babushka moving day! 

view through the front door

Metal front doors are what greet you when you first come up to the apartment. Then there is a second door that also locks to provide further security before entry.

living room

This room has double doors that open into it from our bedroom and from the entry way. Tom is speaking to Ervand about what he wants done in the apartment and Goar is translating for them.

entry wall paper! 

storage in entry way 

should I keep the wallpaper?

Before you post a response or send me an email... unfortunately the wallpaper does not match the tile I have chosen for this room! Maybe, I will frame a photo of it to keep for nostalgia!

view of storage under tub!

We plan to tile around our new tub so we won't be using the storage space under here!

bathtub and sink room

A typical Russian bathroom has the toilet separate from the tub & sink. It is only a little awkward when you need to wash your hands after using the bathroom!

pipes next to toilet!

We have been told they use plastic pipes now so these pipes can be replaced.

small hallway off of kitchen

I am standing in the doorway of the room that Tom and I will share. To my left is the kitchen, to my right is a storage area and straight ahead is Nathan's room. The open door is the toilet room and the closed door is the tub & sink room.

toilet room

A new toilet, tile and new pipes will be installed in here. The babushka used every available inch of space for storage. The containers held things like sugar and flour.

view of entry way

The tile here will be replaced and we will paint the walls!

triangle shaped kitchen!

We are fortunate to have a kitchen this large. The shape of it is a challenge!

kitchen

We will be able to put in the pipes for a washing machine and a dishwasher. The kitchen will be completely redone. Tile, paint, appliances and sink. The odd shape should make it interesting!
The stove is gas; the pipes under the window are the radiator.

view from Tom & Alida's room

Our apartment is on the fourth floor. The trees in the surrounding area are beautiful.

Balcony off of living room

These windows will be replaced with double pane glass and a new door. The plants belong to the babushka she was still in the process of moving out.

Russian word list

Each one of us has a notebook filled with our vocabulary list. I keep a list of words that I hear each day. I listen to people speak at church, the market, on the tram-vi or trolleybus and I write the words down. Yesterday, Tom and I stopped off at Scrooges next door to get a baked chicken and drinks for dinner. There is a young man in there who is learning to speak English. He likes to practice with us! We kept speaking in Russian while he spoke to us in English. The ladies in there are having fun teaching us new Russian words. I learned how to say 'milk chocolate'. I was looking for chocolate to bake with. I said the word for milk and the word for chocolate and she realized what I needed "molochnee schockolade". I guess that means another batch of blonde brownies for the guys and a new word for my list!

grape vines 

Kitty eating ice cream!

When I first saw this cat at the Renoc he was sleeping. Then a babushka came by and gave him some of her ice cream. He rolled over for her and she rewarded his attention with a special treat! A couple was standing nearby watching and I asked the guy if she had given him cheese he said "nyet, morozhenah!" The strays here get treated well...

"Whose shoe is this?"

We noticed the Olympic symbol on this little shoe. It made us stop and think about who may have worn it and where is she now? This shoe was one more reminder of our ex-patriot status. Russia is vying for the chance to host the Olympics. As Amercians we have seen many cities in our country go through this process. Yet, the next time we see the Olympics broadcast on TV we will not be watching in California at home on Yellowstone Drive on our big screen. It will most likely be on a more modest size screen here in Krasnodar!