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Yoshkar Ola Trip Report

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Posted by: Buckeye5702

Russian trip report


Earth date: 7.4.08

Well Irina and I are in Yoshkar Ola and I want to say that it has been an extremely enjoyable voyage to begin our adventure.

The air travel was the usual with no big (or bad) surprises. As you would guess there were LOTS of Russian speakers on the plane but Irina was too nervous to talk to anyone much. She is always nervous about a trip and even more so during. I had to rebuke her a couple of times to get things done because she just could not make a snap decision, but I did it gently and she still loves me (God only, knows why).

The taxi from Moskva (SVO) to Kazanski Station was one of the tamest rides I’ve ever had. I had envisioned screaming up the sidewalks on two wheels with little old ladies diving into doorways to avoid being killed, but nothing even remotely close happened. Completely uneventful (and mildly disappointing). The best part of the journey was the train. We used the regular four seat compartment and our roommates, Roman and son Alexi were very friendly and helped me get all our bags stowed in short order. Yes, we even needed a baggage handler to move our gear around form curb to storage to train for us, 200 ru and we had much less to deal with. We boarded the train and left Moskva behind us at 4:30 and spent the next 5 or so hours chatting with Roman, who spoke decent English, and 12 y/o Alexi who hadn’t learned that much yet. They made for a very pleasant time and it went by quickly. Sometime around 7 pm Irina went to check out the Resteraunt car and came back later to report that on of her cousin’s mother was the cook and she invited us to supper, her treat. Galina also advised us to wait until we left the 8 pm stop so we we wound up not eating til nearly 9, but it was well worth the wait. We were sat and right away the salad came then drinks, I had my second Russian pivo of the day (Baltic #3 at the train station) a Holsten with supper. I would like to add here that you just gotta love a country where beer is cheaper than coffee. At Kazanski Station the coffee was around $6 while the Baltic was about $2.50. We assumed that we would pay for the beer at supper, but when we asked how much, Galina said have a nice night. SO after several hugs (from me too) and many bolshoy spacibas, we wended our way back to our car in time to say our goodbyes to Roman and Alexi. Another neat observation I made was the striking differences between the US and Russian when it comes to serving food and drinks. They use glass and metal dinnerware everywhere, even on the train. It was such a treat to be served tea in our compartment in cups and saucers. Two cups of coffee and four cups of tea and a packet of cookies (over the 16 hrs) cost us about 75 ru and I think it was worth it. Dinning on a train is also an adventure and I am proud to report that everything went into my face (as opposed to ON it or on my clothes), Irina was very pleased (and relieved) as I can be a tad messy at times. Oh, yea, another adventure is moving from car to car on a moving train. It’s like walking the deck of a ship in heavy swells. You wouldn’t believe how much the floor moves around on you. I was surprised too at how well I slept during the night. I woke up everytime to train stopped, but fell asleep right away when we started moving again. The mattress was surprisingly comfy as were the pillows and they give you heets and a decent blanket to make you as comfortable as possible. So if anyone is concerned about an over night train don’t worry about it. If you want more comfort get the first class compartment (for two) and enjoy a WC with a real toilet in it and better faucets.

Well the train is going to pull into Yoshkar Ola in a short time here and I want to make sure I’m ready to meet Mama. Thanks for reading my babblings and enjoy your day (or night).


Poka,
Tim


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Day 1

Arrival in Yoshkar Ola


The train rolled into town an hour late, yea imagine that, a Russian train late, and we spotted Dima (Irina’s kinda, sorta SIL) on the platform and we waved to each other through the window. We let the other passengers off before beginning to unload the pile of bags and Dima was in our compartment just as I finished pulling the bags from their various stowage places and we quickly had everything on the platform and congratulated our conductor lady for a pleasant ride. Dima’s car is a rather small sub compact (I forget the make) and I wound up in the back seat with one bag in my lap and Irina had one in hers for the three minute ride to Mama’s house, I had the mental image of a circus clown car on the way there. Mama came running down the three flights of stairs (well as fast as a 74 y/o babushka can run down stairs anyway) and I got the first of many hugs and several kisses on the cheek. I think she likes me cause as soon as we were in the apartment she proudly showed me the photo of yours truly hanging prominently on the LR wall. Dima headed of to work and we started settling in, but not until after we sat down to some fresh baked pirogues, some made with meat and others with egg and carrots. Both were yummy along with a nice strong cup of mocha java that Irina made for me in that little pot that you dump the coffee into and then pour in the hot h2o.

A little rest time and a shower and Irina started ironing clothes for us to go on our first excursion. Don’t even THINK about wearing something that has not been ironed with this woman. She finally got everything as she wanted and we (ok SHE) got dressed and off we went to the trolleybus stop a half block down the street. We went to the travel/marriage agency (Maxim, Max is dead now, btw) and we paid the $45 to get my passport registered (didn’t want to experience the process first hand) and then we went for a mini tour of Yoshkar Ola. My first impression of this city of about 600,000 is a good one. Beautiful city, but all the rain they’ve been having lately has the sidewalks soaked and in many places, muddy. We spent a lot of time navigating around the larger puddles. Thankfully we brought both umbrellas as we got caught outside in one downpour, but took cover and missed the worst of it. Of course we did a little shopping (a lot of looking too) and bought a 60 min ph card so I could check in with my folks. Unfortunately we both forgot our cells and have to go to one of the same phone shops tomorrow to get a sim card for my AT&T Razr.

We were both very tired and we almost got into a fight because I wasn’t saying much about the great places we were walking by, but we both kept a lid on it and ended up having a very nice day. One of our stops was at a café for coffee and my first real Russian coffee (they called it American, but I knew better) and we had a nice time. Everywhere we went Irina ran into one old GF after the next and we did a lot of privet, ocheen priatnya (hi, pleased to meet you). I really appreciate the compliments on my (so called) good Russian, with little to no accent. We hit two different mini markets, the last one is in the basement of our apartment bldg. and of course we just Had to look at shoes along the way and Irina picked up some much wanted Russian made cosmetics. We passed by the main theater on the way back and they were premiering an opera featuring the music of Straus, but sadly we did not have the 3 hours to spare to see it, and Irina really wanted to, but Olga and Dima were meeting us at home and it was already 5:50. We picked up a plug adaptor so my Radio Shack 220V plug would fit in the smaller holes in Mama’s house and got a few more items at the home market and sat down to supper as soon as we walked in the door. Mama (Elena) had cooked some fried spuds w/onion and some pork and ?? koteletas (fried meat patties) and we added some smoked chicken wings we bought at the first market (YUMMO!!) and enjoyed a good home cooked Russian meal. The obligatory chai followed and some visiting with Olga and Dima and after I accepted a dinner invitation, they went home and we called a day. We arranged the divan/sleeper and went to sleep listening to the street sweeper and trolleybuses. And so ended my first day in Russia with my beautiful Russian woman beside me.

Today’s food tip: When you come to Russia and stop at a market and they have something in the cheese section that looks like spaghetti all twisted together GET SOME!! Its smoked cheese (cheddar?) and it’s awesome. We are definitely bringing some home with us if we don’t eat it on the train and plane first.

Spakoynoy Nochi

Tomorrow I post some pix, maybe. This dial up is slower than death and the extra cost of internet at the house isn't cheap so it may hafta wait til we get back home.


Posted by: disculmawsu

Buckeye,
Very a good trip report! I was very interested your train trip. And hearing about the dining car was interesting because I have never visited the dining car on a Russian train.
Does the town have an Internet cafe? If you have a flash disk, you could write you updates on your computer and paste them into message box there to save time on the upload.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Hi Disc.

Yes I do have a flash drive! Great idea. I'll try to put something together for everyone maybe once a week.

Right now there's this beautiful lady in the room and well, I wanna post my latest report and give her some, um, attention.

Later,
Tim


Posted by: Buckeye5702

DAY 2 Saturday


Saturday dawned bright and clear. A sharp contrast to the usual weather they’ve been experiencing here of late. Even at 6 am there were many people out enjoying the clear skies and warm morning. Maybe today the sidewalks will be dry?

We woke up around 8 and finally got out of bed around 9 and I got treated to the family photo album before my first cup of coffee. Elena had already eaten so Irina started slicing the bologna and bacon (think ham) and I had another round of pirogues and coffee to get the day started. FOOD HINT: the meats here are fresh and VERY tasty with NO chemicals so you can really taste the good stuff. Don’t be afraid to try the different smoked meats and sausages (kolbasa).

We (she) took our sweet time getting showered, ironed and dressed so it was 3 pm before we left the house with Olga (Irina’s niece/daughter) and Dima in his car to go to the phone store so we could maybe figure out why our Razrs wouldn’t work with the sim cards Dima bought on the way to pick us up. Well the phones are locked to AT&T service so there went 100 ru down the tubes, not quite. Irina’s Megafon accepted one of them and she can now use it so we have a way to communicate while we’re out and about.

Dima and Olga left us to our own devices at the store and Irina and I struck out on another mini excursion around town. This time we wanted to find a “man bag” for me so I could lug the camera and misc. items around so she could fit another brick or two into her handbag. She didn’t think 200 ru was cheap enough at the outdoor market and the sun was killing my eyes (yep, went back for the camera, but forgot to grab the shades) so we settled on a pair of 150 ru shades and of course an hour later the clouds rolled in and I slipped them into her bag. The market (think farmer’s market) was great with just about anything you could need available and I got to look at lots of fresh foods and smell the spices (I have to figure out what I can bring home with me, spice wise) and soon it was time for a coffee. We ended up at the restraint café where Irina had her wedding and we enjoyed coffee (I had the local stuff this time), a kroshka (cold soup with meat and cucumber and a non alcoholic bread beer for liquid) and chak-chak (a tasty bread noodle like stuff coated with honey). Many westerners don’t care for the a kroshka, but I’m not one of them. I thought it was great and wouldn’t hesitate to order it myself. In fact, I want to find out how to make the kvass so we can have good a kroshka at home.

We did some more walking around and I played the tourist and took lots of pix on the way back to the house where we found an uncle trying to help mama get the inside door unlocked. The apartment has two doors and only the outer door is supposed to be locked, mama being the origin of Irina’s stubborn nature, well you get the picture, eh? I have to say that at first I did not understand what was happening and I thought for a few seconds that we were being locked out because mama forgot a payment or something. After much fiddling with the keys and beating the snot out of the lock, uncle George hammered the lock tumbler out and now there was no other way to turn the bolts out of the door jam. I offered to help (like the good prospective SIL that I am) and he handed me the big screwdriver and I tried to jimmy the door open and finally wound up just putting my shoulder into it twice before it sprang open to a round of applause and pats on the back and many inquiries into the health of my shoulder.

Uncle George got dragged in for supper (more pirogues) and this time the vodka came out too. Irina protested, to no avail, and mama forced three shots down my throat before George and I both said enough. Irina wasn’t very pleased, but I must say I was pretty happy and I made a big inroad with Elena. Anyway, I changed into a white linen shirt and Irina requested (“put these on”) that I wear my white suede shoes to go meet with one of her best friends, Liuda and hubby David. He’s a Brit and we had a great time downing a couple of dark brews while the ladies enjoyed each other’s company and downed a few brews of their own. It was great for both of us to have someone to talk to also and we covered much ground in the three + hours we were drinking. We closed the place at 1 am and went looking for some food. We found a place that was open and everyone ordered the same thing, musaka (of all things) with chai and we wound up back home around 3 am. I could not believe how pleasant it was to stroll around a major city at 2 am in short sleeves (even Irina was comfortable) and to not be concerned for our safety. Yoshkar Ola is absolutely beautiful at night with all the churches illuminated and the picturesque architecture lit up. The old world charm was very evident especially at night. There was one short stretch of sidewalk lined by a grove of some sort of nut tree that were in full bloom and gave off a very pleasant fragrance as we walked under their limbs.



Well, that’s it for now. Thanks for stopping by and we’ll check in with another update soon.

Poka,
Tim & Irina


Posted by: Cheburashka

Great stuff Tim...or should I say "Doorbuster". Keep the reports coming.


Posted by: matt235

Tim,

Sounds like you and Irina are having the time of your life. We are all envious!!!!! Take care and keep the reports rolling (we'll watch for the pics too.)

cheers,


Posted by: disculmawsu

Another interesting trip report! Tim keep up the good work!


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Sunday July 6, 2008
Shashlik at Olga & Dima’s



Well, another day dawned bright and sunny, but because we did not get to bed till 3 am it was nearly noon before we woke up and got started with anything. After a breakfast of granola (muesli), kolbasa, bacon and cheese with coffee and tea (chai) we got our showers and dressed in time for Dima and Olga to pick us up at 4 pm. Mama (Elena) came too and we stopped at a market to get a few things and proceeded to their house.

Dima got the fire going in short order while Irina showed me around their beautiful home. It is pretty new and the upstairs is not finished yet, but the first is very nicely done and modern in keeping with the youth of the couple who own it. As the coals got closer to being ready for the meat, Olga began carrying several different salads to the table outside in the courtyard. There was a Caesar salad (without vinegar as Russians do not generally use it in their fantastic array of salads) some kind of special grass that tasted like artichoke, one with peppers, onion, dill, garlic and a white Russian cheese that tasted a little like feta, some Korean carrot and shredded, salted cabbage and some fresh local mushrooms in oil. They were all delicious, very good (ocheen vkusna). In no time the fire was ready and out came the shashlik and Dima tended to it with loving care. Soon it was ready and we dug in. Dima did an excellent job and the pork (served off the shamiri in a pig crock) was juicy and delish. Of course there was pivo and even champaign and since Dima is a vodka salesman, well I couldn’t let mama drink alone now could I? I ate and drank like a Russian today (eat a lot and drink a little) and Irina didn’t cluck at me once. This vodka is made from the berries of the mountain ash and for once it went down smooth and did not taste like lighter fluid (well, a little bit).

It turns out that Dima’s father is a woodworker and the other building on their lot is a kiln on the first floor and woodworking shop upstairs. I got to tour the shop and enjoyed looking over the combo jointer and table saw that dad built himself. There was also a home built lathe and a bench grinder/buffer that caught my eye. I have to come back with a camera so I can share the toys with a group of old machine heads I hang out with on another site. Dad is a good woodworker too and I saw several pieces of fine furniture that he built.

Before we knew it, it was after seven and it was time to go. Dima took us on a little windshield tour of Yoshkar Ola before dropping us at the house. Irina and I put the harness on little Fantik (Irina’s long haired Chihuahua) and we took a turn around the park at the end of our building. If you do a search for Yoshkar Ola you’ll probably find a pic of the sculpture in it. It has a man figure with arms and legs spread in a pose indicating freedom (the freedom or openness of space?) atop what I think is the symbol for atomic energy with a staff rising straight through the middle. Unfortunately we had to cut the walk short as a nasty T-storm was rolling in fast and we just made into the house with a couple minutes to spare.

So here we sit, mama reading out loud to herself and Irina and I ready for a quiet evening to relax. I have to admit that I’m still beat from the trip here and last night didn’t help any so a quite night is just what the proverbial Dr. ordered. The rain is falling softly now and tomorrow as well as a good chunk of the week ahead is supposed to be wet. There was a report on Moscow at Dima’s and apparently there are several inches of water in the streets in places.


See you next time,
Tim & Irina


PS I don't know where all the short skirts went to in Y O but I've only seen a few. The neck brace is still in my suitcase. The local scenery is still very nice though.


Posted by: blucatz

I am jealous now, but, come Sept. I will be flying east myself on my way to Omsk, we decided not to wait on an answer for Jenya's visa. She's still going thru with the process, but it will take too long.


Posted by: Big wheel

Wow sounds like you two are having a great time. Keep up the posts and wheres the pics


Posted by: Buckeye5702

1115 am Y O time

I'm gonna store them on my flash drive and send from an Internet cafe, probably once a week. With the dial up here at home (yeh, it feels like home here to me) it just takes forever as I did not reduce the resolution before shooting and I really don't want to because I want to play with them when we return to CT.

Stay tuned for my daily dispatch later.

Tim & Irina


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye5702
1115 am Y O time

I'm gonna store them on my flash drive and send from an Internet cafe, probably once a week. With the dial up here at home (yeh, it feels like home here to me) it just takes forever as I did not reduce the resolution before shooting and I really don't want to because I want to play with them when we return to CT.

Stay tuned for my daily dispatch later.

Tim & Irina

Tim
When I post from a poor dial up connection or when I am abroad to save time online, I reduce the image size using the free MS Image Resizer, it retains your original images, but you can reduce the size of the ones you post down to under the 56Kb limit very quickly and you can do it offline.

Download it here http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...ppowertoys.mspx the Image Resizer is midway down on the right hand side of the screen, it is only 521Kb so downloads quickly too.

Chris


Posted by: stevo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye5702
Today’s food tip: When you come to Russia and stop at a market and they have something in the cheese section that looks like spaghetti all twisted together GET SOME!! Its smoked cheese (cheddar?) and it’s awesome. We are definitely bringing some home with us if we don’t eat it on the train and plane first.
It gets a thumbs-up from me too. I believe it's supposed to be a beer snack.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrismc
Tim
When I post from a poor dial up connection or when I am abroad to save time online, I reduce the image size using the free MS Image Resizer, it retains your original images, but you can reduce the size of the ones you post down to under the 56Kb limit very quickly and you can do it offline.

Download it here http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...ppowertoys.mspx the Image Resizer is midway down on the right hand side of the screen, it is only 521Kb so downloads quickly too.

Chris

Thanks Chris,

Saddly though it is incompatable with Vista. You would think that MS would make their own programs work together.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevo
It gets a thumbs-up from me too. I believe it's supposed to be a beer snack.

Bet it would be GREAT on a burger too. Hmm, now THAT gives me an idea for a BBQ here.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Monday July 7, 2008


Well today wasn’t filled with mind blowing thrills and chills, but it was a great one just the same. I had to drag myself out of bed in time to catch a bus with mama who was escorting me to the local travel agent who handled my invitation to Russia to give them my train ticket so they could prove I was actually here (I think, not sure). It was an experience unto itself as Elena speaks no English and my Russian leaves much to be desired yet (but I’m getting there). We had to be there before 9 am and I honestly don’t know why because none of the travel managers came in before then anyway (Russians, go figure). Anyway we made the 10 minute ride and got it done and now I have to go back tomorrow to retrieve my migration card and receipt, but any time will suffice for that. Mama was a real sweetheart and gave me very clear signals. This can MOVE too! I was worried that I might walk too fast for her, but this 74 y/o lady can hold her own anywhere. I actually found myself having to catch up with her.

We took the trolleybus back to our street by 10 and Irina got our showers and made ready to go to the “hospital to see a couple different Drs today. We only found the dentist and he will see us both tomorrow at 11 am. No admin assistant either! He opened his appointment book and scheduled us in himself after having a quick peek inside our mouths. He’s going to replace a missing tooth for me for WAY less than a US DDM will do it. When we finished that and started to head out the door it started to rain. A big T-storm had moved in and we could only find someplace to sit and wait it out. Eventually it cleared enough for our umbrellas to keep us dry and we struck out to do a little shopping. We found a “curbside money exchanger” (very convenient, but he’s most likely mafia) and got $100 worth of rubles and went to a neighborhood “Retail Center” (think mini mall, except this one was 5 floors). We checked out some coffee makers, but didn’t buy and looked at the flat panel TVs, which were priced about the same as in the States and then hit a café for some coffee and a snack. I had a meat pirogue and Irina had a lemon one. While we were chatting she noticed a foreign accent behind her and we wound up exchanging phone numbers with two British businessmen before we all went our separate ways. We eventually found the pair of sneaker like euro shoes, that Irina had been searching for since we had begun planning the trip, at a shoe store in the mall and they marked down about 60%. So for $40 I got the most comfortable shoes that I’ve ever had on my feet and we both really like em.

We made our way back home where Irina changed in to “dog walking” attire and we met with David and Liuda who walked with us in the “Spaceman” park beside our building. We eventually walked down the street together, presumably to see them off for the evening, but we decided to have a couple drinks at the sidewalk pub where we met the first time on Saturday. Of course we still had Fantik with us so I took him home and grabbed a jacket for both of us and was back at the pub in 15 minutes. We shared another great evening with David and Liuda and said good night (Spakoynoy Nochi) about 12 am and strolled home to get some sleep ourselves.

And now I say Spakoynoy Nochi to you my friends,
Tim and Irina


Posted by: EasyTarget

Great trip report so far....so what things are surprising you? any culture shocks?


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Hi ET,

About the only real surprise I've had is how reasonable the resteraunt and cafe prices are. In most cases it's cheaper to eat out here than at home. Grocery prices are at least comparable and a thrifty shopper (like mama) can stretch $20 pretty far. The three of us are eating for just a little under that each day and that includes dining out for lunch and coffee stops.

Yoshkar Ola is a beautiful city and I could easily see myself living here for good. The appartment is less than 20 minute's walk from anything that we want to see and there is always something to see. We only take the bus to save time on the longer hauls to get TO something and then we always walk back in a very round about way.

Something else I really like is that Irina spent a lot of effort (and my money) on clothes that fit into the fashion styles here. I am constantly having to explain that I do not speak Russian very well to people who walk up to me and ask for diriections. I fooled one lady completely yesterday who told me about a church I should take pics of since I was here visiting from another city. "Da, spacibo bolshoy! And off we went.

My latest dispatch covers a littler of the prices.


Tuesday July 8, 2008


Another bright sunny beautiful day today and the first order of business was to get Irina up in time to wash her hair (a four hour prooooocess) so we could be out the door by 10.30 to go to the Dentist at 11. We were on time, but unfortunately due to road construction and the opening of the Village Games (think mini Olympics) the minivan bus got detoured and we just made our appointment. Irina got three cavities filled for about $15 each and then we went to visit her masseuse where we BOTH got a full massage AND Chiropractic adjustment for less than $47. And stuff is supposed to be more expensive here? I have even found the food at NICE restaurants to be very reasonable so I would heartily recommend Yoshkar Ola as a vacation destination. We both left the hospital feeling like brand new! I’ll be going back to the Dentist on Saturday to get a new tooth where one has been absent since Winter of ’98 and will run around $100, at home they wanted over $1200. Tomorrow I get another treatment with massage and Chiro.

The rest of the day we enjoyed ourselves. We stopped at Virginia agency to get my migration card and other documents after that we just walked around town, did a little shopping (still haven’t found my “man bag” yet), stopped at a couple different cafes , one for lunch and another or two for coffee. Near the end of the afternoon we stopped by a museum and bumped into a few old friends, I’ll get some pics posted for you as soon as I can get them organized and have access to high speed internet. We got back home around 6ish I took a shower as the hot water lines were being worked this morning (when I wanted to have mine) and had my first homemade Borsch, YUMMO!! Mama also treated me to a little of the last of her 12 y/o red currant wine, also homemade by her. It was very sweet like a port wine and very tasty. We took Fantik for a nice long walk and enjoyed the fresh clean evening air and made it home again around 10 where we will remain and turn in early and catch up a little on the lost sleep from last night’s revelry with Liuda and David.

Night y’all,

Tim & Irina


Posted by: EasyTarget

$100 for a crown is a crazy fire sale price.

If he does a good root canal, post, and can fit the crown properly it will be worth it. I would just be afraid of infection around the post and be required to have some serious oral surgery. That being said, I think the technology for crown's (i.e. the fundamental principles) has stayed the same for the last 30 or 40 years. Best of luck with it.

I wonder about your statement about easily living in Yoshkar Ola for good. I am just curious if you have ever lived in a foreign country? Maybe you are seeing the best side of Yoshkar Ola, and haven't experienced some real negative aspects. Not putting a wet blanket on the situation, but it is a serious decision.


Posted by: Spakoyna

The one issue I have witnessed from dental work in Russia is they use inferior metals. This tends to irritate the gums over time. Perhaps you should ask if there is an upgrade in materials?

1st hand advice form my dentist(my wife has a bridge that irritates her gums).


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by EasyTarget
$100 for a crown is a crazy fire sale price.

If he does a good root canal, post, and can fit the crown properly it will be worth it. I would just be afraid of infection around the post and be required to have some serious oral surgery. That being said, I think the technology for crown's (i.e. the fundamental principles) has stayed the same for the last 30 or 40 years. Best of luck with it.

I don't think he got a crown, even tho $100 is a steal. He said he had no tooth there at all. So he's either getting a bridge or a post inserted into his jaw and a tooth attached to the post.


Posted by: Raspberry

Quote:
Originally Posted by EasyTarget
$100 for a crown is a crazy fire sale price.
If he does a good root canal, post, and can fit the crown properly it will be worth it. I would just be afraid of infection around the post and be required to have some serious oral surgery. That being said, I think the technology for crown's (i.e. the fundamental principles) has stayed the same for the last 30 or 40 years. Best of luck with it. .



Interesting subject. I was in a rural area of Greece(which is a modern EU country, incidentally) and I saw this one dentist office that was a bit backward. No novocaine, and I wouldn't mind downing a few shots of brandy(which is customarily the pain killer in this part of the country)......but the office didn't look all that sanitary.

On the other hand, I've known people who have gotten their fillings from dentists in Guatemala----which has a lot of talented dentists in really clean offices. You would think otherwise. And really cheap, too, as expected there.


Posted by: sidney

Our neighbor got some dental work done while in Kazakistan a couple month ago. Most fell out and had to be redone. She has a whole different take on the money savings since then. I have friends in TX that crosss the border for their dental and medical. You do need to know which ones are competent. I wouldn't mind taking a chance especially with the cost savings.
Sid


Posted by: blucatz

I just might have to ask my lady on the cost of dental work in Omsk, maybe I can get a couple of crowns while there.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Yes, I am getting a bridge. And REMEMBER this is where the Mary El President comes for all of his medical and dental needs. I have the same Drs and DDM as he does. Very professional and competent. Irina would NOT go to an inferior Doc, trust me on that one and I trust her completely.

Anyway, now for the news...

Wednesday, July 9, 2008


Got my second taxi ride since coming to Russia today. It just so happened that Irina had gone to school with him and we got another disappointing, sedate ride. No babushki were sent diving for cover again. We were a little late getting started and just made it to our massage and Chiro visit. I’ve had massages before, but nothing like this. Everybody strips down to his or her undies and you get massaged from the bottom (including the bottom) all the way to the top of your head. It was a little strange for me having a woman I wasn’t involved with do that for me, but Irina was very professional and MY Irina was there chatting with her friend (Irina the masseuse) the whole time. You don’t even get dressed for the Chiro adjustment. Tamerlane is the Mary El Republic, Presidential Chiropractor, btw and man or woman you get adjusted in your skivvies. He kept chatting with Irina (mine) and me the whole time he adjusted both of us. And I have to say he is far more effective than my own Chiro back in Maine. I feel great!

Something that struck as odd and would count as a surprise for me is the complete lack of computers in the hospital. I didn’t see even one anywhere in it. The bank I exchanged money at has them, but the medical profession operates very well without a puter on every desk. And the Docs all book their own appointments and take payment themselves.

After the Doc we went to the open-air market in town and FINALLY got my man purse. NOW I really look like a Russian! Ok, ok, lets just call it a camera bag and get over it, shall we? Really, I look GOOD. After being introduced as “Moy Muzh” (my husband), for the last few days, (she got tired of explaining me as “my friend”) I know what krasiva muzhena means (beautiful man). Any way, we spent the whole afternoon finding my bag then looking for the perfect Russian hair brush to replace Irina’s broken one (no dice), then bought some produce for a fruit and a veggie salad and some kolbasa (gotta have kolbasa in the house at all times) and some cheeses and strolled on home with our bootie.

At one point in the market I was digging through some bins for a couple of woodscrews to fix mama’s kitchen table and the Armenian gent said “on the house” when I only wanted two. Irina was telling him I was American when the lady at the booth next door yelled American? Wait! Then she explained through Irina that she wanted to give me a gift. Her dearly departed husband was in the Air Force and a few of her relatives are also pilots (god help them). Her husband died while flying (don’t know how) and she was even more pleased to find I am retired Air Force. Her booth was a shoe sales and she grabbed a pair of Russian made beach sandals and handed them to me saying “God bless you”. Well, the babushka got a big hug and a kiss from both of us. So don’t go thinking that everyone hates Americans, they just hate our elected officials. They love us very much for the most part.

So I fixed the table while mama was walking Fantik the wonder dog and life is good. We are going to have a nice fruit salad from the apricots, oranges, kiwi, wood strawberries and wood blueberries (in Maine I know them as High bush berries) as soon as we pick up some yogurt to mix with it.

FOOD TIP: Wood strawberries (or wild strawberries) are the sweetest berries you’ll ever put in your mouth. They’re the size of a small raspberry, but pack a ton-o-taste into a small package. If you see some, just buy em. 180 ru ($7.50) for a quart and worth every kopek.

SCENERY UPDATE: As the mercury has been on the rise since Monday, so have the hemlines. I’ve seen more gorgeous, shapely legs than anyplace I’ve ever gone and when they’re wearing heels, well…

Well, we had a nice supper and some rest and then got dressed again to go for our evening stroll around 8.30. The evening was warm and comfortable and the sidewalks were busy with other like-minded people. You would not believe the numbers of people who get out and enjoy the fresh air here. Very few sit at home in front the boob tube. As we walked by a small pizza joint/sidewalk café we heard an English accent and realized he was speaking to us. It was one of the businessmen we met at the mini mall a couple days ago and he was out with his lovely lady, Rosa. We walked and talked together looking for a bench along the war memorial boulevard, but they were all taken. There are a lot of benches there too and the place was packed. It is about 50 or so yards wide and a couple kilometers long crossing several streets and it was BUSY. We settled for a walk to Anor, Irina/s favorite restaurant/café and we enjoyed some juice and a couple hours of conversation before parting ways for the day. We came home via the riverfront where there is a 24 hr grocer and picked up a few things (yogurt among them and some of her fav vodka) and strolled home arriving around 11.30.

Irina fixed us a snack of fresh bread with what I call the Russian version of cheese whiz (only with real cheese) and some fresh dill and some shishlitchnaya (kolbasa made from shashlik or BBQed meat) and we sampled some cranberry vodka and talked about us, our future and how we both want very much to remain in each other’s future. We finally hit the sack around 12.30 and slept like babies till 10.30.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

We had a nice breakfast of bread cheese whiz, dill and shishlitchnaya, muesli with fresh berries and we prepared the fruit salad. OH MY GOD!!! Fresh apricots, kiwi, oranges, wood strawberries and wood blueberries with one little single serve cup thingy (like we get at home) and what a taste sensation! A perfect ending for our breakfast and it will make a great desert tonight after supper.

So breakfast and showers are done and the afternoon awaits our adventurous spirits. Today we’ll check on train tickets back to Moskva and I want to explore the riverfront and the sport complex where a large part of the Euro Village Games is being played.

Later gang,
Tim and Irina


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Quote:
Originally Posted by EasyTarget
$100 for a crown is a crazy fire sale price.

If he does a good root canal, post, and can fit the crown properly it will be worth it. I would just be afraid of infection around the post and be required to have some serious oral surgery. That being said, I think the technology for crown's (i.e. the fundamental principles) has stayed the same for the last 30 or 40 years. Best of luck with it.

I wonder about your statement about easily living in Yoshkar Ola for good. I am just curious if you have ever lived in a foreign country? Maybe you are seeing the best side of Yoshkar Ola, and haven't experienced some real negative aspects. Not putting a wet blanket on the situation, but it is a serious decision.


No offense taken ET. You're right it IS a serious decision and one that will require much more though and planning. My only counter would be that the negatives (for the most part) are fairly universal, language not withstanding. It's hard to live pretty much anywhere, but I contend with Irina that with what I make right now in retirement we can live fairly comfortably right here and take care of her aging mother too. My parents have my brother and sister to help them while Mama is alone with three cats and the dog.

Later,
Tim


Posted by: EasyTarget

Tim: I just mention to be careful with the decision because in all intents and purposes your in the honeymoon phase with Yoshkar Ola. I have lived overseas and seen the good and bad side of it.

Granted you are not naive or 18 years old. And if you are retired, there is nothing preventing you from living part of your time in Russia and part of your time in USA. I am sure Irina goes to a top quality dentist and all will be well. However if anything goes wrong - go back immediately.

Why would a doctor's office need a computer if they don't have to deal with insurance claims? If everything is cash you really just need a calendar / appointment book, and the filing cabinets for the medical records. Every doctor I know says the biggest pain in the ass is the requirements for dealing with the insurance companies.

I like the stories about the massage and chiropractor. Why not be in your skivvies?

It is good that she refers to you as "My Man".

Thanks for sharing your trip report with us, it is an interesting read.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Quote:
Why not be in your skivvies?

Why not indeed? I get to see my baby undressed again, it works for me.

And now the news...

Thursday, July 10 2008



I took my first trip out of the house alone today. Nope, wasn’t scared at all. I went to the bank and exchanged the rest of our money and came back home without incident and without consulting my map. Didn’t get lost or molested or anything. Irina has been VERY protective of me, which I truly appreciate, but sometimes she forgets I’m an adult and know how to cross a street without getting killed. Anyway made it back to the house in 45 minutes and we (SHE) was ready at last to leave the house. We went to the train station about 4 minutes away and secured our train tickets only to discover that we need to leave Y O a day earlier to make our flight to JFK.

After the train station Irina showed me the kindergarten where she used to work. The first stop was in her old classroom where she worked as a speech therapist. There was a very nice mural on the wall that she painted herself and I made sure to get pics of it. A tour of the school followed and I found that although the building itself was very old and maintenance is minimal, the children still get top quality service including healthy meals cooked on sight and delivered to each classroom. The kids eat from real plates with real silverware and there is a dishwashing closet with a staff member to clean things up after each meal. They even have space for a small garden for some veggies. The onions and beets look about ready and the carrots are coming along nicely so the kids will have fresh food in another week or so.

While I’m on the food topic (again) I want to say that EVERYTHING tastes fantastic here. Almost all foods that we get at market are organic and the difference in taste is amazing. Like I’ve said before, for you first time visitors, do not be afraid to try the local meats, kolbasa, cheese, etc. After you have been to the same booth a few times and they get to know you, you will get the right price and lots of help. The people are great here, but you still need to be careful about being over charged. The best defense is to know your numbers and how to have at least a fair idea of how much you should be paying. Most things are marked at the “farmer’s market” and at a regular grocery store you’ll have the register display to help you.

After the school tour we said our goodbyes to Irina’s friend Nadia (Nadyezhda) and we took a stroll along the river front. It’s a very romantic spot, but also lots of trash in places. I got some great pics though and will share them when I can. There is a shashlik restaurant on the waterfront too and they have a strip show on Saturdays for a 150 cover charge. It’s normally 75 ru any other day. The smell was tantalizing as we walked by though and I think we’ll stop in before we leave. Maybe Saturday? Hey, I guy’s gotta eat, right? We also stopped at the best pizzeria in town and I got the best pizza I’ve ever eaten there.

We met up with David and Liuda in the evening and after another stroll on the riverfront while searching for an outdoor café we stopped at a café just off the main square, but we had to go as they closed early for some reason. We ended up back at our favorite place (Monopol), which is near the house and after Irina inquired with a couple of guests there if we would have to wait very long, a Russian couple invited the four of us to join them and we had a great time getting acquainted. Andrei and Natalia were gracious hosts and have invited all of us to the Volga River for fish shashlik this weekend. We were supposed to go on Friday, but a string of T-Storms have moved through and sent the temps down to around 20 C, too chilly for a day on the river. The Volga is about 40 minutes west of Yoshkar Ola and I remember crossing it on the train on our way here. It’s every bit as big as the Mississippi and just as well known. Irina’s BIL has a dacha there too and we should be going there sometime soon (maybe). Andrei owns a typography business that specializes in print advertising. He does ok.

That’s it for Thursday. It’s 4.30 pm on Friday now and we’re waiting for the T-storms to clear out and then we’ll find something to do for the evening. Even if all we do is walk around town, it’s a good time. We love to find someplace to sit and have tea and watch the people go by.


Posted by: j_c

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye5702
While I’m on the food topic (again) I want to say that EVERYTHING tastes fantastic here. Almost all foods that we get at market are organic and the difference in taste is amazing. Like I’ve said before, for you first time visitors, do not be afraid to try the local meats, kolbasa, cheese, etc. After you have been to the same booth a few times and they get to know you, you will get the right price and lots of help. The people are great here, but you still need to be careful about being over charged. The best defense is to know your numbers and how to have at least a fair idea of how much you should be paying. Most things are marked at the “farmer’s market” and at a regular grocery store you’ll have the register display to help you.



Buckeye
I know what your talking about , I hated gardening and never , ever thought i would join the leagues of old men who have allotments, we now grow a lot of fresh produce, potatoes, onions, carrotts , tomatoes, cabbages, raspberrys, strawberry , peas and beans!!!! My wife says it reminds her of Russia, sitting at the allotment eating fresh veg and fruit that you have grown them at home!!!

JC


Posted by: EasyTarget

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye5702
I’m an adult and know how to cross a street without getting killed.

Actually crossing the street in the FSU - especially during winter - is always an adventure.
Rule number 1. Never cross if you see a taxi coming.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Quote:
Originally Posted by EasyTarget
Actually crossing the street in the FSU - especially during winter - is always an adventure.
Rule number 1. Never cross if you see a taxi coming.

And DON'T READ anything! I was checking the reciept from the bank on the way home and darned near got flattened while crossing a small alley! Rule #1 is PAY ATTENTION! No contact, but close enough to pull my head back out into the sunshine.

The cops don't stop either so...

Tim


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Glad to hear all is going well with you and you are enjoying yourself.

I am also a converted gardener. I grew mostly flowers until this year. I built 2 raised beds and now Larisa and I have a vegetable garden.

Take care and have a safe trip home.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Thanks to all for the well wishes and encouragement to keep writing. I really appreciate it. I hope that some of our new members that haven't gone yet will have a little better picture of what it's like here and an idea of what to expect. Definately learn as much of the language as you can. I would be having nearly as much fun without Irina to do most of the talking for us and save us tons of money. If you're coming to meet a lady that already speaks a little english you'll do fine, but an interpretor to help you get started is almost a must otherwise.

Irina's best friend in Maine (Elena) called this morning and told me the whole family at her house is reading them with great interest. Even her Russian exchange student Yura has learned a few new things and one of Lena's friends has an American hubby who has been afraid to go to Russia. He is now feeling like it isn't so scarey after all since Lena has sent a few of my posts to him.

And now for the NEWS! Enjoy! (Íàñëàæäàéòåñü!)

Saturday, July 12, 2008


We didn’t do very much Friday evening. It rained off and on until 8 or so. Around 10 we decided to go check out a concert that we could hear coming from the sport complex at the river, but it ended just as we were getting there. No biggie! We took a nice walk and enjoyed finally getting out of the house as we had been kind of cooped up all day. We enjoyed walking and talking and enjoyed the cool evening air as we strolled very casually around town and through the city center. Yoshkar Ola is beautiful, especially at night as I’m sure I’ve mentioned a few times already. It was a nice couple of hours and when we returned home it was a couple shots of cranberry vodka, some fruit and off to bed.

Saturday we went to the dentist where Pavel started the prep work on my new tooth. He apologized for the old equipment, but I thought it all looked fairly modern and nothing to be concerned about. I don’t care what it looks like as long as it works and is clean enough to put in my mouth. Less than an hour later I had temporary compound caps on my now exposed cores of two teeth and the first impression were done. Monday we do a second set of impressions then the bridge gets made. He sat down with Irina midway through the process and talked very quietly for a few minutes before she came over to my chair and told me, just as quietly that Pavel wants to make a VERY nice tooth for me and as a gift (he loved the watch we got him), he was only charging us 3000 R for a 6700 R job. Yes, less than $150 for a ceramic and good metal bridge that my dentist at home wanted over $1200 for 10 years ago! Did I mention that my Irina has nice friends?

Olga and Dima had dropped us off and called while I was still in “the chair” and they were to pick us up again and dropped us at the “Mini Mall” (Century 21) where we picked up a translation program (Discovery by Prompt) and stopped at one of the cafes there that is owned by (what else) an old friend of Irina’s who treated me to a cappuccino after we had a couple of American coffees and peach pirogues. Nice guy, Sergey. He loves American oldies too and we really enjoyed our time there listening to Frankie Valle, “Old Blue Eyes”, Louie Armstrong, etc.

The rain finally let up and we walked to Anor where we enjoyed some more Okroshka (I had one for just you, Alan), pizza and juice before we headed home to rest for a little while. Irina got a call as I was investigating the new translation program (it’s all in Russian so I need to translate it too, LOL!) from her best friend in Y O (Elena) and we got invited to join some of Elena’s friends for a University classmate reunion of sorts. Irina had been to a few of these before and they greeted her with many hugs and kisses and I received a warm welcome as well from the six or so people there. Elena and Elena (yeah, two of them) both spoke fair to good English so between them and Irina I got in on most of the conversation. Someone decided that it would be a good idea for me to make a toast and I almost froze. The ventilator was turned off and silence demanded and for my first toast in Russia to Russians I came up with “Good food (pointed to the table), good drink (pointed at my glass) and good company (palm up, indicated all present)” which was received with applause all around. Whew! They loved it and nobody needed a translation of it! The place where we met was in a one-room natural history museum that Igor the curator, created almost single-handedly. He was very proud of it and I got the complete tour with Elena and Irina interpreting. There was even a cave fireplace that glowed when you blew on it. Again I drank like a Russian. Drink a little and eat, drink a little, eat. It works and I walked out of there in good shape. Btw, there is ALWAYS food when Russians gather, especially when there is vodka, and there’s always vodka.

Finally it was time to go and we all walked to the nearest bus stop where Irina, Elena and I got a minivan bus and said our goodbyes to the group. We decided to enjoy the pleasant evening (Irina had my jacket over her shoulders, of course) and along the way we stopped to chat through a second story window with another friend (Svetlana) when Olga and Dima showed up quite by surprise. They were driving by and saw us talking to Sveta. We said good-bye to Sveta and walked up the street to Monopol where we had ice cream, blini with fruit fillings and tea and finally called a night around 11pm, but first a stop at the 24 hour pharmacy on the nearest corner where Olga overheard Irina and I discussing some pain reliever cream for my sore shoulder. Well, they wouldn’t think of letting us buy some and took to their house where Dima ran in and grabbed some ointment that he doesn’t use (he’s a weight lifter) and handed a tube of some good stuff and took us home. A cup of tea and a little chatting and Irina and I called it a day and went to bed.

Good night.


Posted by: EasyTarget

3000R for good quality ceramic work is a very fair price. I am sure he is going to do a great job for you. He knows Irina and he won't screw you over. If Dr. Pavel is doing 2 impressions, then he knows what he is doing.

You are 100% right that it is good to see your postings to help other future travelers or return travelers be aware of what it is like. It always helps to have 1st hand experiences. I don't think anyone should be intimiated by traveling to FSU. FSU is not like traveling to Somalia or Iraq. You just have to be aware of what to expect.


Posted by: azamuner

I always like to read trip reports as I find they inspire and educate me.
Please keep writing!


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Paval Shakirionavich (say THAT three times fast) is a top quality DDM and I feel very confident with him. Irina wouldn't let him so much as peek into her pretty mouth if he was not the best. She's very well conected here because of her father's work in the KGB (not a spy or interegator) and her first husband (and love of her life) who was a very successful businessman here in town. Dad died in '98 and Misha died from injuries in a car wreck around the same time frame. My girl know quality when she sees it and I STILL can't believe she's with me.

Ok, time for the news.



Monday, July 14, 2008



Sunday was a slow day for us. Dima and Olga picked us up and we went to the cemetery to pay respects to Irina’s father and sister. Mama wiped down the head stones and washed the bench and table before she pulled out her pocket knife (a 3” blade too) and started topping out the Peonies as their blooms had passed by a while ago. The family plot is very nicely done with several types of flowering plants and there are even a couple of cherry trees (the small cherries) growing right beside the plot on Papa’s side. They were beginning to ripen and we enjoyed a few before we left. Unlike cemeteries in America, there are no crews of workers keeping the grass mowed. The grass and weeds were waist high between plots, which are all partitioned off by low fences. Almost all gravestones have a photo of the person it marks and every plot has at least a bench to sit on and reflect (and pray?) and most have a table too.

We were dropped off in town next to an old church while mama went on home with Dima and Olga. The church is very old and dates from before The Revolution. After The Revolution it was converted into a beer factory and was switched back after perestroika. The irony was not lost on me. Then we went for a short stroll and came to get Fantik and took him for a walk for about an hour before getting some supper for us then a nice long stroll through town before retiring for the night.

Monday we slept late and were late for my 1 pm appointment with the dentist who took the second impressions and one of how my teeth close when I bite down. I think Wednesday is the big day I will once more have a smile with no holes for the first time in ten years. We checked on the price of glasses for me and discovered that the regular local price is only about 700 R ($30) for everything. Exam, lenses, including the fee to make them, and nice, stylish frames.

Right now we’re home for lunch and will probably take Fantik for a walk later then go for a walk ourselves or meet with some friends. It’s a warm sunny day today and I definitely want to go enjoy it. We didn’t get to go for the fish shashlik on the Volga because the weather was so wet and cold all weekend, maybe Alexii or Natalia will call during the week. Kto znayet (who knows)?

Tried my first glass of kvass today. Not bad really, but I think I’ll just have it in my Okroshka. Kvass is a nonalcoholic beer like liquid made from a certain kind of bread. There are Kvass stands everywhere here like you see hotdog stands on every corner in say NYC. They’re actually tanks a little bigger than a 55 gal drum mounted on a trailer and they get picked up every night and returned to the corner in the morning. It’s a strange site seeing a train of four or five carts behind a truck heading down the street.

Ok, that’s it for now. Have a great day everyone!


Posted by: shaun1000

Buckeye, really enjoying the TR and the information provided. Thanks


Posted by: AkMike

It sounds like you're having a great visit. Good for you!
Isn't neat how everything is the same but with a slightly different twist? Even a visit to the cemtery has a different twist compared to here.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Glad you're enjoying Shaun, it's my pleasure.

10-4 Mike. With the language and cultural differences put aside, we really aren't all that different when we're just people. Folks is folks.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

This is a repeat of some of the last TR post, but I wanted to include it all with the updated info. It just works better this way.


Monday, July 14, 2008



Sunday was a slow day for us. Dima and Olga picked us up and we went to the cemetery to pay respects to Irina’s father and sister. Mama wiped down the head stones and washed the bench and table before she pulled out her pocket knife (a 3” blade too) and started topping out the Peonies as their blooms had passed by a while ago. The family plot is very nicely done with several types of flowering plants and there are even a couple of cherry trees (the small cherries) growing right beside the plot on Papa’s side. They were beginning to ripen and we enjoyed a few before we left. Unlike cemeteries in America, there are no crews of workers keeping the grass mowed. The grass and weeds were waist high between plots, which are all partitioned off by low fences. Almost all gravestones have a photo of the person it marks and every plot has at least a bench to sit on and reflect (and pray?) and most have a table too.

We were dropped off in town next to an old church while mama went on home with Dima and Olga. The church is very old and dates from before The Revolution. After The Revolution it was converted into a beer factory and was switched back after perestroika. The irony was not lost on me. Then we went for a short stroll and came to get Fantik and took him for a walk for about an hour before getting some supper for us then a nice long stroll through town before retiring for the night.

Monday we slept late and were late for my 1 pm appointment with the dentist who took the second impressions and one of how my teeth close when I bite down. I think Wednesday is the big day I will once more have a smile with no holes for the first time in ten years. We checked on the price of glasses for me and discovered that the regular local price is only about 700 R ($30) for everything. Exam, lenses, including the fee to make them, and nice, stylish frames.

Right now we’re home for lunch and will probably take Fantik for a walk later then go for a walk ourselves or meet with some friends. It’s a warm sunny day today and I definitely want to go enjoy it. We didn’t get to go for the fish shashlik on the Volga because the weather was so wet and cold all weekend, maybe Andrei or Natalia will call during the week. Kto znayet (who knows)?

Tried my first glass of kvass today. Not bad really, but I think I’ll just have it in my Okroshka. Kvass is a nonalcoholic beer like liquid made from a certain kind of bread. There are Kvass stands everywhere here like you see hotdog stands on every corner in say NYC. They’re actually tanks a little bigger than a 55 gal drum mounted on a trailer and they get picked up every night and returned to the corner in the morning. It’s a strange site seeing a train of four or five carts behind a truck heading down the street.

BEGIN UPDATE

Well, we did go for our evening walk and met Olga who was walking toward the house as we were going the other way. We ended up at a café across from the main Theater and just as I was coming out to the new deck with some green tea and orange juice, Irina was going inside to order a second juice for Dima who arrived while I was ordering for her and I. And I ordered in all Russian too. We had a nice visit while Dima cooled down from his work out at the gym and after they left we just sat and watched the people go by. I got another juice for Irina and a pivo for me. A couple friends of Irina’s walked by and said hello, one of which was Oksana who would like to meet a nice AM (if anyone is interested. She’s about 30, maybe 5’ 6” very slender and very attractive and has the most adorable little two y/o girl. She has a computer at home and we offered to help her get set up at freerussianpersonals.

Around 10 pm Irina called Liuda and David, who were just heading out for their evening stroll and we arranged to meet up near a café/pub “Chicago” that has outdoor seating. They actually had some free tables tonight (very unusual on a warm summer night) and we got a table and enjoyed each other’s company. We ordered a couple pizzas, some wine and a couple pivos. If you’re going to drink, at least eat something too and you won’t make an ass of yourself. At midnight we ordered a bottle of Champaign and Liuda and David joined Irina and myself in celebrating our third month together. That’s right; on April 15th I took Irina out on our first date. A lot has happened since that day.

Well, we closed Chicago and said good night to David and Liuda and strolled home ourselves where we flopped into bed and dozed off with the lights still on. I finally crawled out of bed and switched it off only to discover that the day was dawning which made me remember our first night out with David and Liuda and I had a chuckle over that then slipped into bed and fell back to sleep with my baby by my side. As it should be.

Poka


Posted by: Raspberry

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye5702
Sunday was a slow day for us. Dima and Olga picked us up and we went to the cemetery to pay respects to Irina’s father and sister. Mama wiped down the head stones and washed the bench and table before she pulled out her pocket knife (a 3” blade too) and started topping out the Peonies as their blooms had passed by a while ago. The family plot is very nicely done with several types of flowering plants and there are even a couple of cherry trees (the small cherries) growing right beside the plot on Papa’s side. They were beginning to ripen and we enjoyed a few before we left. Unlike cemeteries in America, there are no crews of workers keeping the grass mowed. The grass and weeds were waist high between plots, which are all partitioned off by low fences. Almost all gravestones have a photo of the person it marks and every plot has at least a bench to sit on and reflect (and pray?) and most have a table too.


I got brought to the cemetery on my most recent trip, too. So is taken to the cemetery a certain sign that the relationship is being taken seriously?

Also, I thought I'd mention that some of "headstones" I saw in Ukraine are made of metal(instead of stone), and many of those are rusting out.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Quote:
So is taken to the cemetery a certain sign that the relationship is being taken seriously?


I would say that's a YES. The whole family likes me and I like them very much. They're very good people and although I don't speak much Russian and Mama doesn't speak any english she told our friend Lena from Maine, that we understand each other perfectly well. Mama wants to talk to me so much and I would love to be able to talk her. She's a great lady and retired Dr so she's intently interested in my medical stuff. Btw, cowberry juice is much better for your kidneys than cranberry, which I discovered when I bought some by mistake. It's yummy too!

Ok, here's the latest.

July 16, 2008

Tuesday



We had another slow start today because we didn’t get to bed until 2 or 3 am and it was approaching noon before we both were up. After the usual morning routine (in the afternoon this time) we finally headed out and took the “Gazelle” to the hospital to try to get in to see the optometrist.

The Gazelle is the yellow minivan bus. I’m still trying to figure out if it is part of the taxi or bus system. At any rate they follow a set route and stop at the bus stops, but there is no monthly pass for these. They’re a little more comfortable than the auto or trolleybus and I call them 13 seat saunas as opposed to 30 seat saunas. If someone doesn’t want their hair messed up, the postage stamp sized window gets closed and that’s it until you get off the bus. Autobuses cost 7 R, while the trolleybus costs 8. The Gazelle is 11 R while the taxis are whatever the driver thinks he can get from you. Monthly passes are available for both the trolley and auto buses for 400 R each (about $17). So for the first time visitor who is going to stay for a month or more it’s a good idea to buy a city map at any news stand “Karta (your city here)” and go to the bus station and buy a pass for both the auto (motorized) and trolleybus (electric drive, follows the overhead wires) and you can travel all over the city for a month. Just show your pass to the conductor when you get on.

Back to the optometrist. We had to wait for 30 minutes or so and Irina stopped in to see her neuropathologist about her back and spinal conditions (she broke her back as a young girl) and I stayed in line with the babushki waiting for my turn. I finally got in and noticed the differences in equipment right away. There was no barber chair with huge optical exam devises anywhere. The technician sat me in a regular desk chair, put a spectacle like devise on me and had me start reading the chart (I know the Russian alphabet). She began swapping lenses out until I could see best and she was done. It reminded me of when I was a young boy. The exam devises was pretty much the same as in the ‘60s. Then the Optometrist ushered me into the “Dark room” and I almost laughed at the simplicity. She turned on a desk lamp and used a mirror to direct light into each eye to look inside them. She did have the one where you put your chin in the cup and rest your forehead against the strap while she looked into another part of my eye. It probably cost a couple thousand for all the equipment she had and, no surprise to me, she found some things that my VA Dr missed. By now it was after 6 so we hurried to the mini mall (Century 21) and bought my swimsuit (finally and NO you don’t want a pic) and headed home for some supper.

After supper we went for our, by now, customary evening walk and ended up at Monopol for tea and ice cream before going home and to bed. The assistant Mgr was pretty snipy with Irina though and I think I'm going to have to get in his face if he does it again. The night before he told her "this table is busy, go away." And tonight he came straight to our table as soon as we sat down and they had quite an exchange having to do with she doesn't think he has any culture. Apparently he returned the compliment. He's an arrogant little pr**k and I will get on him quick if he starts again. The nice Asst. Mgr. comes back from vaca next week, thank God. He always has a nice word for us as we walk by whether we stop in or not.


Hope your day was as good as mine.

Poka!


Posted by: disculmawsu

I am enjoying reading your posts and excellent descriptions of Russian medicine and health care system. One of things I wanted to observe when I visited Moscow was the medical system, but I could not find a doctor or nurse to take me on a tour.


Posted by: EasyTarget

The Gazelle's are usually privately owned, they have a contract with the city to provide bus services. There may be a 1 or 2 or a dozen different companies providing private bus services to the city.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Thanks ET! It make sense a little more now. Still pretty cheap for a sauna and transport to stops close to your destination.

Disc... I'm glad that I'm able to give a somewhat accurate discription. I do wish we didn't have to spend so much time there though. The beach is only a 10 min walk from the house and I have a sexy pair of euro (DON'T LOOK ETHEL!!) swim pants to try out (and some new xray glasses ). Having Irina with me to guide me through it and of course to introduce me to her docs has been a God-send. I know I would not get the service I've been getting without her connections (and big bag of gift watches).

Ok, now for the news...

July 17th 2008

Wednesday

A slow start to another hot and humid day in Yoshkar Ola. Temps are expected to be over 30 for most of the week. Thank God, Irina insisted on so many white pants and shirts. The tropical look is in right now and I really get a kick out of being mistaken for a Russian man (until I open my mouth anyway). Hey, at least I can order tea and juice without starting an international incident, right? Mama brought home some veggie ragu with meat for our lunch and I sliced some cukes and tomatoes for salad, added some salt and mayo and heated some breaded salmon she’d been trying to get into me for two days and we had a yummy lunch. The kitchen was pretty hot though as mama was cooking some pilaf with chicken, and my God does it ever smell good in the house right now!

The pilaf is EXCELLENT and it turns out that it’s Irina’s recipe so I’ll be enjoying this for a LONG time. We had more medical stuff today. My new tooth isn’t ready until 7 pm Thursday (the sample tooth actually), but we did get my glasses ordered. As it happens, bi-focals will take too long so we ordered the reading part of the Rx and will pick them up on Thursday before 3.30. After the glasses, we went to Irina’s ear, nose and throat doc and she tricked me into his chair for a look see at my sinuses. He wound up injecting “something” into both sinus cavities through my nose and now I’m stuffed up like I have a cold. The doc says I’ll feel better tomorrow, but nothing hot till then and NO BLOWING. Well I cheated and did some light blowing cuz I just couldn’t stand it any more and no blood came out so I guess I’m ok there. Saturday I get another set of injections and hopefully that will clean up my sinuses for awhile. At least it’s cheap, 250 R for her check up and my treatment ($10).

We finally made it home around 3.30 for a quick lunch and Irina changed from her REALLY cute shorts into some Capri’s (she didn't feel comfortable going to the dentist dressed so casually) and we went back to the dentist (Pavel Shakirionovich) and Irina got another filling done. Then we took a gazelle (13 seat sauna) back home and had a little supper and did some laundry (I’m running out of whites fast right now). We went for our evening stroll around 9 and turned in early.

Later,
Tim


Posted by: Buckeye5702

The weather is here, wish you were beautiful!!

July 18, 2008

Thursday



Tim’s solo adventure!

Today started with breakfast a shower and then I discovered that I was going to the hospital to pick up moy ochki (my glasses) solo. After I consulted the map I realized that I could easily take the trolleybus rather than the rolling sauna, and walk the short distance to the hospital. Irina tried in vain to convince me to take the Gazelle, but I wanted to stand on the bus (hopefully near a window I could open) and I won. So after Irina wrote down the stop I wanted and instructed me to show it to the conductor (yeah, right, as if) I finally got going. Well, the excursion went off without incident and I got off at the right stop without assistance. My blood-sugar was starting to drop off so I grabbed an apple at the fruit stand in front of the hospital (owned by Irina’s friend, Irina) then located the building I needed and got my glasses and bought a nice case to go with them (another 170 r) and I was on my way back to the house. The glasses cost a total of about 950 r ($41) and I’m using them right now to write this. They are just the Rx I need to read and write with and now I can read the street names on my map too. After I checked with a couple of Apteka’s (pharmacies) for a particular brand of hairspray for Irina (unsuccessfully I might add) I caught the bus home. I found out too late that I was supposed to stop at the STORE (mugazine) near the hospital, not the pharmacy. STORES sell goods, pharmacies ONLY sell drugs and medical related things. Ok lesson learned and butt duly chewed, now I know. But, hey I got there and back and bought a couple things along the way without getting gouged. I also grabbed an ice cream cone on the way back.

I got home in time for some homemade chicken soup with homemade noodles that mama was rolling and cutting when I got up this morning. Holy cow its good stuff and I had some more pilaf to go with it as well as some salad (cukes and tomatoes with some orange peppers this time). A meal almost always includes a salad like this so be prepared if you do a home visit with someone and do dig in it’s very tasty, and if it has fresh dill its even better and no gas to worry about later. Have I mentioned how great the food is here? Between the food and the wonderful times we have walking in the evening I’m going to cry when I get on the train to leave. We are definitely going to make arrangements for a longer visa so we can stay longer next year and maybe even make two trips, once in the summer and again for New Years.

Irina’s hairdresser stopped by around 3.30 (I was on the internet and kept Inna waiting for almost 30 minutes before she could call upstairs to announce she was here, OOPS). Well, Irina got her hair cut and I didn’t need one so all was well after some tea and cake.

A little after 7 we left for Riasa’s mother’s house to deliver some gifts and her invitation to visit CT. Tutiana is a sweet and gracious lady and she showed me the best of Russian hospitality. She must have been cooking all afternoon in a very hot kitchen because when we arrived there was fried chicken, potatoes, some thick and tasty blini, a very tasty homemade mocha “zebra” torte (cake) as well as the customary salad and cheese with kolbasa waiting for us. It was all delicious and I enjoyed the homemade mountain ash jam on the blini, ocheen vkusna! We drank several toasts (I did not escape from making one myself) with a cognac like drink also made from the Mt. ash berry and after tea with a honey cake we visited for a little while before leaving around 9.30. Tutiana walked us most of the way to the bus stop before exchanging our final goodbyes and I accepted an invitation to comeback soon. Irina and I walked through the city center on our way back home then we retired for the day.

Poka!


Posted by: Buckeye5702

19 & 20 July
Friday & Saturday



As reported yesterday, Friday was a slow easy day. I got my first fitting with my new tooth and will have another fitting with the finished tooth Monday or Tuesday. Friday the tooth was all metallic and we color matched the ceramic and will see how things fit next week. After that I got another set of shots in the sinuses and we took a walk and had some serious heart-to-heart discussion about our relationship and our vacation so far. We agree that everything is good and getting better and we both want many more years together and definitely want more and longer vacations in Y O.

Dacha time or “I want Volga!”

Saturday we readied ourselves for the dacha on the Volga River. Sasha, one of Irina’s classmates, picked us up around 10.30. We stopped at a nearby grocery and got all the food we would need and hit the road. Less than an hour later we were being welcomed to Andri and Olga’s dacha. In Maine we call our dachas “camp” and Russians who own a dacha are there pretty much every weekend during the summer. Andri is a lawyer in Y O and another classmate of Irina’s. I got to experience more of the world famous Russian hospitality. Just so you know, if you are someone’s guest they will make it their responsibility too ensure you have a good time and are well fed. Well, I felt like family and I had a wonderful day. We ate, we drank some wine and we swam. Andri only had his dingy with outboard there as we did not make arrangements far enough ahead of time for him to bring the big powerboat, but Irina and I both got to ride around the Volga River and later we took it out ourselves. Andri didn’t know we wanted to take it out and had already removed the motor to put it up for the day so I unstowed the oars and rowed my baby around for a little while before ducking behind an island just off shore for a little “rest” time. By the time we got back everyone had returned to the dacha so I pulled the boat on to shore and we joined the company just in time to start the shasliki. It was store bought chicken ready to cook and it was delicious! We enjoyed a large variety of salads that we had bought too and all had plenty to eat. Andri had pulled out the vodka by then and after a few toasts he said, “follow me Tim, we go to banya”. So I dutifully trailed behind him as we made our way to the banya, then he saw something he wanted to show me and lead me down to the shoreline where a group of men were pulling in a net. There was a boat on the other end of the line pulling the net through deeper water and I was instructed to join the man line as we pulled our end into shallower water and eventually closed the circle with the boat. Then one of the men began to haul the net, keeping the ends closed and eventually brought in our catch, a 6” perch. We all laughed and passed Andri’s vodka bottle around. Then somebody showed up with a jet ski and Andri talked him into taking me out for a spin and I did well. Didn’t tip him over or fall off. Then one of the fishermen reappeared with his boat and Andri motioned me into it and off we went for a good ride through some mildly choppy water before returning to the shore. I can’t recall his name, but he is a trickster, extreme. He waited till I was relaxed in the seat and cranked the wheel over hard tipping the seat over and dumping me onto the deck. We laughed our tails off and I jokingly grabbed him by the neck. He’s a good guy.

We finally made our way to the banya only to discover that 120 F is too cold for a good sauna. So someone chopped some wood and stoked the fire and after awhile I was lead back into the bath. If you’ve never done this before I want to tell you that there’s nothing like sitting in a small VERY hot room with four or five naked Russian men to make you feel special. I even got the daylights beat out of me by two of them using the customary birch branches. Even the souls of my feet were worked over before we ran down to the river for a very refreshing dip. I was dragged back into the sauna three more times before I was handed a bar of soap and told to strip and scrub up. Andri poured the cold water over me to rinse and I put my swim pants back on and trotted to the river for the last cooling dip as Irina kept telling me to hurry, as Sasha wanted to get going. On my second or third trip into the banya the owner was there and he got a real laugh when I got up to leave saying (in Russian mind you) “I want Volga”. Sergey thought it was hilarious and I got the pleasure of making a powerful, rich mafia boss laugh. He’s great to have as a friend, but I don’t think I’ll be doing business with him. I have found though that regardless of who (or what) they are, once a Russian opens up to you, you will have a friend forever and I have made some nice friends from many walks of life here. Irina has a great circle of friends who love her dearly and it feels great to be a part of it. We arrived back home a little after 9 pm and took Fantik for a walk, as it was just too nice to stay indoors. We turned in around 11.

Night all.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

20 July
Sunday



More Dacha Time!

It was another beautiful sunny and HOT summer day in Russia. Actually the day started a little cloudy in Y O and Olga and Dima weren’t too sure if it would be nice enough to go to her dad’s dacha. So we drove to Cheboksary and of all places, they wanted to go to McD’s so I had a Russian ¼ pounder (Royal Cheeseburger) with fries and ginseng iced tea. It really tasted like the US burgers only without all the added hormones and preservatives (the kind they feed our meat). After lunch we took a walk along the river front and I found it reminded me very much like the river front in Mainz, Ger. Where I was stationed in the Army. I took tons of pics and will get some sent out when we get home when I have more time to resize and crop. There was a ferry service to some beaches across the Volga in Cheboksary and a huge cruise ship was in port on it’s return trip to (someplace I can’t pronounce or even spell right now). They were on a 9 day cruise that we both would like to try sometime. The cost is 45,000 rub or 60,000 rub depending on the berth you want. Not bad for a really nice cruise on the mighty Volga.

I mentioned it was HOT, right? Well, Irina loves it when its hot, but today even she was complaining after a couple hours of strolling along the river front. On our return to the car we had the wind at our backs and the sun in our faces so it got even worse and she started getting VERY uncomfortable. This lady doesn’t complain, so when she started feeling the heat I knew it was time to grab some h2o and find some shade, which we did. In fact we managed to stay in the shade most of the way back to the car. And we both were feeling a little better by then. SO we hit the road and headed to Misha’s (Olga’s dad) dacha. We tried to get some groceries on the way, but the stores that had what we wanted were closed for lunch. Having not found anyplace to buy what we were after we just went on to the dacha and changed (very quickly) into our swimsuits and began feeling much better. We started to drive somewhere, but a phone call turned us around and back to the dacha we went only to walk the few hundred yards to the river where Misha picked us up in the boat and ferried us over to the beach where the rest of the gang was having fun.

After a swim we all started feeling in much better spirits and eventually Irina and I put out our blanket and stretched out to relax for a while. With my eyes closed it sounded just like any water front area I’ve ever been to. There were boats and jet skis zipping around and kids with their parents laughing and playing in the water. The sun was comfortable now and it felt great to just lay back and soak it in. After we got cooled off and rested we did a little socializing with Olga’s step-mom, Valya and a few others. Misha was towing people on a tube or skiers (I declined to embarrass myself) and one of our neighbors (they all know each other here) just HAD to get me to try his stand-up jet ski. After quite a few tries and a couple demos, I finally managed to get on my knees so I could trim the thing out enough to keep from bouncing the bow through the light chop. I only spilled it once at that point and got back under way in good shape, but I never tried to stand up on it and disappeared when Igor said “lesson #2 in 10 minutes”. Actually there was a small island that we could wade to from where we were and we had a good time going there. Irina was very nervous as we’d never done it and of course some clouds hid the sun so the bottom wasn’t as visible. Well I couldn’t resist, I dropped to my knees with a shout and grabbed Irina’s hand even tighter, pretending that the bottom had suddenly disappeared on me and scared the crap out of her. She can take a joke though and laughed with me. Or maybe she was just relieved that I didn’t get her hair wet. Anyway, we met Dima and Olga who were coming back from that little island and we all waded back to the beach where we swam a little more a finally loaded into the boat to go back to the dacha. Except for some reason Misha couldn’t get the boat started and after several attempts he had Igor take us across on one of the biggest Sea-Do’s they make. What a ride! We waited for a while before someone came to tell us that they had all made it back a different way (had to trailer the boat and drive back so we walked back to camp. Misha gave Irina and I a tour of the dacha and then I was ushered to the table and asked if I wanted mayo or sour cream with my Borsch. I didn’t know what was going on really, because I was the only on eating. Next I was given an egg omelet and some chai to wash it all down. Of course I could not escape a few vodka toasts (at least this time I knew enough to stand when we toasted our women) and Dima announced that we were leaving at 7.30 (it was 7.15). So I finished my tea and changed into my clothes (I still had only my swimsuit on) and away we went after many thank you’s and I had a great time today. We stopped again at one of the stores that had been closed earlier to find some of Irina’s new favorite wine. There three men sitting on a bench near the entrance and we walked by I heard a man say (in English) “Hello Teem”. Irina quickly reminded me of who they were and I greeted them properly with hands shake and “How are you” for each. They remembered me from the banya on Saturday! They work for the “Boss” that owns it and we were both impressed that they remembered me. So now the local “bandits”, something that might come in handy someday, recognize me. I want to add that while I was their guest at the banya I felt very at ease and was treated like a friend and welcomed into the group for the day. Oh and btw, Banya means bath in Russian.

Well we made it home and took Fantik for a walk and then decided to walk to a nearby 24 hr grocery to try to find that elusive wine. There was a T-storm brewing in the distance and I had to work to convince Irina that we would be ok and not get soaked (we had our umbrellas) and we didn’t. It only rained very lightly and we made it the store dry. I got soaked while we were inside though as it was sweltering in there. Finally we found some wine and grabbed a few other things and strolled lazily back to the house where Irina mentioned that she was starved. I sat with her as she cooked and then polished off a big plate of pelmeni and we took our nite-nite pills and hit the sack.

Nite-nite!


Posted by: Chillidog

Tim,

sounds like you are having a great time and fitting in nicely with the locals

took me a while to figure out that 02 was 04

look forward to the rest of your trip


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Quote:
took me a while to figure out that 02 was 04


Yup, same dashing chap only now I'm not allowed to dress my self or cross the street alone (reference to incompetent AMs). Its all good though!

Glad to have you back in the hunt Bro.

Tim


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye5702
Yup, same dashing chap only now I'm not allowed to dress my self or cross the street alone (reference to incompetent AMs). Its all good though!

Glad to have you back in the hunt Bro.

Tim

HE HE HE ... yes they treat you like a small child sometimes but it's all good.

Continued success Buck-er-roo!!!


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Bob, got your email. I'm thrilled for you buddy! As soon as I can get this dial up connection to load my inbox again I'll zip you a line or two.

Yeh, GTR, its USUALLY all good. We did have some "discussion" about though as it just gets to be too much sometimes. I know her heart's in the right place and she wants to make sure I have fun, but I'm putting my foot down on some things. If she'll let me...

Ok, time for the news.

July 21 & 22 & 23 & 24

Monday & Tuesday & Wed. & Thur.



Hi gang,

Mon & Tues were both pretty slow news days. My new bridge still wasn’t ready as of 6.30 Tue evening due to the tech that made it and had to put the finish coat of enamel on it took a holiday. Paval Shakirionovich promises that it will be ready for me when we arrive at his office after a 1 pm appointment for Irina in another office. So I still have a hole in my smile and expect to have a whole smile later today (Wed.).

Over the last few weeks though I have fallen in love with Russia, both the good and bad parts, and simply do not want to get on that plane next week. The food is terrific and its far healthier than the poison they supply us with in the States and with better food going into me I feel so much better and all of my body parts are working like they should. I have also become convinced that it is physically impossible for my sweetie to make it to an appointment on time here. I keep telling her that if she’d let me dress myself there would be plenty of time. :-D But, no she’s the consummate “mother hen” and is very careful about how “her man” looks in public. That’s something I can certainly live with.

Tuesday, we did locate the local migration office and the lady there (Irina) was very helpful and supplied Irina with an overload of information about how I can get different visas for next year. I had to remind my Irina that her classmate and friend Andri who had us at his dacha on Sat. told me that he had someone in his office that could help me out when we come back. Andri is a lawyer and works for the Mary El, President. Who knows, maybe my bandit buddy Sergey can help too. Everyone laughs every time Irina tells the story of how funny Sergey thought it was when I told him “I want Volga” on my way out of the banya the second or third time. We also stopped at a couple jewelry stores and looked at wedding bands. The Russian gold is a reddish tint and I really like the looks of it. Someday, I’ll have something to wear, someday.

Wed.

Was busy and we went different directions only to wind up at the same place, the dentist. Irina was in the chair getting some more work done when I arrived and 20 or so minutes later it was my turn and I got my bridge installed. Boy, it feels weird having the hole filled in, but it really feels great when I see me new smile and Irina really likes it too. After the dentist we walked around and tried to find a nice house gift for mama. She doesn’t want a ventilator (fan) so we’re back to square one trying to come with something nice that she needs. We got home and mama was putting some supper together. There was fresh Borsch, and kasha, boiled buckwheat in this case with some aromatic herbs and spices (very tasty too) with hot dog like kolbasa as the second plate. But, just as we were about to sit down and get to it, the phone rang and Dima’s sister Sveta was inviting us for dinner. We had already turned down a prior invite from her because we had other plans going on so Irina said yes and told me about it after she hung up the phone. Olga and Dima picked us up about 15 minutes later and off we went. Sveta actually lives about 5 minutes from mama’s house. What a beautiful apartment she has and the kitchen makes me very jealous. She spent quite a bit of time cooking for us and we enjoyed every bite along with some great vodka that a small chili pepper in it. Irina and I wound up finishing that bottle (a new one) between the two of us and I was charged (as it’s the man’s job) with keeping all glasses full. Olga and Dima had juice and Sveta had a very nice red wine. Olga and Dima left shortly after desert and Irina and I enjoyed Sveta’s company and hospitality along with a friend of hers, Murack(sp?). Sveta is a great host and very warm and comfortable to spend time with. We got along great too and enjoyed the fact that Dima’s B-day is one day before mine and hers is 9 days after. Us Scorpions gotta stick together ya know.

We finally parted company with Sveta and elected to go for a walk. As we walked by our favorite outdoor café we spied Olga’s cousin Sash and her hubby Alek as well as our friends Natalia and Andri. We ended up sitting down with Sasha and Alek and spent a great few hours getting acquainted with them. I had a pivo and Irina kept going with the vodka and we wound up closing Monopol at midnight. Half way to Sasha and Alek’s house I realized that I left my man bag in my seat and Alek called them and set up a quick retrieval for us, but we only had 10 minutes so we turned around and headed back to Monopol. On the way we passed by the street fronting apartment of one of her best friends (another) Sveta and after a quick shout up to the second floor window we arranged to go get yet another bottle of vodka, grab my purse and beat feet back to Sveta #2. Well Irina was already saying she was really drunk (the first time she ever admitted to being in that state) so Sveta and I split the bottle over the next few hours and had a great time. She had already been entertaining so there was a huge pirogue cut in pieces and a nice apricot pie and other goodies to eat. She even heated up some pilaf for me and I had a nice big plate of it. We wound up swaying our way the 10 minute walk home around 5 am and thus began and ended our day with day light.

Thursday

Neither of us took our night pills and we woke up about 9 and veeerry slooowly began our day. We were both feeling the after effects of the night, but I really didn’t feel too bad and after some eggs, kolbasa and toast and coffee, I felt much better. We ran a few errands after walking to a nice sidewalk café that has a pretty good musaka and enjoyed a leisurely day trying to avoid being inside too much so we could take advantage of the cooling breeze that made the hot day rather pleasant. We returned home and had some supper took Fantik for a walk and here I am finishing off this report. It’s going to be an early night for us and it’s cooled off enough that the apartment is more comfy now too.

Check back for more news when I get the chance to write. We only have 3 full days left here and I’m guessing it’s going to be somewhat of a blur as we try to fit all the rest of the “we’ll have to do this before we leave” stuff. Later…


Posted by: EasyTarget

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye5702
The food is terrific and its far healthier than the poison they supply us with in the States and with better food going into me I feel so much better and all of my body parts are working like they should.

I am wondering if all of the walking around is helping you feel healthier too. Maybe it is a combination of home cooked meals and lots of walking? Also it might just be that you are in love. Everything tastes better when you are in love.


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by EasyTarget
I am wondering if all of the walking around is helping you feel healthier too. Maybe it is a combination of home cooked meals and lots of walking? Also it might just be that you are in love. Everything tastes better when you are in love.


besides everything else. I think you hit the nail on the head a big bullseye----love nothing but love!!!

well there is a lot to enjoy about Russia that does not involve women---but heck were men, it really is about the women!


Posted by: Chillidog

Tim,

did I not tell you months ago that you would be missing out on an experience of a lifetime if you did not travel and experience Russia for yourself?

It is a feeling and emotions, an attitude of Russia that you cannot explain you can try until you are blue in the face and h*ll freezes over but to family and friends who have never been there, they will NEVER understand what you talk about or the feelings you try to explain.

it is like skydiving or base jumping (I will never know or understand this feeling) and I am clueless to those feelings and emotions when they try to describe it to me.

no need to hurry in responding to my email.
when you get back to the states and have time to recover this will be soon enough.

should have additional news waiting for you by then.


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Ok, ok, love is the BIGGIE, but I'm also a closet "foodie". I love food and I love to cook. I have thouroughly enjoyed the cuisine here and the fact that are no chemicals or anything other than FOOD in the food here is a huge plus.

To tell the truth my legs are getting a little tired and my feet feel like they're bruised on the souls. The bruised feeling might be from taking a barefoot hike through a small wooded area on Sun. Misha couldn'r get the boat going and had a friend bring us to the pick up point by jet ski if you recall and we waited & waited & waited. Finally a friend of Irina's happened by with her hubby who decided I needed a swim. So we jumped in the river and then I decided to swim the 50 yards to the other side of the small channel to see if I could spot the boat that should have been straight across the main river from us. It was a long swim for me and Valudya and then we hiked through the alders only too discover that the boat was gone. SO back we went after another guy tracked us down saying our women wanted us back on their side of the stream. WHen I got back on shore Irina asked where I went. "I went to look for THEM" I said pointing at Olga and Dima who were standing behind her. We all laughed and walked back to the dacha and that's where I got my Borsch and omlett. I didn't include this part cuz I didn't want my mother to have a stroke or something.

Later,
Tim and Irina


Posted by: Buckeye5702

July 25 & 26

Friday & Saturday



Friday was a good day that saw the last of our dental work finished. Irina got her last tooth repaired and we said our heartfelt goodbyes to Paval Shakirionovich. He made the trips to his office bearable at least and hey, I had Irina with me so its all good. He inquired about my bridge and I can honestly report that he nailed it. It fits perfectly.

We tried to touch bases with one of her masseuse friends so I could learn how to give Irina a therapeutic massage, but Gulya was on holiday. As we were leaving the hospital complex though we bumped into some friends. One of them was a urologist who had several questions about my old kidney surgery and a couple of other docs were there too along with Andri, my boat driving, seat dumping buddy from last Saturday’s banya fun and we shared handshakes, back slaps and hugs all around. The funny part was that we were looking at this old Volga as we were approaching the doorway where everyone was chatting. It turns out that it belongs to Andri. We were also trying to get home for a hairdresser home visit and Andri offered to give us a ride. First I had to ask if the seats were fastened to the floor, which made Andri laugh his butt off and then we said, OK!! It’s a 67 Volga that he restored himself and its in very nice condition. Its black (what else) with an interesting interior that I don’t think I can describe except to say it looks great and it was a pleasure to ride in it.

Irina, Mama and Olga all got their hair done and after supper we went for our customary evening stroll where we met up with one of Irina’s best friends Lena (from here) and Sveta (from Wed. nite, Thur. morning’s fun) was waiting for us at her place too. So we had tea at Monopol and chatted with friends there before heading down the street for tea and pirogue and lots of laughs with Svetlana and Lena, who came with us. We wound up talking until 2 am.

Sat. we were SUPPOSED to start our packing, but it was a beautiful day and we were invited to Misha’s (Olga’s dad) dacha again. SO we said yes and scurried down stairs to the market and bought some food to bring and share and off we went. We stopped at a lake where Dima’s son Yan was at camp for 2 weeks and he dropped off some snacks and soda and (of course) some money. Then we zipped off to the dacha where we changed into our swimsuits and met Misha at the pick-up point and we were ferried out to the plazh (beach).
While Vala (Misha’s wife) was skiing, Dima fired up the grill and put some kolbasa on the shamuri (BIG skewers) and Olga, Galina, Irina and I began unpacking the food we brought. There were meat and potato with mushroom pirogues and three different salads that I bought, along with cukes and tomatoes and the kolbasa that were there too. We got it all opened and laid out to serve on our beach blanket when “someone” turned on the really BIG fan. Yeh, WIND like a hurricane moved in, and yes, sand got into everything that was uncovered, which was everything except the salads. So the pies were a little gritty, but I was able to rinse off a couple of kolbasa and had some salad and a cuke and had plenty. After a couple more people did a little water skiing (Dima STILL couldn’t quite stay up) we packed it all up due to some light showers and clouds that had cooled things off considerably. It took 2 trips to get everyone back to shore and Irina & I along with Dima and a neighbor of Misha’s were in the last load so we went to the launch ramp and I helped to trailer the boat and we got a ride back to the dacha. It turns out that the neighbor, Alexi does a little fishing and he caught a monster catfish that morning. I was shown about half of the head, cut just in front of the gills and slit lengthwise and it was almost 12 inches long. Well Alexi cut it up and Misha started a fire in the gazebo and they made a soup that you would kill for. It had the catfish, potato (of course), carrot, onion, garlic and other spices along with the traditional dose of vodka. There was more cukes and tomatoes, garlic and most of the salads that never were opened at the plazh and, of course, pivo, wine and VODKA. Happily, there were enough people sharing the bottle that I only had to down 2 or 3, the last of which I got to show off for Misha. Last Sunday when we were there he drank the last toast by rolling the glass down his cheek and tipping the vodka into his mouth then rolling the glass back up his cheek with a flourish and I managed to copy it this time with out dropping it. Everyone was impressed, including me. I can tell you this. These people like their fresh fish! I had plenty myself, but the others kept eating until every bit of flesh was consumed including sucking it off the bones like we do with lobster in Maine. It was delicious too and I enjoyed every bite. I actually didn’t know for sure if it was catfish until I took my first bite and tasted the sweet firm flesh. Ocheen vkusna!! Finally the meal was over and Alexi and his wife Galina said goodbye and walked to their dacha and after some small talk we took more pictures of the house and of Misha and his wonderful family and at last it was time to say goodbye. There were handshakes and hugs and many spacibo bolshoys and finally we got in Dima’s car and headed fro Y O where we rested a bit and tried to take our customary stroll, but It was too cold for Irina so we went back to the house, had our chai, took our pills and hit the sack.


Posted by: Chillidog

hope you got lots of pics to share with us when you get back. I for one am kinda interested in seeing the beach (and the girls)


Posted by: Buckeye5702

I got tons of pics, but the beach was more of a private or boat access only kind of affair. I did get a couple ladies in my sights though, but my babe is the primary target (konechna).

I'll check in from tuther side of the pond lads and lasses.

Tim and Irina


Posted by: Buckeye5702

Hey gang!

Well this will be my last post from Yoshkar Ola until we return for our next adventure, and we WILL return.

Its about T minus 2 hrs before we have to leave for the train station and we are all in tears. I can barely see the keybourd to write this. Even though this has been a dream vacation for me I have still seen the way life can be here and I really want to be a part of this beautiful (and someplaces not so beautiful) city. Honestly, the only thing I've missed is HSI, dial up sucks!

At least my sweetheart is coming with me. I don't how you guys can leave them behind, it would tear me to shreds. My heart goes out to everyone who has gone back without the Love of your (my) Life (LOML) with you.

Now who can we brow beat to increase a Russian tourist visa to 3 months or more?

Tim and Irina in tears and signing off.
See you on the other side of the pond.


Posted by: disculmawsu

Thanks for such a great trip report. I have enjoyed reading your posts from the pass few weeks.
Have a safe trip back to the US.


Posted by: azamuner

Yes it was a great trip report. I can't wait to hear the last little bits and to see the photos.


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye5702
Hey gang!

Well this will be my last post from Yoshkar Ola until we return for our next adventure, and we WILL return.

Its about T minus 2 hrs before we have to leave for the train station and we are all in tears. I can barely see the keybourd to write this. Even though this has been a dream vacation for me I have still seen the way life can be here and I really want to be a part of this beautiful (and someplaces not so beautiful) city. Honestly, the only thing I've missed is HSI, dial up suc