Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Water


Water delivery used to be one of the things that I could manage consistently by myself.  Some time ago the company changed names and perhaps management.  In the past whenever I called they would transfer me to an English speaking customer service agent, I would place my order, it would arrive the next day and I would pay for my order.  The amount almost always was slightly different from the total they told me on the phone but oh well.  But, now with the change I cannot always get an English speaking customer service rep, sometimes they'll ask me to call back later sometimes they just hang up on me...One week about a month ago the rep told me it was time for my annual machine sanitation.  The delivery man would also do the sanitation and I would earn a free bottle of water.  The day arrived, the water arrived, there was no cleaning, no free bottle of water and no explanation.  A couple of weeks ago I was trying to order water, the reps kept asking me to try again later.  I did, but it was getting late in the day and I knew if I was not successful we would soon be out of water. Delivery occurs only one day in this neighborhood.  So, I asked if we could do the order in Russian if she would be patient with my slow and mispronounced words.  She was patient and it worked!  And water was delivered the next day, the cost was slightly different but oh well!  The most consistent thing about Russia is its inconsistencies.  

Palm Sunday or as it is known in Russia ~ Pussywillow Sunday


A sure sign of spring, the building of the restaurant patio.

Can you see the pussywillows in her bag?

and in hers?

The baby in her arms is wearing a bunny bunting.


in her hand?





and in hers?

A current favorite lunch spot.


This woman was selling pussywillows outside the metro when we arrived for church, by the time we were headed home after lunch it looked like she was headed home too.
After church we went out to lunch with friends and for a walk along Old Arbat because the sun was shining.  Orthodox and Western Easter fall on the same Sunday this year so Palm Sunday does too.  In times past it was difficult to get palms in a country this far north so the faithful turned to what was available, pussywillows.  The devout take a bundle of pussywillows to church to be blessed by the priest and then take them home.  

A Rainy Saturday at Izmaylovo Market
















Happy Birthday A!


The girls invited their friend A over to celebrate her birthday, we made chili and salsa and chocolate orange cake, it was all yummy!

Cool Mural near the Metro


Byzantine and Russian Icon Exhibit at the State Tretyakov Gallery


with our friend Mrs. T.  

Tulips Peeking through the Snow