Finally to a Computer

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I have not forgotten any of you; I just have not been able to access a computer. Computers and internet are not like they are in the US so it may be a little between postings, but I am keeping up with my journal offline and will post as I get access. I am suppose to get my high speed, which is more like dialup early next week, but attached are my notes and a few pictures. Also, I will post one entry with all of my contact addresses and number as soon as everything is in place, but if you have an emergency, you may contact me at work until I get my home one up and running. My work address is [e-mail] and for all of my Wayne Farms, the WF server is blocking my work emails from coming to you. I am not sure if it is because of the .ru but they all bounced back and they are the only ones so far.

Vince



I can not access the internet so I thought I would type out my day’s journal in Word then cut and paste later on. It is Monday, July 31, 2006 and I made it to Russia. So many things running through my mind that it is hard to capture all of my thoughts. It was raining and cold here, yes, cold! I did not see a thermometer, but I am guessing in the 40’s. It was cold enough to “see” your breath and just think, it is still the middle of summer. My skinny little butt is going to get cold!

Yesterday at the airport went fine. I felt funny with all of those bags, but because of my status with Delta, they did not charge me for the extra bag and after all of that work to move things around so that none of the suitcases weighed more than 50#, they did not even check; however, I looked and I had a 4-8 pounds per bag to spare…lol. I was also fortunate to have a window seat with no one next to me so I was able to spread out a little and get some sleep. I think I slept as well as one can sleep on a plane for about 5 hours then I was awake and ready to go. I am feeling it now and will crash as soon as I finish this entry.

Alan, my new boss, was there to pick me up. The military called up a bunch of soldiers so we are short drivers and I will have to share one until we can get them replaced. Traffic was typical so it took us over 2 hours to get from the airport to the plant. Our driver took us on some back roads and there is no way in this world I could find my way back. And as I shared with some of you after my first trip, we did use the oncoming traffic’s lane a few times because our side was “busier” than the oncoming traffic…lol

Once I arrived at the plant, I got set up with my work email and order my cell phone. Neither are working yet, but I should be online tomorrow from at least work. That email address is [e-mail]. You are welcome to use it until I get access to my other accounts. I should have my cell phone number by the end of the week. I did not have anything in my office, so I started putting a list together of things I will need as well as meeting people. Most I had met once before, but could not remember their names.

After we got all of that finished up, one of the driver’s took me back to the hotel, which is my new home for a week. I did go over and see the apartment after dinner and I think it is very nice. I do not care of the rose wallpaper in the “master bedroom” but overall, it is very nice. Signing a lease was nothing more than saying, “Okay, I will take it.” They handed me the keys and said they would be by on the 20th of each month to collect the rent (in cash). I do have a phone included with the rent and that number is [phone]. I am not living there yet, but you can try me in the evenings while I make my list of things I will need. Again, for what I expected, I really like it. I have a small glassed in porch and open kitchen facing the living room area and all of that looks out to a wooded park area. There is an apartment building on the other side of the park, but it is fairly covered with the trees. Then on the bedroom side, it looks down to the parking lot and some more trees. Someone has done the outside area by the entrance way nicely with flowers.

There is a bad smell in the stairwell and I am several flights up, but overall, it was very nice. I made the mistake of walking in to the apartment with my shoes (and I knew better) so as a remember, if you come to visit, wear decent looking socks and always remember to take your shoes off as soon as you enter.

Now if I want to get to my electrical box, I have to knock on the neighbor’s door that has the key to the box. I have no idea what I am suppose to do in the event of an emergency and no one is home…lol Some of you will get a kick out of this, it does not come with a washer, but where it goes when I get one is in the bathroom, but I have to disconnect my bathtub water to connect to washer and the washer discharge drains back into the tub. Interesting! I will get pictures as soon as I get the washer and have it all set up.

I am not sure what else to tell you at this point so I think I will close and head to bed. Again, thank you to all of you who are supporting me in this adventure. Take care and I love you!

It is now Tuesday, August 01, 2006, and to no surprise I woke up early and can not get back to bed. Once I hit the bed last night, was out FAST. I woke up around 2 AM, but fell back to sleep pretty easily until around 4 AM when the next door neighbors were having loud sex. They have taken breaks, but they have been going at it all morning; I guess they could not sleep as well….lol So since I am awake, I decided to add some notes to my journal.

I feel so lost right now. I ran to the little market last night before heading to bed and could not even find Diet Coke (or Coke Light as they call it in Europe). I am sure they will have it at the larger grocery store, but it is just the feeling of not being able to communicate. It bothers me that I am so intimidated by the whole thing. Everything from the language (speaking, understanding, and reading) to the currency, which I am sure, is not hard, but trying to convert to dollars to know what I am paying. For example, the rent last night, it is 12,000 rubles. Is that a lot? It sounds a lot to me, but then I was trying to convert that to dollars (so divide by 25 for ease, it is actually 26 point something) and then it does not seem so bad especially all of the utilities included. Thank goodness their numbers are the same as our numbers so I can at least look at a cash register to know how much I owe even though I am still not sure what coins and bills are what yet. Along the same lines, how much cash do should I carry with me. In the States, I would never carry $1000, but here, that is only equal to $40 US dollars, which is not going to get you far in ‘cash only’ society. One good thing, I am starting to get my feel for the town. Not that I can get around in it, but I am starting to know my directions.

I made it through my first official work day. It was weird not being able to talk to many people. Yes, you know me, I like to talk so when no one understands me, it is hard to find someone to talk to, but I did keep my busy getting my office situated and starting my list of projects I want to do. After lunch, I went to the store with one of the translators and spent a lot of money, but got the linens and kitchenware needed. I am still missing some of the appliances, but getting closer to moving in. I think I am going to find an internet connection today so I can check my emails and let you know I am alive. I also must find some diet Coke or Pepsi. I have some pictures of the apartment that I will also post as soon as I can do it where I am not paying by the minute. Oh, I forget to mentioned, I do have the laptop for work now, but had to leave before they were able to get it connected, but hopefully tomorrow, I will have my work email and internet access.

Some interesting facts today, no one takes credit card and ATM’s are not everywhere so we went to three banks before we finally found one that would take my bank card. I did take some money out with my credit card, which I hate to think what that is costing me as a cash advance in a foreign country. I will have to get with Michael, the other American to see where he goes and how he does it because the one bank that we found where my ATM worked, would only let me take out 4,000 rubles at a time which means I got hit twice for transactions because I needed 8,000 rubles today for some things. Yes, this is truly a cash society, which is going to be hard for me to get use to because I normally carry very little cash with me. I guess this is all part of the learning and experience of living in a foreign country.

Also interesting, today, shopping, there is no one stop shopping (like a Walmart) here. You must go to this store for your dishes and that store for your bedding and another for small appliances and yet another one for larger ones. Oh, hopefully you like what you see because there are not a lot of choices in the matter and if there is, you will have to go to the side of town, which is not that big, but with all of the people and traffic, that can take you 15-30 minutes for a town much smaller than Gainesville, GA. So plan to go shopping all day, but do not worry, you will spend little of your time in the stores and more of it moving between the stores.

After reading the Moscow Times (a small English paper), I decided to walk around. I know it is no big deal, but I made my first purchase by myself with no help. I even had to use ‘yes’ and ‘no’ in Russian, but I could not remember ‘right’ and ‘left.’ I am sure she would have understood ‘yes’ and ‘no’ in English, but I was proud to use them. Who knows, I may not have pronounced them correctly, but I did use them to get my Pepsi Lite from behind the counter. I then wonder a many more blocks and walked in most of the little shops along the way. They were mainly small markets, but it was interesting and if you are a diet drinker and come to visit, make sure to let me know ahead of time because it is not easy to find. Also, I think Alan and Mike lied to me about finding Jack Daniels. The hotel no longer offers it and I never found it in any of the stores I shopped in today. The other thing that changed, the hotel went to the “normal” toilet paper and yes, it is rough! One side is “ridged” while the other side is smooth, but NOT soft so please send my extra cushiony soft toilet paper. I think they were just trying to get me here under false pretenses. It is a good thing I bought a bottle at the duty free shop on the way here…lol

Thank you to whoever bought me the small pocket dictionary. I have been looking at it, but never really put it to use until today. Someone told me I could find a map of Obninsk at some of the local bookstores. Well, I found a bookstore, but did not know what the word was for ‘map’ or how to say it so I looked it up in the pocket dictionary and pointed to it. They had maps, but not of Obninsk so it worked. As I walked back to the hotel, I kept asking myself what makes Russia so different than some of the other countries I have traveled to? I honestly do not know. The only thing I can think of is there is no English anywhere. People do not speak it nor are any of the signs, menus, etc. subtitled in English and I also think it is that I am not visiting, but making this home. People have been very nice and tried to assist, but they just do not know English like I do not know Russia, which is all the more reason for me to start studying it.

I also need to put a thank you out to my mom and dad if they are reading this. Being in a foreign country is not the place for picky eaters. I can not even order a salad that looks and tastes like a salad you would have in the US. Growing up, my parents always made us try everything even if we did not like it. I hated it at the time, but you know, I am thankful for it now. I can eat just about anything. I may not like it and so far I have not hated anything. I am sure my time is coming, but for now, I simply try it and finish it with a smile. I had black spaghetti with seafood and vegetables tonight for dinner. It was quite different. They love their green peppers and you can find seafood on every menu, but I have not been real impressed with the quality of it.

Lastly for the night, the hotels are different than any of the other hotels I have stayed out through my travels. I could not figure out why they gave me this huge key ring; it must be at least 3” diameter for the key. I am thinking to myself, no one is every going to put this comfortably in their pocket. I later find out, you are supposed to turn your key in to the front desk every time you leave and get it back when you return. I do not understand this, but that is what I was told. I do not know if it is the same way in Moscow, but at the two or three hotels here in Obninsk that is the protocol. No one yelled at me, just laughed when I told them I just carried the key in my pocket after taking it off the key ring.

I also forgot to mentioned, I saw my next door apartment neighbor. I did not get to meet him so I really do not know much about him, but he was entering his apartment just as we were leaving. I am not sure how well we will communicate, but once I get moved in, I will go over and meet my two floormate neighbors. There are three apartments on each floor per staircase. After seeing some of the pictures, you will better understand and please do not get alarmed about the entrance. They all look about this way, but I have to admit, ours is the only one with graffiti.

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Photos

Suitcases
I was the only one with this many suitcases standing in line at the airport.

Airport
I got the two captions mixed up, I did get everything in the four suitcases.

My Apartment Bld
It is not as bad as it might look.

Apt Entrance
I know, a little scary, but nice inside.

Kitchen Area
Kitchen Area

Living Room
Living Room

Bathroom
Not much room, but it works (running water and not just a hole in the ground).

Comments

[SHER]

happy to hear from you
HI THERE: WAS VERY HAPPY TO HEAR YOU ARRIVED OK. LOVED READING YOUR ADVENTURES SO FAR. JUST KEEP US POSTED. YOU MAY BE FREEZING, BUT HERE IN GAINESVILLE WE ARE HOT, AND I DO MEAN HOT. TEMP TODAY 98 YESTERDAY IT WAS 102 NOW THAT IS NOT COUNTING THE HUMIDY!!! JACSON ELECTRIC WILL LOVE US THIS MONTH!!! TAKE DEAR FRIEND AND PLEASE KEEP US POSTED. SAY ARE YOU COMING BACK IN OCT?? IF SO WHY DON'T YOU, TONY AND I GO OUT FOR A BITE TO EAT?? LOTS OF HUGS TO YOU AND BE CAREFUL SHERRIE

[Margaret]

So glad to hear from you
I was getting concerned. Now I understand how the people worried with our travel blog. I just returned from Europe and all the things you say are the same in Europe. The key stays, diet is hard to find, there are few big stores, nothing is the same as America (try taco salad with endive and no cheese!), small rooms, little hot water, staying lost most of the time. You'll get used to it and have a grand adventure! Enjoy!

[Lorraine]

That was a great posting! I felt there with you...mark of a budding writer! What brand of tp is your favorite? I'll send you a pack. And supposedly I can mail you alcohol. Whether it will remain in it's packaging and make it to you is another matter. Can we send you a taped course on learning Russian? I'm glad you made it safe and sound and are already exploring. Have fun!

[Melissa]

YEA!
Glad you are on your way to a computer! Hopefully, it will help with the communication issues and make you feel a little warmer. Are we sure the computers come in English over there? lol. I miss you very much, Melissa

[Mark]

Alls well here in Gainesville
Hey Vince the pic of the apartment looks nice. everything is going good here the weather has been hottttt, heck I am staying home this weekend and going camping so you know it must be hot. LOL I tryed to call your apartment but it just rang. it is 12 noon here but is should know you wouldnt be home from work yet. heck it is only 8pm their (right?) and you were never home from work here by that time. take care and I will be talking with you soon. Mark

[Ricky]

great looking place
hey great looking apartment. Do they charge extra for the art work out front. :-) I have tried to send a couple of comments but they do not seem to be going through. You know how computer challenged I am. Any way we finally got some rain yesterday. of course it hit when me and two friends where half way to Dockside for dinner. Got just under 1 inch of rain and it has made a difference in the lake.Had to turn back and just hang around on the Rio Siesta deck. Overcast and very humid here today..only 80 degrees. Hang in there and just keep smiling and nodding at the people there... some one will understand you one day. :-) Miss you bunches

[Jetta]

Will have to visit
Sounds like you are settling! Paige and Liam talk about you often and your new adventure in Russia. They are anxious to visit, but you wonder why we will wait until spring? Though I have the PX to shop at and find comfort in going to English post, went through much of what you are experiencing. I carry 200-300 euro in my purse almost always, plus my us dollars. It is different that the plastic. Have you considered opening an account at a local bank and having x amount from your bank transferred monthly, may be fewer fees involved than finding an ATM all the time to take out cash and then no cash advances needed. That is what I have done to pay for Liam's school, phone and internet. And yup...we have the same deal with many hotels here, they keep the key. They have the tp they have due to the poor sewage systems, something with the makeup I understand (I am sure some of it is due to cost). Keep your head up and know that you are in our prayers!

[Gale]

how scary but exciting
I can't even imagine what it would be like not being able to talk to people - especially you! lol It looks like you have a nice place there and I'm sure it will be much nicer once you can add all your things and make it like home. I just got home from my yearly trip to Illinois for our family reunion and am now trying to catch up on your travels. It's so good to hear what is happening and that you are doing alright despite the shopping and diet problems. Pretty soon they'll become second nature though and you won't even notice it was ever a problem. Keep posting and know that you are missed.