We started our clean-out-the-booze campaign last night by inviting the friends taking us to dinner to stop here first for a drink. I introduced them to wonderful amber rum from Barbados called Mount Gay. I served it on the rocks with a bit of tonic and lots of fresh lime and it was a big hit. We then headed to a restaurant I’ve not been to called Torro Grill, which is a small chain here in Moscow. It is a Spanish steak house and there is plenty of charm in the place. Lots of Serrano hams hanging over the bar, a great wine list and what looked like wonderful steaks. I wanted a hamburger and that is what I got, a great big juicy Kobe beef hamburger with bacon, cheddar cheese and a bun that I’m sure was grilled in butter! This was a huge monster of a burger and on the menu they tell you that the chef will go crazy if he sees anyone eating it with a knife and fork. I must admit I had a grand time eating that thing. Cindy had a bird burger, ostrich I think, and it was very tasty as well but there wasn’t enough bad stuff in it to make it really special.
This morning I walked for about an hour before coffee just to work off some of that burger, but I had no regrets. The day was beautiful and any thoughts that I had about all that rain getting rid of ‘Stalin’s Snow’ were dashed as the wind picked up and the ‘snow’ started falling heavily. Being out during rush hour gave me a chance to once again marvel at the traffic in Moscow. On one of the long streets where I walk the traffic was backed up six blocks. In fact, I got to the end of the street walking, before one of the cars I saw at block four got there. Here is an interesting article on gridlock and fancy cars.
I spent much of the day just getting organized for the move. I’ve been doing laundry so that we don’t send home dirty clothes and I’ve washed the sheets that we’ll use for the last week we are here. I think I’ve just enough detergent, bleach and softener to last until we depart. What an exciting life I have being able to plan my use of detergent down to the wire!
I purchased five new shirts before we departed Charles Town for Moscow. I had been told that there would be lots of work for me in Professional Development and Leadership workshops at the school so I wanted to make sure I dressed for success. Here, as in Bahrain, none of the promises were honored and I still have five nice new shirts in their original packaging, which will make them much easier to send home.
As I’ve been sorting and organizing, I’ve found a few more items for sale that we really don’t need to take home. I just sold a speaker system as well as our 220v clock radio. I fear there will be very little for the movers to move and certainly nothing heavy, which I’m sure will please them. I’ve saved a few packs of Marlboros to give as tips to the movers if they do a good job. I’m planning on having a ‘safe room’, most likely our laundry room, where we can place all of the things we don’t want packed, as well as our personal valuables, and close the door. It is always a good idea to remove temptation whenever possible.
I just realized that I’m missing the Paris Air Show yet again. It has been going, on and off, since 1909 so I’ve had plenty of time to get there. Oh well, perhaps in two years.
Best wishes, Cindy and Wm.
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