Day One in Vladimir

June 27, 2007

I woke up early from the jet lag and listened to the waking city of Vladimir. There were the usual sounds of birds chirping and car engines starting. Little by little, Russian citizens go to work by walking to a bus stop and waiting for their bus to take them to their jobs. I went for an early morning run for 30 minutes and saw the people headed for a Wednesday workday. Diesel fumes, cigarette smoke, and regular 'leaded' exhaust made me think that running here is not the healthy alternative. I will keep giving it a try.

Another HOT shower was again a welcome pleasure. I dubbed my host "Prince Alex" because it was only last week that he installed the special hot water heater that gives their flat instant hot water. I now know the drill: plug it in, turn on the power, set the temperature and SHAZAM it's hot water heaven!! I had to learn another drill: returning from the run. Press six, zero, and # on the outside keypad, Olesya then speaks and I acknowledge. She opens the downstairs door and I can enter and then summon an elevator. There are no numbers on the selection pad. So two from the bottom on the left is 1st floor. Two from the bottom on the right is sixth floor. Then ring the doorbell and she will allow you to enter. I think Homeland Security should check this out!

Breakfast was juice, bread and cheese for me, but I have just placed an order for bananas for tomorrow. YES!! Olesya and I took the bus to downtown Vladimir and made it on time to the American Home. All of the Fulbrighters shared their first night's stories. Most wonderful, some not sowonderful. We are all learning the Russian way, though. We were drilled twice with Russian language basics. Easy for me.......Thank you Barbara and Natalia!! We also had our first historical tour given by an excellent tour guide named Pavel. We explored the Golden Gate (Not San Francisco) and a wonderful historical museum. Rain showers show up much like American regions with an afternoon downpour. A very nice couple leant me an umbrella for the walk and I was saved a wet head!

After dinner of Chicken, rice, vegetables, pickles, bread, wine, strawberries and cherry preserves, Olesya and I took Olga (5) to a small amusement park which has a special on Wednesdays: 30 rubles a ride!! Olga and I rode the bumper boats together. Five year olds can be very erratic drivers! A huge "moon bounce" was the next stop completed by a jungle gym of sorts that reminds Americans of Play places at McDonalds. Olga picked flowers all the way home so that I had a Russian bouquet by the time we got home. Several times Olga would be singing and skipping and running ahead of us. The only comment I can make is: Life is good in Russia!!

Tomorrow is an earier arrival time at the AH. So I am hoping I can rise earlier and get my run in before catching the bus.

Interesting news: I have been invited by Alex and his friends to go on a camping/fishing trip for the weekend. It should be interesting!

Until tomorrow!