Talkin' Russian

Happy Sixty-Sixth Anniversary, Pop and Kay!

There are little victories in life that can have far more meaning than the victory itself.  It snowed hard today for about five hours and when it stopped I bundled up and went to a store I had seen yesterday to purchase two three foot reed brooms. The folks that take Cindy to school each day never have the time to get out and shop and they don’t have a broom to get all the snow off their car, so I thought I’d buy one for them and one for our car as well.  I entered the store knowing right were to go, but once there I couldn’t find a price on the brooms, all of which were stuck into some ratty pail.  There was a clerk nearby pricing items and without stopping to formulate my words, I asked in Russian, “Please how much is this?” and then, even more amazingly, I understood exactly, without question, what the answer was.  I was in a bit of shell shock, so much so that I really didn’t get too angry at the stupids in line ahead of me who were so dumb they couldn’t go out without each other since I’m sure they each could only remember half of how to get home.

I walked into our gated complex behind a woman who had the door automatically opened for her by the guard.  I headed into the parking lot, instead of to the apartment and I suppose I looked strange with two brooms sticking out of my bag and he called to tell me to stop.  He came over and asked me where I was going (I’m guessing here) and still filled with the confidence of a two year old learning to talk, I said pointing, “There to my car, number 123.”  He understood, and even smiled as he backed away.  Good gracious, all this learning just so I can forget it all in the next three weeks.  Tonight all of us who use the same tutor are taking her to dinner at the Georgian place so that we can learn all about menus, ordering and tipping.

Cassoulet

Dinner last night turned out to be rather good.  We invited another couple to join us; only one of them could make it however.  We started with a mixed salad of beets, carrots and tomatoes over arugula with an herbed crème fraiche dressing.  The cassoulet turned out very well with a crunchy garlicky breadcrumb topping which helped to absorb all the great juices.  I had found a marvelous Bergerac from just outside of Bordeaux on one of my shopping trips and it was perfect to pair with the cassoulet.  Apple Crisp with sweet crème fraiche finished off the evening.

Just before leaving Bahrain, we met a couple - he French, she Norwegian - who have a daughter who was at SDSU and needed help with an internship.  I was able to provide that help and they were very grateful.  We just heard from them again and they are living at their home in Provence, just outside of St. Remy du Provence and they’ve invited us to come and visit for a few days at the end of February, which coincides with Cindy’s vacation.  So, this morning I booked our flights to Marseilles, where we’ll spend two days, then via rental car to Avignon for two days and then three nights with our friends.  Ah, to be in Provence at the end of February!

And now, in the ever-entertaining category of “Has The World Gone Mad?”  Here is today’s entry: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/11957863

So the guy can’t decide if he is Catholic or Buddhist, but the court gives him money. Somehow I can’t remember where, in either religion, rape isn’t frowned upon! Geez.

Time to get ready for dinner with the Language Club!  Ciao (that’s Italian), Cindy and Wm.