Yep, there is.
Now that we’ve resolved that…let’s dip a pewter flagon into my stream of consciousness and take a little drink, shall we?
FIRST THINGS FIRST:
Happy Halloween. It’s my favorite holiday.
CHICKEN KIEV:
I can’t say I was looking forward to my recent business trip to Kiev, Ukraine. I envisioned it as being a drab, dour place–much like East Berlin when I visited it in 1988. Or K-Mart when I visited it in 2005.
Beyond that, I really didn’t know what to expect–except that the trip would end with my lifeless body being stuffed into a industrial drum and tossed into the Black Sea by a neckless, hairy ogre purporting to be my taxi driver.
Well, I was a bit hasty in my pessimism. Kiev is actually a very nice town–even if my taxi driver (who, in fact, had a neck) did point down-river as we passed over a bridge and said, “Cherynobl.”
Kiev’s buildings were clean and brightly painted. Golden minarets shimmered. Highways were lined with old growth white birch trees. And the women?
O! M! G!
Guys, come closer and listen carefully. If your life’s “To Do” list has an entry that says, “Find a tall, thin, ridiculously beautiful eastern European-ish babe,” then go buy yourself a ticket on the first available flight to Kiev.
She’s there. In fact, she’s everywhere.
AND FINALLY…PUTTING THE “EX-” IN “EXPAT”:
Yeah, it’s true. More on that later…
Oh! BTW, you’re moving back? Or am I misunderstanding?
You hid her that long?! Bad Sal! But ok, you’re already forgiven 😉
Honestly tough, I had to click on that picture, and your eyes say it all. You look sooo happy! Only the best wishes to you both!
Hey C-Swiss:
Nope, you’re not misunderstanding.
And, hey…we would’ve been happy to snarf Q with you and Orangie in Chicago, too. We had a plenty big table, and TBF brought enough beer and wine for the entire restaurant.
Sal
😀 😀 😀 How cute are you guys???
Sometimes…truth is stranger than fiction. Or is it the other way around?
Hello Gorgeous – so good to see you again. Hmmm….now you need to figure out which of you that is directed at?
Admit it, Michael. It was directed at Yakov Smirnoff. Yeah…I find him irresistible, too.
Yeah. Rub it in, pal! (Droool, drool)
Especially now that our move to Canada has been postponed about 4 years! Maybe we can arrange something. Just keep in touch, ‘kay? Any plans to come visit before you leave??
Actually, a visit from me might be a possibility. Just waiting for scheduling info from a large, friendly Finnish guy.
Cone of Silence, I see.
Hey congratulations though, sounds grand – the piece on Kiev had us in hysterics here.
No matter where, I hope we get to meet personally. How long will you be in Europe? Just send me a short mail, ‘kay?
T’ank God I can finally unseal my lips.
Oh, how we’ve missed you! 🙂