Down To The Bare Essentials

Well the movers came and have gone and we are here in Moscow the way we started in August, a few suitcases, two pans, two glasses, a bit of flatware and still happy as clams.  They arrived exactly on time, walked around the house, were impressed with all the prelim work we did and began to pack.  Just two of them and they were done less than three hours later.  They were very professional, knew what they were doing and we were mightily impressed with their attitude and pace.  A about at the half way point they asked permission to take a cigarette break so I gave them each a box of Marlboro and their eyes twinkled like kids at Christmas.  They were most appreciative and came back with a renew vigor and no smell of alcohol, which impressed us.

When they were done I asked them to leave a box that I could put the TV in since we need to transport it on Sunday to the person who purchased it.  Not only did he leave a box, he prepared the box, left us bubble paper and a whole role of tape.  While Cindy was signing all the paperwork, I went and got a couple of beers and as they left I gave them the beers and six hundred rubles, which they appreciated greatly.  The apartment looks quite bare and very spacious with everything gone.

We celebrated with a late lunch at Ragout and had a delicious and very inexpensive meal, by Moscow standards.  It was fun to have a ‘business lunch’ on a weekday and would be even more fun if Cindy didn’t have to go to work tomorrow.  For some reason, not at all clear to me, they are being made to go to work tomorrow despite the fact that there are no students and nothing to do.  As bad as that is, they also have to go to work for a half day on Monday.  I’ll never understand K-12 schools.

Here is a great headline and a fun story.  Putin loves the young and pretty.

Colin, Meagan, and Hannah head out today for New Zealand.  Everyone is so excited and I know they’ll have a great experience over the next several years.  They stayed last night at the Hyatt Dulles where they were upgraded to the Presidential Suite.  I’ve walked pass it, that’s as close as I’ll get I’m sure.

That’s it, we need to get ready for yet another party, this one starts at five, but it is a half hour walk from here.  Best wishes to all, Cindy and Wm.