My marathon walks over the past six days finally caught up with me yesterday morning. We woke up at 05:55 and as I stretched my legs in bed, a searing jolt of pain went shooting through my right calf. I was absolutely immobilized by the pain and couldn’t even get out of bed to stand on the leg. I finally was able to get some weight on the leg and I started to rub it as the pain subsided until I was able to walk a little to ease relax the muscle. I’ve had charley horses before but this thing was unreal. All day long it was sore, like I had been kicked in the calf. I walked gingerly for about forty minutes and that took a lot of the tension away. I’ve taken three Aleve’s in the past two days and if I take another I think I’ll have to check into the Betty Ford Clinic.
I’m very accustomed to walking long distances here in Moscow but Moscow is, for the most part, flat. On Sunday we walked up, and up and up lots of stairs and lots of paths. Then we can down like mountain goats so I’m sure that my muscles were not used to that motion and in the night they just tightened until I tried to stretch in the morning, which caused them to convulse. I have learned a valuable lesson and will be doing lots more stretching before and after my walks, especially if they are up and down.
I had my teeth cleaned at the German Dental Center this morning. I had gone there early in our time in Moscow to get a tooth fixed that had chipped while eating. I liked them and they were very professional and today’s experience was just as satisfying. One of the great benefits that I hadn’t thought of was the fact that the hygienist spoke only about six words of English, left, right, open, close, sensitive, rinse; therefore there was no small talk. I just hate it when they stick sump pumps and sharp objects in your mouth and then start asking you questions. Bill Cosby did a great bit about that many years ago that is worth eight minutes of your time. Cindy had gone to this dentist for a cleaning in November and it cost her 1500 Rubles, so I figured that is what it would cost me, and as usual, I was wrong. It cost me 3000 Rubles and when I asked why the big difference, I was told that they bill in fifteen-minute increments and it must have only taken fifteen minutes to clean Cindy’s teeth. At that point I wanted to get out before they piled it even higher and charged me for it.
After the dentist I decided to walk for an hour to get my calf back to normal. Most of the time my walks take me towards the river or Red Square but today I wanted to go and find a real working class neighborhood without the glitz and glamour of central Moscow. I was surprised to find it only about twenty minutes away and it was a delight to walk around and see real folks going about their business. The shops were very nice but not fancy, same thing with the cafes and restaurants. I’m assuming the prices were rather less expensive also. I’ll take Cindy to lunch there some weekend before we leave, could be lots of affordable fun.
Part of my walk yesterday took me to the embassy for a few items we needed. I ran into one of the folks I know from having done the College Recruitment Fair at AAS. She lives in one of the ‘big’ apartments on the embassy compound and was coming out as I was walking towards the planted gardens. I told her I was going to be taking photos of the tulip beds and she very nicely told me that was a very dumb idea without permission from security. It never dawned on me that taking photos on the embassy grounds wouldn’t be allowed, especially since the Russian’s own everything around the embassy and they make sure they have excellent views into the courtyards and grounds. Take my word for it; the embassy grounds are quite lovely with all the flowers.
As I was checking out of the Liberty Store I asked the clerk, who I had worked with when I helped them with inventory, if I was allowed to purchase hard liquor. I knew we could buy wine and beer but we had all been told that hard booze was out of the question for AAS folks. She looked at me and simply said, ‘When I’m on duty you can buy anything in the store.’ Needing no more hints, I grabbed a bottle of Chivas Regal. I wish I had thought to ask earlier since it would have saved a lot of hassle with my duty free runs.
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| Ya just never see it coming! |
Here is one for the ‘Didn’t I Tell Ya!” And here is a picture of a Moscow Tram that had a bit of a problem.
Cindy has to stay late tonight since she is rehearsing with her quartet members for two upcoming performances. Therefore you will be receiving an unedited blog, all errors are mine! Best wishes, Wm
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