“Today was a “free” day in Kazan. We have a walking tour of the city, and then are on our own for the afternoon.

Our day began with the news that our first granddaughter, Emma Kathryn Fick has made her entrance into the world. Her birth did not go smoothly. Her Mom, Anna, had some pain during normal contractions an the doctor noticed stress in the baby, so delivered by C-section. Due to significant anemia and breathing problems, the baby was air lifted from Oak Harbor to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Our son, Michael drove from the Naval base where he is stationed (NAS Whidbey Island) as a pilot, to Seattle Children Hospital, where Emma was taken for NIC services. We are awaiting news on her status and hoping that she, Michael and Anna will soon be reunited.

Kazan’s founding occurred more than one thousand years ago, as evidenced by remains uncovered in the kremlin. A kremlin is the generic Russian term for a walled are where the major buildings were built and protected, much like a very large castle. It was established by the Volga Bulgars, and later conquered by the Mongols. They eventually intermixed and under the Russian Czars, eventually becoming known as the Tartars. Today Kazan is the capital of the Tartarstan republic of Russia. It is also known as the “Third Capital of Russia”. Republics are similar to states in the U.S., with governors or presidents, and some local autonomy. Russia is divided into 85 federal subjects (constituent units) and 22 are republics. Republics generally represent areas of non-Russian ethnicity. The often have their own official language and constitution. In Tartarstan, Tartar is a recognized language.”

Read the full post by Lee-Ann and David here.

Kazan city