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Published: February 3rd 2008
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Vladimir and his Family
Thank you for a wonderful Thursday evening! One thing my experience living and working here in Russia has taught me, in many ways, we are very similar yet in just as many ways we are and that is what makes it exciting! Let me tell you the story and you will see why I started the blog with that sentence. Last week, Vladimir, my Deputy, asked me to his flat for dinner and to meet his family. He told me after dinner, we would go to the sauna with some of his old plant workers and then I could stay the night at his place. I knew this meant a lot to him so I agreed in part. I just did not feel comfortable accepting his offer to stay the night, which I knew disappointed him. I also did not feel real comfortable going to the sauna with co-workers and their sons because my view is that we are going to get naked and run around with coworkers and children; but from the Russian point of view, it has nothing to do with getting naked but a time of fellowship with good friends and family. So to me, this is one of the things that makes us different
Andrey and Egor
Egor, it was great meeting you and thank you Andrey for introducing us. but a great new experience to be a part of a different culture.
So after work, we rode together to his house. It was a lot of fun because Vladimir does not know English well, but it has drastically improved over the few months we have worked together and he loves practicing it with me. (I wish I could say my Russian was improving, but it has not gone anywhere since last winter when I took a few Russian lessons.) When we arrive, his son is waiting at the door to shake my hand and introduce himself while is wife comes from the kitchen to say hello. After introductions, we take off our shoes (custom in Russia) and coats. We take a tour of his flat and then look at some pictures of his datcha he is building.
He wanted me to sit in their living room while his wife finished preparing supper, but I tried to explain my mom's point of view that the kitchen is the heart of a home so we sat in the kitchen talking. Our running joke was Vladimir would be my new translator...lol We had a light dinner so we would not
Obninsk Street Guard
Keep up the good work of protecting "the American" from harm. be too full for sauna. After dinner we took a few pictures and then headed to sauna, which was actually located in Kievskaya. We were running a little late and poor Vladimir received several phone calls wanted to know where he was at. I guess he is normally the first one there and that day, we were the last. The sauna was private and very nice. Having "done sauna" at volleyball, I sort of knew the process, which was helpful because there are only certain places you are to wear your outside shoes as well as your saddles once in the private room and you always hang your coat at the coat room and do not bring it with you to the changing area. One thing surprised me is they did not do the "beating of the bush" like they do at volleyball sauna; however, they did make many more rounds in and out of the sauna, where as at volleyball, it is usually just two or three.
It was a great time!
I am also posting a few other pictures from this weekend. On Friday, I went to Moscow and visited with Andrey who introduced me to
one of his friends (Egor) from Obninsk, who has visited the US several times and was actually stuck in New Orleans with the hurricane hit so it was fun hearing him tell stories about his experience as well as his view on Americans.
Finally, the Obninsk Street Gaurd (Alexey, Leo, Egor (and I)) went to watch the last member (Freddie) play volleyball. They ended up placing second in their pool and then played the finals today (Sunday). I think the best part was when Leo pulled out his banners he made. One was in Russian and the other said, "Go Go Go Freddie" (in English). I think Freddie has the biggest fan club there and I would bet was the only one with an international fan there...lol Afterwards Alexey, who now has his driver's licence back, drove us all back to my place where we ordered pizza and had some drinks.
It was a great weekend - thanks to all of you!
P.S. I know many of you have already read this and you may miss it, but I have to post this and since it also happened last week and with my mom's comment to me, it reminded me. My mom sent me a note today and said something about everyone wants the American which reminded me about Monday. After volleyball, I was talking to Michael on the cell phone as I get on the bus. I finished my converstation and hang up. No big deal. After I get off the bus, I am headed to my favorite dessert cafe because I am suppose to meet Leo for coffee/tea and I told him I would bring the dessert. As I am walking from the bus stop, I have this strange feeling someone is following me. I was not scared because this area is well traveled with a lot of people and lots of lighting, but it was just this uneasy feeling so I deciced to stop and look. As I did so, this lady runs into me (who YES, was following me!) I could see by the look on her face she wanted to say something, but nothing was coming out so I finally asked, "Can I help you?" Her reply, "Do you speak English?" I felt like saying "Dah", as in America English translated to, 'yes you dumby!' but I answered with a nice yes. She asked several more what I felt were silly questions like how often do you get to Obninsk and what do you do in you free time so I figured she wanted to practice her English. I soon learn she is an English teacher and wants me to come to her class, but this is not just for an hour, we are talking for 6 hours! I was not rude enough to say no initially, but after thinking about it and giving up my Saturday, which is when she wanted me to come, I finally call her back as we exchanged phone numbers to tell her I could not make it. So yes, the American is popular here in Obninsk...lol!
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Leo
non-member comment
He-he-he
Vince, be careful, every Obninsk English language teacher may target u to train her English ;) Speak Russian only ! (except when u r with friends) =) Freddie team's place is 4 (of 8). =)