It's nearing midnight. I head for bed and soon fall asleep. It's time to get dressed. We drink tea and eat more bread, cheese, and salami before heading out for their school, which is located in the same housing development. Olga has a white blouse and a short denim skirt they bought in Latvia for 400 rubles, a third of what it would cost in Moscow.
School is a five-minute walk.
It has classes from first through twelfth forms. A large crowd is gathered at the entrance of the school. Parents and children are waiting, almost every child carrying gifts of flowers-large zinnias, roses or gladioli. Alla regrets that she did not have time to get flowers for Olga to give to her teacher. In front of the building, where students are assembled behind signs indicating their form, and section A or B. Proud parents stand by the youngest children.