1. The mullet is alive and well and featured on the heads of many Russian men (and a few women).
2. Most Russian women wear high heels… even when walking on century-old cobble stone streets. And they do it flawlessly, I might add. I think the trick is to concentrate on walking on the balls of your feet and don’t let the heel part hit the ground….but I could be wrong.
3. Central air conditioning has not been discovered on this side of the planet. And ice is scarce as well. I think it might be an over-reaction to their very long, brutally cold winters.
4. History is everywhere you look… the architecture, the monuments, the statues, the museums. They take great pride in preserving history and they have been around for way longer than the states. Way longer…
5. Communism truly meant communal. Up until about 20 years ago, most families had a room on a floor of an apartment building with shared bathrooms and kitchens…. a lot of people here still live like that, where three to five families share living space. It’s like living in a dorm way after college. Arghh…
6. The mosquito is alive and well and thriving in Russia. (And so are Britney Spears and Lady GaGa.)
7. You get about 28 Rubles to the dollar. Rent is expensive but other things like food are fairly reasonable. We haven’t found the 99 Rubles store yet though.
8. Of all the places we could have found to stay in Moscow, how is it possible that we found a place right across the street from The Moscow Arts Theater and the home of Stanislavski. There are no mistakes in the universe! (And a 1/2 block away from the only Starbuck’s I’ve ever seen in all of Russia… truly no mistakes in the universe!)
9. I miss our dogs… and they would love it here. Dogs are not required to have leashes and they are super well trained. I may have to ship Woody and Jessie to Moscow Dog Camp. Just a side note… dogs bark in the same language worldwide. They’ve worked it out.
10. The Metro rocks! Getting around is easy and the trains are spotless here in Russia. Of course, it’s summer and it is a little bit like riding in an Easy Bake Oven, but convenient.
11. Did I mention that no one speaks English? But then I put it into prospective. If I were in K-Mart in the states, how many people would I find that spoke Russian.
12. St. Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square is just awesome… No other words to describe it. And it’s right next to Gum… the most rockin’ mall with an Apple Store, Dyson’s High Tech Fan and Vacuum store, Levi store, and more!
Leave it to JD to find a Starbucks! Bet it was a welcome sight. Don’t spend all your money there. Hopefully you still have some mosquito repellent. If you need some you still have some here I can send over. Just need to know where. Sounds like the little apt. back here in CLT would be a luxury there. Thn and keeping us posted and sharing your adventure with us. Continued safe journeys. xoxo
Leave it to JD to find a Starbucks! Bet it was a welcome sight. Don’t spend all your money there. Hopefully you still have some mosquito repellent. If you need some you still have some here I can send over. Just need to know where. Sounds like the little apt. back here in CLT would be a luxury there. Thanks for keeping us posted and sharing your adventure with us. Continued safe journeys. xoxo
OMG …! I envy you, by the minute. Being able to help and at the same time to provide Jackson and Buck with such a wonderful “hands on” teaching of sharing and helping experience, is really something not everyone has an oportunity to do.
And what can I say about still having the time to write keeping us informed on your marvelous quest …
Keep it up JD …! all our positive energy goes your way …!
If it’s any comfort we and the whole East coast are in the middle of a heat wave. It will be 100 today! It is so cool that you are across from the Moscow Arts Theatre. Maybe you’ll get invited to teach an acting class (or play a non-speaking role in a Chekov play!). I’m wondering if you and the guys will end up with mullets…Stay safe. xxoo
I love how you find the humor in all your adventures! I am so excited to hear more and more! Thank you for writing all the time and letting us know what is going on! My heart misses you! And FYI I just cut my hair into a Mullet today!!! Have fun!
Glad everything is going good . Your dogs would never make it over there because they are not well trained.. Give the boys a hug for me Love you guys..Glad the universe is in control……. ha ha
I love this adventure. Tandy and I will be in Germany most of August. Where will you be?
I love this adventure of yours. Tandy and I will be in ‘Deutschland ueber Alles’ in August. Where will you be?
We will be in China for the month of August working for The Foundation of Hope… Come visit! jd
Hey Buckford…just so you know, I have started wearing my hair in a mullet….you would luv it!!! Woodie and Jess would certainly fit in….mosquitoes love dogs too! A Starbucks, an Apple Store, communal baths, where do I sign up? Also, just because you could walk into a KMart here and not here Russian, does not mean you would not hear other foreign languages bantered about….Ed, the boys, the girl and I all send love your way, have some borsch on us. Also glad the twelve thing got picked up (love the mullet thing, seriously….not)..oh well, hugs and kisses all around XOXOXOBO
Hi guys, just to tell you that we miss you.
Tried calling the other day but it didn’t work. Hope you are fine.
It was funny… the day you left Jose switched on the TV while he was ironing and there was an episode of Friends on. He heard a familiar voice and when he looked up to the TV he saw JD. That was fun!
All the best to you guys, safety on your journey and a big hug for the three of you,
Love and light,
Ricardo & Jose
Dogs not required to have leases? Do they have to put down a security deposit? (I think you mean leashes…..) Miss you guys.
the universe is really a great place….talking to a friend in Charlotte about your trip so far with you in Russia, and she was like, “I was in WalMart and ran into some people speaking a foreign language, found out they were talking Russian!!” Go figure!