From: lojbab@grebyn.com (Logical Language Group)
Subject: Assistance wanted - forthcoming Russian trip
Keywords: Novgorod, Moscow
Organization: The Logical Language Group, Inc.
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 03:13:37 GMT

I expect to be travelling to Moscow and Novgorod in about 2 weeks as my
wife and I are adopting two young children in Novgorod.  I'm seeking a
variety of advice and/or assistance regarding this trip.  Responses by
email are appreciated since I don't regularly read this newsgroup.
(Note:  I've been intensively studying Russian, but as yet speak it
poorly, if this affects anyone's answers.  I expect to be travelling
with and have the assistance of an interpreter/coordinator who knows the
procedures of Russian adoptions, while I am working on adoption-related
business.)

My approximate travel dates are 9/18-19 to Moscow, then immediately to
Novgorod.  Approximately 1 week in Novgorod, then back to Moscow for 2
weeks.

1) I would like to find contacts in both Novgorod and Moscow who could
relay a short email message back to the USA to let people back here know
my whereabouts and how to contact me.  Such contacts could also be of
assistance in case of emergency or if I need to get a message to the USA
regarding some problem with the adoption.

2) For anyone living in Novgorod:  I know little about the orphanage and
would like to know more.  I have been given the information "pre-school
orphanage, Town Novgorod", and what I think is an address "Novgorod,
village Derevyaniscu, Smetaninskiy region".  Any information is
appreciated (is this orphanage in Novgorod or outside the city?  How
large is the orphanage; how many children, etc.?  If there is a
telephone number available, or a more detailed mailing address, this
would be useful.

I also welcome advice on things to see and do in Novgorod, how to get
around in the city, good restaurants, etc., and what the best ways are
to get to and from Moscow (I've been told that I am likely to be taking
a train, and that the train ride is quite long.  How long, and about how
often do trains leave for Moscow?)

3) Advice on things to do with the children (ages 5 and 6) while in
Novgorod and Moscow, would of course be welcomed.

4) I am a linguistics researcher, and am leading an organization that
has been developing an artificial language (Loglan/Lojban) which is
spoken by people but can also be easily processed by computers (natural
language processing).  I expect to be bringing materials about the
language with me on my trip (I'm hoping to have some of these materials
translated into Russian, but most stuff written about Loglan/Lojban is
in English), and would like to find good ways to distribute the
materials to people who are interested.  If anyone is working in
linguistics or natural language processing, or knows how I can contact
key people or organizations working in those fields, I would appreciate
any relevant advice.  I'd like to find contacts in both Novgorod and
Moscow if possible, and as yet have only a few leads.  (One idea that
has been suggested would be an opportunity to arrange an interview for
an article in an appropriate magazine while I am there, but my poor
Russian language skills may make this a problem.  I have also been that
there is a "Russian Language Institute", but do not know much about this
organization or whether it would be interested.)

In attempting to make such contacts, I responded to a posting a couple
of months by an organization called "Yazyko-Znaniye".  The contact was a
Professor Polikarpov, and the address given was
<psy-pub@comlab.vega.msk.su>.  A second address given in the message was
<abelyaeva@home.vega.msk.su>.  Messages to both addresses have bounced.
Does anyone have correct or current addresses for these people or this
organization?

5) I am interested in making contact with others who are adopting
Russian children, especially in this age group (5-6 years) for exchange
of information and advice.

Thank you all for any assistance you may be able to give.

----
lojbab                                                      lojbab@grebyn.com
Bob LeChevalier, President, The Logical Language Group, Inc.
2904 Beau Lane, Fairfax VA 22031-1303 USA                        703-385-0273

For information about the artificial language Loglan/Lojban, please
provide a paper-mail address to me.  We also have some information
available electronically.  The LLG is funded solely by your
contributions, which are encouraged for the purpose of defraying our
costs (for both electronic and paper distribution.)