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

Category: From Peter

  • low key holiday

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    While others traveled to Norway, the Riviera, and back to the States for ski resort and ocean holidays, we Chordas' stayed put and watched the snow. The sun comes up at 9:00 AM and sets around 4:15 PM. It's minus 12 degrees Centigrade (10 degrees Fahrenheit). So during the daylight hours, we baked, made trips to the grocery store to get provisions (mostly wine and milk) since the commissary was closed, and forced ourselves to the gym to counterattack the overindulgence of hibernation. 

    On New Years Eve, I took my lunch break to run to the grocery store to buy dinner. The lines were extending out into the isles and I stood 45 minutes in line, only to find out their debit card ability was down and I didn't have enough cash on me. There is a smaller store a block closer to home and I'm glad I checked it out. Prices are higher but there were far fewer people. I settled on a pork roast with vegetables and Dina made an apple pie from scratch. Work was busy that week while I was on call, but then it was back to lounging, reading, and daily wine tasting (mostly the same case of wine!) Here is a snap shot from outside our back door, which is about as far as we got.

  • a weekend to remember

    Aside from the already described encounters at the grocery store and mall, Dina and I stayed up super late Friday night looking up guitar music on the internet, playing guitar and drinking wine. We laughed and laughed, and were surprised that when we went to bed it was 2:00 in the morning.

    On Saturday morning, I walked to the farmer's market, a billboard showed the temperature at -3 degrees celcius. We had invited one of my doctors and his wife and kids over for Sunday brunch. Dina made Milla's current scones and pumpkin muffins served with fruit salad and Russian tea.

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    That night, was the Marine Corps ball (233 yrs. old). Dina wore a beautiful strapless dress with high heeled shoes and pearls. So pretty. For a moment, I felt like I was giving her away and then I realized she's mine for keeps. The food was delicious and the alcohol was free! The Ambassador gave a great speech. He compared the navy to an SUV: stylish yet rugged. Well dressed and utilitarian. The air force he compared to a Corvette: sexy and fast. Able to get around quickly. The army is like a 4X4 pick-up truck: can get just about anywhere and drop a load. But the Marines; well, they're of a different caliber all together. They are like a Harley-Davidson. Drop down on you like thunder and gone before you know it. And then we danced.

    Yesterday we recovered from the Ball. In the evening, Dina and I went to the Bolshoi Ballet to see Giselle. Again she looked perfectly styled in her black dress and shawl. We sat on the wing of the orchestra section. The ballet was by far the best of any we had ever seen. Every set was dreamy. The dancing was superb and the unison and choreography was flawless. 

    Today is another work day. But tomorrow is a Russian holiday,woo-hoo.

  • funny things

    Dina and I just spent a few hours at the European mall. An unbelievably enormous shopping mall packed with hundreds of stores and thousands of people. Just one metro stop away! The Russians seemingly have unlimited spending ability. Shoes, lingerie, furs, jewelry; you name it, they are buying it. We went to Zara, a clothing store, to return a vest Dina bought me because it didn't fit and they didn't have my size. An open floor plan displays women's and men's clothing on opposite sides of the store. And you cannot cross over from one to the other if you are holding any merchandise. We stood in line for 30 minutes just to return the vest, which required one sales person plus two other signatures. 

    We exited and came upon a manicure counter, Dina had her nails done. While they filed, soaked, and cleaned her nails, the owner or manager came over to chat while the manicurist continued her work. When she found out we are from America and asked what it is like, she said, "most Russians are afraid to go there as many Americans are afraid to come here. In America bears roam the streets!" and she made a face in horror while shaking her hands and miming a silent scream. Dina was debating what nail color to apply and the manager talked her into "Midnight in Moscow." A deep red, almost black color. Dina was a bit shocked but it looks great! 

    While standing in line at the grocery store, a young girl in a short tennis skirt outfit approached me and asked me if I smoked. She was offering some new brand of cigarettes or something. "No," I replied. "Excellent choice" she answered, and walked away. We laughed. The young couple behind us were being funny too. The girl came to him carrying one small package of crackers. "You were gone 15 minutes and that's all you brought?!" he asked, truly amazed. Then he grabbed a huge softball sized lollipop and told her she had to have it. "Maybe next time," she said.

  • was it a party?

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    Carl Sagan here. Billions and billions of boxes floating in space! Or on the floor, it's really all the same. We definitely have too much (beep)! The universe is constantly expanding. But not our apartment. 

    It reminds me of the time my parents retired, sold their Carmel Valley home, and packed up to move to Idaho (of all places)! My mother offered us some furniture and miscellaneous kitchen items including a Cuisinart, we'd never owned one before. We received it in a box and didn't bother taking it out until a year later when I was about to make the cranberry relish for Thanksgiving. I pulled it down from a dusty top shelf and pulled it out of the box. The interior of the Cuasinart had some kind of black and mildewed concoction. We finally determined that it was guacamole. Dina and I started laughing because we could just imagine my mother about to wash it and my father shouting as he's packing up his bar, "Just put it in the BOX!"

    We still use the same circa 1980 Cuisinart. Or we will when we unpack it.

    Wait! Is that wine in the foreground?! I think it's time for a break. DINA!

  • 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.

  • Tis the season

    I had a visit from my regional medical officer who was here for a whole week. During his stay, we had a candidate for the school director position who was also here. A cold and flu virus swept through and wrecked havoc but that seems to be pretty much over.

    My sister Helen is coming today with my nephew, Elliott and niece, Ana! We are so excited! We hope to provide them with an education as well as memories to last a life time. I even pulled out the Christmas tree. You know, the one we bought last year. I looks okay but for what it makes up in appearance, it lacks in smell. Stefan tried to squirt it with a holiday scent (pepperminty) but that only lasted a few minutes. But Santa will appreciate the African Creche.

    Oh! And speaking of Santa! On his way in to visit kids here, he took a rag doll roll off the camel and hit the ground. I got to treated his injury and no worry kids! He’s alright. Just a sore shoulder. I told him to put ice on it.

  • ouaga people, ouaga food

    I’m at La Palmaraie in Ouaga. This is my fourth time here so it feels familiar. It’s quiet, the rooms are clean, and the food is good at the restaurant. This morning I had what I call a Polish breakfast consisting of a roll, fatty ham, salami, and cheese, followed by a slice of coffee cake. Papaya and mango.

    I got a lot of what I call, “Oh by the way…” kind of patients. They come in for a medication refill, chat for about 20 minutes, and then on the way out, say, “Oh by the way! I started peeing green this morning. I just thought it might be because I drank Creme D’ Menthe last night. Do you think I should worry about it?” Don’t you think you should have mentioned it before you talked about your godchild in Alaska on a sledding scholarship?!

    At a party at the Ambassador’s with Burkinabé food and live music, I was late getting into the food line. They served a moist green and gray something served with oil and salt on the side. I’m told it’s much better with the hot sauce.

    Our nurse here graciously invited me over to her hotel, Richard, for several lovely meals and good company. I’m in love with one of her ten dogs, Michou – a gentle Salouki. There’s also a really cool store called here called Kalala. They sell locally made art, jewelry, furniture, and sculptures. They had a reception with fabulous food and alcohol. It reminded me of Plaza Design in Arcata, California, African style.

  • bits of catch up

    The health unit has had some strange patient complaints beyond the usual, “Can you cure my cold?” There are some challenges. But people are genuinely sincere and respond well to TLC. So I’m winding up some cables and getting ready for another trip to Ouaga this week. There was a problem with my return flight. I was hoping to get back on Friday night which meant booking a flight on Air Burkina, a 20 seater (probably with a lawn mower engine) which was alright by me. The flights were booked a while ago so when I asked for my itinerary, our travel agent told me Air Burkina gave my seat up since we didn’t buy right away. Would have been nice to know. So the soonest I can fly back is Sunday.

    My sister Helen is planning a visit with her son, Elliott and my niece Ana. They will be here for Christmas. We are all so excited. Because of the cost to fly, we really didn’t expect anyone to come.

    It’s been four months now since Pheobe, our cat died. She was hit by a car just before I left for R&R. We’ve been sort of looking for a replacement. She was such a great cat. Her mother and sister had a litter of kittens. Today, Dina took us to visit another young cat who needs a home and hanging around a friend’s house. She’s a bit shy at first but once you hold her for a minute, she calms down. We’ll get a picture of her up shortly (once she comes out of hiding under the bed). Still thinking of a name that suits her.

    Great news from home! Our niece Natalie had a baby boy! We are very happy for them. Bob and Valerie are elated and so are the great grandparents. Watch out! Here comes the next generation!

  • A calm weekend

    After a very busy month of cold and flu in the clinic, I was surprised at how it seemed to just Peter out (I never quite knew why my name got assigned that phrase)! By Thursday, I was looking for things to do. And Friday seemed like it would never end. Dina spent the morning at the orphanage. After work, we had lunch and she relayed the story Sister Brigitte told her about how difficult it is to get a birth certificate in this country. Orphans are shunned. Without a father’s name, a certificate of birth is rarely issued. One of the key reasons are rights which the orphan is denied. A male without his father’s name, cannot become a leader in the mosque. A child born out of wedlock is considered a second class citizen, though no one will admit that.

    Saturday was casual. I started reading a memoir Dina got glued to called, “The Glass House” by Jeannette Walls. It’s about this insane family and how the kids are for the most part, completely ignored while they are growing up and how they manage to survive and turn out to be decent people. Later that evening we all went to the Hash with our friend Fabio. The weather was perfect. The setting was along a creek with lush vegetation. It was my first run since before I left for the States and both Fabio and I noticed how out of shape we had become. Dina and the kids walked.

    Sunday was also calm. I read several NY Times and continued to obsess with that book. At evening time, we went to pick up Bethany, a friend of Camille’s, and went to Cocochou. It’s a closed off playground for kids with white sand and slides, climbing structures, and play houses. The porch has tables where you order food and drinks. There are also board games for older kids and adults. The grilled half chickens were spicy and salty but good. The kids liked the beef brochettes and french fries. I had a ginger juice.

    It was the first weekend in a month that I didn’t get any phone calls. Sometimes no plans for the weekend turn out to be the best plan.

    Now we’re back at it; the kids at school, Dina and I are working, and there are a lot of small things to do that if you don’t will pile up and stress you out in the end. So I’m trying to stay self-motivated. Dina threw in a beef brisket into the crock pot. We had it for dinner with rice and red cabbage salad. Now I need to go read Stefan a bedtime story. Maybe the rest of the week will stay calm too.

  • binoculars for thine eyes

    Opticsplanet_1966_175232953 A certain part of me was jealous when we bought Mike his binoculars for his birthday. I learned so much when I researched them. And it’s not like I can just “borrow” them to look at those birds in that tree at the equestrian center whenever I want to. So I justified buying a less expensive pair. ‘Click’ on “BUY NOW” on the http://www.Opticsplanet.net website. “Your order has shipped” the e-mail said the next day. Ahhhhhh! So satisfying!

    Weeks went by and I kept anticipating it in the mail. When I left for the States, it still hadn’t arrived. The mail here is unpredictable but still, 2 months is a long time, even for Niamey. I expected it to be waiting for me when I returned. I did and it wasn’t.

    So I wrote to the company explaining the matter and politely requested a tracking number. The next day I got an e-mail from QA (Rimma) with huge apologies. Apparently, the order was interrupted just before it was mailed. They never put a shipping label on it yet they had already charged our account. When they checked into it, they discovered that not only did they not ship it, but they somehow charged me twice for Mike’s as well. She promised to reimburse our account immediately and send the binoculars along with a gift as an apology.

    How great is that?! Thank you Rimma (whoever you are). It’s rare to find a company that admits it’s mistakes. Perhaps now I can identify those two different species of cranes, black birds, parrots, and yellow breasted weaverbirds. I can’t wait!