1. Lots of little plots of ground are dug up by various assigned people and planted with lots of flowers. Wonderful.
2. The sidewalks and parks are kept very clean – every morning there are old women – babushkas – who sweep around each apartment house and sweep the streets. Babushkas kind of run Russia. Each apartment building has a “committee” of babushkas who watch over the place. Russia men die young due to the alcohol and tobacco use…very common to have families with no husband. Babushkas – grandmas – are often seen with grandkids. The multigenerational family – minus Grandpa in many cases – is alive and well in Russia. Lots of time they live in the same apartment. Very common for young men and women to still be single and living at home into their thirties/
3. Speaking of warning signs – forget about it! Safety is not uppermost on anyone’s mind. Low hanging sheet metal roofs at eye level as you walk along a sidewalk, potholes in the sidewalk and streets, construction sites with no signs…our lawyer sons have said that we can thank lawyers for our safe environment in America. Our attitude about that has changed – a little. Besides, we don’t own a business anymore…
4. People cut in front of us in line all the time. That said, we also meet the nicest people – they are friendly and want to talk with us and go out of their way to be nice.
5. Popcorn. Russia needs more popcorn…lots of microwave popcorn but very hard to buy popcorn kernels. We have senior missionaries who buy it for us when they see it…we have had popcorn delivered from Moscow and Samara as we travel around. It is good to have friends.
6. Friends. We have made friends that we will have forever. Other senior couples, a few younger missionaries and a few Russians.
7. Chocolate. Some of the best chocolate we have ever tasted. I had to quit buying it so I would quit eating it. Mostly.
8. Ice cream. One ice cream bar is the best ice cream bar I have ever eaten. No ice cream in boxes – it comes in logs in a plastic wrapper. Cut it into slices and serve it.
9. Tea. Lots of interesting kinds of herbal tea. Jasmine and Cherry or Creamy Rooibos are our favorites. People drink a lot of tea.
10. The monthly cost of our internet is 400 rubles…about $12. Lots cheaper than the U.S of A.
11. McDonald’s, KFC (or Kentucky Fried Chicken if you are our age) and Carl’s, Jr. Rarely go there in America but there is something comforting about a burger, fries and a milkshake…
12. Shoes. There are a LOT of shoe stores. And women wear really high heels – even in the winter. The variety of shoes is incredible!
13. The way women dress. Women dress up when they are in public. One of our friends says she dresses up to take out the garbage. The women are beautiful on the street - they may live in a small apartment with a bunch of other people and not have a lot of money – but when they are on the street they are dressed well.
14. Renoks - marketplaces - are awesome. Lots of little booths and just about everything and anything to buy. We have a fruit and veggie stall we shop in a lot – the lady running it really likes us. We buy a lot since we feed a lot of people. She is always suggesting things for us to buy just so we don’t forget. Sherry has eaten her weight in kiwis. Russian cabbage is incredible. The pomegranates rock. Great potatoes and carrots. Celery and iceberg lettuce? Not so good…
15. Buses and tramvis and trolley buses and minibuses. We want our car. Air conditioned, quiet, smooth roads…can’t wait!
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