observation

Apparently is it very uncool to defer to or open the door for another man here. I have now been chastised twice very vociferously. I feel as if I have been transported back to Belen, New Mexico where it is very important to emphasize how manly you are....

Sunday, Воскзсенье, activities

I woke up on Sunday well rested and a bit out of it. I am in Russia. That is kind of heavy. I needed a few things from the grocery store which is about 2 minutes walk--very nice---it is very much like a small Giant, clean, lot's of employees. I had a decent sized cart full of things like milk, butter, salt, eggs, chicken etc., when a бабушка working there got my attention.....speaking very quickly....much of what I could not understand, but managed to hear не работает!...."it doesn't work"...I managed to tell her I was an American and didn't understand much Russian which seemed amusing to everyone....people seemed to be exiting the store. The security guard then came over and I thought---oh no, I am in trouble for having wine in my basket on a Sunday...he was the first person who has really smiled at me and i figured out that the computer system was down...we all had to leave. Sorta like my neighborhood liquor store in Hyattsville who won't take your money because the electricity is out. This sort of thing has always confounded me---why can't ALL businesses have a contingency plan for this sort of thing---especially in America---would it be too difficult to have abackup cash drawer, manual receipts, etc, when this sort of thing happens? The Gods of scilicon valley have brainwashed all of us into thinking that life and commerce must stop without them. We all know these things ARE NOT always reliable, they break down periodically, they're designed by little egg-heads who are under the impression they are indispensable....then we all lie down and prepare for the world to end. forgive my rant---I wasn't that upset---I was in Russia and they were acting a lot like it was at home.OK....back to my apartment. I had forgotten Natalia was coming by at noon to check on me etc. My buzzer rang and she and her adorable little daughter, Ksyusha were standing there waiting to show me the Volga, take me to lunch, and show me some of the city. Lunch was a beer and пирожок , a small filled pastries with pork, cheese, mushrooms. Delicious. Back into the 0 degreeF weather for a little tour of about an hour, showing me the huge local market, a bookstore, and McDonalds. Ksyusha did not complain at all while walking a couple of miles in that cold--after a while, she and her mother left me to do a little shopping and I had a bit of a long cold walk home---I had left no breadcrumbs, but had good directions and almost frozen, arrived home as it was getting dark---about 3:30pm. Back to the grocery store....the little old lady gave a smile this time, I did my shopping, went home, cooked some chicken and zucchini, a little very sweet red wine, and slightly homesick, my heart actually aching without Janet, went to sleep early.

Monday, with the wet frigid cold, all the activity and such, my lower back seized up and I stayed inside most of the day, preparing lesson plans, studying a bit of Russian, watching TV---Australian Open tennis in Russian---Sharapova out. Ivanovich in, trying not to think about how much I missed everyone.

Tuesday, walked to the office, I have my own little space, and a computer. Got my class schedule, was invited to a symposium and conference round table on JAN 29.---hopefully to take part in a discussion on the interaction between local government authorities and business(with an interpreter of course!) I am feverishly researching this topic and feeling ignorant---if anyone has insight---please share!
At 3pm, Natalia and Masha walked with me to my apartment for a WI-FI installation appointment. About an hour later this was done and I am back praying to the Gods of technology. Facebook and email orgy to ensue. Back in touch with my wife---soon we will be skyping like we are on Star Trek.
All for now...it is WED.....I shall work on photos for the blog again tonight.
I must say that the folks here at the institute have made life very easy for me. I owe them many thankyous for such wonderful generosity, understanding and hospitality. Life continues relatively painlessly!