London Calling...

Had just a spectacular time this past weekend in London visiting my brother, John, and family.  The highlights:

Tried the mushy peas...they were...let's say...mushy.

On the road with Fish & Chips - Amy driving on the right...

Stonehenge!  Drove by this 5 times trying to get home - but that's another story for another time...

Cathedral in Salisbury...

Amazing!

Parliament....Big Ben...

Niece Maggie and I walking into Chicago!

We all scream for ice cream...and "in the band"!

We have found the people of Moscow to be very passionate and quite loving people.  Couples always walk hand in hand, older couples walk arm and arm.  There’s lots of kanoodling in restaurants and in parks as it is often the only time younger couples can spend time alone - many share a crowded home with several generations of family.  They like to stand closely together....some of that must be to stay warm? A Russian friend described it as “we’re always holding each other up”....perhaps so they don’t “banana peel” on the snow and ice...but they truly are affectionate people.  

They also have an extreme affection for...wait for it....ice cream!! Ok, it’s cold in Moscow....really, really cold.  I was walking home from the gym the other night and there was a line outside the ice cream kiosk 5 deep.  It was 9 degrees outside.  These kiosks are all over town and they are very reminiscent of our old fashioned ice cream trucks.  They have the orange push-up bar, the red white and blue rocket bar, on and on....and of course the internationally popular Eskimo Pie!  This is our ice cream kiosk outside our building:

If you look closely at the 2nd photo above, you can see the owner sitting inside....she was yelling at me the whole time I was snapping the photos.  Russians don't particularly like to have their photo taken - I've read part of it goes back to their Communist roots - having a level of suspicion about those around you (i.e. why are you taking my photo?).  In other cases, they are happy to have their photo taken...but only after you've bought something from them. The old give and take rule.

Steve is in London for business this week and I have the great fortune of joining him today (we're going to try and leverage as many business trips as possible).  My brother, John, and has family currently live in London and we will be playing with them all weekend.  Can't wait!  Since I was solo last night, I joined a few friends at an art gallery opening at an upscale event - wine, champagne, the artist community.  I was getting my culture on!  From there we went to a great Mexican place just outside the Kremlin.  For those who know me well....I was in complete heaven!!  You might think Mexican food in Moscow is somewhat of an oxymoron - it was fantastic.  

La Cantina!!

As you walk into the restaurant, you take 4 steps down to the vast seating area - it was packed - probably 75 people in the place.  There was also a band playing loud music in English (David Bowie, Duran Duran, etc.) and everyone was intently watching them.  The band was set up on the crowded steps as you walk in.  So....as you enter the restaurant...you are immediately part of the band.  This set up isn't meant to be funny...it just was.  I walk into the restaurant and there I stand, with 75 people watching the band, and I'm now part of the band. I almost grabbed a mike to provide back up vocals.  I bit bizarre - but hey - if you're going to make an entrance - make an entrance!  And who doesn't want to be in the band??

Up on the roof tops...

All over town, workers are constantly feverishly knocking snow off roof tops.  This is happening outside our courtyard windows now:

The issue is that snow significantly accumulates on roof tops and when it warms up, the heavy snow starts to melt and slides off in huge chunks - presenting danger for anyone walking below.  Buildings often have rope cordoning off sidewalks close to the building to prevent accidents.  This requires you to then walk in the street...which poses another whole set of dangers....but we won't go there.

This is not from this year - we haven't seen anything close to this much snow...yet...

There are several theories as to why the iconic Russian "onion domes" are shaped the way they are...one theory is the shape allows snow to easily slide off...   In any case, they are beautiful!

On the Kremlin grounds during our "Look See" in August...

Moving Day Part Deux!

Our household goods FINALLY arrived from the U.S. yesterday...angels are singing - and I’m hitting the high notes!  Our “camping” days are over. I started making dinner last night and realized I had a choice of pans to use, I didn’t have to “mince” cheese since I could use our grater and actually had a device to drain the pasta.  I realize our pioneer ancestors never had these implements.......but........since we do, I missed them more than I realized.   Actually, the truth is, Steve and I have both said many times that we can get along with a lot less - and perhaps that’s not a bad thing.

Boxes are everywhere but it brings a sense of comfort and memories of growing up.  I moved 15 times (with my military family) and there’s just something great about having moving boxes around - a sense of new beginnings and it’s kind of like opening up a ton of gifts  - although that lasts about 8.2 seconds once the realization of the volume of boxes to be torn through sets in.  All said, our house is beginning to feel more like a home.

We had temperature highs in the single digits this week.  It seems to be constantly snowing - although it’s never more than light flurries - it just accumulates because it’s “on” most of the time.  Steve and I are having a hard time adjusting to the constant bundling and unbundling of gear.  This includes heavy socks, long johns, a minimum of several layers to cover the torso, hat, gloves, sometimes glove liners, scarf and boots!  You pray you didn’t forget anything once the boots go on because you can’t walk back through the apartment as this will track muck through the house from the last time you ventured outdoors, (refer to blog dated Dec 8th). You also have to strip down the minute you walk back in the door, at least the boots...again, because you can’t “track” through the house.  On....off....on....off.....on....off....all day long. Even going to the store for a few small items - full gear up!  

Yesterday, I geared up for the 4th time as I prepared to head to the gym at 6 p.m.  As I walked out the door I realized I had on my lightweight running tights but forgot to put my heavy jeans on overtop.  I paused....thought about it for a second...decided I could not take on the “unbooting” process yet again...“naaah, I’ll be fine!”.  It’s just a 15 minute walk, after all.      Critical mistake.     These lightweight running tights are perfect for, say, springtime running....in Atlanta.   Without exaggeration, I could not feel my legs for the last 5 minutes of the jaunt - and I was practically running at that point, as best I could, traversing across patches of ice and snow dodging in and out of Muscovites in their heavy full length furs....what was I thinking??

Flags at half staff...

Flags are at half staff today in Moscow.  Russia was attacked this week when a bomb was detonated at the Domodedovo Airport on the outskirts of town.  Lives were senselessly lost and many were injured.  This brought back fresh memories from 10 years ago when our great nation was also under terror attack on September 11th.  We are guests in Moscow and as such, our hearts go out to the great Russians who live among us, work with us and have extended a hand in helping us get established in this special city.  As stated in an earlier blog, human emotions transcend international boundaries.  May peace prevail for us all...

Moscow airport news...

You may have heard the sad news that one of Moscow's 3 airports was bombed today.  Neither Steve or I are traveling, so we are both fine.  Prayers go out to the families of those who senselessly lost their lives.

Superstitions...

Learned about fascinating Russian superstitions today at my Understanding Russia class!  Superstitions are a way of staying out of harm’s way as many Russians don't have health care:

Salt - clearly very expensive during war time...it was scarce and, of course, the primary source of preservative. Bad luck to spill on the table today - three shakes over the left shoulder will thwart away evil spirits.  Know why it’s the left shoulder?  The Angel Gabriel sits on the right shoulder.

Face time - too much time in front of the mirror is considered bad luck (the Angel Gabriel doesn’t know who to protect - you or your image).

Back inside?  Bad luck to leave something in the house when you leave for a trip.  Most people won’t go back in to get it unless it’s essential - passport, glasses, etc.  If you must go back inside...look in the mirror for protection (in the really old days, they used to also stick out their tongue to show evil spirits they were not afraid).

Moment of silence - most Russians will also sit down as a group for a moment of silence before leaving for a trip.  This allows each person to think through anything they may not have packed.  Particularly important when leaving the hospital - anything left behind means you will be back!

Whistling - not if you want to save your money.  Whistling means you will whistle your money away....generally bad form in Russia...not even at a hockey game!

Threshold - never shake hands or, say, hand over papers to be signed over a threshold...the crack between the floors is bad luck.  Invite the person in or walk out to meet them.

Corner - sitting in the corner of a table or room means you won’t be married for 7 years.  Women are particularly cautious of this one!

We talked about American superstitions and only one seemed to cross over - the black cat (actually any cat crossing your path in Russia is considered bad luck).  None of the other U.S. traditions applied (walking under a ladder, opening an umbrella inside, the number 13 or Friday the 13th)...