Us on the road; Jill, Tama, Harriet, Ilsa; Coffee and donuts; The Latvian Stork
Well folks, this is the last Blog for awhile. This computer will go in the work in Belarus. We had an outstanding time in Belarus. The friends their were a real encouragement to us. Anna 93, Rigina, Maria (worker), Vlada, Tanya, Nadeyshda, Slava (who now works in Moscow but came home for the weekend). Meetings on Sunday were special. We also got a tour from a man that is coming to meetings regularly. Into the cellars we went and learned a lot about the German occupation and how locals were held in this cellar before being hanged just outside where the museum is. The people of all these Baltic states suffered horrendously at the hands of the Germans. Then of course their life was no piece of cake with Stalin and the Russian control. Hitler or Stalin-What a choice. Our time was short, like in all of our other stops but every moment is precious to us. We are now back in Latvia and busing to Estonia this afternoon. We will see Dale and Martin there then go by ferry to Finland for a Wed. night bible study with Todd, Vicki and family. Thurs. Morning we catch a plane from Helsinki to Germany and home the same night. We are looking forward to being with our family before we head for CA. for convention next Monday. Whew!!!
Love in Him, Morrie and Jan

Top left: Sergei, Joyce and Alia; top right: Morrie, Jan, Alia and Sergei; Bottom left: Almaty mtg.; Bottom right: Sasha, Luba, Jan and Morrie

Almaty

Good morning all,
Actually here we are in Kegums, Latvia. Our trip down to Almaty was a good one. Joyce put us on the express train. It only takes half the time to get to Almaty, 12 hours. We were a bit crowded with our luggage. I think the train is designed more for businessmen and a computer bag. Nice to have the extra time in Almaty tho.
Our time with Ian and Chansun was special. We got to be in their class also. Two of the friends are in it, Natasha and Galina. Sunday morning was special, everyone was in town and their. Often Volodya and Sasha are out of town working. Julia, who recently professed had such a good part also. After meeting we went out to Tobak Suphos to tour the new and improved convention grounds. Wow, What nice changes. Very different from when we first started digging out the basement etc. Sasha and Luba, the owners, seem very pleased also. Chansun and others have put in alot grass, flowers, vegetables and many fruit trees.
Sadly again we had to leave dear folks behind. I can't begin to tell you how much this little added detour around this part of the world has meant to us. God's Kingdom and family truly are united in Him.
We stopped for a few hours in Istanbul, Turkey. That looks like a country that would be fun to visit. I don't think there are any workers or friends there.
Well I well try to add a few more pics to this. Keep your fingers crossed.

Erken's law of travel "just do it"

Drasvootiya Comrades,
We are happy in Karaganda. Last Friday I may not have used the word happy but today it is accurate. You remember the smooth crossing at the border on the train? Well it may have been too smooth. On the back of the migration paper it says to register within 5 days. The law appears to say if you are on a 30 tourist visa ( which we are) you don't have to register. There is also an unwritten law that seems to say " just do it". Even if the law says you don't need to do something go ahead. The next city or region or policeman or...may require it.
I spent last Friday at the migration police dept. with the head of the Kabup Eng. dept. interpreting for me. The crime - failure to register within 5 days. After almost two hours they said to bring Jan back Sat. morning to go through the same thing. Oh, they took me upstairs to the big guy that pronounces the fines. He asked how old I was and said because you are advanced in age there will be no fine ( $80 to $800 per person) this time. I lined up Sergei to interpret for Jan on Sat.
Well, after talking to Ian and going on line reading the law we decided to cancel Sergei and just move on. At lunch on Sat. we had Akmaral (teacher) and her future husband. Dumon is a customs officer at the airport. What could be better. He made a few calls and then said, "they should have stamped your card twice at the border- don't worry about it. Then during dessert his phone kept ringing. You have to register today! More calls and then he puts us in the taxi. We got to the main migration office and it is only open on Tue. and Thur. Oh, my. We went back home.
On Sunday after meeting ( which was another really nice meeting with Sergei) we told Sergei our problem. He agreed to take us on Monday to the little station I had started at (it is open all week). We arrived at 9. The officer arrived at 10:30. Lots of people waiting now. We worked our way through an interesting system including running next door for photocopies (the police don't have a copier). Jan and Sergei went with the officer, got the ok - no fine, speech and after a few more papers we were out of there. I must say that the officer had a good sense of humor and a nice smile. That is pretty typical with the Kaz. people.
I helped Sergei move some furniture from their pharmacy to their home. They are soon expanding to a second pharmacy. They work hard and Aleya seems to be a terrific business woman. They are a real help to us in many ways.
The weather is cloudy, rainy, windy cold and sunny and warm. It is Spring.
We hope all is well with you also.
Love in Him, Morrie

Tl. Aleya, Sergei, M, J TR. Vika, Aleya, Roma, Sergei BL. M, J, Vika Sergei, Aleya (Roma is the photographer BR> Lamb and Terimisu

Celebrations with Erken and Sergei

Salim comrades,
Well as you know Sunday morning meeting was great. Sergei has such a nice part and his family is so attentive. I am sending pictures of their family and the restaurant we ate at. What a feast we had. I would put this restaurant up against any we have at home. We are really enjoying our time now with Joyce.
As usual the workers bail us out when we run into simple little problems. Yesterday we went to buy train tickets for Almaty. At the window the lady said, Oh, i must have your passport, not copies. (remember we we now carrying copies after being warned that the police at the moment like to take passports and hold them for a ransom) Well Jan and I made a quick trip back to the apt. and got them. Then the lady said, Oh, you need this immigration paper stamped twice or it is no good. Go to the police office and they will take care of it. So because we had Joyce along we did. They fiddled and called someone who said to go to the police chief or someone downtown. ( I'm sure that would not be free). So Joyce smiled and told them spaceba, thanks. She then just directed us to a different window, different clerk, and the new lady just sold us tickets with no questions asked. Such is life in this part of the world. Never give up.
Well I will see if I can attach a picture to this.
Dos ve danya. Comrade Morrie

Erken says Salim (hello)

Well, Salim to you all,
I suppose that I can no longer be Ivan. How does Nursultan sound. Ray of light King. This is the President's name. He is one of the richest men on the planet. His daughter happens to own Nurbank, as in Bank. Sounds too rich for me. How about Erken. He is Kaz. and one of the students we had the other night. Today Jan and I visited her old school. Her teacher warned us to be careful of the police at the bus stop near us. Sounds like they like to do the extended passport check-as in until they get some tenge $. She said to just quickly call someone that speaks Russian, someone from her school or wherever can come and clear it up. Here I thought all that was a thing of the past. The Crisis raises its ugly head again.
We had a wonderful time up in P.F. It is always special to be with all of them. I still don't seem to have the hang of pictures, labels etc. I have been trying to send pictures of Jahyun, Anipa and Ginny. Plus our meeting of Luda, Ludmilla, Zhenya, Rema, Vova, Maxim, Oksana, missing were Marina, Paulina and Antonina. Later Bible study and tea with Antonina.
Anyway don't give up on me. We hired a car and brought Jahyun to Astana then hired another car to Karaganda. It is as cheap as the train it seems, and quicker.
We had a nice Bible study at Sergei's home. His wife Aleya and children, Vika and Roma were there. It is so nice, Even Roma can interpret for us. Of course Sergei does very well. He is the only professing person here. Sunday was another good meeting with S. and family. We had lunch here and Monday night we are going to dinner to celebrate their 15th anniversary and my b'day.
We are really enjoying our old stomping grounds. I will try for a picture with this.
Rok med (thank you ) for all your thoughts etc.
Your brother in Him, Erken, Morrie

Petitsi Fabrica folks

Leaving Russia and into Kaz

Ivan starts transformation from Russian to Kaz

Dear All,
Just a brief update on our Southern Russia experiences.
But first the labels for the pictures.
1. Jan, Kezenia, Asia, BR Elena, Maria, Natasha
2. Where will He send us next?
3. Elena, Sergei, Jan BR Maria, Olga, Natasha, Tamara, Nadiezhda
4. Coffee break, Koneshna, of course.
We left St. P with no problem with our carry-ons. Of course once we boarded we realized why the last flight wouldn't let our bags in the cabin. The over head storage was extremely small. So we had our own personal foot rests, with knees above our heads. There is always a good reason for all rules. Well, no one that has visited Russia would agree with that.
Maria and Elena met us at the airport in Ekaterinburg. We had a few really good days with them, including a train ride to Omsk. Kezenia professed several years ago and is very faithful. Natasha is her neighbor and is very interested in Truth. Sergei is Olga's son. Olga professed years ago in Petitsi Fabrica with several others. When the workers get to her village above Omsk once a month they have meeting and her daughter Anya has started to take part. Nice!
There is good interest in both cities including Boris who professed years ago in Latvia. While in Omsk we also visited Lydia. We stayed with her in her apartment several years ago in Petitsi F.
Well, as usual our good times there with the girls had to come to an end so they loaded us another train.
Our border crossing went extremely well. While the border guards check everyone out of Russia the trainmen are busy adjusting the width of the wheels so the train can continue. Russia, years ago built wider tracks so the enemy couldn't come rolling in. The Russian guards were quite modern. They had a laptop computer to enter our data, names migration paperwork etc. The one carrying the laptop didn't know how to open it so I showed him the button. Later they came back and checked my passport again-just for practice for one of them. The Kazakhstan guards weren't as modern. They borrowed paper and a pen from Jan and dutifully recorded all.
Well this is it for today. Our days continue to be more than we deserve. Jan just reminded me that last year on my Birthday Jana P. made me a lemon pie-ummm. I think it will be carrot cake with Sergei, Aleya, Vika and Roma after meeting tomorrow.
Dos Vedanya Morrie

J

Ivan crosses part of Russia

Good morning y'all,
Well, as the pictures may or may not have indicated, we have visited several fields in the last week. Our days continue to be wonderful. It was hard to leave Annette and Karyn but our visa said get going. In Moscow we had a brief but great time. The pictures show Wayne the chef. His curry is worth traveling around the world to eat. Also saw Martin and Alla. We didn't get to see the friends that day but it sounds like all is well. Our short flight to St. Petersburg was good although they wouldn't allow our carry-on ($ 30) to check the extra bag.
Shelley met us in St. P. and we headed to a hotel for the night. We had been told it was a room for two. The clerk said, no, there would be two men in the room with us; made sense as it is a hostel with the bathroom down the hall. Well, lost in translation extra two really meant twenty. It was a quite and comfortable night and we woke up and had a nice cup of coffee and roll before going to meeting.
A wonderful meeting it was. We had looked forward to being with the girls, Shelley and Tama but also Sveta, who we hadn't seen in a couple of years. Also there was Julia, a young recently professing girl and Breanna Wong who has been studying in Hungary. She meets with Jim and Susan Stout some of the time for meeting. What a terrific meeting and day we had before jumping on another jet for Ekaterinbutg.
We are now in Kazakhstan but I think this catches you us to the pictures that went out yesterday with no story.
We do hope that all is well with each of you, we miss you. Love in Him, Ivan and Ivana

Where's Waldo-I mean Karyn and Annette

Ivan says Dos Vedanya Vlad...

Prevyet Comrades,
I think Dos Vedanya means, until we meet again, and we do hope to do Vlad again, so that word seems appropriate. Our last days were far to quick but memorable. My cold slowed me down and now Jan has a bit of one but mind over matter is working pretty well for her.
Natasha and Vasilisa spent the evening, meeting with us. The Last morning was hectic as N left before 8 and V a little later. Showers were difficult as the light bulb blew. I know that sounds silly. In this apt. you tape the switch off, pull the bulb, go to the store, realize the chinese made one of a kind lights and you cannot get a replacement. Sooo you buy a new fixture and go home to remove the old fixture, replace it with the new, screw in bulb, untape the switch and let there be light. This is all accomplished between a wonderful "blini breakfast" by Karyn and Annette and the airport taxi at 11am.
The rush to the airport was unnecessary as the plane was delayed 5 hours.
The flight was 9 hours and 7 time zones. About the same as our Frankfort to Denver flight but we didn't come close to leaving Russia.
I will send a few pictures along.
Spoka de noche for now. Good night. Morrie

The Nahodka family

Ivan goes undercover

Dear All,
Yes, Ivan went under the towel actually. For a steam vaporizer treatment. I have a lousy cold and have lost my voice. Imagine me not being able to talk. It has brought smiles to many.
Last weekend I probably should have stayed home but the thought of missing the Nahodka meeting was to much. We had such a good time with them. Ivan Shackleton will be there for convention and they are anxious for that day. He labored there for years. Gennady is so humble and a real help. Vasilisa was with us. She is missed from there as she now works and lives in Vlad.
Annette had to interpret my whisper then put it into Russian, poor thing. The bus ride was long and crowded, actually over booked. I didn't really want to share my seat for 4 hours. The poor driver was trying to sort it out while a drunk demanded a seat. Easy solution-the driver called the police and the drunk hit the trail before they came. All things work for the patient and off we went. We spent the night in a converted apt. It was nice.
The 10 or so students in the Sun. pm class participate well and are steady.
I have finished up with my classes and am relaxing for a couple of days. It went very well.
Well folks, I'm ready to hit the sack. The girls and I went for a Georgian dinner---sooo good.
Good night to all.... comrade morrie

Short but sweet visit with Anton

Ivan and Ivana ride the rails...

Dear All,
Well you are probably thinking we were run out of town on a rail but don't be so pessimistic.
We just had the trip of a lifetime-although we do hope to see our friend Anton again somewhere. We just returned from an uplifting weekend. They all are but this just seemed a bit extra special. Anton is a young professing man going to school in Blagoveshensk, on the Chinese boarder. He speaks fluent Russian, nul dah, Chinese and English. We arrived there on Sat. morning and left Monday evening and squeezed in a few studies and S. morning meeting. Anton was very helpful. He spent a year in the U.S. , Iowa, a year or two ago. He met the workers on Sakalin Is. in their Eng./Bible classes. His family does not profess but am told they are very nice people. Anton took us around town and bartered for us in the markets. The Chinese have several prices in mind when you look interested in something.
It feel so good to meet someone I had been praying for.
One morning at breakfast 4 Chinese men sat at a table near us counting money-lots. They were rubber banding 1 inch thick piles of 5ooo ruble notes, (35 rubles per dollar) and stacking the bundles in 6 or 7 inch piles. Either they were lucky at the tables or a local bank just went down the tubes.
The 30 hour train ride, plaush cartne, over was a hoot. As soon as the 20 or so high school students heard English we were inundated with students. It was nonstop English class for most of the trip. An Army major, tank commander, heard us and I think he spent more time with us than the students. Denis loved hunting and fishing so between sign language, note book pictures and limited language we had a time of it. He bought us a beautiful fishing calendar when he gave me a brief tour of Habarovsk, a one hour stop. When we got to Blago he insisted on hanging around to make sure this friend that we had never met would show up. Several students that we met introduced us to their mothers.
The trip home went slower as their were no students. Lots of nice people tho.
It was sad leaving Anton but he is another one of God's children out in the middle of nowhere that God is keeping. Remember him---and Him.
Annette, Karyn and everyone in the Vlad/Nahodka field are doing fine.
I will make an attempt to get a picture or two with this.
Paca, Paca, Moi druzya Morrie

pictures unwilling to appear with the story

Ivan goes incognito..

Drosvootsya fellow comrades,

Things here in the Far East are normalna. Do you remember that in a past blog I mentioned the TVKGB dropping in to interview me, and the neighbors?
Well, Sergey came and got us to watch the news Monday at noon-The National News. There it was...Yikes. While we watched his phone rang off the hook with his friends calling. Today a teacher from the Uni even called and said they were so concerned and, "why hadn't I told them". Hey, this is Russia. The news talked about what a problem that crime is. It sounds like the police don't get too excited about Russian to Russian problems. I was assured by one man not to worry because as a foreigner they don't want the embarrassment so would be more active. Great consolation.

The man on top is the news broadcaster-Tom Brokaw type. The next picture is Ellie with her new Tazer gun. Then I am explaining the action (I should have left the blood on the stairs and wall for the camera). Then Ellie is talking to the police. Tonight Sergey called again-you're on the news again. It had played at noon, at 6 and at 10. There was also a block meeting tonight, out on the front steps. I don't speak Russian and it was cold so I stayed in. Hope it is over.

Ivan is thinking of going incognito for the next week or so. I can wear Jan's long black down coat, Karyn's hat, Annette's dark glasses and Vasilisa high heeled boots.
Things really are going well. The girls are very busy with School, contacts and meetings. As "houseboy" I install new light fixtures because they no longer make bulbs to replace the burned out ones, clean, shop, clean boots and other misc. high level jobs. Teaching 7th and 8th graders a couple days a week is my latest challenge.

Well, so I can go to sleep and you can wake up I will stop for this 'ol blog.

Women's day

Privyet Comrades,
Well the biggest and best holiday in Russia is in progress. Russia borrowed this holiday from Germany centuries ago as I understand. It is in honor of the Women all across Russia for all the work that they do. (shhhhhhh) Don't tell them but it is a plot so the men can party and drink somemore. They throw in some flowers and candy for the women and let them go home early.
Yesterday at the Uni the English dept. staff (all women) had me stay for their party and snacks. Another American that has been at this school for two years gave each woman a "candy kiss" and a short speech. I figured I couldn't top that so I ate somemore goodies. Then they insisted I come to the big show in the Uni theater. It was worth it. Lots of Russian costumes and dances. Where is my camera when I need it. They proudly told me that some of the dancers were my students. The Uni president got up and gave a very flowery (traditional) speech that the the women loved. The celebrations start early on Friday (Actual date is 8 March, Sunday) and continues through Monday. The country pretty much will be shut down. Soooooo HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY to each and every one of you beautiful, industrious, bright eyed, hard working wonderful, tremendously absolutely fantastic women. You are the center of man's well being and make it possible for us to survive on this troublesome earth. Now we will all go out for a drink-orange juice of course - while you get back to work.
Today (Sat.) we will have a young couple that Annette has met over for lunch. The girls will have to leave early to catch their bus back to Nahodka. They are having very good interest in their Sun. afternoon English from the Bible class. Later today Jan and I are invited to the annual party at the American consul. Nothing like a free chili dinner to treat my lovely, hard working, Russian speaking, studious, faithful, supportive, fantastic etc. wife to on Women's day. Free dinner, my shout (Aussie for my treat).
Have a wonderful day. Your brother (brat) in Him, Morrie

Ivan's big day

Hello all,
Many men in
Russia think they are left out but nyet, no they are not. Veteran's day has come and gone. On our way home from Nahodka a week ago I thought that Vasilisa and Jan were a bit secretive. They wanted to shop for some groceries, normalna. Pink icing???? Then Late that night I happened to catch Vasilisa working in the kitchen, hmmm. Well the next day my surprise came. A celebration for me-the only man here at the moment. It was a delicious cake. It was difficult to save some for the next day when Annette and Karyn would arrive; but I did.
I wonder if it is a setup. Women's day is this coming Sunday, 8 March. I am out numbered.
This Sat. we are invited to the American Consul for the yearly Americans party. It is a Chili cookoff. Sounds like a great Women's day surprise to me.
Today is the normalna-more classes for all of us.

Men's day

Spring in Vladivostok

The calendar says it's spring, March 1, but the thermometer says it's still winter! However, the cold weather didn't stop the ladies from getting out for the festivities and a little visiting. Don't put those fur coats away just yet~~~

Sorry the pictures didn't connect with the entry...here are the neighbors, first with Annette and the
blinies and then with Morrie and I. On Thurs. evening we went to a concert at the American library
and the group was from the U.S., called "Neighborliness". Has a nice ring to it!

Ivan finishes Winter

Zdrasvootsya Comrades,
Yesterday brought the end to W and the beginning of Spring. Two years ago today when we arrived Vlad had the biggest Spring snow in 133 years so we will see how this goes.
Yesterday our neighbors brought over a bowl of Blini's (thin pancakes) stuffed with apples and meat-not mixed. That is traditional for this holiday. They, Sergey and Ellie (Elvira) have one 9 yr. old daughter. I think they are pretty typical of the more modern Russian. They are the ones that were attacked the other night. The newsman is an old school mate of hers. He has called since and wanted to know if the Ameriki's are alright, not scared. We had a nice visit with them. His Eng. is ok and she understands much of what is said.
He is an unemployed diver and she works for the power company. They said because of the rough economics many are leaving Vlad to go to Moscow and ST. Petersburg. Many poor from Uzbek, China etc. are filling in and taking over all the lower paying jobs. Also the criminals that were sent to jail 10 years ago during those horrible days of the Soviet breakup are now finishing up their 10 year sentences and have the locals very nervous.
This week I hope to connect up with their daughter's school (right next door), a tech Uni. and a gifted school (I think International Baccalaureate), along with 8-10 classes at my present uni. Still no Eng. club for Annette and I to start-no room during the day.
Jan, Karyn and Annette continue to get surprise schedule changes everyday they go for Russian lessons. Mainly a lack of classrooms. They purchased a white board and markers for the Uni. so their teacher can write on something.
Meeting was small today but wonderful-just Jan and I.
Paka paka Ivan Morrie

Ivan Ivanovich

Privyet Moi Droogs,
Hello my friends,
Well life here in Vlad is taking on a whole new meaning now that I am working with more students and the girls are settling into their classes. Lots of Russian being spoken around here. Opps, did I use the words "settling in"? I must have forgotten that this is "Russia". Things don't settle in, you just get another lesson on Patience. My new word, "sovdepia". I had asked some students why the stairs came in so many heights and widths. Sovdepia, it is one of many things that remind us of Soviet times. A .....Opps again, the TV news crew (KGBTV) just got here. I'll explain later. They are filming me typing now. Yikes.
Ok, the story. Jan originally told me not to write home, someone might get upset, but. Two Mondays ago, at about 1:30am we awoke to loud yelling and banging near our door. I jumped up and listened at the door. Then there was banging on our door and a lady began screaming and wailing. Several people were yelling and running up and down the stairs. I watched the police arrive and 3 ran in with guns drawn, one machine gun. Later two more police-militsia-cars and an ambulance etc. Jan and I rolled over and went back to sleep-this is Russia.
The next morning there was blood on the steps and two landings. After two days of walking over the mess (and the rubber glove the medics left, I washed it up-yuck. Finally after a couple of days the neighbor, Sergey, came over to explain and ask for our help. The neighbor between us brought a great big friend and when Sergey opened his door (mistake number one) the big guy came in and drug his wife (Who had complained in the past about loud music and yelling) out of bed and beat on her (her blood on the steps etc.). They thumped Sergey good and a neighbor that tried to help was put in the hospital.
Wellllll, today Sergey said the TV station was writing an article on violence and wanted to talk to us. Sure enough camera and newsman arrived. I really didn't want to get involved but I felt I needed to support the neighbors. I think the bad guy has moved on. One question was, "in America what would the police have done". I said I think they would go to jail facing many charges. He said here the man was fined 500 rubles ($14).
The common people are very concerned over the lack control over the non-law abiding folks.
I need to tell you that the neighbors are great. The people in general are great. This was an isolated incident that could have happened anywhere.
Well bed time-some of us have to go to work tomorrow.
Ivan reporting to you about life in Russia-live from Vladivostok. Morrie

Evgeny is one of the contacts here in Vlad. He invited us to the apt. he shares with his mother and she fixed blini, what we would call "crepes". Yum! She is a cute little lady and made us feel very welcome. There apartment is very simple and very Russian. If you have read Morrie's account of the events leading to the visit, you'll know how happy we were to get here safely and with the backpack!

Sunday with Ivan

What a wonderful Sunday morning meeting we had. Ian thought it would be ok for us to have the emblems here at the apt. Soooo nice. Sad part was Vasilisa was out of town on business and Natasha was ????? It is so good being here with the girls, Annette and Karyn. The Fellowship is very rewarding.
After meeting and visiting it was lunchtime and a nap for all but Jan; she was making cookies to take to Evgeny's home for dinner with he and his mom, Tamara. It is a long bus ride, one transfer, to his home so he met us halfway and led us to his stop. As the bus was pulling out, the fumes still swirling around our noses, I exclaimed " my backpack is still on the bus". It contained the hymn books and the cookies. Someone said, "get a taxi". We ran over to a waiting taxi. Evgeny pushed me into the back seat and yelled to the driver, "follow that bus and go fast!" The tires spun on the ice and Annette was left holding the door handle (she let go) yelling "but he doesn't speak Russian".
Meantime, I am in the middle of the back seat leaning over trying to say the bus number-soccor diver or sotok divy or ...Finally I came up with sorek deivit (49) as he pulled up behind number 82. We we slip sliding on as I thought is this a French Kidnapping movie or what. A few blocks later we pulled in behind smoken 49. I jumped out before the taxi stopped, slipped on the ice, fell down, lost my hat, recovered and jumped on the bus as the door was closing. I yelled "halte" which would be ok but I am not in Mexico. Everyone stared. Then I said "pashalsta, pashalsta" (please) and ran to the back of the bus a grabbed my backpack, said spaseba (thank you) and jumped off the bus. I later thought I am glad no one beat me up thinking I was a terrorist. There was the driver, with my hat in his hand. When we returned to the bus stop all I had was a 1000 ruble note for the 200 rb fare. So we had to drive to a store that would make change.
The evening with Evgeny and his mother went well, normalna, after that. We enjoyed the cookies and had a nice sing. When Jan told Evgeny's mom about me she said," that's just the way this day had been-My Blini's (crepe) didn't turn out well either. I hope you you day was a good one. Morrie

Another day in Russia

Today started out rainy, but by the time Karyn and I got through class it had begun to snow. We managed to walk to the hotel for the English/Bible read but snow was still falling. We left the hotel about 8:15 and the buses had stopped running! Everything is beautiful! All of the dirty snow has been covered up and now it's sparkling. We took a taxi home and celebrated Valentine's eve with hot chocolate, popcorn and a game of Rummikub!

We may be snowed in tomorrow!

A day in the life of Ivan.
Yesterday was the delivery day for a skoff (wardrobe, armoir ?) that we had purchased for Karyn. They do not have closets here, a hook on the back of the door will do just fine, thank you. At the used store we tried to negotiate a price-neyt; free delivery- neyt, fix the magnetic hinge- sure. On delivery day here they came pushing in, no knock (someone had forgotten to lock the door) andonly 15 min. late, a near miricle for Russia. Up and down the 3 levels with parts. Everything piled in Karyn's room and a dash for the door. Annette said wait! You haven't assembled it. For a fee we will. But it was in one piece when we bought it. Sorry we don't have time. Then take it back. You will have to go to the store and tell the lady and she will deal with it. Then with the speed of Dancer and Prancer they were down the stairs and gone. Not exactly what we had hoped for but at least it did give me an afternoon project. (of course the magnetic hinge was not fixed silly, but a shelf bracket had been broken)
A day in the life of Ivana.
Same store but a few weeks ago.
Annette picked out a skoff for her bedroom (our living room dining room). Same crew, same story. All the parts necessary for a complete skoff, doors and shelves unassembled. We will put it together for 1000 rubles. No way, you should do it for free..... With the speed of a couple of scared street dogs they were off and out of the apt. It did give Annette something to do with here time.
Hope you are enjoying your time as much as we are. Morrie

Well, here we are! Right in our flat in Vladivostok. We stayed home this weekend and the workers, Annette and Karyn took the train to Nathotka for mtg. It's about a four hour trip and they'll come back on Tues. I've had a little trouble "blogging" because everything has been appearing in Russian! There always seems to be a trial of our patience here! Two weeks ago we had a "technician" come to put in DSL so we could use Skype. Unfortunately, only one computer could use it at a time and to set the girls up, we'd have to have another technician. Annette remembered a man she'd met that worked on computers and we called him. After buying another router and having him here for several hours, he said he'd have to finish later. So far we have spent about $500! ha...so what else is money for. Good thing Morrie has been saving all of those rubles by using free tyalets!

Cost cutting in Vlad

I think we're really becoming Russians...or is Morrie just realizing he can practice his cost cutting methods even here! Yesterday after we left the market after buying a kilo of mandarins, he suddenly stated that he could buy almost a pound of mandarins for the cost of using the public "tyalets" downtown. I'm wondering if he plans to stick around home more and eat more mandarins.
Yesterday we visited the university where Morrie taught before and they're happy to have him back. I checked in with the Russian studies office and will join Annette and Karyn as a student there next week. Today is the last day of finals and then they have a week off.

We're meeting Vasilisa soon to get on the train to Nahotka. We'll be there for the weekend and are anxious to see that little group of friends again. There is a new addition since our visit two years ago, baby Ivan. Ivan Shackleton was the first worker to come here so is very dear to these friends.

Daily life in Vlad...without the workers!

We've gotten into a bit of a routine now, but that will all change on Monday when Annette and Karyn get back from Hong Kong. Now we have some quiet time in the morning, following our coffee in bed, of course. Then we putter around the apartment doing some cleaning, checking e-mail, etc., study a little Russian. We often go to the windows to watch cars sliding down the hill or spinning up the hill and are glad we don't have a car! We can see the bay with lots of little black dots, ice fishermen trying to catch a few little fish. Morrie thinks they look like the surf fish Otis Easley used to catch in the Pacific. He caught hundreds and these fellows just pull them in one at a time.

Usually in the afternoon we go out for a walk and do our grocery shopping. That is pretty much a daily thing. Today we walked to the bay on the other side of the peninsula and watched brave souls jumping into a hole in the ice. Sounds a bit fool hardy in a Speedo! Anyway, we're settling in and will send pictures one of these days. The two men came to install the DSL Sat. One of them carried a brbrief case and did paperwork while the other one strung a wire and plugged it in!

We're finally here!

We finally made it to Vladivostok last Thursday after spending a day in Moscow with Martin Roest. He was there alone, as Wayne, his companion, had gone to Latvia for visa work. We spent the day going out to have mtg. with a group of ladies, one of whom was Elena, the Russian lady who started in the Work last year. She was there visiting her daughter. Anyway, we were sure glad to get to our destination after about 23 hours in the air! Annette and Sandra met us at the airport, we had that night together and they left the following day, Annette for Hong Kong and Sandra for Nepal. So here we are alone! We just have a dial-up connection so won't try to do much more "blogging" right now. When we get our broadband hooked up we'll send pictures!

I'm still learning this process...where are you when I need you, Kim?! Guess I posted the
without including the picture.....just a little sample of our time together. Jake is in the back
of the top left picture, Spencer is next to him. In the front row are Boede, Ivy and Marly.
They're all growing up!

The holidays are over and things have quieted down. We had lots of fun as you can see from the pictures. The weather cooperated by supplying lots of snow for the kids to play in...even the big kids! Jake, Spencer and I had a great day of skiing. The new cousin, Owen Meyers, was the center of attention and gave the girls a real, live doll to play with.

We're starting to get serious about planning now with a departure date of Jan. 12.