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Published: June 24th 2007
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Taller than Freddie
This is me trying to be taller than Freddie. His real name is Feodor, but I can not say it correctly so he told me to call him Freddie. It is his Russian nickname among his friends as well. Initially, I had this posted with the Dinner with the Ambassador, but decided it was way too long for one reading so I cut and pasted into a second posting. I know I have taken enough of your time so you can read this one at a different time, but I had to tell you the story of the birthday party. I hope you enjoy.
Freddie, who I play volleyball with, invited me to his brother's birthday party. I had met his brother, who was playing the gutar at the Mexican Restaurant some time ago. That is when I embarrassed myself and asked Freddie to translate for his brother so he knew what we were talking about. Then Andrey said in plain English, "I understand." Initially I was going to say no since I did not know Andrey well, but then decided I did not have anything else to do and it would be some more people to know here in Obninsk. Then on Thursday, Freddie came to volleyball, but did not get dressed to play. As I was warming up, he called me over to introduce me to his father.
His father wanted to meet me and
Reality
Yes, Freddie is much taller than I am. I did not get a picture of Andrey as I did not have my camera here for his birthday party, but we had a good time. apologize. He could not speak English very well, but tried to tell me his wife did not want an American to see her house looking the way it does right now. I guess they are having some remodeling done. He did not want me to think it was Freddie and that is why he came to meet me and tell me. Which I felt good and bad at the same time. I want to tell people, I am a normal person and I know and understand, but his wife/Freddie's mother insisted that I not come. Freddie hinted around so I finally asked, "If it is not a big party, would you like to have it at my place?" His eye lite up, "Do you mind?" I told him it would not be a problem and invited his family.
It ended up just being Freddie and his brother, but they brought everything and we sat and talked for about four hours. Andrey dominated the conversation, but wanted to practice his English. They also both feel in love with my Jack Daniels and now see why it is so expensive...lol But I think the thing that was the most moving for me. Freddie told me he had a small gift for me back at the first of May. I guess the days he brought the gift to volleyball, I was not there and forgot it on the days our paths did cross. The gift ended up being several bullets from WWII. I know it does not sound like much, but Andrey is a historian by education and he went into great detail to tell me all about the shells and what the war met to him and his family. One shell is from a German rife and the other is from a Russian rife. Someon in Freddie's family found them. They all like to treasure hunt in the woods and fields. But just the details Andrey went into and emotion he felt about the war (he is about my age). He told me Victory Day, May 9, is the most important Holiday to him and his family and they wanted to give the shells to me on Victory Day. So again, it is not an expensive gift, but it was one from their heart which means so much more to me.
I am no Michelle Kwan or Ambassador Burns, but I too am here on "a goodwill and diplomatic mission". Maybe not as formal as those two; but I too have a mission besides just being here to, but to also meet people, get to know them and their culture, while they get to know me and my culture. This has been and continues to be a great experience and adventure! I am not sure I will be posting anything until my trip home so do not get worried about me if you do not see anything new for a little bit.
Just another tid bit of information, the 20-22 is "White Nights" in Saint Petersburg where the sun really never sets and/or rises. Just about the time it goes below the horizon, it comes back up and is called the "White Nights." I thought about going, but it is too late and I have too much to do before I head back to the States. I am also planning on going to Ghzel, which was suppose to be last weekend, but they were "closed for the manager's birthday." It still amazes me the mentality here to shut down for a weekend for "a manager's birthday party." I am just glad that Denis got ahold of them trying to set up a tour to find out they would be closed before driving 3 hours there and then turning around and driving three hours back! Thank you Denis!
Also, for those interested to know, the first package that I sent in a white box that the postal system did not want to take, did make it to my Mom and Dad's house okay. It is actually there faster than the DHL package that I sent in the brown boxes that the Russian Postal system wanted me to wrap in a white sheet.
I have been busy getting ready for my sister's visit. Jetta and her kids are coming to visit and I am all excited. We are working on the visa and everything now, what a pain this is, but it will be well worth it. I bought an air mattress for the kids and some sheets and faded and shrunk. They no longer fit the bed, but since it is just an extra set, they will work fine. Michael offered some of his sheets, blankets and towels. I told him I would be fine, but would like to borrow a few blankets since it is getting cold her at night.
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