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Published: September 9th 2008
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What Form?!
It may not be pretty, but I scored my record of 161 in that game! I know I said it would probably be a little while before my next entry, but I just have to tell this story...
(and for those friends here in Obninsk that know Inna and Vladimir, please keep this among us. -- thanks)
On Sunday, it was a perfect day here in Obninsk. I think it was lower 80’s and partly overcast so some new friends I have met, Vladimir and his girlfriend Inna invited Leo, Freddie and I on a biking trip. Freddie was out of town and Leo’s computer crashed but it was such a wonderful day, I did not care what I did as long as it was outdoors so after talking to Jetta briefly, I headed to the church, our meeting point. They were there waiting on me and asked me where I wanted to go and I told them I did not care as long as we were out enjoying the day. They asked if this certain town was okay, I said sure, but then asked how far it was and it was only 5-10km.
We took off and I must say Inna and Vladimir are serious bike riders. This was not leisurely journey. They
Obninsk from Afar
Over the fields and through the woods, but we never found grandma...lol That is Obninsk in the distance. made sure the American was keeping up, but let’s just say I had to work at it. We cut through town to the river then across the field. I have no idea exactly we were at, but I was in that area with Freddie the one time we went on a long distance ride. We stopped at an old bridge for a rest and to take some pictures.
Then Vladimir wanted to go find this “dark spot” he saw on Google maps that was not too far from there. Again, I did not care as long as we were outside enjoying the weather. After heading through some woods and more fields, we find it, it was a sand pit. Vladimir was a little disappointed because he thought it would be something more interesting, but it was fun going to look for it. After that we headed backed and like usual, I ended up at the Café.
I wanted something to eat but also thank Tima for his help on Friday evening. I took one of our consultants there so he could experience an outdoor café. Like usual, several people heard us speaking English so decided to join us.
It was a father and his daughter. His daughter was the one that could really speak English but she was shy and embarrassed so she did not say much, but her father sure did try. After about 30 minutes, she left and her father stayed. In trying to make conversation, I asked what he did for a living and he told me he was a little boss in the mafia. That made me a little nervous, but he was still friendly. Then the conversation led into how much money I made, which I was not going to discuss so I played dumb like I did not understand his question, but I knew exactly what he was asking. Lloyd was a little surprised by the question, but I told him it is not uncommon.
When I would not answer his question he decided to take back his number and offer to help, which is what he wrote on the napkin. That was not a big deal but it was getting a little awkward so I asked Tima to call Lloyd a taxi and I would walk home, which is when our new friend decided he was going to walk with
us. Tima knows me well enough and enough English to ask if this guy was a friend and/or a worker with us and I told him “No” so Tima told us to go and he talked with the guy, who did have too much to drink, while we got Lloyd in the taxi. It really did not bother me, but I know Lloyd was very uncomfortable with it. Nothing bad happened, but I did want to thank Tima for his help.
Inna and Vladimir decided to go on home for a rest but invited me over for dinner. I really did not have anything planned so I agreed. They also invited Leo, but Leo was still struggling with his computer and politely declined. I picked up a bottle of wine and had made a desert for our meeting. Everything seemed fine until we sat down for dinner and made sushi. Of all things, even though I like sushi (in the States), I realize the dangers of eating raw fish; but here in Russia - oh, I was not liking this! Several things, I do not eat fish here in Russia even fish that is cooked. Second, I know they
bought this at the open market and it has been warm to even hot the past few days so this is no “sushi grade” fish. My mother always taught me to try everything and if I did not like, not to get more, but I was having a hard time even trying this.
Thank goodness they also had soup and cucumber rolls. Not that the cucumber rolls were kept separate from the salmon rolls, but in my mind it was different so I had my one roll and by accident made a big scene with it because I could not use the chop sticks they gave me and it dropped.
After four weeks of bathroom problems, this was the last thing I wanted to try, but it is Monday evening and so far so good! Vladimir also made a wonderful soap and had some excellent multi-grain bread. I really wanted to dunk my bread in my soup, but I know everyone at works laughs at me for doing so and I decided I would eat it separate like most Russians do.
After we got done, we looked at pictures and then headed to the bowling alley where I bowled my highest score of 161. I know it is not that high, but it is my highest so I was pretty happy. I just wish I could say I bowled consistently in that range but no, I had a low 130 something and then some score we will not discuss but it was very low.
After a few rounds of bowling, Inna and Vladimir played Russian billiards and after a few pictures, I headed home. What a great day and I think I may have met some good new friends.
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