the room. A small set of stairs leads you to comfortable furniture and over a small "river" that runs from the first dragon to a... I don't remember where it goes to be honest.

A secret attic to play in for the kids.

He even had a small attic made above his office space for his kids and grandkids. The children in the photo are his grandkids. Another hidden door and a secret ladder takes you up to this room, if you can find it and if you can FIT. I barely did!

A 4 season room

There are some "traditional" rooms in the house like bedrooms, kitchen, living room, etc. My favorite of these rooms was the 4 season room. It was so warm and inviting with a view of the yard with big bay windows. A great place to meditate, read or whatever.

Maria's Children artwork

Of course, Maria's Children artwork is throughout the house. This is one of my favorite pieces. As per the theme of the house, there are hidden "things" in it. Can you find the Lions, Elephants, Giraffes and Zebras? These are the 4 family groups at Maria's summer camp. You can click on the photo get a closer look if you wish.

I am posing as the picture of me on the lantern is shown. Fairly accurate. The only addition is "Freddy the Freebird" is holding my poker winnings in his mouth! Yes, I won 200 rubles in a Spy House in Russia once. Can anyone else say that? Ha ha ha!!!

Me and Guillaume

And finally, I am honored to "live" in his house for all eternity. Some of the kids made this stained glass lantern cover. Justin bought it at the auction. I am on it with Guillaume (best humanitarian clown in the world currently). On the other side are Maria and Patch. It humbles me to be in such great company, including Justin's! Thank you my friend for the fun.

Now Go Out and Hug a Friend or a Spy Today!!!

Mama Lulu



Mama Lulu and her master class. She taught origami and the kids put on a swan lake show.

Meet Mama Lulu... A fascinating, extraordinary woman with an equally interesting story. Since I don't speak Russian, I have gotten Mama Lulu's story second hand from a couple of different people. So, please excuse me if some of the details are not 100% accurate. And remember, First impressions are not always the best or lasting ones, Thank God.

Mama Lulu worked as a teacher in an orphanage in Moscow for over 30 years. It was an orphanage that Maria visited to work with the children. Apparently, Mama Lulu did not like Maria or her program for many years! It is quite unfathomable to me that anyone would not like Maria or her program, but that is what I was told. Was it because Maria "interfered" with Mama's work? Did she just not see the benefit? I don't know the answer, just wondering why.

Mama Lulu and more games

Through years of perseverance and dedication, Maria won Mama Lulu over somehow. Maria usually does. Now that Mama Lulu is retired, Maria invites her to travel and work with the program at the studio. Mama Lulu now obliges happily. She traveled to Beslan with us for the first time.

I was told Mama Lulu was a "hard" teacher. Discipline was the rule. She is a strong woman with a strong voice, and I presume she did things the way she did to keep the children from getting unruly. You would never know that to look at her now, as she is a happy fun playful woman. And the children absolutely LOVE HER without question. Children need a "hard" love at times and discipline. Mama Lulu provided that at the highest level I feel!

Mama Lulu leads us in some games

When we go to orphanages we expect to play with children and interact with them one on one or two on two or so. The orphanages sometimes have other thoughts. We walk into an orphanage and they have set up chairs in front of a "stage". The children are sitting waiting for us to "perform". Well, the clowns I travel with don't typically perform, we just play. But it always throws us for a loop. This happened to us at Dur Dur Village once again. And who stepped up? Mama Lulu did. With her booming voice and large smile, she took control of the room and organized group games so the children would be involved and active, and the clowns would be off the hook :0). She did this naturally and with no fanfare. I could not have thanked her enough for her gift!

Now Go Out and Hug a Mama Today!!!

Sarmat, My Friend

Sarmat and Chip

Meet Sarmat. I just love this kid. I remembered him from last year, but I couldn't remember his name. Our story got really touching this year, as I will explain. Last year we were on a bus ride to get ice cream. I was sitting in a seat with 2 young girls who were talking to me in Russian. I tried to explain to them that I didn't understand much Russian, but that is difficult to convey to 9 year olds, ha. Meanwhile, Sarmat was sitting in a seat across the aisle from us being quiet, which is his nature. Occasionally he would look over at me and say "They are asking you if you have any brothers or sisters", and then look ahead quietly again. He did this several times on our bus trip and it fascinated me. With my experience, I knew he was probably on the spectrum of autism, most likely having Asperger's. But I don't like to label the children in that way. Either way, I remembered him.

Chip and Sarmat outside Ice Cream shop

This year he came up to me and played a little. He would try to grab my nose, like the other kids do when they play with me. Or look to see what magic trick I might do or what might come out of my pocket. This year we walked to get ice cream. He held my hand part of the way, which was very sweet. He played a bit more after we had ice cream, and then went home with his grandma. As he was leaving his grandma wanted a photo of us, so we obliged. She told him to smile, but that is not a natural thing for him to do. He did pose for the photo though.

Now here is where the story gets good... Later that evening I was at Maria's house in Beslan eating dinner. One of the teachers asked me if I saw the post on WhatsApp. I said "no". So she pulled out her phone and showed me. Of course it was in Russian, but luckily I was sitting next to my new friend Hannes who was bilingual. In fact he speaks 9 languages I think? But that is another story. Anyway, Hannes read the story to me interpreting it in English. The basic of the post was Sarmat's mom posted our photo from the ice cream shop and said "Sarmat came home today and told me the clown was his friend. I don't know who the clown is, but it is absolutely rare for him to call someone his friend. I want to thank this clown". That is the best I can remember it anyway. I cried as Hannes read this, because I know how hard it is for a child with autism to make friends. I felt like we had connected, but now I know we connected!

The story gets even better... I am a little hazy with the details, but on the post there was another photo of me. I am not sure if someone else posted it to the link? Or Sarmat's mom found it? Anyway, it was a photo of me from summer camp 2007. This is the summer I connected and fell in love with the children of Beslan. Especially the ones in my family group. In the photo I am sitting on bench in the sun smiling. Coincidentally it is the same photo hanging in the school's museum. What I didn't notice before was, there is a young lady sitting behind me leaning over and smiling into the camera (photo  bomb of sorts). This young lady was Leeza, one of the girls in my family group. The caption to the photo read "Leeza is Sarmat's sister". I was blown away! Leeza and Sarmat are 11 years apart, so I never imagined he was a brother of someone I knew. Let alone a girl I was very fond of since 2007. It was absolutely incredible to me.

On Saturday, Leeza brought Sarmat to the school for the concert we put on every year. They came into the head teacher's office where I was sitting before the concert. We chatted a little and Sarmat and I played a little in our own world. I brought out noses of course and helped Sarmat put one on. I gave one to Leeza and we took photos. The sequence of the photos still amazes me. The first photo is the one at top. Sarmat and I posing naturally for a selfie. The next two photos will show a progression of incredibleness. The first photo Sarmat kinda smiles while Leeza and I are laughing. The last photo shows Sarmat with a clown nose on, clearly smiling! See for yourself.

Leeza, Sarmat, and Me

Sarmat clearly smiling with a clown nose on.

Bless my soul these photos touch my heart... But this next photo touches my heart much much more! I was at the concert, watching and taking photos as I always do. When I looked over to the opposite side of the room, I saw Sarmat in the audience watching the show... with his clown nose still on!! No influence from me, just him being "naturally" a clown. Oh how I would love to know what he thinks about. It is not a great photo, but just the same I love it.

You can see Sarmat in the lower right hand corner with a nose on. 

After the show, Sarmat hung around to greet me one last time. We played a little and I met his brother Azam. Azam looked to be about 19 or so. I had never met him. He seems like a fine young man though, and clearly enchanted with his brother, as I am. As we said our goodbyes, Sarmat reached his arms up and gave me a hug! My heart and soul melted right there and then. I can not wait to see him next year! Thank You Sarmat, My Friend.

Now Go Out and Hug a Child Today!!!