tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10546015507976595202024-03-05T21:34:09.610-05:00Who Moved My Borscht?My adventures in celebrating the unexpected and finding the fabulous...in beautiful Moscow!Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-84343587087918989302012-03-13T02:12:00.003-04:002012-03-13T09:59:16.482-04:00Excuse me, is that your GOAT...eating your purse?<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We met great friends recently at one of our fave Georgian restaurants in Moscow called Khachapuri. (Side note...Khachapuri is a type of melt-in-your mouth bread served with melted cheese and egg poured in the middle. Safe to say all Georgian food is packed with flavor - delicious sauces, lots of nuts = heaven!). </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KRqA9UQfGhYXY0BJxfEwaa6v7Q2CPSdfNIWMFW2XsEsdsQanptu3bdBtW_0w1CY0dPiS-8aU55qV_vrdt8Yo5n0086w8BLskePYdB4vsbgyHTRJmwF7Qd2C_9ulEflM3fKLs4hQyo7RD/s1600/gallery_28661_3386_11602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KRqA9UQfGhYXY0BJxfEwaa6v7Q2CPSdfNIWMFW2XsEsdsQanptu3bdBtW_0w1CY0dPiS-8aU55qV_vrdt8Yo5n0086w8BLskePYdB4vsbgyHTRJmwF7Qd2C_9ulEflM3fKLs4hQyo7RD/s400/gallery_28661_3386_11602.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Khachapuri - all world!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We arrived at the bustling restaurant and began the 5 minute minimum required undressing process...the removal of layer, upon layer of cold-blocking accoutrement. During this exercise I happened to glance down and notice a medium sized dog (caught him from the rear view) wandering about the restaurant. This was strange, I thought, as we’ve been to this lovely restaurant many times and never caught a glimpse of a dog roaming about. Unlike most of Europe, dogs are not so welcomed in eating establishments in Russia. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And then I did a double take...................this was no dog....................this was a goat...............yes, a GOAT!!!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now this restaurant is no road-side, throw your peanut shells on the floor, bare lightbulb from the ceiling kind of joint. It is a well-lit, cozy, more of an “upscale” kind of place. Never have we seen a goat here, nor a dog, not even a mouse. And this was no ordinary goat....he was dressed to the nines wearing a very stylish, expensive, Burberry winter coat - apparently custom made as it fit him to a tee with zipper up the back and red trimmed side pockets. The side pockets were for.....carrying a spare tin can? He was also sporting a diaper, (bonus for everybody!), and of course a hoop earring. It was the most bizarre -- and perhaps intriguing thing we’ve ever seen. My first thought - where is sanitation control? We’re about to order a couple rounds of food, drinks, dessert...are we supposed to share with the goat? Then I quickly remembered we’re in Moscow where anything and everything goes. The goat stays.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXn6aW2LaeKIpSvrDBWl1ZrcWf3Sx6ehuwp0Cqy5I1p668XHk5Japrw9TL5MqS-WS4JbAwRSluRZkdMHPgVh5zwGQkKLdBnG924uClufulwcYHKPUqGZvglLx4g4eFvptbvJTDv90XYWf/s1600/Russian+Goat+Feb+12+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXn6aW2LaeKIpSvrDBWl1ZrcWf3Sx6ehuwp0Cqy5I1p668XHk5Japrw9TL5MqS-WS4JbAwRSluRZkdMHPgVh5zwGQkKLdBnG924uClufulwcYHKPUqGZvglLx4g4eFvptbvJTDv90XYWf/s400/Russian+Goat+Feb+12+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Ummmm...tasty shirt..."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Throughout the night, the goat meandered about the restaurant - sniffing around, grazing on dropped crumbs and munching on the contents of open purses on the backs of chairs (not kidding).</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our friends arrived before us and witnessed the goat’s exclamation when the live piano player stopped playing to take a break: “BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”. His version of “ENCORE!”?</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As the night went on, the little fella came to grow on us. He had obviously passed obedience school with flying colors as he was quite polite and mingled nicely with the crowd. He was also down right cute and appeared to have just had a bath - well manicured hooves, nicely combed fur. Fresh from the salon! </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgset0xOdAvKUfQqDgyXJAv4MROgZ2VCdJaRwbvvr9_byHFxOUMzn5cc3EeluFVEJSEoeD5TSpL0H7BUCn7GF-lGKrpI0f74k6HQ79m46mij3O8clSGkFPC7lA8VQYrQLDLxzc2qLp5T_zD/s1600/Russian+Goat+Feb+12+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgset0xOdAvKUfQqDgyXJAv4MROgZ2VCdJaRwbvvr9_byHFxOUMzn5cc3EeluFVEJSEoeD5TSpL0H7BUCn7GF-lGKrpI0f74k6HQ79m46mij3O8clSGkFPC7lA8VQYrQLDLxzc2qLp5T_zD/s400/Russian+Goat+Feb+12+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hi little fella...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Towards the end of the night I felt my paper napkin disappearing only to realize the goat needed a snack. Our friend, Margo, tried to feed him some lamb, which he balked at. Must have been an acquaintance. “No thanks....that’s my friend, Bob.”</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4wKI5MTiYqPsdsnqpFwcs0Nz9oN52wRz0j7B8YH3sKsmGOsKXVXOwIj4y87cGD_SoV0F61aezcmxm_Kcnqo7GproT4DRJE3m12RDT4HgRFoZa0ReLC6l2Dyly2IMgsKSu1sie74GixRa/s1600/images-105.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4wKI5MTiYqPsdsnqpFwcs0Nz9oN52wRz0j7B8YH3sKsmGOsKXVXOwIj4y87cGD_SoV0F61aezcmxm_Kcnqo7GproT4DRJE3m12RDT4HgRFoZa0ReLC6l2Dyly2IMgsKSu1sie74GixRa/s1600/images-105.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-23312374185504505992012-03-07T09:06:00.008-05:002012-03-21T01:31:35.462-04:00And the winner is....<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Putin.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I contemplated ending this blog post here as kind of a "nuf said!", but, actually, there’s more to the story. I think it’s clear my blog is in no way a repository for political banter but I would be remiss not to share our local observation of the political history that has taken place in Moscow over the last 75 days. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We have had a unique and, I think, special opportunity to literally walk out our front door and observe the protests first-hand. A political hum started here in Moscow back in December that has worked into a protest anthem that's being sung by Russians loud and clear.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP8cJYggzoYt13GnGDMddOji9zZLOkVz5GZVj_f5oskjMCNQWtHut2sCbFDeVsOTNlTsVQs2f_Kv_PrPOI-u5tbp68NgFNWg_lF2SNNVY1-kLQbv4HZ1dAHmlvBFU-ldOF4mGT3FsPBwH/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP8cJYggzoYt13GnGDMddOji9zZLOkVz5GZVj_f5oskjMCNQWtHut2sCbFDeVsOTNlTsVQs2f_Kv_PrPOI-u5tbp68NgFNWg_lF2SNNVY1-kLQbv4HZ1dAHmlvBFU-ldOF4mGT3FsPBwH/s640/IMG_2830.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In Moscow, from all accounts, after speaking to many locals, the contempt isn’t necessarily with Putin, although there’s plenty of room for argument there. Putin is often viewed locally as a stabilizer of the country over the past decade or so. From what I’ve observed, what Russians most want is an end to corruption and unfair elections. Those sound like reasonable requests.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KBfDWM_U0T8CmLJ7BEuWSicLkTq0fdrObX1DMm0xp32MAVvaxUwMqJhxwOcV8jICr5uF5JYS8KM06sSXLV0h2HIukVEhO0hrTR539aJMMki-eo74ViGapf_uHvr8YnhjgnKNS4o3p_Uv/s1600/IMG_2841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KBfDWM_U0T8CmLJ7BEuWSicLkTq0fdrObX1DMm0xp32MAVvaxUwMqJhxwOcV8jICr5uF5JYS8KM06sSXLV0h2HIukVEhO0hrTR539aJMMki-eo74ViGapf_uHvr8YnhjgnKNS4o3p_Uv/s400/IMG_2841.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Police poised with a brigade of water guns...that were not used.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It’s an interesting phenomenon -- to walk among protesters. (</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Side note</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">: we haven’t run out to actively mingle with the crowd....we literally could not walk to the gym, the grocery store, the metro without being engulfed by throngs of opposers). It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced in the U.S. We left, of course, before the “occupy X” hysteria took residence in big cities across the U.S. and in other necks of the worldwide woods. </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CEcB3VUtU4mkIv-dL3NM31Mgbz9Hor7iPs4f6DAcRGUeCMa8H3mY9k_7ulckBuBhCUjx2hAhUNdzST-wLc0rrYT3cG2xDEKopzEM6hnSa4B4tF7YBy7fz6zujmAZ-TsPXJjJTDFvPRrB/s1600/IMG_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CEcB3VUtU4mkIv-dL3NM31Mgbz9Hor7iPs4f6DAcRGUeCMa8H3mY9k_7ulckBuBhCUjx2hAhUNdzST-wLc0rrYT3cG2xDEKopzEM6hnSa4B4tF7YBy7fz6zujmAZ-TsPXJjJTDFvPRrB/s320/IMG_2833.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">White ribbons worn as a statement of solidarity</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first big organized protest took place shortly after the Duma (their government) elections in early December. Some accounts say upwards of 60,000+ showed up in a park next to our apartment. Amazingly, no violence reported. The protestors were well dressed, academic types - the emerging middle class. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWbjqeQup1vuWY9FQ5TYfu1BBJorFbsKJ7thXmK7ziNf-duIeq2XWHPVNHr9dVl7eUV4Cn_LR7hccDtybveFf_EaQTRxBBB3RPqhLIT50dAyqTP5ha_fclTMVp-6ANMMeF8nXu2LgvooX/s1600/IMG_2818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWbjqeQup1vuWY9FQ5TYfu1BBJorFbsKJ7thXmK7ziNf-duIeq2XWHPVNHr9dVl7eUV4Cn_LR7hccDtybveFf_EaQTRxBBB3RPqhLIT50dAyqTP5ha_fclTMVp-6ANMMeF8nXu2LgvooX/s640/IMG_2818.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Several other protests took place over the last several months and again after the presidential election on Sunday and a day after the election this past Monday. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This activity will go down in history books as the loudest political “voice” the Russians have had since the Soviet Union fell in 1991. It’s been amazing to hear their voice just outside our windows. Is the Kremlin listening? Time will tell...</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy0RUa6uxbjav4orLEsSJGx8gTnki6PxeRyRi1K7t3V_MNRUpAOzAt_whI0UtHZA4ShBYCCf6tJsZUDw4AoPSGUwIh-eydREJ5J6Cqxrk9KqG9xQyK6WrVsKriN2Ledp8rmrAV-wLY6PR/s1600/RTR_protests_468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy0RUa6uxbjav4orLEsSJGx8gTnki6PxeRyRi1K7t3V_MNRUpAOzAt_whI0UtHZA4ShBYCCf6tJsZUDw4AoPSGUwIh-eydREJ5J6Cqxrk9KqG9xQyK6WrVsKriN2Ledp8rmrAV-wLY6PR/s320/RTR_protests_468.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-39636724632319103752012-02-13T04:38:00.001-05:002012-02-14T00:19:26.894-05:00Chattering Teeth<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H56tPMyjFOlrqx6F3vCbvQMf6rLJf8_onVHi1eUNPjrIn7cA8xjTkm5m7D9cRUpftmtdfx8prKufa_6pFb_dizWDw-gIVKYHgvWd8Y-e_Ba63a5CyxgZDNmdaOM8Rp0sFC49mSpbVzoj/s1600/images-94.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H56tPMyjFOlrqx6F3vCbvQMf6rLJf8_onVHi1eUNPjrIn7cA8xjTkm5m7D9cRUpftmtdfx8prKufa_6pFb_dizWDw-gIVKYHgvWd8Y-e_Ba63a5CyxgZDNmdaOM8Rp0sFC49mSpbVzoj/s1600/images-94.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">May I vent for a second? IT’S FREAKIN COLD IN MOSCOW!!!! </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you, I feel better.</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I know, I know...what did we expect? It’s Russia after all. But this winter has been bitter. The kind of “don’t expose your skin for more than 10 minutes at a time” bitter. Today started at -25 Fahrenheit. While we want to experience the true essence of Moscow...spring is now welcome...at any time. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I keep thinking of the scene in Dr. Zhivago when they walk into their long lost home in Siberia to find it completely frozen over....</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZogAGMqOT9dOnQDoFTSxwo9T0X4YpkyO1CZixX2vSiu1L-KisW7RF65aaMdMFq6WQ2SIwJqZv3o6Sz4BhnK-oWCfyMWAHcAIT6ufkUFjI6b19Y_PBmkEghIStnYpXXI95tpptZjcC6rD/s640/dr-zhivago-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our apartment</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZogAGMqOT9dOnQDoFTSxwo9T0X4YpkyO1CZixX2vSiu1L-KisW7RF65aaMdMFq6WQ2SIwJqZv3o6Sz4BhnK-oWCfyMWAHcAIT6ufkUFjI6b19Y_PBmkEghIStnYpXXI95tpptZjcC6rD/s1600/dr-zhivago-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is Steve coming home from the office:</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zSBUngtBobYLnHjsSvw_QNPwtk3O6JmHQBhPjjr2A3fzJpsyPR_hytA6N0A_wEK6bJlrLhtfCqYSj9Penbxvz6T_hp7FOIXnvi1g-eFWTNdndbHlTA4b6nES4tVzfUQcRpQC79oR_06w/s400/images-96.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(not really)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zSBUngtBobYLnHjsSvw_QNPwtk3O6JmHQBhPjjr2A3fzJpsyPR_hytA6N0A_wEK6bJlrLhtfCqYSj9Penbxvz6T_hp7FOIXnvi1g-eFWTNdndbHlTA4b6nES4tVzfUQcRpQC79oR_06w/s1600/images-96.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is us on the way to the gym:</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPwCCpm24j-JCNccbqQOKuwsdr-biQZExquwQVTcgHP1azkzwtYcpRMsDcgOBQv4fyhOBnVFkglgfKJvI1DbEmjKU50gMo6_8UvvB-Y8t0d0mGsm_4CjkOEo5Cfm1sZjN4HoK32dQpnlD/s1600/images-97.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPwCCpm24j-JCNccbqQOKuwsdr-biQZExquwQVTcgHP1azkzwtYcpRMsDcgOBQv4fyhOBnVFkglgfKJvI1DbEmjKU50gMo6_8UvvB-Y8t0d0mGsm_4CjkOEo5Cfm1sZjN4HoK32dQpnlD/s400/images-97.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now you really can’t experience the full force of winter without constant dry, sandpaper, thirsty skin. I’m hunting around Moscow for a full body dipping service....similar to a flea dip for dogs. I’m all for a big vat of moisturizer or paraffin to dip my entire self into several times a week. Perhaps my next entrepreneurial gig!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa0u5aEHmKZMSE0rwbZ2ejxr3qKQKnN6GDz-HkZWUGQhtJd-0AD2y-cK0rBiwc1xnYZCsXlcsMGTFuFFxTkbrlZ9QaZgQPj6Xl3XrdMxw8A2xNvrGQDLkH3urRM_gBi41PeCoUeetzATh/s1600/Puppy+in+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa0u5aEHmKZMSE0rwbZ2ejxr3qKQKnN6GDz-HkZWUGQhtJd-0AD2y-cK0rBiwc1xnYZCsXlcsMGTFuFFxTkbrlZ9QaZgQPj6Xl3XrdMxw8A2xNvrGQDLkH3urRM_gBi41PeCoUeetzATh/s400/Puppy+in+basket.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPZkq_CUWQgYlK_TRIiAeQ1IBVhsFxWl9Z2JL03mwxMoWvGlEAfk5XnLlyEkFGzDFAe0m6Hg75tpqHNQYGl2yZrFNg73k-3Ztwu3wRcErreyS0qoH4Urs1d_3moQ5yUJRIFFuGtxYi4tc/s1600/images-99.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPZkq_CUWQgYlK_TRIiAeQ1IBVhsFxWl9Z2JL03mwxMoWvGlEAfk5XnLlyEkFGzDFAe0m6Hg75tpqHNQYGl2yZrFNg73k-3Ztwu3wRcErreyS0qoH4Urs1d_3moQ5yUJRIFFuGtxYi4tc/s400/images-99.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Full body size please!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-1517765543594073482012-02-02T03:32:00.006-05:002012-02-14T00:11:12.948-05:00Lost in translation...<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Q5JR0T7XK0wNDDu0PgV6mMIvE2mhyphenhyphen9mncMHze-jvHAhnWWAiLPie-FFOdLNl_yKa6z6FgmHKGLldaiPbIc4EZbnhUaCbOc1_3_OQMlpjvXFnTx4G2JQA9VCFvfsdIQ5_tlsRVNvufDXy/s1600/evroset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Q5JR0T7XK0wNDDu0PgV6mMIvE2mhyphenhyphen9mncMHze-jvHAhnWWAiLPie-FFOdLNl_yKa6z6FgmHKGLldaiPbIc4EZbnhUaCbOc1_3_OQMlpjvXFnTx4G2JQA9VCFvfsdIQ5_tlsRVNvufDXy/s400/evroset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Santa brought me a new iPhone for Christmas....love you Santa! As I walked into the small phone store in our neighborhood to get a Russian phone number, it became apparent that the three, very nice employees, spoke no Angliski. This was expected and par for the course. And so the full force effort to communicate began - from their side and my side - the charades, the nodding of heads, the shaking of heads, the shoulder shrugs that say “no remote idea what you’re trying to communicate”. I mean really, how do you act out “I’d like a new mini SIM card for my new iPhone”? General charade gestures typically don’t cover this kind of stuff. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvVW_QXHlW7u45goCeJAMCugj3n3VPq24GhBNMiR4Xswq1YiDk_jr_gGeSmhzsKfmQoeCL9fRReYpshP_GKDZOrevdvdBNn_Lx2X2o0v26DLeXzJh-aNR-uXc-pBIPu08HZIBmADJCqEN/s1600/images-70.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvVW_QXHlW7u45goCeJAMCugj3n3VPq24GhBNMiR4Xswq1YiDk_jr_gGeSmhzsKfmQoeCL9fRReYpshP_GKDZOrevdvdBNn_Lx2X2o0v26DLeXzJh-aNR-uXc-pBIPu08HZIBmADJCqEN/s320/images-70.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Finally, one of the employees walks me over to a new computer (which was for sale) and we stood there taking turns at the game of Google Translate. Quite genius! Now the Google Translate website is a "go to" for all American ex-pats everywhere in the world - we use it daily to try and understand what the heck is going on around us. Thanks to the brilliance of this employee, this was the first time I used this method to actually “talk” to a Russian in a store. Now why didn’t I think of this sooner?? Click a button, he’s typing in Russian - converting to English. Click again, I’m typing in English, converting to Russian. Felt very much like playing competitive chess...you make a move, hit the clock, your opponent makes a move, hit the clock. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2mbpiHGs5VUM7MPDIABcCWPF3u_HqWPh3TlynkePwT3Vx2A8cxH0QSwiRryBizCFfxUbllVAME2SNQb_B_M-HDlPiRl6jdY4V36d2jR-P2Q4X00WYcMjZVH7y5iturEu-BCr1Ej577oF/s1600/translation.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2mbpiHGs5VUM7MPDIABcCWPF3u_HqWPh3TlynkePwT3Vx2A8cxH0QSwiRryBizCFfxUbllVAME2SNQb_B_M-HDlPiRl6jdY4V36d2jR-P2Q4X00WYcMjZVH7y5iturEu-BCr1Ej577oF/s400/translation.gif" width="400" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So back and forth, back and forth, we lobbed phrases to each other in our typing ping pong match. This went on for </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">40 minutes</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. Now you would think a conversation about a mini SIM card would not take this long. But it became quite comical as there were apparently lots of phrases completely lost in translation from both sides of the equation. Lots of sideways glances, like “??????”. For example, if I typed “that’s not going to work...”, that could translate into Russian as “that’s not your office...”</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Here’s pretty much how it went down:</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Good idea to communicate on the computer....I’m a bit lost in translation.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Employee: <b> </b> You lost what?</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> No, nothing lost, I just didn’t know what you were saying...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Empl:<b> </b> You didn’t say what?</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> No...I mean....ummm, let’s move on...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> I have a new iPhone</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Empl: Where did you buy it?</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me: In the US</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Empl: In the UK?</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me: No, in the United States</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Empl: I’m afraid I might break your phone</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me: Oh no, that would be bad...why do you think that?</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Empl: Your hat looks like mud...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me: <i>(sideways glance...)</i></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Empl: (<i>retyping)</i></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Your phone won’t work in Russia</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Well, actually, it should....this is an unlocked phone</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Empl: Don’t play stupid with me....</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>(sideways glance with cocked eyebrow...)</i></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Empl: (<i>retyping</i>)</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> I see...then it should work</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Da</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Empl: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Is that your yowza?</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>(wide eyes...quick head shake...)</i></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Empl:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>(retyping)</i></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Is that your phone cord?</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And so it continued... A small crowd actually gathered to cheer on the match - apparently curious about our communication technique. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This was all quite liberating - I felt like I was having a complete conversation with a Russian, in Russian. I wanted to go on and on and ask things like - “Where can my husband find a good barber? Where’s the best place to buy ripe avocados?” Instead, I walked out with a working iPhone. Yahtzee!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> “Advantage Russia....game, set, match.”</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGPaqRSLr8qvM7LnjXHXzCRbvVSOwYUiY3zAK6lpt86YnAYkkwxk00ecyG3vhM2gjxzl8qy-KbCL6Be_8807uKy9Hcy78bx8qOY2C_dl4BlkQEhCowm78Mx2D9oGjZVr5juMp4et6lbPx/s1600/uui-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGPaqRSLr8qvM7LnjXHXzCRbvVSOwYUiY3zAK6lpt86YnAYkkwxk00ecyG3vhM2gjxzl8qy-KbCL6Be_8807uKy9Hcy78bx8qOY2C_dl4BlkQEhCowm78Mx2D9oGjZVr5juMp4et6lbPx/s320/uui-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-27224722960474694792012-01-28T15:42:00.003-05:002012-02-14T00:29:20.987-05:00Tighten the saddle....let's ride!!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Welcome back to the land of Borscht! I fell off the blogging saddle. It’s a bit like taking a day off from the gym .... then 2 days .... then 2 months .... and you know the rest of that story. A tremendous thank you to all my loyal blog followers - family and friends - who have encouraged me to hoist myself back up in the saddle. I have remounted the tall steed...ya horsey!!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The blogging hiatus started with a trip back to the states for 3 weeks at the end of August. So here’s a mini recap of what the heck’s been going on since the "icy water" post:</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><ul><li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Contrary to popular belief, it does get down right warm in Moscow in the summer. The high this past July was around 93 degrees F. </span></span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJfKP1ef5d3qDomE2zTaeGltuJc6BZLCHQY76DRv7wQPh8rJBCnsnCv_MeABr7ZYMqaHnbf9_B0H5PMnbrJInmdT-tfYWsLW6ZGWd8XBQ7y_IMQGF8kIo79rO6yHZNSC5_08vIXaMOr90/s1600/IMG_1425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJfKP1ef5d3qDomE2zTaeGltuJc6BZLCHQY76DRv7wQPh8rJBCnsnCv_MeABr7ZYMqaHnbf9_B0H5PMnbrJInmdT-tfYWsLW6ZGWd8XBQ7y_IMQGF8kIo79rO6yHZNSC5_08vIXaMOr90/s400/IMG_1425.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It appears this thermometer needs a cleanin! (This is in celsius.)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><ul><li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Moscow underwent a sidewalk makeover over the summer. Every inch of sidewalk was torn up and reset in brick pavers. Sounds great. Er, not so much. When the sidewalks were torn up - there was no “plan B” for pedestrians - everyone was forced to walk smack dab in the superhighways they call city street traffic here. Also no forewarning of exposed manhole covers, etc. I can only imagine the tally of broken bones, sprained ankles and, well, deaths due to the upheaval. The Jimmy Choos and roller skaters had to be extra diligent. Perhaps most interesting, the brick company that “won” (using the term loosely) the work to repave the entire city is owned by the wife of the former Kremlin chief of staff. Spousal cronyism? Naaah. By the way, the wife is Russia’s only female billionaire...</span></span></li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZOqq4YwmgNtlim4mVBOeScplXC6GRaTxA4QduQTlwPwws4vkqYUhqRCoy-fn8hyphenhyphenZHYX6XC0knY-altOVit-Dx2NN2xChnJZomQxt9ziTOWjEwxtXcRhShAJIuyUEvZ_ivCTrQ1QYkQiH/s1600/IMG_1892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZOqq4YwmgNtlim4mVBOeScplXC6GRaTxA4QduQTlwPwws4vkqYUhqRCoy-fn8hyphenhyphenZHYX6XC0knY-altOVit-Dx2NN2xChnJZomQxt9ziTOWjEwxtXcRhShAJIuyUEvZ_ivCTrQ1QYkQiH/s640/IMG_1892.jpg" width="425" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Notice no warning tape saying "don't walk here"... P.S. go ahead and risk your life walking into on-coming traffic...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><ul><li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Found those fond of XC skiing staying in fine shape with these summer time contraptions:</span></span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gyUYHS1xC3LUZ86rPgv9Vxyd4p1BAWjBc0JwAx9c9ifzhNKn3cdjaoFahY1TUC3doHbY9xkFHGeSkrk4DAb3-RF8wEAJMKJHOBhtYyUrqIjz79R_y7Rh6aGtWIkv2QfrMvNYisapVMfF/s1600/images-67.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gyUYHS1xC3LUZ86rPgv9Vxyd4p1BAWjBc0JwAx9c9ifzhNKn3cdjaoFahY1TUC3doHbY9xkFHGeSkrk4DAb3-RF8wEAJMKJHOBhtYyUrqIjz79R_y7Rh6aGtWIkv2QfrMvNYisapVMfF/s1600/images-67.jpeg" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><ul><li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Of course Russia is in the midsts of one of the most interesting political periods in its history. More in a future blog on the protests...one of which took place right next to our apartment. We couldn’t help but casually stroll over and check it out first hand, (we were safe Mom, promise!). </span></span></li>
</ul><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We also took in the Bolshoi Theater and had many incredible trips to European locales as we are enjoying taking advantage of all the great travel at our fingertips.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You may remember how I prided myself in not making one banana peel (major wipe out) on the labyrinth of undulating ice and snow that engulfs Moscow every winter. Well...paybacks. Day one on the stuff this year - heels up to the sky...a direct hit to my knee and perhaps most horrifying - the designer purse settled in a huge, deep puddle of ice, mud and soot. To make matters worse, I was holding on to Steve’s arm...which I proceeded to pull out of its socket. That was one heck of a welcome back to shock us into reality. Welcome to winter, now go mend the hole in your pants and strap a sling to your husband’s shoulder...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We officially live in the land of the dark. We now have one less hour of daylight in winter. This started when the rest of the world switched to daylight savings time last fall. President Medvedev officially cancelled daylight savings time in Russia due to the stress of having to change all the clocks back (true story). The sun currently rises at around 10 a.m., sets at 6 p.m. All good...if you’re a vampire. Hello vitamin D.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This is what it currently looks like outside at 9:45 a.m.:</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxedZ_DxAtXdIEBajiejoK5aZMn7zUFgOtxPBNIzaVS7cQI01y8SG6yFcNLeDZY3aJxk4tehPCIfGV_CPiNpepdvpmTTtXFRZkTblL4Z4xcZpVm5kgUsWOqqmbRFUow3IaGg94j1L1ssog/s1600/black-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxedZ_DxAtXdIEBajiejoK5aZMn7zUFgOtxPBNIzaVS7cQI01y8SG6yFcNLeDZY3aJxk4tehPCIfGV_CPiNpepdvpmTTtXFRZkTblL4Z4xcZpVm5kgUsWOqqmbRFUow3IaGg94j1L1ssog/s320/black-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As comedian Ron White would said, today started with “no temperature”. It was 0 degrees F. Getting down to -9 tonight. Fun times right there. I was at an American Women's Organization meeting recently and in the middle of it, a woman started clapping. We all looked over and she was clapping...for the sun....because it came out for .08 seconds before it retreated back to its normal comfy spot behind thick grey clouds. It’s the little things that make us happy here.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So here we are at the grocery store yesterday....you’ll remember me talking about the exorbitant food prices. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoTc17WB7suRHmLd4SGdTkIvetjnVpxr9zxt_gMnjXF_GGDN21wmBgYSfzqT4es031lF-7U1mvg90TuhyimHZ1ReBiDObjvoWnktFRqGrNzsaqbgsf9pUmh6LzO8CkLcY9GHEB2Kptijb/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoTc17WB7suRHmLd4SGdTkIvetjnVpxr9zxt_gMnjXF_GGDN21wmBgYSfzqT4es031lF-7U1mvg90TuhyimHZ1ReBiDObjvoWnktFRqGrNzsaqbgsf9pUmh6LzO8CkLcY9GHEB2Kptijb/s640/IMG_0010.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A quick run down of what you're looking at... Blueberries on the left for 390 Rubles (that’s approx. $10)....yes, expensive for a small container of blueberries. To the right you see regular red bing cherries under the yellow Rainier cherries, (these cherries just happen to be my fave). Now for those doing the math at home, to convert to dollars, you basically divide Rubles by 30. You will see this small pint of bing cherries is 2,250 RUB or $75 and the Rainier cherries are a mere 2,800 RUB, or $93. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I wanted to. I slowly backed away from the cherry section....but did buy the $10 blueberries as a nice consolation prize...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-81093277638672073692011-08-15T04:16:00.004-04:002011-08-16T00:47:41.102-04:0010 days of a freezing cold hot summer...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInzPLGfWe4uEp_mpjwuX3Qk_duwGHPR2fxx9zYQIRPdgv17_sPSOmU6ZCjU4Arjf_JjUU_FHzP8PhHODigqS1kE386_ZzaREGqJ05gsRbIvR7N7IpXFYRc_8lpYVfj0rynn1de6ULE5MX/s1600/images-40.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInzPLGfWe4uEp_mpjwuX3Qk_duwGHPR2fxx9zYQIRPdgv17_sPSOmU6ZCjU4Arjf_JjUU_FHzP8PhHODigqS1kE386_ZzaREGqJ05gsRbIvR7N7IpXFYRc_8lpYVfj0rynn1de6ULE5MX/s400/images-40.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Post-it note to self: “Take nothing for granted!” This presently applies to the joy of having an unlimited supply of hot water running through the pipes of the apartment. We are in the middle of what I call the "10 day challenge"...currently experiencing 10 invigorating days without a drop of hot water. Translation: icy Siberian showers and a selection of cold water rinses for the dishwasher and washing machine.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dKdNB45WqYoFNAf6N6CukBRqdLKj4oDNkWeW2CUgcGNvXg5VigUUnkMCSczEf3LlZyoBUWtq-j2n5IDO2tY0_F8-kz05uHWhFW_-pEZwQB2PJ1_eYDpB1m9rp6VvsjYbxCLThGR81Qaj/s1600/cold_shower_by_rairakkuhanna-d38mjtz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dKdNB45WqYoFNAf6N6CukBRqdLKj4oDNkWeW2CUgcGNvXg5VigUUnkMCSczEf3LlZyoBUWtq-j2n5IDO2tY0_F8-kz05uHWhFW_-pEZwQB2PJ1_eYDpB1m9rp6VvsjYbxCLThGR81Qaj/s320/cold_shower_by_rairakkuhanna-d38mjtz.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As relative newbies to Moscow, we are being initiated into the concept of no hot water throughout the city for 10 days. And let me tell you...cold water in Moscow, in the summer, is darn frigid!</span></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHuB8YdvWHndTKlZpBr-DKiXITchk2gitIoyn9XxVRPnG7BXE5sTv2MY8o7E6VkHULeFsa0px5-R3PPaaeIEvJf3R7wVJp5XqIbTr35ITaUa5xCoqZWpQ3RbGHrMZMXyFieHwIzEJiNnV/s1600/images-32.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHuB8YdvWHndTKlZpBr-DKiXITchk2gitIoyn9XxVRPnG7BXE5sTv2MY8o7E6VkHULeFsa0px5-R3PPaaeIEvJf3R7wVJp5XqIbTr35ITaUa5xCoqZWpQ3RbGHrMZMXyFieHwIzEJiNnV/s1600/images-32.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While Moscow is emerging from the shadows of Soviet times and starting to come into its own as a flourishing city, a few items of old-world deprivation remain. Most buildings in Moscow get their hot water from a central city plant rather than from hot water boilers in the basement, as we do in the U.S. For 10 days, the hot water is turned off throughout the city for pipe maintenance. Hello breath-taking mornings!</span></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLo988gX_MfNZbCEWfRrqq6QEG3-pfMlUi01v1uE10k8AMYzr1Jyc1xMxab44Zm-xOs3RWW9Kim0N02DvrbQCDuWrqoSUszHh_bUgBlxqraax1sjvxeI15phWGolau3rgxok1_s9RGrKE/s1600/images-33.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLo988gX_MfNZbCEWfRrqq6QEG3-pfMlUi01v1uE10k8AMYzr1Jyc1xMxab44Zm-xOs3RWW9Kim0N02DvrbQCDuWrqoSUszHh_bUgBlxqraax1sjvxeI15phWGolau3rgxok1_s9RGrKE/s1600/images-33.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Me after the cold water douse...</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As you know, depending on the heat, and workout activity, many summer days are “2-a-days” in the shower department. After our workout yesterday, Steve and I looked at each other and said “you first”! My cold water shower survival tactic of choice is the “hokey pokey”. I put my right arm in, I pull my right arm out, I soap my right arm up and I rinse it all about. Then lather, rinse, repeat with my other limbs. And I'm not opposed to “turning myself about” as it makes the whole experience that much more pleasant. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Two more days to go....then hot water heaven!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7j5y-Xn8jJPzGha9uLWiBlLKZgf9IDXRChjYLA4TfqF0a2EuGl7sir1bzCNRR2ThRqTxOQVfZSKIeEM7U8pI0W-KoUaAIeABDR8yeqobypafoIc0KHL3X4j1LvgSL9Ao-QBGAsySzL_bC/s1600/images-35.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7j5y-Xn8jJPzGha9uLWiBlLKZgf9IDXRChjYLA4TfqF0a2EuGl7sir1bzCNRR2ThRqTxOQVfZSKIeEM7U8pI0W-KoUaAIeABDR8yeqobypafoIc0KHL3X4j1LvgSL9Ao-QBGAsySzL_bC/s400/images-35.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This method makes more sense to me...perhaps we can get the neighborhood to chip in for one of these...</span></td></tr>
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</span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-43978103975448447602011-08-05T03:37:00.002-04:002011-08-05T04:34:05.174-04:00Sky high heels!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YF5mQfr1AJUZblOElsmXUGiBLJR9SxHJuUBAkEGkx6dJ50BWK9bBcPnhI4buk8nF16_pliuJ4Czg3l65qlweo8XdFF3UPk1TBr1MIDwjJDL6J5vC09Lme0AUu82Z3jjm076kWRWg_E-q/s1600/Factory-direct-sale-women-high-heel-sandals-green-women-sandals-satin-sandals-sandals-for-women-strappy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YF5mQfr1AJUZblOElsmXUGiBLJR9SxHJuUBAkEGkx6dJ50BWK9bBcPnhI4buk8nF16_pliuJ4Czg3l65qlweo8XdFF3UPk1TBr1MIDwjJDL6J5vC09Lme0AUu82Z3jjm076kWRWg_E-q/s320/Factory-direct-sale-women-high-heel-sandals-green-women-sandals-satin-sandals-sandals-for-women-strappy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The stereotype of the beautiful Russian woman is, for the most part, spot on. Kate Moss comes to mind - mixed with a little Gisele and topped with a smidgen of Heidi Klum for good measure. And there’s no shortage either. Russian women out number men by approximately 10 million, (76.7 million women, 66.2 million men). Some say because of this illegible men shortage - competition is fierce - and, so, the young Russian woman is dressed to the nines 24/7. I give them full credit - it’s quite amazing, really.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cc22tyvT5Ismvx9Za3-eqFtmkVsfho1fJOZdj_HjvIRj_zoAM1Bwq3mknhvE7oxZP9L4J2YKPKqPWbnavX4QIaQssT1CbSCVdGs7waij9RDwnvOdFBL5gasN5Pu85QTOIpkv4GqR-tBo/s1600/images-22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cc22tyvT5Ismvx9Za3-eqFtmkVsfho1fJOZdj_HjvIRj_zoAM1Bwq3mknhvE7oxZP9L4J2YKPKqPWbnavX4QIaQssT1CbSCVdGs7waij9RDwnvOdFBL5gasN5Pu85QTOIpkv4GqR-tBo/s320/images-22.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And...high heels abound!I We’re talking really, reeeeeeally high heels, in the 4-8 inch category! All day, every day, through the rains of spring and the deep snows of winter, ascending the steepest of hills and foraging across broken, cracked, iced over, undulating pavement. Unfazed. Unflinching. They carry on. I have to think the podiatry clinics here are making a fortune. As I’ve mentioned, Moscow is very much a walking city - it’s not unusual to walk 5-6 miles a day depending on what’s “on the list” and where we’re going. I’m not quite sure how the heels do it - no insole cushion or strap relief gel pad can stand up to the beating these women dole out on their feet. Dr. Scholl’s - where are you? </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You'd make a killing. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf6Mk64xC0jQWifUviiOxSeLJp5d2H0p14loQ80gXhTY3wipaC8jwdDGCbJStG8qICPqMhY5d8RcFk5yKgCD242pc3Eo3PMIEKymscrr4tBfFDsNDyp0jg7Y_biYvwOclYAKp8NMKs577/s1600/IMG00881-20100725-1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf6Mk64xC0jQWifUviiOxSeLJp5d2H0p14loQ80gXhTY3wipaC8jwdDGCbJStG8qICPqMhY5d8RcFk5yKgCD242pc3Eo3PMIEKymscrr4tBfFDsNDyp0jg7Y_biYvwOclYAKp8NMKs577/s320/IMG00881-20100725-1916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When we first arrived in Moscow last November, I was completely dumbfounded as to how these women were navigating the elements so gracefully in these stilts. Finally, after weeks of watching these high heeled aficionados navigate over the frozen tundra, I walked into a shoe store and picked up a pair of these shanks to see what gives. Viola! Many are made with something like this....</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3LYKY4Em8ecUsLwxhGMwG_sf8ipJmlM85lwoKh9Uj3FjGWrgxo3CS6eUMu9EsWSfpuFbEER3I_HbX3nn8A_roXjC6my93WQyp4TuBRvx3UkM6l8bwp5hXfRYWO_GfKyspVG5i4U-pkdr/s1600/High-Heel-Ice-Grips-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3LYKY4Em8ecUsLwxhGMwG_sf8ipJmlM85lwoKh9Uj3FjGWrgxo3CS6eUMu9EsWSfpuFbEER3I_HbX3nn8A_roXjC6my93WQyp4TuBRvx3UkM6l8bwp5hXfRYWO_GfKyspVG5i4U-pkdr/s320/High-Heel-Ice-Grips-150x150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> No wonder these gals are prancing on the ice like ballet dancers from the Bolshoi. Bravo! (Brava! in Russian).</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY9wnoiHv9R089mbwIF7ncxV_oGTjTMJwD-QzxIU9bk0vxAtydH0opbqWBOAAJBQDhbT14ChYOoxm554x0f1DMcNZ-agt1yz_cc4OUBED9X-bhqFCBBbXu_qgD4HMB41Zdr3IvS7JiCTP/s1600/images-26.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY9wnoiHv9R089mbwIF7ncxV_oGTjTMJwD-QzxIU9bk0vxAtydH0opbqWBOAAJBQDhbT14ChYOoxm554x0f1DMcNZ-agt1yz_cc4OUBED9X-bhqFCBBbXu_qgD4HMB41Zdr3IvS7JiCTP/s320/images-26.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fFY050DRKrXD13_lmfyUmwu5ki5ko7hNyVErdcsuInkM_G-trXIdoMssWTDkIpNfkv09WacqLXfTwsQDzFZpS500wDZBIpq9EvYBw_MXpF-tRXXOjJTnxoHl0w5aAqCP9tkgLZRf7sCl/s1600/images-17.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fFY050DRKrXD13_lmfyUmwu5ki5ko7hNyVErdcsuInkM_G-trXIdoMssWTDkIpNfkv09WacqLXfTwsQDzFZpS500wDZBIpq9EvYBw_MXpF-tRXXOjJTnxoHl0w5aAqCP9tkgLZRf7sCl/s320/images-17.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now these look very practical....some sort of heavy gauge wire...good for piercing the ice...with solid traction on the ball of the foot - genius!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcr-lDWi6qmYjanDLdEeltrgbgZVhKNgrqxfus8XSQm6PxvRfiqCdCb1A54qL6hpM10mYBlJMuHdvIWP3HbconMaYtcmMVlM5UAmMKoZUj8qyC6ZW2FcM8HX4e2eyF0szmTs1RGrWO06GH/s1600/images-30.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcr-lDWi6qmYjanDLdEeltrgbgZVhKNgrqxfus8XSQm6PxvRfiqCdCb1A54qL6hpM10mYBlJMuHdvIWP3HbconMaYtcmMVlM5UAmMKoZUj8qyC6ZW2FcM8HX4e2eyF0szmTs1RGrWO06GH/s1600/images-30.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w9VTAXTwpJEDPp5q87RjnWvGIs7wv0p5Wfi97wUpo1bytzta8OcuEaCehSog87Gulgug-sSiv50-KvrUREXcO1Sd4jwKjrA2xtAD0nXMp4NAxdgz0p0C_NBw2IpTTulr91YXxkbFcpQH/s1600/high-heeled-shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w9VTAXTwpJEDPp5q87RjnWvGIs7wv0p5Wfi97wUpo1bytzta8OcuEaCehSog87Gulgug-sSiv50-KvrUREXcO1Sd4jwKjrA2xtAD0nXMp4NAxdgz0p0C_NBw2IpTTulr91YXxkbFcpQH/s1600/high-heeled-shoes.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here is a hero if there ever was one....I like the way this gal thinks....if I decide to go the high heel route in winter - I’ll just have Steve carry me around. He’s big and strong after all.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTetKcVAqERxpxQS6xojErJUBJKW3WV0mMgIyN-XpFz3fWD6RuA_iO8E0KVgSlD4ZW_HYrG8aiJMO4FSk1udi-9KPTIniDtzZ6hk8-48mxfc_3Uby2UPNv-7tFlnM6wVx0jePAZEvjGNQ/s1600/tumblr_lgqct4HOJY1qedg2no1_500_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTetKcVAqERxpxQS6xojErJUBJKW3WV0mMgIyN-XpFz3fWD6RuA_iO8E0KVgSlD4ZW_HYrG8aiJMO4FSk1udi-9KPTIniDtzZ6hk8-48mxfc_3Uby2UPNv-7tFlnM6wVx0jePAZEvjGNQ/s400/tumblr_lgqct4HOJY1qedg2no1_500_thumb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There’s even an annual high heel sprint race in Moscow. Looks competitive and somewhat dangerous...with some banana peeling along the way...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/14GzFOPmM4Q?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These seem to make a bit more sense...a little clunky maybe...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXq4tAoqUjzJVH5jyHannlUkeQaozm7sU_wdiyJkMr5cTjbgg_jsMrSAKScxH4FRzNYqZAgLMW8GpZNMCrac_f13-r1omFz061phzw5_oVT5akBkpusZ7CZjKv-bNU8eBIUia-NRit6rp_/s1600/Prole_Shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXq4tAoqUjzJVH5jyHannlUkeQaozm7sU_wdiyJkMr5cTjbgg_jsMrSAKScxH4FRzNYqZAgLMW8GpZNMCrac_f13-r1omFz061phzw5_oVT5akBkpusZ7CZjKv-bNU8eBIUia-NRit6rp_/s320/Prole_Shoes.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I posted this photo in an earlier blog entry....but I love it!!!!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8JPDZZwzDVChSIR78Uh-R-ycNL4IW2d16qhTNGoAVJ5Qfos_qjCMc2adgeI7NtTtOdLpO2FOitduK-J4IjiuuhZ0cDknn5q9y8L3jaAaG5a-fPsR2DB43y0Vcdn4yKY05lBM8FnCz-Pj/s1600/images-12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8JPDZZwzDVChSIR78Uh-R-ycNL4IW2d16qhTNGoAVJ5Qfos_qjCMc2adgeI7NtTtOdLpO2FOitduK-J4IjiuuhZ0cDknn5q9y8L3jaAaG5a-fPsR2DB43y0Vcdn4yKY05lBM8FnCz-Pj/s1600/images-12.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This sums it up....</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFskJiyTqmu2no7ouSk_cFxfD65pjY8iH2AmBSoOTINz9BaYB_G0gROj2sulyOeDy1uLvstwHHXdiEBNpiMpR5LOhh2l00qVw_KnOYqU1887qHcoR-i1AzJ1_wrty3T-qv7GbofVp45Gt/s1600/100_2928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFskJiyTqmu2no7ouSk_cFxfD65pjY8iH2AmBSoOTINz9BaYB_G0gROj2sulyOeDy1uLvstwHHXdiEBNpiMpR5LOhh2l00qVw_KnOYqU1887qHcoR-i1AzJ1_wrty3T-qv7GbofVp45Gt/s320/100_2928.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’ve also heard during Soviet times, high heels were not available....today, the more the merrier!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNyXz8_EZVYLkyDhPBZvyhJjFqC7DBl7Vn0ToEZ-Qd1o4KSlh5unz7-uXUcqpQfc9ylwXiDgH1seqhfwPpHjXRQNqWCtpaOtOezVMo_XCsHmDalB_yTjYcuVKsYcedhBAE7KEN2p-GWuP/s1600/images-20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNyXz8_EZVYLkyDhPBZvyhJjFqC7DBl7Vn0ToEZ-Qd1o4KSlh5unz7-uXUcqpQfc9ylwXiDgH1seqhfwPpHjXRQNqWCtpaOtOezVMo_XCsHmDalB_yTjYcuVKsYcedhBAE7KEN2p-GWuP/s1600/images-20.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz3u19wgkV0QPGO0QaUjcIMIaXpwWoMJ8htXIz7ocZnvxVisgxDlKKYaekgoDxn5SbCVgXviPR_l8SptHx6pYB6HMim-zwqvOHiwJif-csQHb_uFzyxfJmEvTjbezsQzeqoJkJN34kXeb/s1600/walking-in-high-heels-in-the-snow-pic-getty-images-841390531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz3u19wgkV0QPGO0QaUjcIMIaXpwWoMJ8htXIz7ocZnvxVisgxDlKKYaekgoDxn5SbCVgXviPR_l8SptHx6pYB6HMim-zwqvOHiwJif-csQHb_uFzyxfJmEvTjbezsQzeqoJkJN34kXeb/s320/walking-in-high-heels-in-the-snow-pic-getty-images-841390531.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKGb0zgpocZwWtPxuIwysRxBmgjSIsZPWbhy1sdneOiuDti0UKZc0FgXQBjRMbwY2FNvuf4dyvHXIQHYgsWT-oiRb17x_pqi3J2WytLWHrWGnop54Es9U5ahKRCI2PcKhWj6Bk5evpzZg/s1600/shovelsnow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKGb0zgpocZwWtPxuIwysRxBmgjSIsZPWbhy1sdneOiuDti0UKZc0FgXQBjRMbwY2FNvuf4dyvHXIQHYgsWT-oiRb17x_pqi3J2WytLWHrWGnop54Es9U5ahKRCI2PcKhWj6Bk5evpzZg/s320/shovelsnow1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shoveling in stilts - impressive!</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This link will take you to a video that is an absolute representation of what I would look like on ice, in heels. It’s a bit lengthy - no need to watch the whole thing - but at the one minute mark you’ll see the knee gear - where can I buy a pair of these???!!!!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqoNHar3M-E&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqoNHar3M-E&feature=related</a></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I think I’m up for the challenge this winter... I understand “function over fashion”....but what fun is that? No pain, no gain...maybe.</span></span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-56277347850682683962011-07-28T05:46:00.001-04:002011-07-28T05:48:15.003-04:00Eeeny, meeny, miney....surprise!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grocery shopping continues to be quite the adventure here in Moscow. It’s the popular game called “what’s inside the box?” The primo challenge is the hunt for baking items - sense of humor mandatory! Sugar? Nyet, salt. Baking powder? Not so much...turned out to be some sort of custard filling. Major victory in finally finding cornstarch last week. It only took 8 months to realize Google Translate would become my very best friend. Popped in “cornstarch” in the translate box and out came “кукурузного крахмала”....then the “match this phrase” game begins at the store. No surprise, grocery shopping is typically a longer process here in the motherland.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Interesting choices abound...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHa2dZ22Ku66DUwfqHiS976TTr0aOsIkIOnEnq0jFs_qglEPNRsO0Y_ykGysNCgAJny-3YFyrclJQzhEwQEjRJ6jw592N5mS4uhlHMMy-FivvHGrYA6VVyjUMW9jZNn6nNiTvqnOlv1L9/s1600/24062011_003_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHa2dZ22Ku66DUwfqHiS976TTr0aOsIkIOnEnq0jFs_qglEPNRsO0Y_ykGysNCgAJny-3YFyrclJQzhEwQEjRJ6jw592N5mS4uhlHMMy-FivvHGrYA6VVyjUMW9jZNn6nNiTvqnOlv1L9/s400/24062011_003_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Plentiful produce, you can find just about anything...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlnMe1V_9BFWOhvULzU4bNCC7dl_UDXRp3zbJbGmztnZeYzXWw_PVHknCVtPxS8evVQo2IiiNT0uZwJc1yZOBlMbkrJ164Tr5zql24I_nfJvFZZ0w3ZM8HhULyf6OnIuGbOL1feZCgHzv/s1600/24062011_001_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlnMe1V_9BFWOhvULzU4bNCC7dl_UDXRp3zbJbGmztnZeYzXWw_PVHknCVtPxS8evVQo2IiiNT0uZwJc1yZOBlMbkrJ164Tr5zql24I_nfJvFZZ0w3ZM8HhULyf6OnIuGbOL1feZCgHzv/s400/24062011_001_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Russians LOVE their cakes...they are beautiful!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMC3Fkrg7NmLqcR-gXmhz9XhcrwOyXwZSx9N2to_y0-3qJeisrXpOlGjSGBQ4F1_0ATft44HiTaskOPuUtLmuCKGZ5xsoQgOQwvwKwlA0VM_OhrZYKwsHXfpB0UzTWIqokBw1bCudtTkCT/s1600/24062011_002_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMC3Fkrg7NmLqcR-gXmhz9XhcrwOyXwZSx9N2to_y0-3qJeisrXpOlGjSGBQ4F1_0ATft44HiTaskOPuUtLmuCKGZ5xsoQgOQwvwKwlA0VM_OhrZYKwsHXfpB0UzTWIqokBw1bCudtTkCT/s400/24062011_002_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Prepared food, haven't ventured here yet...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWhhTnKj3HEHBxZ78JvIqFnLwubvfEr14UqYya4JF5Kyy_cMmi1tBTq9fCnOOdI9Z29APkLq07TpEOxup3nYSlwETvImH2Yi3HwipoJt98NlHOBIvcxFFvAeOhKWEhu_R1R3kfQQhNOJ5/s1600/IMG_1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWhhTnKj3HEHBxZ78JvIqFnLwubvfEr14UqYya4JF5Kyy_cMmi1tBTq9fCnOOdI9Z29APkLq07TpEOxup3nYSlwETvImH2Yi3HwipoJt98NlHOBIvcxFFvAeOhKWEhu_R1R3kfQQhNOJ5/s400/IMG_1310.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is as much of the sausage lane as I could get on my camera....add 10 feet on either side...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDHCoyEophkGwUd_UdQegzFMAH9WNXTD7RUfF2qRw9-8ob-t43jT-kQ6pCl_Hk4R6tKqb70tuUjDDIro3Jqw0baRY681Ew57OVApLVtiobNvL8TgWWc4AEieO00mjL34xcZkGUtK_2SGU/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDHCoyEophkGwUd_UdQegzFMAH9WNXTD7RUfF2qRw9-8ob-t43jT-kQ6pCl_Hk4R6tKqb70tuUjDDIro3Jqw0baRY681Ew57OVApLVtiobNvL8TgWWc4AEieO00mjL34xcZkGUtK_2SGU/s400/IMG_1311.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Again, add about 10 feet to these bins... (see below)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Mb200ePyUsMINULl9nsACcrvo3PfBQeVVU-uAz2j9jSOXOY25jP8yprs99_yypYo_9a01rhv9CE2zf3mkkfil7AGk6FcBqHgdFFhMhH-GJXAKD1YXhJEn5HSR69YZ3pMKMN5NGnAiyCj/s1600/IMG_1883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Mb200ePyUsMINULl9nsACcrvo3PfBQeVVU-uAz2j9jSOXOY25jP8yprs99_yypYo_9a01rhv9CE2zf3mkkfil7AGk6FcBqHgdFFhMhH-GJXAKD1YXhJEn5HSR69YZ3pMKMN5NGnAiyCj/s400/IMG_1883.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Found in the refrigerator section, about the length of your index finger...some sort of cake with fruit filling....interesting, sort of.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybuPk76tzWqyqGPjUqp8mG6r_73yeLolZFRuCrMDKuXZYgn6upPcD5aWXvB2zcy1dgrrQ8fKOJJNAERRLGQNTW6IgOi5VhARwKCo4rSFRqQZB7n_wq-c06AqpFJuA4K1nO59ib3vWit0x/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybuPk76tzWqyqGPjUqp8mG6r_73yeLolZFRuCrMDKuXZYgn6upPcD5aWXvB2zcy1dgrrQ8fKOJJNAERRLGQNTW6IgOi5VhARwKCo4rSFRqQZB7n_wq-c06AqpFJuA4K1nO59ib3vWit0x/s400/IMG_1313.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The yogurt aisle actually goes the length of the entire store - lots of drinkable...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnxVWX5b8EIm-gqTKqXxaBElOrvYduShe3aTt7Ab3szwjUk1g4-tA4xI5ygrVpDR_rT9MvN9dMhQQDoBqzfx9CTUcsE8jskwZ-sghCkS45EEDwSmhmVOYPoosBv9hZQR2hbxXMeDL59jZ/s1600/IMG_1314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnxVWX5b8EIm-gqTKqXxaBElOrvYduShe3aTt7Ab3szwjUk1g4-tA4xI5ygrVpDR_rT9MvN9dMhQQDoBqzfx9CTUcsE8jskwZ-sghCkS45EEDwSmhmVOYPoosBv9hZQR2hbxXMeDL59jZ/s400/IMG_1314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dairy products come in varying degrees of fat...here you can see 0%, 5% and 9%...the higher the fat, the thicker the product. I believe this is сottage cheese...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU6rvS3WnSnzE5p6UIZeyOI5eJknPdLcfq7Hdm-uiSZm7nMMS4ZRC88MsdyAVSz4Ow7ij6hbXZr2e7dlkosXtjUyLnBjhy9s-2ygEf5uub_pVFR-M3WJMp70pgaWI0Oe2Bn-UyNssTFhe/s1600/IMG_1316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU6rvS3WnSnzE5p6UIZeyOI5eJknPdLcfq7Hdm-uiSZm7nMMS4ZRC88MsdyAVSz4Ow7ij6hbXZr2e7dlkosXtjUyLnBjhy9s-2ygEf5uub_pVFR-M3WJMp70pgaWI0Oe2Bn-UyNssTFhe/s400/IMG_1316.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mayonnaise for days!!! Add 10 feet in either direction to this aisle - lots 'o flavors that come in stand up pouches...we'll call it interesting...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jPr1wMCSnzYyS79YekjnmUaqE0FRe0hyphenhyphenRWOQlX9fDq69i_JuDyQv9Tz_qKf7hwA9w-NLw5l6VuacOYyKq9lZQIczPySE-cFQSFoDZdO6Lsqpm39ZwZHllBWq8uB2VL2KgPo6FrnQ1msS/s1600/IMG_1876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jPr1wMCSnzYyS79YekjnmUaqE0FRe0hyphenhyphenRWOQlX9fDq69i_JuDyQv9Tz_qKf7hwA9w-NLw5l6VuacOYyKq9lZQIczPySE-cFQSFoDZdO6Lsqpm39ZwZHllBWq8uB2VL2KgPo6FrnQ1msS/s400/IMG_1876.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Available year round - very bitter...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz84oa6VPJ6tO6OhIRjMfPRYvKHf8cYHQo_swSpipYBtWXHkupo2EzonyQ8ZwoBbJmHeWm0g_D65oNlGyFlWmOi373xg4Jz2tAInEkynZHhDptdPEAvXyFkAkOd8zT05H-NKZKEZDGr5x/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz84oa6VPJ6tO6OhIRjMfPRYvKHf8cYHQo_swSpipYBtWXHkupo2EzonyQ8ZwoBbJmHeWm0g_D65oNlGyFlWmOi373xg4Jz2tAInEkynZHhDptdPEAvXyFkAkOd8zT05H-NKZKEZDGr5x/s400/IMG_1878.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These peaches grow flat - actually very tasty!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnry9sRziK-gIrgu_qGtfMq0dRviVvR05qbGtZRxaL5hwVBaZDL3aYVmxI8iOSnXHMXDHPU-lGY2jhMBIXzZ3nAAuZn5_Q9FUEMxO9rEtdjVTA1UShoaPwvNSrS0UeAYpo1iQ8uHh8udW/s1600/IMG_1879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnry9sRziK-gIrgu_qGtfMq0dRviVvR05qbGtZRxaL5hwVBaZDL3aYVmxI8iOSnXHMXDHPU-lGY2jhMBIXzZ3nAAuZn5_Q9FUEMxO9rEtdjVTA1UShoaPwvNSrS0UeAYpo1iQ8uHh8udW/s400/IMG_1879.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I call this the white albino bell pepper - a little light on taste...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqv45TMPdVkEfhUgCpk1uWh2sjxz-vbRJ1uW95YLAkfWYN2NCMPoi6NSyotvnXqyY6YiQFh7ZKb6VPpq8V-SWzyQNENUXb5am9EDbTjUB13wo0ZLiy-rdlpZS8Ob0UHW1ZaB7n6a30X-fA/s1600/IMG_1882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqv45TMPdVkEfhUgCpk1uWh2sjxz-vbRJ1uW95YLAkfWYN2NCMPoi6NSyotvnXqyY6YiQFh7ZKb6VPpq8V-SWzyQNENUXb5am9EDbTjUB13wo0ZLiy-rdlpZS8Ob0UHW1ZaB7n6a30X-fA/s400/IMG_1882.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Corn is often sold like this (already cooked) or in a jar (also pre-cooked) that looks like some sort of science experiment...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3deToAPPdYQRJ5ZvothwPuAjtHp9wXz0XMSUOWTZyIkWrCXxR0nB89IJnQL_64mU0ltgooafvJPw-ElCEXZILCyo1DRDTsG1BArtBAsVND5nEv3jOD3NVlZu3S6652HBFvwV7-B6wu42/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3deToAPPdYQRJ5ZvothwPuAjtHp9wXz0XMSUOWTZyIkWrCXxR0nB89IJnQL_64mU0ltgooafvJPw-ElCEXZILCyo1DRDTsG1BArtBAsVND5nEv3jOD3NVlZu3S6652HBFvwV7-B6wu42/s400/IMG_1934.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gave it a try....one and done...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi1gtjCoMf5ECsGXRLk2YJLHBw2p0yiXiB3gZGxUsgujnne3FRjD0oslBxue91AD4VnymwSWHAPWG4EOytX-9zgbax10NVyyFgyS-9gvzm8xMzD58GiQxwK09CmmyfCdbm47WB8nRDhMy/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi1gtjCoMf5ECsGXRLk2YJLHBw2p0yiXiB3gZGxUsgujnne3FRjD0oslBxue91AD4VnymwSWHAPWG4EOytX-9zgbax10NVyyFgyS-9gvzm8xMzD58GiQxwK09CmmyfCdbm47WB8nRDhMy/s400/IMG_1880.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Always SO happy to find items like this...appears to have come from Germany...?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyiPtFOMDxqJVO8QxQnxliOMl3fRbdU2CFkkhsyG2Zy_lux3pqZAwubVCncsH2UOLE0yLrBURCDXW53YEsgJN-o4owtOE2DNqd7XoeZdD_QAAADVbZ7KRLJ4SWKV4dFg5l4O0_LNrBQC9/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyiPtFOMDxqJVO8QxQnxliOMl3fRbdU2CFkkhsyG2Zy_lux3pqZAwubVCncsH2UOLE0yLrBURCDXW53YEsgJN-o4owtOE2DNqd7XoeZdD_QAAADVbZ7KRLJ4SWKV4dFg5l4O0_LNrBQC9/s400/IMG_1308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If really in doubt, there's always Wendy's....this just opened!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7ulIvLagg6-JOiB5ncuHeRg3hG8Tu-virt3luWF3LFPpnm7EmrVCoD2CjFXrLpi_cBDSXg5ChkLyOmeYi1cA3pQkHblVSwX-M3InmIYfiGwwX_pUNZ99uqS8KIMqCsKc_Kg-UT0kOESi/s1600/IMG_1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7ulIvLagg6-JOiB5ncuHeRg3hG8Tu-virt3luWF3LFPpnm7EmrVCoD2CjFXrLpi_cBDSXg5ChkLyOmeYi1cA3pQkHblVSwX-M3InmIYfiGwwX_pUNZ99uqS8KIMqCsKc_Kg-UT0kOESi/s400/IMG_1309.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Note curly fries, instead of regular fries and an unidentified food item 2nd from the bottom on the right....?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-50697975222829301942011-07-15T11:04:00.003-04:002011-08-05T04:40:57.437-04:00Big day out!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeXweY14WNKdex_7Is-gxD7GMBJSQe8gJq5NuvONVbkeHeDojCkE3RC5jzcDcaNew1sg7OPLs5KmLuQNN40ciQNeKQaq7jufIdZd1tK4FPpw_3eyJKd9E-86HZB0UUuZQ1oryD1WzApzG/s1600/images-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeXweY14WNKdex_7Is-gxD7GMBJSQe8gJq5NuvONVbkeHeDojCkE3RC5jzcDcaNew1sg7OPLs5KmLuQNN40ciQNeKQaq7jufIdZd1tK4FPpw_3eyJKd9E-86HZB0UUuZQ1oryD1WzApzG/s1600/images-7.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Big, big day for Steve and me this past Saturday. For the first time in 8 months of living in Moscow, we actually drove ourselves to a grocery store. Hallelujah! </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I know this sounds strange. But...when you live in a large European city, can’t read the road signs, traffic signals and rules are different (well, actually non-existent), and everyone on the road is “driving like a maniac!” (as my mother would often say)... then, we’ve leaned to the more rationale side - safety first, of course. Many ex-pats have drivers for this very reason. Steve and I opted to buy a car - which Steve drives to and from work...a relatively easy drive that doesn’t take him through the driving abyss through town. This girl is on foot 100% of the time - thank goodness for the amazing metro! But this calls for limited grocery buying as I can only buy what I can haul....hence the happiness brought on with the drive on Saturday. I took Steve to the store that has some US brands - we stocked up on Nabisco, Duncan Hines, Old El Paso and Kraft products ... heaven!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm-EILKwwc0sqDNrYPyPzTRc8tVblsOab9Kl2hBo8jvHwif8_dv9j4x3oj0XX9uL5_0ANE2YTne4U3zhScCJE29UbYOsI6UPvyPYKB43MkSVKIEID7g3OVxLeNwHYCQ60QUxsRQpYRUDl/s1600/article-1219283-06C445FC000005DC-26_634x471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm-EILKwwc0sqDNrYPyPzTRc8tVblsOab9Kl2hBo8jvHwif8_dv9j4x3oj0XX9uL5_0ANE2YTne4U3zhScCJE29UbYOsI6UPvyPYKB43MkSVKIEID7g3OVxLeNwHYCQ60QUxsRQpYRUDl/s400/article-1219283-06C445FC000005DC-26_634x471.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A few people have asked about the process of obtaining a drivers license....quite easy, really. No driving or written test needed for ex-pats - come one, come all! Our US licenses were translated into Russian - and we were free to hit the streets!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEZZl940Ox40Yb70sRRDp1IkTgUz1wEqs5Gu_uX1AKmt6jFd7bQ3VpB1sGWzdncea_wA5TbJk5GeizjyriCyBYXTzabXWBHD4fv3oAm1k8dZ8d3upWAOOGGapjbuQ5SNiDUkkhiSZfR8D/s1600/images-9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEZZl940Ox40Yb70sRRDp1IkTgUz1wEqs5Gu_uX1AKmt6jFd7bQ3VpB1sGWzdncea_wA5TbJk5GeizjyriCyBYXTzabXWBHD4fv3oAm1k8dZ8d3upWAOOGGapjbuQ5SNiDUkkhiSZfR8D/s400/images-9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I witnessed a driver turning right onto a road full of drivers waiting at a traffic light. Rather than drive down to the end of the waiting drivers, make a U-turn and get in the back of the line, the driver U-turned immediately under the light in the very front of the waiting line of cars. Now that’s efficiency!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQKLWpH_vBuwBEUBTfO_jVLlQ04zxHspMYqmxRP6tXtxVw20nNEqdhhUrt9pIyvZWd6nQv9UPgJlk3dRUxCtc5VTvACd6X5oWFHmzrMaa12wMj62cWwP0ToSYSJf6n7c1JEZJPTCcDBf_/s1600/images-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQKLWpH_vBuwBEUBTfO_jVLlQ04zxHspMYqmxRP6tXtxVw20nNEqdhhUrt9pIyvZWd6nQv9UPgJlk3dRUxCtc5VTvACd6X5oWFHmzrMaa12wMj62cWwP0ToSYSJf6n7c1JEZJPTCcDBf_/s400/images-10.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This doesn’t mean people don’t get pulled over for traffic offenses. This is actually another reason we are careful when we drive. The scenario: traffic accident....you don’t speak Russian....the police officer and other driver do....you’re asked to sign off on a police report, written in Russian, of course...any guess who is at fault? Not typically a winner for the non-Russian.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBViEBUPOjsgfUsuqbliPjuOqHbYnFDQk3Jzd7zGOKw-ZLT6_k3ZtpkpUPM50wEew9gdDXJu1ziYSmcM64Upx1Uvl9ifQHCCuBCkscEe1sG95fXMSMkdW7ej-txpytTXxD2Fz17suOwV6/s1600/images-11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBViEBUPOjsgfUsuqbliPjuOqHbYnFDQk3Jzd7zGOKw-ZLT6_k3ZtpkpUPM50wEew9gdDXJu1ziYSmcM64Upx1Uvl9ifQHCCuBCkscEe1sG95fXMSMkdW7ej-txpytTXxD2Fz17suOwV6/s400/images-11.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Garmin is also in Russian...the hunting and pecking through the Cyrillic alphabet is a bonus round for the adventure!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV5sjUFHvy_2-qrp0B3lE-mR8A_jFGAQCrSCYpx_YeUHdcHD9rbUBMosar4NB7cDnDwYPyoMRgpLowsVHyiGWperTdfYgrke4NrpSysCLzgA6K8FVV06dvXjIfGzXsP51l5BtST-j5hRT/s1600/images-12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV5sjUFHvy_2-qrp0B3lE-mR8A_jFGAQCrSCYpx_YeUHdcHD9rbUBMosar4NB7cDnDwYPyoMRgpLowsVHyiGWperTdfYgrke4NrpSysCLzgA6K8FVV06dvXjIfGzXsP51l5BtST-j5hRT/s400/images-12.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-62032008758897617942011-07-12T09:33:00.000-04:002011-07-12T09:33:58.952-04:00Pomme frites s’il vous plait!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9_BcUFw4IvABKqOieozYMzVZZ_cLDFn8-t1dY5T-FbHDkKRWwTJ4Lfs8WRBTYzOFYZkDVh3exeMoRxq4khpE4uCSuoalCNDq8LETKlshiQ9QDQtjDUikpo1yTKrWtSoB1jI_HjbTYxpo/s1600/IMG_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9_BcUFw4IvABKqOieozYMzVZZ_cLDFn8-t1dY5T-FbHDkKRWwTJ4Lfs8WRBTYzOFYZkDVh3exeMoRxq4khpE4uCSuoalCNDq8LETKlshiQ9QDQtjDUikpo1yTKrWtSoB1jI_HjbTYxpo/s320/IMG_1522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Just back from a wonderful week long vacation in France. We joined the best man in our wedding, Bruce Lander, and his wife, Lori, after Bruce finished Ironman France in Nice, (and did quite well, I might add!). The start - south in Marseille then west to Toulouse, Bourdeaux, Alloness and Paris.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRZDSnEvjPFVXLhz5Zj967JnyvaGJRU3BjISjJZu3wkljZjvPoe93hNkzUy8QbKaPNihoGR8EreU9E-cLeF6UX62t8WqctX1nAAjmt3upOnujPF7DUWcRKaeX32V1IO6iCuPiCWp8OcNV/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRZDSnEvjPFVXLhz5Zj967JnyvaGJRU3BjISjJZu3wkljZjvPoe93hNkzUy8QbKaPNihoGR8EreU9E-cLeF6UX62t8WqctX1nAAjmt3upOnujPF7DUWcRKaeX32V1IO6iCuPiCWp8OcNV/s400/images-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Steve and I were fortunate to have dinner with good friends in Moscow a week before our departure who own a home in Toulouse. We got the insiders scoop on what to see, where to go - merci Joanna and Derek! My favorite dinner of the trip was at L’Entrecote. This is a chain of restaurants in France based on a brilliant idea: Serve one thing...and serve it very very well.......... (drum roll) .........Steak frites! For those who know me well - this would be my last dinner request, (particularly from One Midtown Kitchen in Atlanta!). </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj6Zl3OEimTBsUW95LEzodefFXfDD-wUVT4d2zKHz9emob7Rrj5bO3fF0I2mE38uaNBzFOEGUvY1OpneRymEyoVeEOwBDBBiQOXQ5_4wrBb3eCSsvou9X8K-IrSCNwKmN9FPBCkKPOPn-/s1600/images-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj6Zl3OEimTBsUW95LEzodefFXfDD-wUVT4d2zKHz9emob7Rrj5bO3fF0I2mE38uaNBzFOEGUvY1OpneRymEyoVeEOwBDBBiQOXQ5_4wrBb3eCSsvou9X8K-IrSCNwKmN9FPBCkKPOPn-/s400/images-4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So glad the French only use a tiiiiny bit of butter....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQu8v2tuxyUz1b544UlEQW1u06hH1weTcLnmi6xAtR0PPXi_h7BLcrbyMwUSaA9dvsNKb_quTqav33teUjW47rniEY1Lm2OuSlDnovBgloN5UcMBE2UawF0Jrf6yqq6mleFQMJ5-_TIWv2/s1600/images-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQu8v2tuxyUz1b544UlEQW1u06hH1weTcLnmi6xAtR0PPXi_h7BLcrbyMwUSaA9dvsNKb_quTqav33teUjW47rniEY1Lm2OuSlDnovBgloN5UcMBE2UawF0Jrf6yqq6mleFQMJ5-_TIWv2/s400/images-5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Heaven!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">And my favorite “experiential” touch - the sound of cows mooing, loudly, in the restrooms - loved it!!!!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9gImAYVX5Zq-_Sp5QjchIs6xY10v9_N5blEBEin2-Vku91mR5QUZ0o6hWzR0gGHD3_1YFMkZlip-4HEjiFgU997a0sKtrXLsN_EFbi5OfYwZru5ClItGZzbnelXpSz24Hu2NiHpwXzSx/s1600/cow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9gImAYVX5Zq-_Sp5QjchIs6xY10v9_N5blEBEin2-Vku91mR5QUZ0o6hWzR0gGHD3_1YFMkZlip-4HEjiFgU997a0sKtrXLsN_EFbi5OfYwZru5ClItGZzbnelXpSz24Hu2NiHpwXzSx/s320/cow.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We also went wine tasting in Bordeaux....Steve even mixed his own award-winning blend, (80% merlot, 20% young cab)....and we watched the racers dancing on the pedals at the “Tour de....”! One of our favorite things to do...</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"> </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qNwZuEnSEe6-EK0vrTxXaiG_TXO7SSII7Sq-gIDnaJ3FnMxWzz-4g3SDDbm4Nz9Qwd6AJOYtNYOc6XT7Mmu4WxmQyTQF-7HDYeRGmTvRjrOmkg7Uo2l1BBgDsakTsl8s-E1DF4sMbK24/s1600/IMG_1650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qNwZuEnSEe6-EK0vrTxXaiG_TXO7SSII7Sq-gIDnaJ3FnMxWzz-4g3SDDbm4Nz9Qwd6AJOYtNYOc6XT7Mmu4WxmQyTQF-7HDYeRGmTvRjrOmkg7Uo2l1BBgDsakTsl8s-E1DF4sMbK24/s320/IMG_1650.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcKzD1PQA9v8NBQyl419rdu-EygRCB6BgqpXn96RAhrf3jH1uvptXLh4UfXMJcHTo7hqfYzFzw79sKSpKRjHbGDxTIBvFFI-jbhCT9StYOFS3itPL7hVrhkiZ763fj_MRBSV3B6hvMvrG/s1600/IMG_1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcKzD1PQA9v8NBQyl419rdu-EygRCB6BgqpXn96RAhrf3jH1uvptXLh4UfXMJcHTo7hqfYzFzw79sKSpKRjHbGDxTIBvFFI-jbhCT9StYOFS3itPL7hVrhkiZ763fj_MRBSV3B6hvMvrG/s320/IMG_1519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I heart France!!</span></span></span></div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-47769188487630551582011-07-01T06:11:00.001-04:002011-07-01T06:11:00.257-04:00Beautiful Moscow!Today's blog is simply beauty...<br />
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</div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-54867565858735075222011-06-30T04:29:00.000-04:002011-06-28T04:31:00.605-04:00Istanbul!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzHBg5fimI4RKGxPK8c5Gd4KC59l3uX9g0-JanAI2yCt4XJJsPHYXepe5nSZEglJCZ2h0dUITktnnciw9mYxvlbJ762i70pG_vXhEpzItkGZB-osVySwUN9VVXI0dYuJwmIsaiVThzuxh/s1600/IMG_1243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzHBg5fimI4RKGxPK8c5Gd4KC59l3uX9g0-JanAI2yCt4XJJsPHYXepe5nSZEglJCZ2h0dUITktnnciw9mYxvlbJ762i70pG_vXhEpzItkGZB-osVySwUN9VVXI0dYuJwmIsaiVThzuxh/s400/IMG_1243.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had the joy of tagging along on one of Steve's business trips to Istanbul, Turkey, last month. Fascinating, crowded, colorful, fast-paced all come to mind. And, ohhhh the food! I didn't meet a dish I didn't like. Apparently Istanbul is one of the most re-visited tourist cities in the world - we now know why!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I think of Istanbul....I think of the "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" smell that comes from these street vendors... </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Produce like none other...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Spice Market!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thread and fabric that went on for days near the Grand Bazaar....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoHvH6iw2Ge1wzoBrVFEyAA9MCWiFdu-bgNNsdLlfCWTzQljJu8IqZDuTQK1AnqdHH2VAYfMuW_UFFWrikQVZ7jvNdX2GodETWqiVW9E_dY0WPPnfQTidQ4QXXCYxHaYmQaZ-V0fE54dk/s1600/IMG_1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoHvH6iw2Ge1wzoBrVFEyAA9MCWiFdu-bgNNsdLlfCWTzQljJu8IqZDuTQK1AnqdHH2VAYfMuW_UFFWrikQVZ7jvNdX2GodETWqiVW9E_dY0WPPnfQTidQ4QXXCYxHaYmQaZ-V0fE54dk/s320/IMG_1268.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the immense Hagia Sophia mosque...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDXQcf8diG_IQU7lnyqHZjiqjA-cdcZxv_LVZ2GjHfQ4c6whyphenhyphen1gQwrEkvBRkOh2SF5oObqpd-UbSQtL5g5ioNPJRx0wtdFC-2d554jxI6LnqgfmU1_dgrJgQSYbFfJG-dodiBhvP-iAEA/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDXQcf8diG_IQU7lnyqHZjiqjA-cdcZxv_LVZ2GjHfQ4c6whyphenhyphen1gQwrEkvBRkOh2SF5oObqpd-UbSQtL5g5ioNPJRx0wtdFC-2d554jxI6LnqgfmU1_dgrJgQSYbFfJG-dodiBhvP-iAEA/s320/IMG_1340.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view of the Blue Mosque at a roof top cafe...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fr8Hb6LY3p7HtCLzfe29d0sCXX-F1jQ4bxZyVVIeZX8vChG9u8YjUYgzNtMwnOtjKcZyL5WpFNUwInKlOCUuCLoQOxDIhS9olKEnpd7hBHhNnLEhB-DYuFZjt2CIGuWRDi_wGwiGxqHu/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fr8Hb6LY3p7HtCLzfe29d0sCXX-F1jQ4bxZyVVIeZX8vChG9u8YjUYgzNtMwnOtjKcZyL5WpFNUwInKlOCUuCLoQOxDIhS9olKEnpd7hBHhNnLEhB-DYuFZjt2CIGuWRDi_wGwiGxqHu/s320/IMG_1260.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovin' Turkey!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-35706188248662318542011-06-27T07:15:00.004-04:002011-07-29T01:19:59.601-04:00Beloved Tchaikovsky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Russians are a very educated people...95% graduate from high school...ask them to recite poetry and most can deliver on the spot. They are also passionate about the arts... love theater, opera, ballet, (can you say “Bolshoi”?). During Soviet times, artists were driven underground but have since re-emerged with a very high standard of excellence in art, music and literature. </span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaIkaUURkmOLW4g20el9TmJLF6-wGEUDz4wdkJCYqXfYemh9ctQ0x-B-WbkMgsT20oWaZaenjlq8mrozjAhCHctjdCeCp27owRNsXQfRYhHgRSBbVP4i9Qw5B4-kcqN7X5x_XSsMboPE2/s1600/PianistProject.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaIkaUURkmOLW4g20el9TmJLF6-wGEUDz4wdkJCYqXfYemh9ctQ0x-B-WbkMgsT20oWaZaenjlq8mrozjAhCHctjdCeCp27owRNsXQfRYhHgRSBbVP4i9Qw5B4-kcqN7X5x_XSsMboPE2/s320/PianistProject.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Over the last 2 weeks I had the honor of volunteering with the International Tchaikovsky Competition...held in Moscow every 4 years, (this year, part of the event was held in St. Petersburg). Competitors from all over the world compete in piano, cello, voice and violin. I have been working with the piano and cello juries and have had the pleasure of getting to know some of the most esteemed artists in the business. Several on each jury have been past winners of this competition, all have extremely extensive resumes....take Sir Clive Gillinson on the cello jury...he was the past Director of the London Symphony Orchestra and is currently the Executive Director of Carnegie Hall. These jurors are extremely down to earth and quite fascinating to talk to.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYy0usvtlK2y7cZ5REiYjKIqCju3poV1wTqHKCpqyrm03_sXyb8AQ7XmpJJQaOk9QN_YGLi3S07dtA6I_MipmFYEU40Zb6xJJ7X4IwXVpQUYEoBgDwZrZ695_Wan-Dg_Vp-7Miehyphenhyphen4Bxr/s1600/Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYy0usvtlK2y7cZ5REiYjKIqCju3poV1wTqHKCpqyrm03_sXyb8AQ7XmpJJQaOk9QN_YGLi3S07dtA6I_MipmFYEU40Zb6xJJ7X4IwXVpQUYEoBgDwZrZ695_Wan-Dg_Vp-7Miehyphenhyphen4Bxr/s400/Front.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Crowds gathering before the competition...</span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Between performances I’ve wandered down the creaky hallways of the Moscow Conservatory, (built in the 1800’s - Tchaikovsky himself taught in this building). There are small practice rooms on the top floors and to stand and listen outside the door - it’s actually difficult to describe the heavenly sounds. There is quite a mystique surrounding the building.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsHqKxtjYgrlJzLhMvxIL2WaqY77S4Yk5mdRQAnSe7Cxao69kyw9xzsTYCAlQEJ4DwiJQPkfiAxkYQOKuh4nTUN5kP2fcX3HP9N7yn3I1dz76ugh4QlE-kFpbsivPcJQmJkWCKCmUaBmi/s1600/Windows_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsHqKxtjYgrlJzLhMvxIL2WaqY77S4Yk5mdRQAnSe7Cxao69kyw9xzsTYCAlQEJ4DwiJQPkfiAxkYQOKuh4nTUN5kP2fcX3HP9N7yn3I1dz76ugh4QlE-kFpbsivPcJQmJkWCKCmUaBmi/s400/Windows_2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Beautiful sounds coming from these open windows...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first competition was held in 1958 and a surprise to everyone...a young Texan, Van Cliburn, took first prize. Here is a brief video of his win:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zPRNx9GaplY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are down to the 3rd and final round...5 competitors left (out of 30) in the piano competition. Tonight, the competitors will play with a full orchestra - exciting! You can watch via webcast if interested, per the link below, (competition starts at 7 p.m., Moscow time, for the next 2 days and 1 p.m. Wed and Thurs):</span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://preview.tchaikovsky-competition.dievision.de/en/press/webcast"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://preview.tchaikovsky-competition.dievision.de/en/press/webcast</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have a new love and appreciation for classical music. Thank you Moscow!</span></span></span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-22347447973535533652011-06-24T08:35:00.000-04:002011-06-24T08:35:09.468-04:00Friday sites...<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ventured out for a cappuccino this morning and snapped some shots along the way...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Explosion of flowers</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’ve got to hand it to the Russians. They do flowers very, very well. Not only immaculate flower beds in every park....the flowers change almost weekly. Tulips...then marigolds...suddenly tall rose bushes - on and on...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r8MW3o0R669Wqb82DwDiUMUvbbmqMh8OchJPFKEu07qQNwU1f5ZLrhF38BdnkjYMATOMYNtWvCWvIUiS6kUPePWp5PmLHc4WIpev4eqcBAFLi3PPRsrAg27EkzGqn7ss5iXLvlmBIlgZ/s1600/IMG_1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r8MW3o0R669Wqb82DwDiUMUvbbmqMh8OchJPFKEu07qQNwU1f5ZLrhF38BdnkjYMATOMYNtWvCWvIUiS6kUPePWp5PmLHc4WIpev4eqcBAFLi3PPRsrAg27EkzGqn7ss5iXLvlmBIlgZ/s320/IMG_1243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nike!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nike is alive and well in Moscow. We have good friends who work for Nike in Russia. Very interesting to hear them talk about this market vs. the U.S. market. I’ve noticed that the running shoe you and I are familiar with hardly exists here. We’ll call it more of a ballet running flat of some sort...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_JTjheac-JaeMbEA5eeCso85BoPtDTO6DwfXb6TM6h_3i93-Xs7vtr6W0bdbK32w4X4Fc5PDlH-ubW4mZ-2-FfoDw_IRopytCsagryER8Q1gvdB78fkaqWOSL39Mtp6PdFYVmlkx4246/s1600/IMG_1247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_JTjheac-JaeMbEA5eeCso85BoPtDTO6DwfXb6TM6h_3i93-Xs7vtr6W0bdbK32w4X4Fc5PDlH-ubW4mZ-2-FfoDw_IRopytCsagryER8Q1gvdB78fkaqWOSL39Mtp6PdFYVmlkx4246/s320/IMG_1247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr7R5tL3e2QZhJ8wx7Vr88G3dcMGyYvCZqfC-2XRFEaza_5aU0pG4Jq8ygk2gJPQ4kftRKIOxlu8DdX5zeTlSuv8Qs_4AAiStLeCKoRYww-ra_pZ6JrSwEAnldck1UUd63ZUDaNKZiSJd/s1600/Nike-Mercurial-Vapor-Superfly-III-FG-Elite2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr7R5tL3e2QZhJ8wx7Vr88G3dcMGyYvCZqfC-2XRFEaza_5aU0pG4Jq8ygk2gJPQ4kftRKIOxlu8DdX5zeTlSuv8Qs_4AAiStLeCKoRYww-ra_pZ6JrSwEAnldck1UUd63ZUDaNKZiSJd/s320/Nike-Mercurial-Vapor-Superfly-III-FG-Elite2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Night-Night</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">People sleep in cars here....lots and lots of people sleeping in cars. It’s not the “this is my home” kind of sleeping...it’s "I’m a workman and I think I’ll take a break now" sleeping. Or, "I drive someone important and he’s at a business lunch, so I’ll just take a short siesta..."</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRJBESX7vXwY6TZMTIwwP0T1n9zx8fpcPsf9bdE17PgdPRnB1DfTk3uaeK98EXLWEgSU4HbbJViOwtTd40fH3SpVhL7gXEaZ82rq1bD2QvZ7BulJT1dFE0visQTGKDfiJCLNJ8c9Xudvp/s1600/IMG_1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRJBESX7vXwY6TZMTIwwP0T1n9zx8fpcPsf9bdE17PgdPRnB1DfTk3uaeK98EXLWEgSU4HbbJViOwtTd40fH3SpVhL7gXEaZ82rq1bD2QvZ7BulJT1dFE0visQTGKDfiJCLNJ8c9Xudvp/s320/IMG_1248.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Asleep at the wheel...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-UyCHcTaUjt06WxqsNSgrajLubf9gGpG5DNCpuPpeTgXmXMUTEF5pI2GNuxRxduvMgWDJLG5wDMCWnKRL6IeZfW3qxAwXI3_YyTqV9tiLEpGxzp7o7nYc4X_GW2C9w74paU_QArRox9C/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-UyCHcTaUjt06WxqsNSgrajLubf9gGpG5DNCpuPpeTgXmXMUTEF5pI2GNuxRxduvMgWDJLG5wDMCWnKRL6IeZfW3qxAwXI3_YyTqV9tiLEpGxzp7o7nYc4X_GW2C9w74paU_QArRox9C/s320/IMG_1253.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Laying down reading a book...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The ever-popular police making a random “show me your papers” check. This is really never a spot you want to find yourself in....the end result may involve a Ruble payment of some sort...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtCbGLfdYR6AwgACywl_4jpKigNrSTq6tXU_mQdXDOYzTZfpbD__DCtN2i4jvcWSj1tQtDf-jyuAyYOaFtXCa-4GmkTGXQi92DjTCidltICMvK2V7op-xDoolo1usNB20MtlQmm5QcKaR/s1600/IMG_1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtCbGLfdYR6AwgACywl_4jpKigNrSTq6tXU_mQdXDOYzTZfpbD__DCtN2i4jvcWSj1tQtDf-jyuAyYOaFtXCa-4GmkTGXQi92DjTCidltICMvK2V7op-xDoolo1usNB20MtlQmm5QcKaR/s320/IMG_1249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Black car - blue light</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These little ditties are sprinkled all over the city with very important people in the back seat (usually government officials and the like). When you see them, it’s usually a complete blur as they tend to put the pedal to the medal 100% of the time and....more good news...traffic regulations do not apply to them. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhuS0IC4CoaV4LU_YxXrx1tJj1XTwEv6Y8ENsmBLvUQAY0ogHLsYGRD0dye0dgEUeq-AvxL9FCBv9PkqVs0hCDVdP1quAiHsQZmDmes7EEmhPnUpuxRFLrtH9VD3r3_Jz6Vy4bSBPUFIL/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhuS0IC4CoaV4LU_YxXrx1tJj1XTwEv6Y8ENsmBLvUQAY0ogHLsYGRD0dye0dgEUeq-AvxL9FCBv9PkqVs0hCDVdP1quAiHsQZmDmes7EEmhPnUpuxRFLrtH9VD3r3_Jz6Vy4bSBPUFIL/s320/IMG_1252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sweet babushkas!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkEYv4n2cSWOuDmbY7QUfCQuhdiJbABw5NGkT2dyRnbzfnkDL6Ghy6b2WxLxQnQP5NwWt0sT64-3GBg8EaX7LRAjLaA8X471QG05KdKw2dapz1xxwO72fRqf8KouCZNcrDFvFJgLNaqLT/s1600/IMG_1271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkEYv4n2cSWOuDmbY7QUfCQuhdiJbABw5NGkT2dyRnbzfnkDL6Ghy6b2WxLxQnQP5NwWt0sT64-3GBg8EaX7LRAjLaA8X471QG05KdKw2dapz1xxwO72fRqf8KouCZNcrDFvFJgLNaqLT/s320/IMG_1271.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Women carrying flowers...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love this part of Russian culture! You see women carrying flowers everywhere. If it’s a birthday - friends often give flowers and they are carried around all day. It’s almost obligatory to give a woman flowers on the first date (and really the first few dates). The bigger the bouquet - the more the guy is interested. Every restaurant has extra vases for the table to put the flowers in....really quite charming.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfSdI6fo36TsFS5V04eDF9N87qKEdq8oTTRMXs1NzM00tEeuFCbbcerq35YLG5p0Pnsc6a0OOoaweuNfzQKmMyo7ciIL2kGof9Wqj9BUEa8JafmJOSmqfKcG0-ndkQE81427XlqsI2B7O/s1600/IMG_1256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfSdI6fo36TsFS5V04eDF9N87qKEdq8oTTRMXs1NzM00tEeuFCbbcerq35YLG5p0Pnsc6a0OOoaweuNfzQKmMyo7ciIL2kGof9Wqj9BUEa8JafmJOSmqfKcG0-ndkQE81427XlqsI2B7O/s320/IMG_1256.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And my final destination...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqu7mc1JIhj9zQ2JeD419TngYxVtzxZ42eeeKrr5aNWIGtEi3eaX_strAyuK_jpfsVQAv4HbY3bVjqqPVzkrJykWyjRWJeNsZnxknBonzG0q3xuBtA9fCTPZDK5tZYPQqwmOglQGGr-Vg/s1600/IMG_1260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqu7mc1JIhj9zQ2JeD419TngYxVtzxZ42eeeKrr5aNWIGtEi3eaX_strAyuK_jpfsVQAv4HbY3bVjqqPVzkrJykWyjRWJeNsZnxknBonzG0q3xuBtA9fCTPZDK5tZYPQqwmOglQGGr-Vg/s320/IMG_1260.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div>I know, I know....did I have to pick Starbucks in one of Eastern Europe's most cosmopolitan cities? Well....it had been 5 months since I set foot inside and I just needed a good 'ole shot of Americana this morning...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHU1Ik9lGHd9BtgezD1XXj8PadgvCMmEOxxikwU02n6Cgdp8ZpJ2oisCcK5Atrm-Vcu4VLYWsHwj7tZEd8LPQpjPjdIyidiG51Tu2-UBSACos2Sh83D4P2cpn7p5LJGUUPVkDkIWVHgaA/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHU1Ik9lGHd9BtgezD1XXj8PadgvCMmEOxxikwU02n6Cgdp8ZpJ2oisCcK5Atrm-Vcu4VLYWsHwj7tZEd8LPQpjPjdIyidiG51Tu2-UBSACos2Sh83D4P2cpn7p5LJGUUPVkDkIWVHgaA/s320/IMG_1262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKN6VXKlOPxD5lykdXSERlNUdZdX4Bk0qCTfvPC0Hpj31GKBDGk2VBovn05EazJp2YSLwLku-NFxZu2NO7m4GWUZVeozzLBInog_SBnc3LPuSG2KjdIJkPzyhgsuyo-rhKSkOGpbG4xUG/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKN6VXKlOPxD5lykdXSERlNUdZdX4Bk0qCTfvPC0Hpj31GKBDGk2VBovn05EazJp2YSLwLku-NFxZu2NO7m4GWUZVeozzLBInog_SBnc3LPuSG2KjdIJkPzyhgsuyo-rhKSkOGpbG4xUG/s320/IMG_1269.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sasha, the young Barrista!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-69879599457338357912011-06-20T02:45:00.002-04:002011-06-20T02:48:56.605-04:00I wear my sunglasses at night...<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Glorious St. Petersburg! </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Steve and I made our inaugural trip (we </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">will</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> be back) to romantic St. Pete last weekend. Dubbed the “Venice of Russia” it surely stood up to its reputation. The best time to visit is June/July as we had front row seats to the magnificent </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">white nights</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">! (Angels singing...). I am a sunshine girl through and through, and so it makes perfect sense that we live in Russia where there can be no sunshine for weeks at a time in the dead of winter...but that’s another story for another time. Well, actually, that’s part of this story. If there are fewer hours of daylight in the winter....that means....there are gloriously long days in the summer. Right now in Moscow, the sun rises at 4:30 a.m. and sets at 10:30 p.m. which provides for a whopping 18 hours of daylight! (More angels singing...). St. Pete is the most northern city in the world and with an 8 hour train ride northwest of Moskva, it plays host to over 19 hours of daylight...and actually, at 2 a.m., it feels more like dusk rather than a full dark night sky.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1dqRU1v0oDFvpgFPHELmRrZGawqxfYNz_zypS-8bjvx1KRquvssdvW-vs-G_kfkdP2j59mkW9UdzKQGzLMHmlIxgocLBkODbbHZTmQdF3hyABz62vwuR6goDLRyOmskuVXtmm95S_ijP/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1dqRU1v0oDFvpgFPHELmRrZGawqxfYNz_zypS-8bjvx1KRquvssdvW-vs-G_kfkdP2j59mkW9UdzKQGzLMHmlIxgocLBkODbbHZTmQdF3hyABz62vwuR6goDLRyOmskuVXtmm95S_ijP/s400/IMG_1402.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sunshine after dinner at 11 p.m.!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">About that train - we opted for the overnight train to St. Pete and took the high-speed train back to Moscow. The overnight train seemed like a good idea, (turns out it was a bit more exciting right out of college). This ride - sun up at 4 a.m....sheer train curtains...speeding by light posts that provided a blinking strobe effect....the perfect equation for a peaceful night’s sleep. I actually bought Steve an eye mask as he has an even more difficult time with light during sleep hours....I made sure it was pink and paisley - he looks darn cute wearing that thing, (but we won’t tell him that). </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The train left Moscow at midnight and we hit the streets of St. Pete at 8 a.m. The palaces are truly magnificent and ohhhh,The Hermitage! I’m not necessarily one to spend a whole day in a museum - but I definitely could have here. Not only is the 3 million+ art collection impressive, the rooms in which the art is displayed are magnificent. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERZogQ7meqmhHOxOCG_tTwKo4Bzm9o5KC4t_24UBolJmohlCpTW5u5rA_-E_U-RImrmVQzRTq_SpoHHQEMcUyhv5R2wRwACLrUliGCdf0C-DBOJ5DVtor72JVwkpuUSrcExuukjD-Dnh8/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERZogQ7meqmhHOxOCG_tTwKo4Bzm9o5KC4t_24UBolJmohlCpTW5u5rA_-E_U-RImrmVQzRTq_SpoHHQEMcUyhv5R2wRwACLrUliGCdf0C-DBOJ5DVtor72JVwkpuUSrcExuukjD-Dnh8/s400/IMG_1342.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lenin overseeing the goings-on at the Moscow train station...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bKAvs9sErxH3O10Soh5jBuevMLMtLi0iJQF2UbPjSRFDN86pQ8FKtGMJRnxxDrNMuo2g829_KN0jQW3gbFjnpLtv8hRcmXxlA3ltLw2UIBV995fLc_aya61vtUeg8ZtENXKUscoNXF87/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bKAvs9sErxH3O10Soh5jBuevMLMtLi0iJQF2UbPjSRFDN86pQ8FKtGMJRnxxDrNMuo2g829_KN0jQW3gbFjnpLtv8hRcmXxlA3ltLw2UIBV995fLc_aya61vtUeg8ZtENXKUscoNXF87/s400/IMG_1344.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A palace fit for a queen... a few czars...and some Peters, Alexanders and Nicolas's...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwmAccAU8tB-tZ1DI9q2SZX2RUb2LAbFCMC-mPBlSTyDwORyep1OuvOtUjdkIvZ38iS6vQhVI0IhobJ5gdzqnlOAnA1LKfDxLUvnYbyNR-t1oR0C_NTje6_QokxU93SpR88y8wHeJOYLf/s1600/IMG_1371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwmAccAU8tB-tZ1DI9q2SZX2RUb2LAbFCMC-mPBlSTyDwORyep1OuvOtUjdkIvZ38iS6vQhVI0IhobJ5gdzqnlOAnA1LKfDxLUvnYbyNR-t1oR0C_NTje6_QokxU93SpR88y8wHeJOYLf/s400/IMG_1371.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The grounds...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYAEe-Refuqoxnljd-vxsQTaytdwVYZ41QOfdg6ay_qmyoBdIf_Z0vUyjrbkMqyGIJ5kYGMHEoaA9inWRpHGRl_wzm6azA4j6kvcrd_SoKXxSRGKafjYTnjW6Eoq-uW3f7djMNVxEnc6r/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYAEe-Refuqoxnljd-vxsQTaytdwVYZ41QOfdg6ay_qmyoBdIf_Z0vUyjrbkMqyGIJ5kYGMHEoaA9inWRpHGRl_wzm6azA4j6kvcrd_SoKXxSRGKafjYTnjW6Eoq-uW3f7djMNVxEnc6r/s400/IMG_1428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Venice of Russia = caviar and vodka rather than pasta and chianti...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8twOViNUlEW6rMfh7PhPT_aZ4u7XoDPGWzcY2RtZshOrpBK2jngtvur5uiV_TcNWruXN_UeN8DseaWKVydgs40-nOVyxR2g_FNPXxbHNQqAPMLVA46vpS2EwXq2va1-Fu0deb1PtUm0mK/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8twOViNUlEW6rMfh7PhPT_aZ4u7XoDPGWzcY2RtZshOrpBK2jngtvur5uiV_TcNWruXN_UeN8DseaWKVydgs40-nOVyxR2g_FNPXxbHNQqAPMLVA46vpS2EwXq2va1-Fu0deb1PtUm0mK/s400/IMG_1444.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Hermitage!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QK8gmwK0iU9zj6w9uVnajrkWOSk-cNKuX43ZelGCvW18Ctc7cx2fm_ouobEFKUnTt9cTANMf0nUyUUet5FoHgyphiNJ2FxO2o895_N37hHMGoj5_DjFrgRL6yZSITxkMF22H-EtFZdmd/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QK8gmwK0iU9zj6w9uVnajrkWOSk-cNKuX43ZelGCvW18Ctc7cx2fm_ouobEFKUnTt9cTANMf0nUyUUet5FoHgyphiNJ2FxO2o895_N37hHMGoj5_DjFrgRL6yZSITxkMF22H-EtFZdmd/s400/IMG_1401.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This sweet dog was hanging out solo with a change bucket...</span></td></tr>
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</div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-90302736115834877022011-06-18T07:56:00.001-04:002011-06-18T09:37:51.835-04:00A-A-CHOO!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Just when we thought snow was in our rear view mirror ... mother nature punked us with “PUKH”! (Rhymes with Winnie the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Pooh</b></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">). This, my dear friends, is pollen of an unprecedented kind </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">and</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> volume. Apparently, the story goes that Stalin wanted to pretty-up Moscow and ordered the planting of a slew of beautiful trees that would bloom early ... and apparently often. Thousands of Poplar trees, (I believe of the Cottonwood variety), were planted all over the city with one small oversight....only </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">female</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> trees were planted. This means, these “frustrated” female trees pollinate....and pollinate....and pollinate....and then, pollinate some more....for about 3 weeks every June. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen....as if Mother Nature blew on the mother of all dandelions...</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIWj8pTdgpFPANKyGVnZObtNVYW4b8IDzcPedCujRn0f3Mkke1N6ru8Ktt4nyTOTfTQziahqK1z3TUHYvfJhuG-Y4s6E-w5MYt8nZeTzoS8UfVtxW3GRLAcU6fy2z7oaVRPE5vrRxepNe/s1600/d182d0bed0bfd0bed0bbd0b8d0bdd18bd0b9-d0bfd183d185.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIWj8pTdgpFPANKyGVnZObtNVYW4b8IDzcPedCujRn0f3Mkke1N6ru8Ktt4nyTOTfTQziahqK1z3TUHYvfJhuG-Y4s6E-w5MYt8nZeTzoS8UfVtxW3GRLAcU6fy2z7oaVRPE5vrRxepNe/s640/d182d0bed0bfd0bed0bbd0b8d0bdd18bd0b9-d0bfd183d185.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It gets in your eyes, up your nose, in your mouth, in your hair. You should see what it does to my sticky, what I call “fly paper”, lip gloss....fur lips comes to mind. Men with day old beards = instant Santa! Sunglasses become battle goggles - my swim googles are backup. We have friends without air conditioning. Open windows = pukh fest in the house! Piles of pukh in every corner - like massive, oversized dust bunny piles. A-a-a-a-a-choo-pukh!</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On the street....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZ1tAtPI695IDPrDdvBt4Io6aFLSuZcdp67UK1mwWCt38s2VDPQph_l-jbXus1GwFqef6p-JFU4me8vsD7SQ4d9UXtUUIZ1KMoY3csXgbyC8xv8LGxrFSs3oMJ0WYszjo1kBXofmgxAn6/s1600/IMG_1215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZ1tAtPI695IDPrDdvBt4Io6aFLSuZcdp67UK1mwWCt38s2VDPQph_l-jbXus1GwFqef6p-JFU4me8vsD7SQ4d9UXtUUIZ1KMoY3csXgbyC8xv8LGxrFSs3oMJ0WYszjo1kBXofmgxAn6/s400/IMG_1215.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Only appropriate to include the beer bottles...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-3745825438028548232011-05-16T05:57:00.003-04:002011-05-18T10:20:27.598-04:00Banya Time!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Check the box! One of my goals this spring was to try the ‘ole Russian tradition of Banya! Banya, best described as a steam room or sauna followed by a freezing cold plunge and a healthy dose ‘o torture, actually plays a significant role in Russian culture. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Banya, traced back to the 1100’s, is believed to deliver health benefits of better circulation, pore cleansing, de-toxification (great after long vodka benders), improved oxygen flow to muscles, possible skin removal and good plain relaxation. Many Russians hit the Banya on a weekly basis as part of their health routine.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here’s how the experience went down:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Met up with a group of fun ladies from the American Women’s Org at the famous Sandunovsky Banya very close to the Kremlin, (we were all newbies to the “sport” except for our fearless leader). The changing area was beautiful - marble floors, dark wood lockers.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We purchased our recommended head gear - the famed felt Banya hat! And who doesn’t look good in one of these gems? We’ve decided it will also serve well as a party hat, an extra thermal layer in extreme weather conditions, and possibly a good piece with which to dust the apartment. </span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2FP9PXxfnNNjcCZPc_Ct1Jix3viTyHl1eZ54Rw7NDchOfLvQGwShMw4P4FtR1OJtTXDXkEtthO-rXB0VAlJD64FGFSuHFyFiNwhDJDWEU8vHo49zoxdLZnJ_jaa25ByidFVy6yX6pcSK/s1600/CIMG0444_800x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2FP9PXxfnNNjcCZPc_Ct1Jix3viTyHl1eZ54Rw7NDchOfLvQGwShMw4P4FtR1OJtTXDXkEtthO-rXB0VAlJD64FGFSuHFyFiNwhDJDWEU8vHo49zoxdLZnJ_jaa25ByidFVy6yX6pcSK/s400/CIMG0444_800x600.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It’s a good thing men and women have separate Banyas as clothes really were not an option. We started with the sauna...and you haven’t experienced extreme heat until you’ve been in one of these babies. The Russian Banyas can reach up to 200 degrees F which is why you have the felt hat on - to protect your head from the scorching heat (sounds like fun - yes?). The wood benches in the sauna are also hot as hades, but apparently a little burned flesh never hurt anyone. </span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7tW7T8YuZRvIVR8lGRxGNqBsx0RGMl9OVlzPVFtpSrPEI-uWgkh2cXzwL6tOx5TSeQ1NnqTM4Ic-99vc_ZBwtTX6njlKHATrh4yl2l_8TTQPHigqHRLOL6h27NexNJWj4uh7CpCOxSYx/s1600/Typical_Russian_Banya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7tW7T8YuZRvIVR8lGRxGNqBsx0RGMl9OVlzPVFtpSrPEI-uWgkh2cXzwL6tOx5TSeQ1NnqTM4Ic-99vc_ZBwtTX6njlKHATrh4yl2l_8TTQPHigqHRLOL6h27NexNJWj4uh7CpCOxSYx/s320/Typical_Russian_Banya.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After the furnace, you take a full body plunge into an ice...ICE cold water tub which is big enough for one at a time, or an attendant pours a huge bucket of freezing water on your head. In the winter - you have the tough choice of flailing around in the snow or jumping into ice water in a carved out ice hole over a lake, (these choices are only good and better). After the ice shock, you then submerge into a cool pool which actually feels down right warm after the arctic blast. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice water built for one...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQrEX_LwQrk4MnyXoCPu7QU7hALU9ft35b_7REPoOQlXW8G9mJMZnDGIEFA0jfKCmCsuUb8A-z5Jn3qH-si18zpLNkZKZhph4fRqIEhrowQS5N1J3Qy5KsOWh-V8mdyZuHLejyUnEu2M4/s1600/russian-banya-on-wheels-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQrEX_LwQrk4MnyXoCPu7QU7hALU9ft35b_7REPoOQlXW8G9mJMZnDGIEFA0jfKCmCsuUb8A-z5Jn3qH-si18zpLNkZKZhph4fRqIEhrowQS5N1J3Qy5KsOWh-V8mdyZuHLejyUnEu2M4/s320/russian-banya-on-wheels-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They say rolling in snow is actually colder than jumping into freezing water...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2W3NQIWC3fp4SbC6i41Ww2uMoVZH-8G4v77lFp3XTJlapYDq_os4jzc5kP956cuVwTfxB5AwMHALIkeG70qDdy4kP59wBTJv2d7EnwWip5ibGP9TuqKgOBqFifBJbyBPsitciPO1JXTZ/s1600/icicles_1562085i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2W3NQIWC3fp4SbC6i41Ww2uMoVZH-8G4v77lFp3XTJlapYDq_os4jzc5kP956cuVwTfxB5AwMHALIkeG70qDdy4kP59wBTJv2d7EnwWip5ibGP9TuqKgOBqFifBJbyBPsitciPO1JXTZ/s320/icicles_1562085i.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun times...</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My friend, Katie, and I mustered up a dose of courage to try the popular <b><i>venik</i></b> - branches and dried leaves from birch, oak or eucalyptus used by a strong, muscular attendant to pummel the living life out of you while laying down in the sauna. Let’s just say you definitley feel invigorated and well circulated after 10 minutes of this thrashing. (The memory of the pain does go away).</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHesZBTHZzjRTYt2Qybz8WMuGtqm5s6zzyQyLGwR5vEoGS52PFcixQdsnWnUNKdf1J5PAbKESsCWqF8iQHTspnPiK_uGNPQu12VoUqvoChhQAoOHzbnQUN2xfZ_kuiUl6VPMjTG-FWv0P/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHesZBTHZzjRTYt2Qybz8WMuGtqm5s6zzyQyLGwR5vEoGS52PFcixQdsnWnUNKdf1J5PAbKESsCWqF8iQHTspnPiK_uGNPQu12VoUqvoChhQAoOHzbnQUN2xfZ_kuiUl6VPMjTG-FWv0P/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Once your heart rate returns to a normal level, you retreat back to the beautiful locker room for tea, juice and a light snack. And then repeat the entire process until you feel completely relaxed...or beaten up...whichever comes first.</span></span></span></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">All kidding aside, it was a fascinating experience and one I would do again...perhaps next time in the dead of winter - swimming hole or snow?</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-57213189146706898822011-05-14T08:08:00.008-04:002011-05-15T04:08:46.279-04:00Family and Victory Day!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What a glorious week with family in town! My parents made a visit to Moscow to check out our digs and this beautiful city. Steve and I were thrilled to have them here. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Their arrival was on May 9th - Victory Day! (The end of WWII was declared on May 8th but with the time difference - May 9th in Russia). An incredible 25 million Russian soldiers died in WWII. As a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">national holiday (similar to our July 4th), Moscow celebrates with a large scale military parade.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Do you remember the old images of tanks rolling through Red Square? They still do today! We can see the Kremlin from our living room - and heard the soldiers yelling in unison - quite thrilling. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These are the images Steve and I caught at a parade rehearsal:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Fh6ftIwGNXjdsqlYJw1zeCZ4d8CGyBCMTrpWnyETI-hT_AmkSWiUNzw1PK7zQK01dypqZGkEZbMfdmZQQ2cJ7sjy3bMUYNr2fkVspQ-a9eE5ZGRT192q5UUHZQo7YgWw0gcPhGhwWPpt/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Fh6ftIwGNXjdsqlYJw1zeCZ4d8CGyBCMTrpWnyETI-hT_AmkSWiUNzw1PK7zQK01dypqZGkEZbMfdmZQQ2cJ7sjy3bMUYNr2fkVspQ-a9eE5ZGRT192q5UUHZQo7YgWw0gcPhGhwWPpt/s320/IMG_1196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Epgvis__pJ8vffT-0MpZHwEUCSzuObwdCGyed8b3fh20GSiDTg4SgHOChSXLti8lma_iZnU3rrHlRy9HUN3j8HTQYrc8ky4dMZJJvMcqWHIX37eXU8_-zsnrXhL3l3pSP20KUh_DhG1O/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Epgvis__pJ8vffT-0MpZHwEUCSzuObwdCGyed8b3fh20GSiDTg4SgHOChSXLti8lma_iZnU3rrHlRy9HUN3j8HTQYrc8ky4dMZJJvMcqWHIX37eXU8_-zsnrXhL3l3pSP20KUh_DhG1O/s320/IMG_1201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yes...missiles...</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4jfM_eIc5zbp2SqTdvB_LTKcFsN-hu3M1hHyjzqBeJFUw35PDUQW4Msv_TaEW5Bhd3CYQcJQf-lWrjkI0DcXD3tkQFHkSHEyud3dx0w0SpVveYnqAbFVOpEy0mHDvur2FZjgJbqSeY_3/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4jfM_eIc5zbp2SqTdvB_LTKcFsN-hu3M1hHyjzqBeJFUw35PDUQW4Msv_TaEW5Bhd3CYQcJQf-lWrjkI0DcXD3tkQFHkSHEyud3dx0w0SpVveYnqAbFVOpEy0mHDvur2FZjgJbqSeY_3/s320/IMG_1205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4LmYA9OjrIJseqCZ-WEz5d6336GVhO_DSvoHNOx6V4qLDESWHTszGXPq68D8XwgJAbbovoyj2W1fDb6Q88ktolySl3pxa4jnYwvnu813PxowC1XunXoWRlZgPSWRFkYOLeIeahazE3rL/s1600/IMG_0930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4LmYA9OjrIJseqCZ-WEz5d6336GVhO_DSvoHNOx6V4qLDESWHTszGXPq68D8XwgJAbbovoyj2W1fDb6Q88ktolySl3pxa4jnYwvnu813PxowC1XunXoWRlZgPSWRFkYOLeIeahazE3rL/s320/IMG_0930.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFwTcYDkR2s4lyVQWc1Jp8vOAmJUAw3lF1KY1SnUONgV3Z6-zBfe0vD9523_Mb8fDFa95Q-0-w-Z55lt_n8EwQOhRqGG0Er8X24_WP2yAtUbbsOcg5etATMr3awyn9ITqn3EiUkm0BqEA/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFwTcYDkR2s4lyVQWc1Jp8vOAmJUAw3lF1KY1SnUONgV3Z6-zBfe0vD9523_Mb8fDFa95Q-0-w-Z55lt_n8EwQOhRqGG0Er8X24_WP2yAtUbbsOcg5etATMr3awyn9ITqn3EiUkm0BqEA/s320/IMG_0932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Parade practice in Yaroslav (a small town we recently visited 4 hours away...)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is a stirring video of the parade highlights (from 2008 - but the parade follows the same format today)...</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mM5YvBpTvWQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even more fascinating - the Russians were able to control the weather on parade day! You may have heard of cloud seeding - weather modification that helps control the amount of rain that falls from clouds, (typically used to create more rain over farmland, etc.). In Russia - it’s used to drive rain away to insure it does not “rain on their parade”, (they’ve apparently done this for years).</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cxaeiey4pboXQz6AeKLM1hX5VZuSJRRljaZhJlFRFPr6sVG5XBHyIGUvuStW-ARdqRz2P5EsipfzhFTx_KOZnsIDtu9QvBHcwbLAGKpBs_Y_NNrjxaj_bJq_ajcTYhPeGtiX5WdJQCQO/s1600/1_air_shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cxaeiey4pboXQz6AeKLM1hX5VZuSJRRljaZhJlFRFPr6sVG5XBHyIGUvuStW-ARdqRz2P5EsipfzhFTx_KOZnsIDtu9QvBHcwbLAGKpBs_Y_NNrjxaj_bJq_ajcTYhPeGtiX5WdJQCQO/s320/1_air_shot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cloud seeding in action...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They use a machine (or plane) that spits silver iodide, dry ice or cement into the clouds, (brings new meaning to acid rain). When the chemicals touch the cloud, a hole appears. It becomes bigger and bigger, and it either rains right there and then or, if the clouds aren't very dense, they disperse without any precipitation. I guess we actually can mess with Mother Nature!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
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<tr> <td style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-color: #dddddd #dddddd #dddddd #dddddd; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 380.0px; width: 460.6px;" valign="top"><div style="color: white; font: 11.0px Verdana; line-height: 14.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>HOW CLOUD SEEDING WORKS</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><img alt="pastedGraphic.pdf" src="webkit-fake-url://AF1236F4-2B0A-4BA5-B440-110E76BFDF04/pastedGraphic.pdf" /></div><div style="color: #363636; font: 11.0px Verdana; line-height: 14.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1. Silver iodide is fired into cloud using flares on planes or from the ground</span></div><div style="color: #363636; font: 11.0px Verdana; line-height: 14.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">2. Water droplets then attach to these particles</span></div><div style="color: #363636; font: 11.0px Verdana; line-height: 14.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">3. They fall as snow if surface temperatures are below or near freezing, or as raindrops at warmer temperatures</span></div><div style="color: #363636; font: 11.0px Verdana; line-height: 14.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">4. Heat released as the droplets freeze boosts updrafts, which pull more moist air into the cloud</span></div><div style="color: #363636; font: 11.0px Verdana; line-height: 14.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>Despite the use of the cloud-seeding technique, many scientists remain sceptical of its effectiveness</i></span></div></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table> </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And so...on Victory Day...it rained....but then it cleared up to a bright sunshiny day!</span></span></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-84728095746844833682011-04-27T09:44:00.003-04:002011-05-14T08:39:23.822-04:00Ahhhhh.....<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Apologies for the delay in blogging. The truth...the extended winter was getting a bit frustrating and I was apparently hibernating until warmer weather arrived. Happy to announce - spring <i>has</i> arrived with 68 degrees at present - clouds? Not a one. The city is buzzing. The snow has vanished. Crocuses pushing up from the earth. Green shoots on trees. We have finally joined the rest of civilization with warmer weather! Can I get an “amen”?!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-TId3ork9GF_xh9U3XZjfbPO3jdm0icDbROlRHmjFD2KsIntDa-ECSuTnsmZSI3EyhKso64Vpm8KRXaTXsuVW3u1v5Ojt53SAjVranVOHmFpOIk-4TAH-pPbtmU0844yMnQ1PIRx1FnH/s1600/IMG_1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-TId3ork9GF_xh9U3XZjfbPO3jdm0icDbROlRHmjFD2KsIntDa-ECSuTnsmZSI3EyhKso64Vpm8KRXaTXsuVW3u1v5Ojt53SAjVranVOHmFpOIk-4TAH-pPbtmU0844yMnQ1PIRx1FnH/s400/IMG_1186.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Passed these today...hello green!</span></td></tr>
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</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Speaking of weather - with the change from winter to spring, we had some crazy fronts push through - check out this shot of the Kremlin...ominous comes to mind.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7Y9xrkl2z3qh0bPnEFqL5FToQM7wyDNfyi6N-4zPQ7vIb_12rmgb5aeFL7LJAVUPIzoTcUrCiKZ1aQM98c3DxZjjk7tk-J2RtRNguahehCZtL-aOu3JJHSVqwOGGLPqswojRwFixBnxD/s1600/IMG_0878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7Y9xrkl2z3qh0bPnEFqL5FToQM7wyDNfyi6N-4zPQ7vIb_12rmgb5aeFL7LJAVUPIzoTcUrCiKZ1aQM98c3DxZjjk7tk-J2RtRNguahehCZtL-aOu3JJHSVqwOGGLPqswojRwFixBnxD/s400/IMG_0878.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Easter in Russia...this being our first Easter away from home, Steve and I experienced part of a Russian Orthodox Easter service - fascinating! In Russia, palms are hard to come by...so on Palm Sunday, instead of palms, pussy willows are handed out...</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyDKEFQhFqkVS_D5SjfVYKubCLsxOozOGi8xTvZPKqi2KJ7k7KiA0xUuolOOSUZTtOcg_tIXJzBYBClsD1pHnR-9Yx5YllUjWyyMu24IncJ0_P5rDzpaeRzrYMXFTTysMMhQWYae9cLn9/s1600/willows2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyDKEFQhFqkVS_D5SjfVYKubCLsxOozOGi8xTvZPKqi2KJ7k7KiA0xUuolOOSUZTtOcg_tIXJzBYBClsD1pHnR-9Yx5YllUjWyyMu24IncJ0_P5rDzpaeRzrYMXFTTysMMhQWYae9cLn9/s320/willows2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Easter service starts at 11 p.m. on Easter eve. The church is entered in darkness and part way through the service, each partitioner lights a candle as the light of the world begins to grow. Typically, the congregation departs and walks around the church and then re-enters for a service that continues until the wee small hours of the morning. Church bells ring all over Moscow for 15 minutes starting at 11:45 p.m.....pure, pure heaven.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUe3-4AHE9Ts1D-SNlxhnrKFpPTxrAmspkgiZkbmZbRmEXbIOWm_wbP3cIDyrrovqxUDDscLhbSPMVRkvGNfTJjyQEQXgSIhLZF82_D7w0zOvhoDKVyIcfUztMZ5gSrkRcsJZrRUJSZOd2/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUe3-4AHE9Ts1D-SNlxhnrKFpPTxrAmspkgiZkbmZbRmEXbIOWm_wbP3cIDyrrovqxUDDscLhbSPMVRkvGNfTJjyQEQXgSIhLZF82_D7w0zOvhoDKVyIcfUztMZ5gSrkRcsJZrRUJSZOd2/s400/IMG_0415.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our neighborhood church...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pihQh4H2ZVmIGMp9aVAkcGhPY-9oKo89LCjmySwYSw0-uJvlk9268crlJ6Wb4ElYe3_OipMfUJc8EofCFPodUAgioxOms3rrMi16KKz2AjDmno2wqdO2Qlrg54btAjl7JF0Bvk5cuxqF/s1600/IMG_0417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pihQh4H2ZVmIGMp9aVAkcGhPY-9oKo89LCjmySwYSw0-uJvlk9268crlJ6Wb4ElYe3_OipMfUJc8EofCFPodUAgioxOms3rrMi16KKz2AjDmno2wqdO2Qlrg54btAjl7JF0Bvk5cuxqF/s400/IMG_0417.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Beautiful... (took this shot in colder days)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We attended a beautiful, small church right next to our apartment building....one of the few that survived Stalin’s church destruction during Soviet times. Women must cover their heads with a scarf and wear a skirt. The service was beautiful (we took in about 45 minutes) and so perfect for our first Easter abroad.</span></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-10781613855074201412011-04-18T08:38:00.004-04:002011-04-18T08:49:24.669-04:00When in Moscow...eat Georgian!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qqHveW_HvQFMc4zAF2vupDULK8o6YVkbmD3hP2iFof__UzF4y-3EA7q9VVz9Be2trCg5pqrjudAPDEZgIVi0K_dQLCH2Ec5f8MdCIAchTLveJAYN4cy6icakndC391V9MjIDG9A2pshn/s1600/Khachapuri%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qqHveW_HvQFMc4zAF2vupDULK8o6YVkbmD3hP2iFof__UzF4y-3EA7q9VVz9Be2trCg5pqrjudAPDEZgIVi0K_dQLCH2Ec5f8MdCIAchTLveJAYN4cy6icakndC391V9MjIDG9A2pshn/s400/Khachapuri%2521.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Steve with the Moellering girls at Khachapuri - our new fave Georgian restaurant!</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When in Moscow...eat Georgian...and we're not talking southeast United States. Georgian food is, in a word, <i><u>delicious</u></i>!! We had our first introduction during our Moscow “look-see” in August. Our good friends, the Grimes, recently re-introduced us in February - and now we’re hooked!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As you may know, there has been a long standing conflict between Russia and Georgia, to the degree Georgian wine is banned from consumption in Russia. But....food is fair game and Russians love it as much as we do - herbs, spices, nuts, eggplant, pomegranate, shish-ka-bob, fish...<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpxlv9iHYWQoGqYQky4LixCUGgzsUtJdM22CSLfYg9WFuHnvLnFjI5xs3wKfhDvNAZnVIdt7maf47frqbyW9QHGpGFWXfjvjVKfjXta3wqaGnwEhg-a5mVVFZY8QvishhS0V1st_REJvT/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpxlv9iHYWQoGqYQky4LixCUGgzsUtJdM22CSLfYg9WFuHnvLnFjI5xs3wKfhDvNAZnVIdt7maf47frqbyW9QHGpGFWXfjvjVKfjXta3wqaGnwEhg-a5mVVFZY8QvishhS0V1st_REJvT/s320/IMG_1126.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eggplant wrapped around a walnut mixture w/pomegranates...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0p9dAue1FMNdIWhyphenhyphenkI8jIKxYknNOxjT8279qDDOenCk0hBNyZS3fR9aQp0icR710Q8-39iLXZ7ICoUV1fGvBwolna0jFhsQjbXatTeG4POjIjexzTqXoO9kAh2kgJ6P6GOIRoL5LRMlGZ/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0p9dAue1FMNdIWhyphenhyphenkI8jIKxYknNOxjT8279qDDOenCk0hBNyZS3fR9aQp0icR710Q8-39iLXZ7ICoUV1fGvBwolna0jFhsQjbXatTeG4POjIjexzTqXoO9kAh2kgJ6P6GOIRoL5LRMlGZ/s320/IMG_1127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;">Satsivi - chicken in a walnut sauce...</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uPTxPIBMKLWQHaovIXHs4U9G8gxcSH_V9tB0qAzUv2LVsjdkvFoyQKeBWLokNftbO3zP7tXKNIBAHWgPmOQxiTPfewIcunTcMvozmUs3AGXBvGwLx71pT3ce1Ps9aSIBnMFQfaTEwSMp/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uPTxPIBMKLWQHaovIXHs4U9G8gxcSH_V9tB0qAzUv2LVsjdkvFoyQKeBWLokNftbO3zP7tXKNIBAHWgPmOQxiTPfewIcunTcMvozmUs3AGXBvGwLx71pT3ce1Ps9aSIBnMFQfaTEwSMp/s320/IMG_1131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lamb!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vv3nBeKOzcWKbihOwMjKrrhaayqDxpNS4-vA2SK1j_FL43DF_-HG_BfhLF2XpvT0bK9AB43FQauOV12TizloLjRgQKZ71mCH_FP7CxmVqK4PUWwTs69f7SP-JDeodp8JivINwGdm-VrN/s1600/IMG_1129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vv3nBeKOzcWKbihOwMjKrrhaayqDxpNS4-vA2SK1j_FL43DF_-HG_BfhLF2XpvT0bK9AB43FQauOV12TizloLjRgQKZ71mCH_FP7CxmVqK4PUWwTs69f7SP-JDeodp8JivINwGdm-VrN/s320/IMG_1129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lavish Bread...also very popular - khachapuri- bread stuffed with cheese...heaven!</span></span><br />
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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may remember reading about my "sledgehammer to the knees" incident going in the "out" at the metro (blog dated 2/21/11). My sweet sis-in-law, Amy, received a brief taste of the experience on her hand when she and Steve were passing the metro card between the gates - aaaaaagh!!!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUYLAYUHGIeocm0PYzuQwoI-RzyptM6yiGqBRXaVu_qGny4PuJwqn1zyYgXhLQNNVJMbQEPGNFoUvAeaVwnj2qP5jeUpHnxBT_16FOd7UUQOctsSuwu_WhdtnyhTwBOJ1lkceN-_NPiqv/s1600/IMG_1125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUYLAYUHGIeocm0PYzuQwoI-RzyptM6yiGqBRXaVu_qGny4PuJwqn1zyYgXhLQNNVJMbQEPGNFoUvAeaVwnj2qP5jeUpHnxBT_16FOd7UUQOctsSuwu_WhdtnyhTwBOJ1lkceN-_NPiqv/s320/IMG_1125.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The "pain" of the metro....not nice to instill on visitors!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-19619237090760556722011-04-13T07:32:00.001-04:002011-04-13T07:34:38.394-04:00Our first visitors!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyNj4UN5P70F8SbjTekZ1OjmYuDU_8401aagFUcAa3syJTyTbQ1dXhyphenhyphen57J1rdyT4gwQXdKakWXe7oAFOSUtCYp2KA6nv9FSuMIhgHCsY1RpKAHQA65nTTXdgPP9Xi9He218V0FjQB-fIR/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyNj4UN5P70F8SbjTekZ1OjmYuDU_8401aagFUcAa3syJTyTbQ1dXhyphenhyphen57J1rdyT4gwQXdKakWXe7oAFOSUtCYp2KA6nv9FSuMIhgHCsY1RpKAHQA65nTTXdgPP9Xi9He218V0FjQB-fIR/s640/IMG_1165.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mother Nature queued the snow every day for the full Moscow effect. Arrival and departure by train to the airport...</span></td></tr>
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We just enjoyed 4 glorious days with our first Moscow visitors. My brother, John, and his family are currently living in London on a one year assignment and spent half of the girls' spring break with us. We had a wonderful time and packed a ton into our 4 days together...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv0eQShCVZ1Kkr5KLUjATSvSx3FSvbRUy-ETHet7irY-hiCCQ4FQGZb06MwaS12G8gwEVLwhu4rUVLVDubSV28WoUYTgPoxIr74BbeSg5sCpk-ZTJ_pm-AOvoY_AL100pFPHTYDu6B_qb/s1600/IMG_1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv0eQShCVZ1Kkr5KLUjATSvSx3FSvbRUy-ETHet7irY-hiCCQ4FQGZb06MwaS12G8gwEVLwhu4rUVLVDubSV28WoUYTgPoxIr74BbeSg5sCpk-ZTJ_pm-AOvoY_AL100pFPHTYDu6B_qb/s320/IMG_1111.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6mc4Pzn63kk0KCVWwi4NXEQZJEHrJPlNd0ElwxFoLsA4qFbVFQ1AqpO5Rnhr0gdl6qwXQ-eUZbx_EQ_aA4iqYWkhtbZ9ICeHbo9aOFAQ6a4RU3sGOSySvT2DZKQl2xrTKIyVKLo24OCS/s1600/IMG_1112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6mc4Pzn63kk0KCVWwi4NXEQZJEHrJPlNd0ElwxFoLsA4qFbVFQ1AqpO5Rnhr0gdl6qwXQ-eUZbx_EQ_aA4iqYWkhtbZ9ICeHbo9aOFAQ6a4RU3sGOSySvT2DZKQl2xrTKIyVKLo24OCS/s400/IMG_1112.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rockin the fur!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc0-sUUCtP5ItjlBHNMBD-C7n1E4bL8ddfI5CLyz9pXSGAVJUtsKRo-qdvL0CW5Hj1R1CzXcXL5JCh-bk-4Y9sckk9XplKhUsHmW-EcENg74dU_oOLztFuH7n6dNUn2LiV5ugJG8Nc7bU/s1600/IMG_1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc0-sUUCtP5ItjlBHNMBD-C7n1E4bL8ddfI5CLyz9pXSGAVJUtsKRo-qdvL0CW5Hj1R1CzXcXL5JCh-bk-4Y9sckk9XplKhUsHmW-EcENg74dU_oOLztFuH7n6dNUn2LiV5ugJG8Nc7bU/s400/IMG_1114.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Led Zeppelin on the balalaika...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaW-Sy0VV5fiem3a89RcGpU2yrxfoDQZhgxQzubQY-Csj-InbPmD3KgMN-qJB9H21nkCQopij5FYp-ZGG4Shd-cZyct4aaXstlV6dgtwNm0YEXwWuT1CcImypTp6hn3nHMLshV3hbtOM4/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaW-Sy0VV5fiem3a89RcGpU2yrxfoDQZhgxQzubQY-Csj-InbPmD3KgMN-qJB9H21nkCQopij5FYp-ZGG4Shd-cZyct4aaXstlV6dgtwNm0YEXwWuT1CcImypTp6hn3nHMLshV3hbtOM4/s400/IMG_1119.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Steve and Amy in Gorky Park...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpIWJ_opX0h6dXaqBTBCxIcEaiwLr-WPFLF7rO1kCxadQE1kz0_5darCkiMLCbJHQ3z7sUIQhxyQufbnoG9d3ojPfkBGQ63YKNsHFXSF2x29oEMkkdRiO1FtnA7jPDvu7mhsEEa5BPuVD/s1600/IMG_1121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpIWJ_opX0h6dXaqBTBCxIcEaiwLr-WPFLF7rO1kCxadQE1kz0_5darCkiMLCbJHQ3z7sUIQhxyQufbnoG9d3ojPfkBGQ63YKNsHFXSF2x29oEMkkdRiO1FtnA7jPDvu7mhsEEa5BPuVD/s400/IMG_1121.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sarah and Steve carrying the world...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DO0YtqKuwvqK0vsUgj8KfSD6f3w7L4TrQD8V0N_hSAZXb2Vt8gR4ICkZaSlk2aakkbEVMnVMY5jVtuwMjZS9PaOaXIsv1Bg6KXVeD0byyUT86ZyA2m0mC7fg_MAP41-ZD-tak1y5zHm7/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DO0YtqKuwvqK0vsUgj8KfSD6f3w7L4TrQD8V0N_hSAZXb2Vt8gR4ICkZaSlk2aakkbEVMnVMY5jVtuwMjZS9PaOaXIsv1Bg6KXVeD0byyUT86ZyA2m0mC7fg_MAP41-ZD-tak1y5zHm7/s400/IMG_1126.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Georgian food - a favorite!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3dtfDosVt4IES9AuSSIH6NyCAnIPmNRiNv-HjP_ihp-j_tGd8zGUBhAlHOOBv29QnHvdajex6pm1MterMu1keP40OO1KNC_OTMDopjS6hZSdXT0iH1Nc_hH2Q5_ktX1k7OexMlTI5lWk/s1600/IMG_1132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3dtfDosVt4IES9AuSSIH6NyCAnIPmNRiNv-HjP_ihp-j_tGd8zGUBhAlHOOBv29QnHvdajex6pm1MterMu1keP40OO1KNC_OTMDopjS6hZSdXT0iH1Nc_hH2Q5_ktX1k7OexMlTI5lWk/s400/IMG_1132.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Backstage at the Bolshoi...set assembly in process...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-50634150075388365602011-04-06T02:46:00.003-04:002011-04-06T02:57:36.114-04:00Moscow Musings...<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We've had the first sign of spring - hallelujah! It reached 54 degrees F this weekend. Pure heaven! The city erupted with park dwellers, hand holders and even some smiling faces. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Let’s talk for a minute about parking in Moscow. Oh my. I mean, OH MY!!!!! Rules actually do not exist. This is a true statement. You can park your car anywhere and everywhere - and people do! The city of Moscow has very few tow trucks...so no apparent need to be considerate of others. We’ve seen cars literally parked smack dab in the middle of a busy street - causing everyone to go around....traffic for miles...just because you can. I've even seen a group of 4 burly men manually pick up and move a small car out of the way. This is an every man for himself society!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WZ0QPs_I5XGu-xbe_swWmUGeUVno7TaScISym2hnlqlP-I13cVDFR3yjIFu9OoxOnVbcZwLEoH9XgRA2T7mV-z0TeWiEa2amY38l8aIMeBY35djWFVPkNmhWojuBU54Ek_ZyVgaVArn4/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WZ0QPs_I5XGu-xbe_swWmUGeUVno7TaScISym2hnlqlP-I13cVDFR3yjIFu9OoxOnVbcZwLEoH9XgRA2T7mV-z0TeWiEa2amY38l8aIMeBY35djWFVPkNmhWojuBU54Ek_ZyVgaVArn4/s400/IMG_0945.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ummm.....really?? Organized chaos...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3E_QXwFNuV664y7MEDbYFVu5ByyT5ohHdFmxCRxSJQ_84T9i3rhJfaR6xco4_GLgEuUZQKAKJaaPZ7gqeZgkPrHJ8QwWwGGkLYeA56hfOMkGsj9RhrOn7Cbi6rYJu9lNbWYIRo514YPm/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3E_QXwFNuV664y7MEDbYFVu5ByyT5ohHdFmxCRxSJQ_84T9i3rhJfaR6xco4_GLgEuUZQKAKJaaPZ7gqeZgkPrHJ8QwWwGGkLYeA56hfOMkGsj9RhrOn7Cbi6rYJu9lNbWYIRo514YPm/s400/IMG_0947.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I think I'll park riiiight here on this nice corner...."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIPbuaSC6odc4HHV8Wr-dQUTuU-gJ2C76scjbtnw-we-KKXsekVzbkG7sXBGbAx6f_na2oHlzXpya3fIXexgkjRcE5BQIS5oxdSjP_AjdFZSNZMID0q0j6Jw2RKdkovCajlVXkrmNYIon/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIPbuaSC6odc4HHV8Wr-dQUTuU-gJ2C76scjbtnw-we-KKXsekVzbkG7sXBGbAx6f_na2oHlzXpya3fIXexgkjRcE5BQIS5oxdSjP_AjdFZSNZMID0q0j6Jw2RKdkovCajlVXkrmNYIon/s400/IMG_0713.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Just the spot I was looking for...."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WnoZDrKRG_ovA0UBKEywJbtU0u8Y6VZke9cLP23xXVCiLNORLwOuwGQ3tjkth8bR9cJWWV5WNemnTgKFSTIup13cGd2ZBWe7oVIk6BV9H_-jkO3zPgsflSdtkIATL4Sdy2C1ermBOrf-/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WnoZDrKRG_ovA0UBKEywJbtU0u8Y6VZke9cLP23xXVCiLNORLwOuwGQ3tjkth8bR9cJWWV5WNemnTgKFSTIup13cGd2ZBWe7oVIk6BV9H_-jkO3zPgsflSdtkIATL4Sdy2C1ermBOrf-/s400/IMG_0715.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Note cars coming and going down this one-way street - splendid!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We’ve also noticed, through the snowy, slushy winter, very few cars get washed....and why would you when the next day, it will get doused with another stunning layer of dirt and grime. Although you will often see people wiping off their license plates...no one wants to give the police any reason to pull them over. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5aLR-mrqq-FHuE9_8_lf8_X3HbM0HnE4zo8-2IbZ_Of4WaXewvfzs3g5t1Wozk9u9Htjt4Fb1u9O5UJRs-OYxnYjI49YtDvZYBfiEAgD4ImswP1bmjJe9eLPGYGJwZge6tDorj6bPqRZ/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5aLR-mrqq-FHuE9_8_lf8_X3HbM0HnE4zo8-2IbZ_Of4WaXewvfzs3g5t1Wozk9u9Htjt4Fb1u9O5UJRs-OYxnYjI49YtDvZYBfiEAgD4ImswP1bmjJe9eLPGYGJwZge6tDorj6bPqRZ/s400/IMG_0717.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This calls for a finger-painted "Wash Me!!!" Wonder if that translates in Russian...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span id="goog_1692389019"></span><span id="goog_1692389020"></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxPo3hjMGe0J_MNbkTK-XhzuiaZ7RKxjb0jwCgKio9TvpOVb29_6ml6c5cqNzKlpq5qzSdv6MGkt1d7MCirl9sXtMgP3BuN_oTSwg4QBaeSf485aLEUt8CF3nWRsdz8CfC7AFcg3bDjz1/s1600/IMG_0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxPo3hjMGe0J_MNbkTK-XhzuiaZ7RKxjb0jwCgKio9TvpOVb29_6ml6c5cqNzKlpq5qzSdv6MGkt1d7MCirl9sXtMgP3BuN_oTSwg4QBaeSf485aLEUt8CF3nWRsdz8CfC7AFcg3bDjz1/s400/IMG_0750.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Custom designs are big!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3BFIM2KOrPzUn_7MMcHr4zmz0pfBQLcXV0tPssWq9n5RrofvL27GbR5jdhelT3L_kVrjmYPju75BKSnexbM-RiVgakFwSaiB6bLhCjvf2TYkNiky6VyAkWL_S1pJtpus4R040VNYLkd2/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3BFIM2KOrPzUn_7MMcHr4zmz0pfBQLcXV0tPssWq9n5RrofvL27GbR5jdhelT3L_kVrjmYPju75BKSnexbM-RiVgakFwSaiB6bLhCjvf2TYkNiky6VyAkWL_S1pJtpus4R040VNYLkd2/s400/IMG_0740.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shovel time..</span>.<br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Prices! Moscow shopping prices are generally out of sight. Take raspberries, for example. How does $13 for a half pint sound? We don’t buy raspberries. Now, I will say, we have been pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><u>few</u></span> items are....this huge package of fresh ginger, for example, is only $1!!!!! (And I had already used a knuckle before I snapped the photo). Soooo... we’re having ginger chicken, ginger soup and ginger casserole this week...</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNOakww56rl2AhGxbRh_ApnmrzXaMZRNqL8mHOut9rc_LR6mrNQPih0c-TDFHzqWFMqrlzfk21yxvu3G_E8zxKSaIwFEowufaSlM3caCcZ5FNj0LI49XjfvDATlEpPdCxGXh2nX2o3tkq/s1600/IMG_1089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNOakww56rl2AhGxbRh_ApnmrzXaMZRNqL8mHOut9rc_LR6mrNQPih0c-TDFHzqWFMqrlzfk21yxvu3G_E8zxKSaIwFEowufaSlM3caCcZ5FNj0LI49XjfvDATlEpPdCxGXh2nX2o3tkq/s320/IMG_1089.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The dry cleaners here actually do a fairly good job. What is amazing is the drop off process and the detailed documentation of what was left behind. A book is written about each garment....the number of buttons, any holes or tears, what the label says, the brand, the thread count, the number of times it’s been worn, whether it’s cute or not...and would the dry cleaner employee consider wearing it herself....???? Seriously, what are they writing? Here is what our most recent drop-off slip looks like for 3 pairs of pants and a dress (check marks and all):</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh8OqVCPpolpTOPwsnR4bV8jIFucVgpMJwQyQqVZsa-PXPtzq_xjvhHxc1f6BjBTS_Jy1VWuRanGusHpXL91xb0hwFEIk-p2SYe4avkMwCE2yjvDIdvK5N1RoFCmplxZ11lcodYT2YBP9/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh8OqVCPpolpTOPwsnR4bV8jIFucVgpMJwQyQqVZsa-PXPtzq_xjvhHxc1f6BjBTS_Jy1VWuRanGusHpXL91xb0hwFEIk-p2SYe4avkMwCE2yjvDIdvK5N1RoFCmplxZ11lcodYT2YBP9/s640/IMG_0771.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Note notary-type stamp in lower right - this is applied to all receipts everywhere!</span></td></tr>
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</span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-84427001560539349892011-03-30T06:34:00.009-04:002011-03-31T00:58:11.278-04:00Hi Dubai!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBBX8x41An9tn_vgZ2r3nXYTqvcAGIFLIEBgk7AwP2dXfWBwkGlNPjxoiOYe2wZ9o3-9uJ3OmZkUVJQmd3bSlUaaNjjDNRmAADqK_yKXWC_lz_EqIHgRY5bjjnVmVjYHn-LVUujTmYNPK/s1600/muslimDM_468x275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBBX8x41An9tn_vgZ2r3nXYTqvcAGIFLIEBgk7AwP2dXfWBwkGlNPjxoiOYe2wZ9o3-9uJ3OmZkUVJQmd3bSlUaaNjjDNRmAADqK_yKXWC_lz_EqIHgRY5bjjnVmVjYHn-LVUujTmYNPK/s320/muslimDM_468x275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We just returned from a glorious, relaxing long weekend in Dubai with a good friend and Moscow mentor, David Telepak. Dubai is incredible...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yy1WIQqRWQ4GNzrZuLLJv0szuFD3-_wa1ez_uBIIZQ5kXC7Or796ZJrpvBL6raSrEqeTEZCh5rEX5inT07iLzShi_2HQZ5hNe_0fIFqsguBSGg_HkHk1hGxRcbpMTDv82xSYuIvnbhQD/s1600/images-30.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yy1WIQqRWQ4GNzrZuLLJv0szuFD3-_wa1ez_uBIIZQ5kXC7Or796ZJrpvBL6raSrEqeTEZCh5rEX5inT07iLzShi_2HQZ5hNe_0fIFqsguBSGg_HkHk1hGxRcbpMTDv82xSYuIvnbhQD/s1600/images-30.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We took Emirates Airlines which was quite impressive...</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgO9k4oZM8ut-bywD0sil3PYfjjaaBgNfpOfiQhLgl6gsmqdIWpFmIDT2HfvyynYXh28CLy4n9ycksAyELo5BBcrasfKYccy14OOwTVdh6b9IGv1fwF0kZ3dA_LxFx5c27u3_0V1lcqBCM/s1600/images-35.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgO9k4oZM8ut-bywD0sil3PYfjjaaBgNfpOfiQhLgl6gsmqdIWpFmIDT2HfvyynYXh28CLy4n9ycksAyELo5BBcrasfKYccy14OOwTVdh6b9IGv1fwF0kZ3dA_LxFx5c27u3_0V1lcqBCM/s1600/images-35.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the uniforms!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Upon arrival, we headed out to the taxi stand and had 2 lines to choose from....one for parties that included a female (women are required to take taxis with women drivers) and one for men only. We hopped aboard a taxi with the sweetest female driver...she called me “Darling” the duration of the trip to the hotel. Most everyone in Dubai speaks English.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiwMsHNVwE4vFju9ESu-aOqAhej8-7Zcau_vhoXXUJiH6pwGLmGpqyi6m1Zjss1zWNoyqusflVUHx20bVqI5aP_Mgpii71wfndRUDOekAb2RXC2G9jPNkN1sSt6dkd1ulmQ3fZUupqifZ/s1600/Dubai-Taxi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiwMsHNVwE4vFju9ESu-aOqAhej8-7Zcau_vhoXXUJiH6pwGLmGpqyi6m1Zjss1zWNoyqusflVUHx20bVqI5aP_Mgpii71wfndRUDOekAb2RXC2G9jPNkN1sSt6dkd1ulmQ3fZUupqifZ/s1600/Dubai-Taxi.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next 4 days were filled with beach time, fantastic shopping (Dubai is home to the largest mall in the world - yahtzee!), exploring the desert and fantastic food.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRL9AE_7qu8Bj86Ncs6TmkygzNi_nZGKY69eegfkkIv9ln05XEliTzL8HxMH6tMSg3kOoFb8MsBOpjUn9ey7WcsgSGYc362YPsSG-lrMKJN6GmkWZXYa6oJaK15PHSSf_ntgVZrjnZuzd/s1600/images-34.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRL9AE_7qu8Bj86Ncs6TmkygzNi_nZGKY69eegfkkIv9ln05XEliTzL8HxMH6tMSg3kOoFb8MsBOpjUn9ey7WcsgSGYc362YPsSG-lrMKJN6GmkWZXYa6oJaK15PHSSf_ntgVZrjnZuzd/s1600/images-34.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High rise condos and hotels the length of the beach...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8wBkHPZd5cye1p10nlPxseRTW8veCJ0LdyPZgo-fxlXuSCESGoo_u8Mh9LSmBnGUl4i-KY_SZl4unN6xZ607czrAJsazGWMLSmQLbHM_ROUMhu8TLFYWW_KOMmZEPWDt7abxuhA8b5pB/s1600/IMG_1021_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8wBkHPZd5cye1p10nlPxseRTW8veCJ0LdyPZgo-fxlXuSCESGoo_u8Mh9LSmBnGUl4i-KY_SZl4unN6xZ607czrAJsazGWMLSmQLbHM_ROUMhu8TLFYWW_KOMmZEPWDt7abxuhA8b5pB/s320/IMG_1021_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These camels were sun bathing along with us! SPF 5000...</td></tr>
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The native dress was fascinating...men from the UAE (United Arab Emirates) wore white robes and white head gear, men from Saudi Arabia (right next door), wore the same white robes with red and white checked head gear. Women were wearing all kinds of things. Some in </span><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">full berka</span></u></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">....which I have to say, I found fascinating. We asked a woman in full cover for directions and it was so unusual, and a bit startling, to talk only to her eyes. She couldn’t have been more friendly. I noticed almost every woman (including our taxi driver) was carrying a very expensive handbag, beautiful jewelry and fancy shoes. I was dying to peek underneath to see what clothes they were wearing. No doubt, most had on very expensive couture.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We had been told by many that the desert safari was a must do. Thirty minutes outside Dubai, we arrived at the desert - it looked like a scene right out of <i>Lawrence of Arabia</i>! </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAP1RYHWGcFcIKidlCNSVKOby6SZQTRPRhy0MwtmlbPn-C9P-QVb1buHVDZUnSvlqXHeRmt7HIpdtusO65H0S83H_fXnSVJmQ2MF82K4tnFXdbm01tHJJO5-SU9qlpVCAAjWEDbfzvDUy/s1600/IMG_1036_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAP1RYHWGcFcIKidlCNSVKOby6SZQTRPRhy0MwtmlbPn-C9P-QVb1buHVDZUnSvlqXHeRmt7HIpdtusO65H0S83H_fXnSVJmQ2MF82K4tnFXdbm01tHJJO5-SU9qlpVCAAjWEDbfzvDUy/s320/IMG_1036_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The setting sun was perfect for this shot! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We didn’t know what to expect but once our jeep arrived at the desert, our driver deflated the tires and “floored it” for the next 30 minutes!!! We now know this is called “Dune Bashing”! Thank goodness all of us had good sea (desert) legs. This was a roller coaster ride of unparalleled proportions. We were at 90 degrees a few times....up and down the dunes....speeding through sand embankments...catching air - a wild, wild ride!</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QNfvXCy_ZKwVlCX_olzdMHi_9BkYYWeuP8Lyu13O2sC8xE0HDHdNH9IegXg1RFeQ4f8tEMeTugu-fq6W_BtokTUWTXBfWCSHjXNczBI1YLl2aEULao74PfA7vZH5bTYR7HDrP3k6JikE/s1600/dune-bashing-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QNfvXCy_ZKwVlCX_olzdMHi_9BkYYWeuP8Lyu13O2sC8xE0HDHdNH9IegXg1RFeQ4f8tEMeTugu-fq6W_BtokTUWTXBfWCSHjXNczBI1YLl2aEULao74PfA7vZH5bTYR7HDrP3k6JikE/s1600/dune-bashing-pic.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnfl2CerBkwvRYbyfc5fp1HVxaPQwrufZnb8ktdxU4Uikto6ImQRfPjj13xOLFsvgerPyFWqPcl9t_z00kxm7DMx1c0Ee1r9G34TUYTyfkYVSJWMsFDwB9uqEIc5WPnaQD1iJnwiLsLtM/s1600/dunebashing-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnfl2CerBkwvRYbyfc5fp1HVxaPQwrufZnb8ktdxU4Uikto6ImQRfPjj13xOLFsvgerPyFWqPcl9t_z00kxm7DMx1c0Ee1r9G34TUYTyfkYVSJWMsFDwB9uqEIc5WPnaQD1iJnwiLsLtM/s1600/dunebashing-2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Chalkduster; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We arrived at a camp with other “bashers”, sat on the ground and ate native food - lots of grilled lamb, nuts, dates, apricots, hummus, pita bread...and belly dancer entertainment...when in Dubai...you have to take in some belly dancing! Thank goodness, post-meal, our drive home was on a flat surface...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of our first camel ride....whoa horsey... (notice the spit preventer!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtlJku_J7JlzdZQOxe8DKrqrFXG4kA9Nr5T6fpwAEQnVqO_R6W2VBAuz5YoNWXWYVBgdbxXoVAUIQTZJ0V7yG9kjd9yEQNOglF7MpR_SW-BZJS7lDk47Jlx9neyDDtgrK1NnO9GgVCESf/s1600/IMG_1043_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtlJku_J7JlzdZQOxe8DKrqrFXG4kA9Nr5T6fpwAEQnVqO_R6W2VBAuz5YoNWXWYVBgdbxXoVAUIQTZJ0V7yG9kjd9yEQNOglF7MpR_SW-BZJS7lDk47Jlx9neyDDtgrK1NnO9GgVCESf/s320/IMG_1043_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the dunes with our good friend David...<br />
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</tbody></table></span></span>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-56511934509446506972011-03-19T10:44:00.000-04:002011-03-19T10:44:47.260-04:00Peter Columbus!<div style="color: #0745ad; font: 11.0px Helvetica; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGB0uP-sclmnEIQsw4xZaanvo7OsPoHFe1_deRlpuXNZv2eX5h4QVaFThAE4CXeaen1WzNBFjs_0ypwfR0qfvUpH9K81Si3XHztthCZfnga99OdquYSitySKR-InhRbTXH-ljU6Bp2G8d/s1600/IMG_1008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGB0uP-sclmnEIQsw4xZaanvo7OsPoHFe1_deRlpuXNZv2eX5h4QVaFThAE4CXeaen1WzNBFjs_0ypwfR0qfvUpH9K81Si3XHztthCZfnga99OdquYSitySKR-InhRbTXH-ljU6Bp2G8d/s640/IMG_1008.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div style="color: #0745ad; font: 11.0px Helvetica; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #0745ad; font: 11.0px Helvetica; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We get the Peter Columbus salute every morning. This statue, standing 94 meters high on the Moscow River, is the 8th tallest statue in the world. As legend has it - the statue was initially of Christopher Columbus - but when the U.S. Government rejected it, its head was replaced and was sold to the Russian Government as a nautical statue of Peter the Great...hence the nickname “Peter Columbus”. In November 2008, it was voted the tenth ugliest building in the world...</span></span></div><div style="color: #0745ad; font: 11.0px Helvetica; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px; min-height: 13.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRpw450E-GOqAOw5NPb087SMZT2CRG__roOyok29Bq66WcpFbuwwNp4pH2sXX2o4tDBjSlUEzbuG8gOmkiPNuuEZnWk0qz5zE3ekyby9mf158AYSfG7MTvuRnoj6JbJSXjpZYOVskWuG-/s1600/IMG_0467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRpw450E-GOqAOw5NPb087SMZT2CRG__roOyok29Bq66WcpFbuwwNp4pH2sXX2o4tDBjSlUEzbuG8gOmkiPNuuEZnWk0qz5zE3ekyby9mf158AYSfG7MTvuRnoj6JbJSXjpZYOVskWuG-/s640/IMG_0467.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">From our bedroom window...with a zoom lens...thank goodness we can appreciate him from a distance!</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div style="color: #0745ad; font: 11.0px Helvetica; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some Muscovites are lobbying to have the structure removed...or blown up....poor guy.</span></span></div><div style="color: #0745ad; font: 11.0px Helvetica; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUeERRHZAOfL1NEB4QgUUDaQNcRolronIAz10ysu-dzPMO0-V8MDSldfbDyuk2cb7gLtsKRo8H2Hixs1a3TZ74tCMdCsTCQJnpaOa48cvbFx5kKgIM2PaKMiDybbbUavFKcgvaazYWH7I/s1600/IMG_1009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUeERRHZAOfL1NEB4QgUUDaQNcRolronIAz10ysu-dzPMO0-V8MDSldfbDyuk2cb7gLtsKRo8H2Hixs1a3TZ74tCMdCsTCQJnpaOa48cvbFx5kKgIM2PaKMiDybbbUavFKcgvaazYWH7I/s400/IMG_1009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="color: #0745ad; font: 11.0px Helvetica; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054601550797659520.post-9937803967055495062011-03-18T09:12:00.002-04:002011-03-18T09:27:31.161-04:00Fries with your "BIG MAK"?<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebe6a2XBXlL1w37uiaez9OaOGPwWi8DLVieIh3-j-1TUHojNvnReS2-MHhvXfy-pc4gdfE-pasDaJ6iLLD8Ik1YczogA7m-KRen6YXh1OezsXjenL1aqvGhYPWCdQA5FagQWInr9iMklo/s1600/IMG_0995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebe6a2XBXlL1w37uiaez9OaOGPwWi8DLVieIh3-j-1TUHojNvnReS2-MHhvXfy-pc4gdfE-pasDaJ6iLLD8Ik1YczogA7m-KRen6YXh1OezsXjenL1aqvGhYPWCdQA5FagQWInr9iMklo/s320/IMG_0995.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’m going to keep this in mind the next time I find myself strumming my fingers wating in a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">slow</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> fast food line....</span></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In 1990 nearly 30,000 people lined up to be the first to eat the famous “Big Mak” at the grand opening of Moscow’s first McDonald’s. It was the world’s largest McDonald’s with 28 cash registers and enough seating for 700 people...</span></span></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/amx-JHhtsHw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(this is the opening of the first Parisian location - but gives the same idea)</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Russians were unaccustomed to eating finger food/sandwiches. Some ate their Big Mak with a spoon while others pulled it apart and ate it layer by layer. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today - there are McDonald's all over town with "walk up" windows rather than drive throughs. There is always a line...</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aSIRzSMGeCrpy3xWxI8UfGjVLF-sjA0s6Nt1a75AH1dSYTu9OEVu7-FmXLV9hOC6jxCHlAaABsEnD2y5uhzTqAyRyv8Lptw9tqwBJCcV1-d0g9f74v3_KwveDtrhvP0OFF_YZzYmqmTZ/s1600/IMG_0994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aSIRzSMGeCrpy3xWxI8UfGjVLF-sjA0s6Nt1a75AH1dSYTu9OEVu7-FmXLV9hOC6jxCHlAaABsEnD2y5uhzTqAyRyv8Lptw9tqwBJCcV1-d0g9f74v3_KwveDtrhvP0OFF_YZzYmqmTZ/s320/IMG_0994.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> *Some of this content came from a post by Michael Anderson.</span></span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783230485336982896noreply@blogger.com0