twenty-something years of "what have you been up to?"

mmmm…let’s see….

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Here are a few observations and occurrences worth remembering in 20 years when I retire from the FS:

a) Russian women go all out and dress to kill and Russian men do nothing and let themselves go and look like thugs.

b) The health clinic is far busier than Niamey and I miss Amina terribly but I'm enjoying the newness of overwhelming patient care.

c) The milk products in this country are to die for (and many people do die from the coronary artery disease they produce) and so worth it!

d) Dina brought home beautiful salmon and trout last saturday which we broiled with teriyaki sauce and served with noodles and cabbage salad. It turned out to be smoked & salted fish and was so salty that it was in a hyper-osmotic state and the teriyaki sauce repelled off it and rolled off into a corner of the baking sheet as far as possible and refused to add any flavor. It was so salty, we couldn't eat it.

e) I had 2 people resign (unrelated to me or my arrival) and suddenly I'm an administrator.

f) Moscow is an expensive city to live in, especially if you haven't received your hardship differential, language, or cost of living adjustment.

g) My Russian language instructors find me funny and I think they are all rotating me so that they can all have a chance to get a good laugh and look up some Russian words they haven't heard in years (A Gene-ism).

h) Autumn lasts only 3 weeks in Moscow.

i) I had my first medevac this week.

j) Dina says it's more like Europe than Africa and our friend Alison says it's more like Europe than China and I agree.

Comments

5 responses to “mmmm…let’s see….”

October 9, 2008

Tina

Loved your comment about women and men’s attire.
When my daughter and Dina go out tomorrow, she’ll show her some of her haunts.
Sounds like you are quite busy at the new job.
So true also about fall. About the 3rd week of August, it seemed that my daughter stopped complaining about the 90+ degree temp in the apt. and a week or so later, the girls are wearing jackets to school with hats. Very different from our fall here in New England. Here the leaves are turning in southern NE and some areas had a slight frost the past two nights but tomorrow it will be in the mid 70’s. Indian Summer in its best.
Enjoy exploring the city.

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October 9, 2008

MamaLana

Why on Earth are they teaching you Russian?????? Most assuredly, you have more to teach them (so true about Gene-isms . . . LOL). I’m wondering how long it will take you to pick up a Moscow accent. Have you noticed how fast and sing-song they speak? Have fun! Tseluyu.

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October 9, 2008

MoscowMom

So glad you’re now connected!!! Yes, the leaves are so pretty… I need to get out and get some pictures, too! The lanes of birch trees near Moscow State University are particularly spectacular right now.
See you in a few hours!

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October 9, 2008

mc

Don’t loose that old Russia!
Beautiful pictures, there’s mushrooms out there. Here in Davis we hardly have a fall at all, but in the eastern Sierra the Aspen trees glowing gold right now.

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October 10, 2008

Jim Madril

Very true on the women; once the ratio changes, then you’ll see guys taking care of themselves! Fall is starting here though we have pines so we aren’t raking much yet. Sounds like you guys are doing great there though you sound a bit busy Peter!

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