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November 9, 1998
This is mostly just a quick note to my Mom. She likes to see pictures of us so I thought I'd put together a few from our hectic social life. ("Hectic" because we went to our first party in Kyiv last Saturday.)
Mostly, we're doing the same old stuff. First, we shop. Here's Marianne at the "store" where I bought a black leather coat. (PICT#1). It was a huge, jam-packed bazaar of a couple hundred clothing stands. We had heard that it was a good place for coats and we both needed something for the upcoming winter. The place was just overwhelming since we could hardly make it down the aisles. The two guys running this shop were pretty aggressive and actually tracked us down as we were turning away from another shop. We must have looked cold and ready to deal. Marianne did the dealing and she got a 10% discount -- after they laughed at her offer of 30% off. (We're going to go the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul so she's practicing.)
Our weekend shopping isn't complete without a swing down Alexander "Spuce" and we were in luck because the Inca singers were there. (PICT#2). That's right - Incas. I swear it's the same guys that perform in Palo Alto only now they ask for donations in Russian. They sing in front of St. Alexander's church and it's quite a scene.
Monday comes around and we both go to work. Last time you saw Marianne's work buddies, here's two of mine. (PICT#3). That's Vitaly at the computer, he's our computer wizard. He's very good and I don't have the heart to tell him he can make as much in a couple hours in Silicon Valley as he makes all month in Kyiv. Next to Vitaly is Peter Bogorinski, my office mate. He's from our partner company in Germany. Actually, the company is in Paris but Peter comes from Cologne. We're a US-French-German joint-venture - in Ukraine. Peter's a nice guy and we seem to be getting along great. (There was actually some risk since we both signed up for two years of working together before we even met.)
Saturday we went to a one-year anniversary (of being in Kyiv) for the husband of one of Marianne's teacher-types. (PICT#4) That's Nancy on the right, the hostess. Next is Traci, the school Director's wife (and a teacher herself). The one on the far left is me in case you've all forgotten. (PICT#5) Next, here's Julie (left) a new Brazilian acquaintance. It was fun speaking a bit of Portuguese. Next to her is Galina, our Russian teacher and a very nice lady. Finally, Traci's husband Mike, the Director. Another nice person. The whole party was very pleasant but I think I was the only person there who didn't work for either the school or the US government. (I work for the Ukraine government I suppose.)
Sunday, was cold and crisp so we took some photos. Here are a pair of shots in front of "Photo" signs. (PICT#6 and PICT#7). Marianne closed her eyes. That's right after she said "Don't take the picture with me squinting in the sun". But since when do husbands listen?
Finally, here we are in the first snow. (PICT#8) Also Sunday. The weather changes very quickly here and the bright sun went away and allowed some clouds in. After this shot we went to lunch and when we came out of the restaurant, it was bright and clear again. All in all, a pretty nice Sunday walk.
So Mom, we managed three pictures of me and a couple of Marianne. Plus Incas, Russians, a German and a Brazilian. How's that for "people pictures"?
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Originally sent in November, 1998. Reformatted May 12, 2001
This page created on a Macintosh using PhotoPage by John A. Vink.