Greetings from a cold wet Moscow. The return trip certainly was an adventure. As Cindy mentioned we had to turn back about ninety minutes into the flight. The way the pilot put it, the fuel cap was not put on tightly and we were losing fuel at a rate that was not going to get us to Moscow. So back to Dulles we went, with leaking fuel and sagging spirits. For some reason the pilot chose not to dump fuel, perhaps hoping that it would be a quick fix and we could get back into the air, but that caused us to land heavy. Planes are not designed to land with the same weight that they take off with - too much for the suspension, brakes and landing gear - so we were greeted with fire trucks and emergency medical wagons upon landing. Inspections were done, which took quite a lot of time, and then we had to be towed all the way back to a gate since the brakes were an issue and no one wanted to take a risk; commendable.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again; we need the FAA to institute a law that says that all window shades must be up during take-off and landings. This is a rule that most of the good airlines have instituted, with or without government mandate. Without being able to see outside, you have no situational awareness in the event of an emergency. If there is a fire on one side of plane, you don’t want to exit on that side but if you can’t see, you can’t determine the best course of action. It is just dumb not to want to have all the tools of survival available to you in an emergency.
We waited on the ground for another plane and another crew to be assembled. Our crew had timed out and they had bring in folks on short notice. By 10 pm, a mere five hours after our first take-off, we were heading back in the friendly skies of United. These types of issues can’t always be anticipated but when you are flying very, very old aircraft - this one was twenty-five years old - you can expect things to break and malfunction far more often than on newer equipment.
We finally got to Moscow but because we were so late, my driver was unable to come and get me so I had to start looking around for a taxi. Cindy was on the phone with me the whole time, having consulted with her people at AAS, and she was able to direct me to the right desk to get an English speaking dispatcher. This worked out well and I was optimistic that the driver would be given clear directions to the apartment. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The driver didn’t seem to know where the train station was, and I had to show him on his map. He spoke no English, which is fair enough if we hadn’t paid for an English speaker! I had far too much luggage for his little car and we had to put some in the trunk and some in the back seat of his ancient Lada and were soon bouncing away from the airport heading to downtown at peak rush hour. Three hours later, after his car stalled three times, pulling off the road for a toilet break - which he took next to the car - and my insisting that he follow my hand instructions as to how to get to the apartment, we made it. Thank goodness for all my walks in the neighborhood which have enabled me to navigate all the back ways to get to the apartment. Now I have all these Marlboros that I’ll have to save for another taxi ride.
Cindy helped me to unpack and by seven thirty we were all set to head out to dinner at the Georgian restaurant that is close to the house. We have tried to go there on several occasions but something always came up, so we were determined to try it last night. It is really only a three-minute walk and the night was cool but delicious with the smells of autumn on the breeze that sent large yellow leaves skidding down the alleys. We could hear the Georgian music before we even entered the restaurant. I was afraid that we might not be able to get a table if there was live entertainment, but my fears were unrealized. The joint was empty and there on stage was a dark haired beauty belting out song after song to twenty empty tables. We were placed in the back of the restaurant in the no smoking section, which also meant less noise from the chanteuse.
We were given menus that were in English as well as Russian, something I’ve not seen before. We ordered two glasses of Georgian white wine and some water and then paid close attention to the menu. Neither of us was really that hungry so we ordered a cheese and yogurt dish, an eggplant dish, the famous Georgian cheese bread, and quail. The wine was good but warm and Cindy went in search of ice and came back with a lovely glass ice bucket filled with lote, which is ice. The first dish was a hand cheese rolled around some rather spicy filling and covered with minted yogurt; I thought it was delicious but Cindy found it too spicy, which is the opposite of what usually happens in restaurants. Perhaps my palate is improving. The eggplant was heavenly. It was lightly grilled and then wrapped around a filling of crushed walnuts and herbs. The bread was like a cheese pizza and neither of us was really impressed. The quail, however, made up for anything that had been lacking with the bread. Two perfectly butterflied and grilled birds that were so flavorful and tender. We shall now be going back often with the intention of trying everything on the menu. The service was stunningly good and the waitress was a constant bundle of energy and smiles, very rare in the service industry. I think Cindy tipped her well; I was too tired to even count.
We got to bed late, too late for Cindy who had to go to work early. She was up and out at oh-dark-hundred and I slept until eight. I’m still groggy from lack of sleep but hope to make up for things with a few good nights of rest. I’m hoping the rain stops long enough for me to make a run to the store for dinner ingredients. If not, I’ll make do with whatever is in the house or I’ll get soaking wet; we’ll see.
It is three hours later and I did in fact get soaking wet. Just couldn’t sit here in the house another minute and had to get out. Nasty weather but I had the right clothes, well mostly. My sneakers are soaking since there is very poor drainage here and the puddles are big and deep. I threw my wet clothes and socks in the dryer and when they were done I slipped them back on and got all warm and comfy.
Today was supposed to be Leave Your Car At Home Day in Moscow. The plan was to have everyone take the Metro or other public option. Guess what? It didn’t work. http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/10740/
And finally, here is one Moscow Theater where you’ll not find me! Best to all, Wm
No comments:
Post a Comment