Day 3 – 18th June 2005 We woke late this morning! We only surfaced at 9.30 and we needed to leave at 10!  Mad rush – no breakfast and we left at 10ish!  Cool morning today.  We met the group at the metro and walked to the master classes.  This part of Moscow is closer to the Moscow we expected to see.  The poverty and the dilapidation of the buildings is everywhere, but there is still an air of happiness and none of the grayness we expected..  Then we turn a corner and we see the run down building that houses our dance halls.  It houses a number of halls and theatres all equipped with mirrors and bars.  It is a building used only for dance and voice training. This morning I had 40 dancers for Ceili.  We started with Rince Fada.  They can sure dance and would put us to shame back home!  We also did the Gates of Derry, Humours of Bandon and Haste to the Wedding.  Then we had a team of dancers from the Moscow Ceili School dance the Morris Reel.  They were really good, I have to keep reminding myself that they are self taught and have never had any formal Irish Dance training.  There were a few minor problems with the dance but it didn’t take long to sort these out. We had a short break for lunch and then into the solo master class!  Today we did basic and advanced hornpipe.  They found it tough at first but we got there in the end.  We danced solid for 3 hours, I cannot remember when I last did that – probably 1988 practicing for the World Championships, but even then I am sure we rested!  I ache from my toes to my hips!  After class it was back to the hotel for a quick shower and change and back to the metro, into the city for dinner.  We were met off the train by Paul, Dima, and Arthom and were escorted by these gentlemen to the restaurant.  We had a great night with Ulia, Kasia, Yana, Dima and his mum and our escorts.  We left the restaurant at around 11.30 and Arthom and Paul insisted on leaving us home. Even though it was well out of their way. We got a taxi again tonight but this time it was a bit of a concern as we were not sure if it would make it!  The cars here are old – ladas ladas and more ladas!  Between the cars and the Winkle Picker shoes we have been transported back in time about 20 years! Till tomorrow “Dasveedayna”