When we first got here Ben told me about a guy that makes LDS Prophet matrushka Dolls for the missionaries. Ben took one home for Leah but it didn't have President Monson. There was a set in the mission office that an Elder had not picked up yet. Ben was hoping to get another set with President Monson and I was hoping to get some for us. Ben tried to call him from the Mission office but couldn't get through. We finally got in touch with him on Friday and found out he had 20 sets in stock but he lives 100 miles away from Moscow and only comes in on Wednesdays. He sells them to the missionaries really cheap. Ben asked how much for 15 sets and he offered us the 3 doll sets containing 16 hand painted prophets for 1200 rubles and he would bring them to Moscow. We called back and told him we would take all 20 for 1000/each. He said he would meet us this morning and bring all 20. This morning we met up with him in Moscow. He brought all 20 and I took them at 1100 rubles each. $33/set.
On the train ride into Moscow there was a drunk that wouldn't quit bothering people. Finally a guy told him to sit down and shut up. The drunk started insulting him because he was dark skinned, perhaps Arab. A lady began cursing at the drunk and he finally shut up for a while.. I commented to Ben it was a early in the morning to be drunk and he reminded me it is a holiday.
On the trains there is a constant flow of sales people peddling anything from books to toys to towels. They stand up and give their pitch then walk down the isle and into the next car while someone else comes into our car and begins another pitch. Today Ben bought some Russian joke books from one of them. The only thing I have been tempted to buy was toy helicopters that fly when you blow up a balloon and attach it to the bottom. Fun for grand kids. I've been looking ever since for them and not found any. I told Ben I would pay for his set if he got up and gave a pitch for the prophet dolls. He almost did it. He said he had tried it as a missionary approach a few times but didn't get any contacts and gave up.
One guy came in this morning and said."I am a drunk and I need money to buy more drink for the holidays" I didn't notice anyone give him money. Boris took us to Victory park today. It is a beautiful park with lots of grass and fountains. Monuments and war machines (tanks) are everywhere celebrating war victories. Lots of people were flying kites, rollerblading and picnicking. We saw at least five brides with their wedding parties. The sign says entrance by special invitation only. Boris told the guard he had 2 Americans he wanted to show the park to and slipped the guy 200 rubles. He put them in his pocket and pointed to a parking space. Ben has been trying to find a tea set the whole trip. He finally found one but didn't want to carry it around for days. Last time we were there the shop was not open so we looked today without success. Ben and I went out just as the stores were closing and he found a set he liked and bought it.
When we got back to Boris' apartment we had dinner and Boris's wife took out a very nice bone china tea set someone had given them a few years ago and tried to give it to Ben. He refused so she insisted I take it if Ben wouldn't. I told Ben I was not taking it and he was going to have to figure a way out of this for me. By then she had it all wrapped in paper and boxed so he accepted it for himself. While we were waiting for the last van I noticed a girl looking quite sad behind us so I told Ben I would give him $5 if he could make her smile. He got up and walked up to her and told her he thought she was cute. I have to remember to give him $5 when I get change. She then boarded the same van we did and got off at the same stop and went into the same apartment building we were going to. It was a good thing we got off first or she would have thought we were stalking her.
Then again, maybe she wanted to know where Ben was going. other notes: Boris' father starved to death in WWII while Moscow was under siege by the Germans. It is really hard to get used to having women in the bathroom cleaning while you are trying to go the bathroom.
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