Yesterday, while drying my hair and preparing for the dog groomer to come, my phone rang. It was my friend CC. Have you heard the news? Two bombs went off in 2 different metro stations, Lubyanka and Park Kultury. Lubyanka is in the heart of Moscow, and runs below the old KGB building (now known as the FSB building.) Park Kultury is a bit farther out...4 stops to the southwest, on the same line, the oldest line in Moscow, the Red Line. Lubyanka is near where we go to church, but not terribly close to us. Neither is Park Kultury. But they are metro stations I've been in, many times. It was early in the morning, the first one occured just before 8am (Harry was in the car, going to work) and the other one followed about 40 minutes later. Rush hour, to be sure. People coming and going, minding their own business, going to work, to school, maybe home. All innocent....except for the two female bombers, with explosives strapped to their bodies. Waiting for the right moment....the train pulls into the station, the doors open, people disembarking and embarking. I can't imagine it. The horror is shown in pictures but I can't believe that you can even grasp what it must be like. I can't. The pictures seem like TV shows....I've seen lots of dead bodies on Law & Order. Then imagine the chaos that follows. Imagine being taken to a Moscow hospital. They probably receive adequate treatment, if they are lucky, if they have the language skills, if they know the right people. I always said that I would fly out of here for a hangnail, and I still say it. As my friend Lydia said, perhaps heaven would be preferable to a Moscow hospital!
So how did I spend my day? (The dog groomer never showed....I had my driver call her in the afternoon to make sure she was ok. He rescheduled her.) OD'ing on CNN and BBC World and Russia Today News. They had nothing new to say from about 10am on, but listen I did. I watched the pictures, the horror on peoples faces. I heard that they suspect 2 females from the Caucases, I try to imagine what would cause a woman to travel from so far away from home, strap explosives to her body and kill innocent people. What were her last thoughts? Did she look at the people she was trying to kill. Was the indoctrination complete? Obviously. She was killing infidels in a Holy War. She had nothing left to live for. Perhaps her children and husband had been murdered or disappeared. Perhaps she had been raped and imprisoned. As you can see, it was a dark day.
Today, I met above mentioned Lydia for lunch. I decided to walk to the restaurant, about 30 minutes away, on a busy street. Usually the walk is filled with people talking quietly, on cell phones, maybe schoolgirls laughing. Today, not so much. Quiet was the rule of the day. President Medvedev had declared a day of mourning. Flags that hung on buildings were draped with black ribbons. And the quiet was just eery. The day was beautiful. The sun was shining, the trees are putting out tiny buds, the birds were chirping. But people were quiet.
What will the next few days and weeks bring? That remains to be seen. PM Putin vows to find those responsible. Life will return to normal. The Russians are resilient people. Even yesterday, by the late afternoon, the metro stations that had been the site of the attacks were open. Hopefully the violence won't visit this adopted city of mine again.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
We are still waiting to see when and where we are going when leaving Moscow. We have known for 2 months now that we will be leaving. The wheels are turning, but very, VERY slowly! Hope to have some news soon!
My dear friend Kim came back to Moscow this weekend. So glad to see her and to have someone to go to the grocery store with! I know I can do it myself just fine, but it's always much more fun to go with someone. Then of course, there's lunch! We met another young friend who just got engaged the night before (a romantic Valentine's proposal involving a pond and snow!) So it was a great day.
There is an article in the NY Times going around cyberspace entitled, "Washington Shivers, Moscow Laughs." It is rather hilarious, after 4 Moscow winters (although the "worst" 2 for me were the "mild" winters....too much slush,) to see the seat of government completely shut down. Yes, they don't get it often but come on, it's in the Northeast part of the US. I would understand it if Houston got that much snow...but Washington? Please! And I wouldn't say that Moscow does snow removal any better, and maybe worse, than the US but they just don't let it stop them. I remember moving here, I wanted to be sure to have plenty of reading material as I was SURE that I would be stuck inside for days on end due to snow and cold. Many of those books I shipped over still languish unread on my shelves because there is no way a blizzard stops anything here! Just put on your hat, coat, gloves, scarf, boots and get out there! That being said, I'm not the one that has to shovel it or drive in it.....
My dear friend Kim came back to Moscow this weekend. So glad to see her and to have someone to go to the grocery store with! I know I can do it myself just fine, but it's always much more fun to go with someone. Then of course, there's lunch! We met another young friend who just got engaged the night before (a romantic Valentine's proposal involving a pond and snow!) So it was a great day.
There is an article in the NY Times going around cyberspace entitled, "Washington Shivers, Moscow Laughs." It is rather hilarious, after 4 Moscow winters (although the "worst" 2 for me were the "mild" winters....too much slush,) to see the seat of government completely shut down. Yes, they don't get it often but come on, it's in the Northeast part of the US. I would understand it if Houston got that much snow...but Washington? Please! And I wouldn't say that Moscow does snow removal any better, and maybe worse, than the US but they just don't let it stop them. I remember moving here, I wanted to be sure to have plenty of reading material as I was SURE that I would be stuck inside for days on end due to snow and cold. Many of those books I shipped over still languish unread on my shelves because there is no way a blizzard stops anything here! Just put on your hat, coat, gloves, scarf, boots and get out there! That being said, I'm not the one that has to shovel it or drive in it.....
Thursday, February 4, 2010
In preparation for our departure from Moscow, I needed to get Abby's papers in order. I had taken her for her vaccinations in Jan. '08. Technically, you are to have your animal vaccinated every year here, but somehow that always slipped my mind. At any rate, I knew that I needed to get her in order, in order to get her out....wherever we end up going. In the past I have always had a friend go with me....sometimes even a Russian speaking friend, but all my "dog friends" have left, so here I am, alone, having to do this by myself. I just have to put on my big girl panties.....
So the driver finds the place in pretty quick order (new driver since the last time.) He parks across the street and says, there it is. Great....me & Abby cross the little street...not much traffic but ALOT of ice and snow and she is at full tilt. She needs to pee! Whew, that chore take care of and we skate through the gate and into the building. There is a sign on the door....I ignore it because I have no idea what it says. The waiting room is empty (could be good, could be bad...depending on what that darn sign says.) Well, I take my seat on the bench and notice down the hall, at the other end of the building, are alot of people with pets. But, I've never been down there. So, I sit...and pretty soon a guy with a dog exits one of the rooms and sits down in "my" waiting area. Ok, good sign. So I wait a few minutes more, a few people come through, dressed as though they work there...scrubs and official looking badges hanging around their necks. They all give me that disdainful Russian look.....what are YOU doing here. But I've gotten tough over the years....they don't scare me off! Finally, the door to the room I usually go into opens....and I can see that they are preparing to operate on a cute little weinerdog. He is obviously under the affect of anesthesia, they are gently arranging him how they need him, and then the door closes. I think, uh, oh....if I have to wait for the surgery to be finished, it might be awhile. In the meantime, to distract me....I hear BIG barking from the other end of the room....kind of behind us....and suddenly, in comes a street dog, talking big, like he owns the place. A lady comes out of the "operating room" (she is the kind lady I recognize from the last visit...YAY!) And she says to the dog, pajalsta (please) and shows the dog the door to the outside....and the dog dutifully leaves!! But he is out there barking and barking. He wants back in...where it is warm. So the kind lady disappears down the hall, but when she comes back she says a friendly "priviet" which means hi! in Russian. Not used to often, except among friends. I LOVE HER! I show her Abby's passport and shot record and mumble something about injections. She nods, smiles and motions me.......into the "operating room!!" Where they are OPERATING!! They have, fortunately, pulled a screen around so that I can't see. Abby and I sit and wait a few minutes, we fill out paperwork, she asks me for my email address (which I find hilarious.) She marks the passport, a couple of blue stamps, and the paperwork is done. I pay her 650 rubles (about $20 for a 4 in 1 shot) and we are done! Now to get out the door. I KNOW that street dog is out there. And sure enough, I open the door, Abby pushing beside me as she is ready to get the heck out of there...and there he is. He barks, we retreat. I think ok, I gotta get out of here. So I open the door wide, Abby and I slink out, he slinks in. Oh, well, the nice lady will have to ask him to please leave again! Whew!! Mission accomplished! Vadim waits on our side of the street, jumps out and lets Abby in the back. Now for the LONG ride home. Shouldn't take an hour but the traffic was horrible, and I had to stop for a framing project that I needed to pick up. By the time we drive in the gate, Abby is literally hopping up and down in the back. We both thought....I'm HOME!!!!!!!
So the driver finds the place in pretty quick order (new driver since the last time.) He parks across the street and says, there it is. Great....me & Abby cross the little street...not much traffic but ALOT of ice and snow and she is at full tilt. She needs to pee! Whew, that chore take care of and we skate through the gate and into the building. There is a sign on the door....I ignore it because I have no idea what it says. The waiting room is empty (could be good, could be bad...depending on what that darn sign says.) Well, I take my seat on the bench and notice down the hall, at the other end of the building, are alot of people with pets. But, I've never been down there. So, I sit...and pretty soon a guy with a dog exits one of the rooms and sits down in "my" waiting area. Ok, good sign. So I wait a few minutes more, a few people come through, dressed as though they work there...scrubs and official looking badges hanging around their necks. They all give me that disdainful Russian look.....what are YOU doing here. But I've gotten tough over the years....they don't scare me off! Finally, the door to the room I usually go into opens....and I can see that they are preparing to operate on a cute little weinerdog. He is obviously under the affect of anesthesia, they are gently arranging him how they need him, and then the door closes. I think, uh, oh....if I have to wait for the surgery to be finished, it might be awhile. In the meantime, to distract me....I hear BIG barking from the other end of the room....kind of behind us....and suddenly, in comes a street dog, talking big, like he owns the place. A lady comes out of the "operating room" (she is the kind lady I recognize from the last visit...YAY!) And she says to the dog, pajalsta (please) and shows the dog the door to the outside....and the dog dutifully leaves!! But he is out there barking and barking. He wants back in...where it is warm. So the kind lady disappears down the hall, but when she comes back she says a friendly "priviet" which means hi! in Russian. Not used to often, except among friends. I LOVE HER! I show her Abby's passport and shot record and mumble something about injections. She nods, smiles and motions me.......into the "operating room!!" Where they are OPERATING!! They have, fortunately, pulled a screen around so that I can't see. Abby and I sit and wait a few minutes, we fill out paperwork, she asks me for my email address (which I find hilarious.) She marks the passport, a couple of blue stamps, and the paperwork is done. I pay her 650 rubles (about $20 for a 4 in 1 shot) and we are done! Now to get out the door. I KNOW that street dog is out there. And sure enough, I open the door, Abby pushing beside me as she is ready to get the heck out of there...and there he is. He barks, we retreat. I think ok, I gotta get out of here. So I open the door wide, Abby and I slink out, he slinks in. Oh, well, the nice lady will have to ask him to please leave again! Whew!! Mission accomplished! Vadim waits on our side of the street, jumps out and lets Abby in the back. Now for the LONG ride home. Shouldn't take an hour but the traffic was horrible, and I had to stop for a framing project that I needed to pick up. By the time we drive in the gate, Abby is literally hopping up and down in the back. We both thought....I'm HOME!!!!!!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wow....it's been a long time since I have posted here. I should count up the number of times I start this blog with that statement! I think it must be almost all of them.
Well, indeed a lot has happened since the last time I was here. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years...just to name a few!
I won't bore you with all the details of everything.....it would bore me as well! I will just say that we had a great Christmas/New Years in the States with family & friends. It included a very quick trip to OKC, cut short by the snow storm of the decade. Then a wonderful cruise with the Lasher side of the family, as well as Meghan's Jacob and Drew's Marie. We were so happy that Marie was able to travel from her native Korea to meet all of us and go on the cruise. Despite jet lag, meeting a ton of new people and the language differences she was a trooper! It was good to get to know both kids' significant others. We enjoy them very much. We also got to meet our grand puppy PC (Meghan & Jacob's dog) for the first time. He is a sweetie, full of energy and love!
Just before we left for the States for the holidays we received word that we would be leaving Moscow in the first quarter (that's finance speak for sometime Feb/March.) We still don't know when or where! We are trusting God to put us in just the right place for us. It did cut down on the stock-up shopping for Moscow....and I sure didn't need to look for a new coat and boots! I'm really sad about the new coat...I wanted a RED one!
So how do I feel about leaving Moscow? At first, and still....SAD! I have loved my time here, I have loved my friends here, I have loved my life here. Still, we have been here 4 years...and probably it is time to move on, as someone told me, before I despise it! That is a positive way to think of it. And when we know where we will be going, then we will have something to be excited about (hopefully!) At any rate....if you would say a little prayer for us, it would be appreciated. The hard part hasn't even started. I suppose the long drawn out is a good thing. I have time to....detach. I have time to clean out those spaces that desperately need it at my leisure. I have time to do those last things I want to do. And revisit those things I want to see one last time.
So thanks for your prayers....please pray for me to leave it in God's hands and quit trying to take it back. Pray that Harry's next job is just exactly what he wants. Work has been stressful at times here. Heck, LIFE has been stressful at times here!! But we wouldn't have missed this opportunity for the world! Excuse me, while I go find a kleenex to dry my tears....the first of many!
Well, indeed a lot has happened since the last time I was here. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years...just to name a few!
I won't bore you with all the details of everything.....it would bore me as well! I will just say that we had a great Christmas/New Years in the States with family & friends. It included a very quick trip to OKC, cut short by the snow storm of the decade. Then a wonderful cruise with the Lasher side of the family, as well as Meghan's Jacob and Drew's Marie. We were so happy that Marie was able to travel from her native Korea to meet all of us and go on the cruise. Despite jet lag, meeting a ton of new people and the language differences she was a trooper! It was good to get to know both kids' significant others. We enjoy them very much. We also got to meet our grand puppy PC (Meghan & Jacob's dog) for the first time. He is a sweetie, full of energy and love!
Just before we left for the States for the holidays we received word that we would be leaving Moscow in the first quarter (that's finance speak for sometime Feb/March.) We still don't know when or where! We are trusting God to put us in just the right place for us. It did cut down on the stock-up shopping for Moscow....and I sure didn't need to look for a new coat and boots! I'm really sad about the new coat...I wanted a RED one!
So how do I feel about leaving Moscow? At first, and still....SAD! I have loved my time here, I have loved my friends here, I have loved my life here. Still, we have been here 4 years...and probably it is time to move on, as someone told me, before I despise it! That is a positive way to think of it. And when we know where we will be going, then we will have something to be excited about (hopefully!) At any rate....if you would say a little prayer for us, it would be appreciated. The hard part hasn't even started. I suppose the long drawn out is a good thing. I have time to....detach. I have time to clean out those spaces that desperately need it at my leisure. I have time to do those last things I want to do. And revisit those things I want to see one last time.
So thanks for your prayers....please pray for me to leave it in God's hands and quit trying to take it back. Pray that Harry's next job is just exactly what he wants. Work has been stressful at times here. Heck, LIFE has been stressful at times here!! But we wouldn't have missed this opportunity for the world! Excuse me, while I go find a kleenex to dry my tears....the first of many!
Friday, November 13, 2009
So I went to the grocery store this morning, and all the employees were wearing medical masks. Of course most of them had them around their neck or looped over their ear. The point? Not sure. Just to make a show I guess.
Then went to the money machine. I usually walk, but I'm extremely tired from the Craft Fair yesterday and the weather is gross. So I had Dima drive me. After I asked him to take me, I realized it was on the busiest street in Moscow, mid-morning. Not very likely that there would be parking spaces. And of course there weren't any. No problem.....just double park! Just one of the many practices that makes Moscow traffic horrendous. However, this morning, I was more than happy to take advantage!
The 16th annual AWO Craft Fair. benefitting the children's oncology hospital, was yesterday. We have worked for many months on it. But really, REALLY worked the last 2 days. It was very successful and we are happy....but mostly happy it is over!
Then went to the money machine. I usually walk, but I'm extremely tired from the Craft Fair yesterday and the weather is gross. So I had Dima drive me. After I asked him to take me, I realized it was on the busiest street in Moscow, mid-morning. Not very likely that there would be parking spaces. And of course there weren't any. No problem.....just double park! Just one of the many practices that makes Moscow traffic horrendous. However, this morning, I was more than happy to take advantage!
The 16th annual AWO Craft Fair. benefitting the children's oncology hospital, was yesterday. We have worked for many months on it. But really, REALLY worked the last 2 days. It was very successful and we are happy....but mostly happy it is over!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Fall in Moscow
Harry is always "reminding" me to update my blog....no so easy to find fun things to write about anymore (have I been here too long???) but a couple of things have happened recently, so here I am to tell you about them.
A couple of Sundays ago, as we were walking up to the church, a few 20-somethings were gathered at the gate. Not the typical St. Louis parishioners....they had piercings and leather and spikes and were holding flowers and smoking a last cigarette before heading into church. A couple of people were holding bouquets of flowers (an odd compliment to the aformentioned dress) I suspected they had no idea this was a English-language Catholic Mass. As far as they were concerned it was a church, and apparently any church would do. They were a few minutes behind us in entering the church, and came in loudly (I think there were maybe 8 or 10 of them.) Fr. Eduard, our friendly, but strict junior priest hushed them from the altar where he was setting up for Mass. (Fr. Eduard was the priest who reprimanded us after Mass one Sunday for not singing! Our organist and chief choir member (there are maybe 4 or 5 at best anyway!!) were not there. We are a congregation where, for the majority of us, English is not the first language....give us a break!!! Anyway I digress........) They sat right behind Harry and I. Mass began, they chatted through most of it, albeit fairly quietly. Friend Anne, who was sitting behind this little band, said more than one left for a cigarette break during Mass. The sign of peace was rather humorous...I was determined to shake their hands. They weren't quite sure what to do but took my offered hand and smiled back. They were smart enough not to go to Communion. After Mass, I saw our ever present Andrew (without whom Mass would not go as smoothly as it does) take a couple back to the Sacristy....I assume to speak to Fr. Eduard. I had no idea what was going on but very curious about it all. So at breakfast after Mass I asked Andrew what the deal was. He said that they had showed up to get married!! I'm sure Fr. Eduard set them straight. Not sure this would EVER happen in the US. Life is (almost) always entertaining in Moscow!
This next story is more humorous (for me, anyway) in hindsight. When it was occuring, I didn't find it nearly so amusing. It's kind of a 2 part story.....
Saturday morning we went to the Mega Mall north of town. It's a bit of a trip out there but we can make a day of it. I bribe Harry with offer of lunch at a KFC where he can have fried chicken AND beer. We went to the Lowes-type store for some plants for the church garden, then on to Auchan's grocery store for a few items. Now, if we didn't desperately need some of the items I would never even walk into this store on a Saturday, mid day. It is the craziest place you have ever seen (I'm sure I've told you about it before in this space.) Not only are there so many people you can barely walk (and Russians are not known for their courtesy or their understanding of personal space.) Now amid ALL this chaos, they are stocking the shelves, as they always do. Doesn't matter how busy the place is, they stock shelves. So, TONS of people, pallets of goods, and forklifts!!!! Well, Harry is off getting something, I tell him I'm going to get eggs and milk...he is just a little ways behind me. In front of me is a forklift. So, I step between 2 pallets to get out of the forklift's way, not even noticing there is a cart (not mine of course) between me and the forklift. Well, she hits the cart and pushes it in to me...to the side of her mind you. I am pinned (and it's a bit uncomfortable as you can imagine) between the cart and the pallet. I can't get out, I can't move. I hear Harry say, sort of loudly, are you ok? The forklift lady, backs up, climbs down off the cart, shoves it out of her way (I escape) and climbs back up on the forlklift and drives off. Not one word of apology or even a glance my way. I'm used to it....I might have been in more shock if she had said something to me!
Part 2 of the Auchan's story: So I've been "forklifted" and as you can well imagine, I'm not very happy (pissed off if you want to know the truth!!) We get our few necessary items and go to the check-out stand. Now on most Saturdays the lines at this place are RIDICULOUSLY long, but they have fairly recently instituted express lanes. So there are 6 express lanes and you stand in one queue til one of the 6 checkers is open. We are (amazingly!) first in line, staning there, minding our own business. Suddenly a Russian lady walks up and places herself right in front of me! Now, again, this is typical Russian behavior. If they think they can get away with it, they will cut in line with no qualms whatsoever. So I say to her in Russian, excuse me. She, with a big grin on her face says something back to me, which of course I don't understand. So I say to her, loudly and in English, EXCUSE ME, I WAS HERE FIRST, YOU WERE NOT!!! And I step in front of her.....and she backs off. Then it is my turn and I walk up to the cashier, who is smiling and pretty soon laughing. I ask Harry, do you think they are laughing at me or her? He says, probably both of you! Harry says, good for you. If I had not been pinned by a forklifted cart I might have let her pass....but not this day!
We ended the day with a trip to the honey festival and a walk around the lovely Tsaritsino park. The weather was beautiful and the trees are turning. I was happy to have a good memory to replace the "Auchan's Moment."
A couple of Sundays ago, as we were walking up to the church, a few 20-somethings were gathered at the gate. Not the typical St. Louis parishioners....they had piercings and leather and spikes and were holding flowers and smoking a last cigarette before heading into church. A couple of people were holding bouquets of flowers (an odd compliment to the aformentioned dress) I suspected they had no idea this was a English-language Catholic Mass. As far as they were concerned it was a church, and apparently any church would do. They were a few minutes behind us in entering the church, and came in loudly (I think there were maybe 8 or 10 of them.) Fr. Eduard, our friendly, but strict junior priest hushed them from the altar where he was setting up for Mass. (Fr. Eduard was the priest who reprimanded us after Mass one Sunday for not singing! Our organist and chief choir member (there are maybe 4 or 5 at best anyway!!) were not there. We are a congregation where, for the majority of us, English is not the first language....give us a break!!! Anyway I digress........) They sat right behind Harry and I. Mass began, they chatted through most of it, albeit fairly quietly. Friend Anne, who was sitting behind this little band, said more than one left for a cigarette break during Mass. The sign of peace was rather humorous...I was determined to shake their hands. They weren't quite sure what to do but took my offered hand and smiled back. They were smart enough not to go to Communion. After Mass, I saw our ever present Andrew (without whom Mass would not go as smoothly as it does) take a couple back to the Sacristy....I assume to speak to Fr. Eduard. I had no idea what was going on but very curious about it all. So at breakfast after Mass I asked Andrew what the deal was. He said that they had showed up to get married!! I'm sure Fr. Eduard set them straight. Not sure this would EVER happen in the US. Life is (almost) always entertaining in Moscow!
This next story is more humorous (for me, anyway) in hindsight. When it was occuring, I didn't find it nearly so amusing. It's kind of a 2 part story.....
Saturday morning we went to the Mega Mall north of town. It's a bit of a trip out there but we can make a day of it. I bribe Harry with offer of lunch at a KFC where he can have fried chicken AND beer. We went to the Lowes-type store for some plants for the church garden, then on to Auchan's grocery store for a few items. Now, if we didn't desperately need some of the items I would never even walk into this store on a Saturday, mid day. It is the craziest place you have ever seen (I'm sure I've told you about it before in this space.) Not only are there so many people you can barely walk (and Russians are not known for their courtesy or their understanding of personal space.) Now amid ALL this chaos, they are stocking the shelves, as they always do. Doesn't matter how busy the place is, they stock shelves. So, TONS of people, pallets of goods, and forklifts!!!! Well, Harry is off getting something, I tell him I'm going to get eggs and milk...he is just a little ways behind me. In front of me is a forklift. So, I step between 2 pallets to get out of the forklift's way, not even noticing there is a cart (not mine of course) between me and the forklift. Well, she hits the cart and pushes it in to me...to the side of her mind you. I am pinned (and it's a bit uncomfortable as you can imagine) between the cart and the pallet. I can't get out, I can't move. I hear Harry say, sort of loudly, are you ok? The forklift lady, backs up, climbs down off the cart, shoves it out of her way (I escape) and climbs back up on the forlklift and drives off. Not one word of apology or even a glance my way. I'm used to it....I might have been in more shock if she had said something to me!
Part 2 of the Auchan's story: So I've been "forklifted" and as you can well imagine, I'm not very happy (pissed off if you want to know the truth!!) We get our few necessary items and go to the check-out stand. Now on most Saturdays the lines at this place are RIDICULOUSLY long, but they have fairly recently instituted express lanes. So there are 6 express lanes and you stand in one queue til one of the 6 checkers is open. We are (amazingly!) first in line, staning there, minding our own business. Suddenly a Russian lady walks up and places herself right in front of me! Now, again, this is typical Russian behavior. If they think they can get away with it, they will cut in line with no qualms whatsoever. So I say to her in Russian, excuse me. She, with a big grin on her face says something back to me, which of course I don't understand. So I say to her, loudly and in English, EXCUSE ME, I WAS HERE FIRST, YOU WERE NOT!!! And I step in front of her.....and she backs off. Then it is my turn and I walk up to the cashier, who is smiling and pretty soon laughing. I ask Harry, do you think they are laughing at me or her? He says, probably both of you! Harry says, good for you. If I had not been pinned by a forklifted cart I might have let her pass....but not this day!
We ended the day with a trip to the honey festival and a walk around the lovely Tsaritsino park. The weather was beautiful and the trees are turning. I was happy to have a good memory to replace the "Auchan's Moment."
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Military Tattoo????
No it isn't body art! A military tattoo is a military music festival and although I've never been to one anywhere else, I would say that Moscow's must surely rank up there with some of the best. Bands (and really, some were more like theatrical productions, some were straight off the (American) football fields. All were great and some were fabulous! Some of the countries represented: Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Israel, Finland, Italy, France, UK, combining GB and Northern Ireland (representing mechanical and electrical engineering,) China...those are the ones I can remember (no Americans....financial crisis, maybe??) Ranks up there as one of the top experiences for me in Moscow.
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