Dear Sammazians and Volunteeres,

I’m writing you from St. Petersburg, Russia. I don’t know how it is with you, but it’s almost mid-autumn here, which means that we haven’t seen each other for almost a year and I’ve already missed everyone almost unbearably!

For those who don’t know me: My name is Toma. I am a medical doctor and have worked as an endocrinologist in Russia. And now, after I’ve spent 8 months in Sammatz, I’m on my way to become a doctor in Deutschland. I fell in love with Sammatz and the whole idea of the place and I really want to become at least a little part of it.

When I was at Michaelshof most of the time I’ve been working in Peronnik. It was not always easy-breezy, but it showed my soul and mind the right direction to move on. The kid I was working with there is beyond what you can call extraordinary, most of you already know this. I don’t think it’s possible to describe her in this tiny postcard, but to be honest, every time when I was walking with her in the woods it was literally like hanging out with my biggest friend! I miss her a lot now, like I miss all other kids and care givers there. And just in case you read this: Giuliana, Leon, Barbara, Hilke and Michael, my heart is totally yours!

I have returned to Russia in October last year and since then have spent most of my time trying to get back to Sammatz. Because of visa regulations, this happened to be incredibly difficult, and unexpectedly painful. Well of course I was rejected before, but I guess my poor heart was not ready to face the rejection from an entire country. The only fortune in this whole “visa story”, is that, hopefully, I am starting very, very slowly, to really speak German. Which is OMG! And as soon as the opportunity arises , I will for sure boast with it in person! 🙂

Due to the need to pass exams and collect all the papers, I’ve also had an opportunity to travel a bit around Russia. So now I can proudly introduce to you my Top 5 of the cities I have visited so far in 2021.

5. Yaroslavl. It’s kinda ok, but love between us did not happen, maybe because I was there in winter. Some day I should give it another try in summer. It actually is believed to be one of the most beautiful cities in Russia. So don’t know. Just not my vibe.

4. Moscow. Capital of Russia. Beautiful, rich, big and noisy. I have only one pic from there: a cat whose name is Behemoth, living in the museum of the famous Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov. On this pic you see him near the statue of the writer himself.

3. Priozersk. I know this one for a long time and it is very dear to me. Here I have friends and this summer we rode a boat on Lake Ladoga and played pirates. Being a pirate actually is my plan B, in case all plans A go wrong.

2. Vladimir. Small and very old. I was there for the first time in my life and I loved it. Very cozy, very honest, sometimes gives a kind of Sammatzian vibe. 10/10 on my personal rate of awesomeness.

1. Vladikavkaz. Number one not because I was once born here, but for the mountains. Pure beauty even in November. Somehow wherever I go I’m always looking for them on the horizon.

Und natürlich, außer Konkurrenz, das einmalige, unverwechselbare St. Petersburg. Ich habe hier And of course, outside all ratings – the one and only – St. Petersburg. I’ve lived here for a hundred years, I went it throughout, insideout, outsideout. I ate it, I drank it, I love it to the bones and somehow I managed to have only 10 photos of it for all this time!

So, that was my 2021. I do not know now when I will be able to see all of you again, but it will be a celebration! While I am still here, please visit me at any time you want. Really looking forward to see you all very, very soon!

Ganz liebe Grüße, Toma