Miscellaneous

We're in Indian summer here in Perm, with highs in the 50s and 60s. (I see it's in the 90s at home.) Nights dip into the 30s and 40s. It has rained often since we've been here, which really leaves muddy places everywhere because there is no drainage system here.



Most of the buses are so filthy from the rain and mud that you can hardly see out of the windows. That makes it difficult to know when you've arrived at your stop, but Jon is always with us, and he knows. We have been in several old buses that have had artificial leaves and/or flowers hanging at the front near the driver in a feeble attempt to decorate. It's sort of sad, really. We take a bus most everywhere we go. I have officially experienced a truly crowded bus, in which all seats and aisles were totally packed tightly with people. Each bus has a woman who walks through the bus and takes each person's fare. I don't think I could keep up with those who have and haven't paid, since people get on and off at each stop. When it's really crowded, the fare takers can't get around to everyone. People do give their seats to those with babies and young children, which helps Jon and Carrie.

It is interesting to hear people answer their cell phones with "'allo", which is Russian for "Hello." LOL