I can certainly compliment the Russian police on this one. My case would never have gotten this attention from the police in U.S. It may have had something to do with the fact I was a foreigner, but generally I was very impressed with the thoroughness of the work. Not a stone left unturned, the documentation down to the letter.
I went to the station one final time on Wednesday because the mother of the accused volunteered to pay me back the money I had lost. I don't know if it was out of conscience or in hopes the sentencing would go lighter on her son. By her emotional reaction and what I know of the European and Russian family unit, I believe she felt very ashamed for her son and wanted to make amends. She rounded up on the amount owed, and was reluctant to accept change, but I insisted. This was a lot of money for her, which her son probably squandered on beer and cigarettes. She was in tears and I tried to comfort her, telling her that I too was a parent and knew the pain we went through raising our children. She was a single mother and, by appearances, normal working class, which means what she probably emptied her bank account. Although the money wasn't important anymore, I had to accept for her sake and for the police records, having then written out a receipt and yet another statement saying I was payed in full and will make no further claims. I almost wished I could have handed at least half the money back, but I'm sure she was much too proud to have accepted it.
While the family unit still appears to be very strong, I have noticed in talking to some of the young people that they feel a bit frustrated with the lack of opportunity in their country. They have come a long way since the Soviet Union days, but still remain a long way from enjoying the freedoms and prosperity we have in the states. Unfortunately, some resort to unscrupulous means to try to get ahead.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Another trip to the police station
So I went on Monday to sign all the documents for the second statement I provided on Saturday. I haven't signed so many papers since we bought our last house. I think I even signed more this time.
The last statement I signed was an acknowledgment that I may be called to court to confirm my testimony. Hesitant to sign this one, I had a lengthy discussion with our security man and the investigator, during which I found I could abstain from that by sending a letter to the chief judge telling him/her that everything in the transcript was accurate and I have nothing further to add, and that I am choosing to opt out of the trial. I also had to write all this out in my own handwriting (in English, thank goodness).
Once everything was signed, I was handed the police investigator's file and asked if I wanted to review it. With the help of my translator, I saw exactly how the investigation was conducted along with hand-written accounts from witnesses. These included the shop-keeper across the street (who saw and heard nothing), two waitresses at the restaurant, the taxi driver, the security guy at the restaurant, two of the suspect's friends, and then finally the hand-written confession of the perpetrator. The confession described in detail how he went about it and also what he did afterwards (threw away the wallet and credit cards, went to a nightclub with his buddies). I was not told before-hand that a suspect was in custody (although I suspected that was the case). It also had a copy of two prior arrests, one for mugging and one for stealing a DVD player. The kid was 22 years old and my description was pretty close, although the jacket color ranged from beige (my re-collection) to blue to grey. It also indicated the suspect was likely to spend two years in prison.
Tuesday morning the police investigator called our chief of security asking if I could come back down again Wednesday. The kid's mother wants to return my money. I have agreed. There may be a lighter sentence involved and she is trying to protect her son. Prison is rough, I understand there's a good chance he would get tuberculosis. I admire her for doing that. Maybe it will help straighten the kid out, knowing that his mother would step in like that. Not sure about that, but I'm going to tell the mom how I feel about her doing this for her son. The amount of the money is in dispute, the kid claiming there was only $50 in American, when in fact it was $300. I don't care about the money, really, but I think it will help the mom's conscience whatever the amount ends up being. I know that's a lot of money for a Russian, and it will surely set her back some. As a parent, I empathize with her.
The last statement I signed was an acknowledgment that I may be called to court to confirm my testimony. Hesitant to sign this one, I had a lengthy discussion with our security man and the investigator, during which I found I could abstain from that by sending a letter to the chief judge telling him/her that everything in the transcript was accurate and I have nothing further to add, and that I am choosing to opt out of the trial. I also had to write all this out in my own handwriting (in English, thank goodness).
Once everything was signed, I was handed the police investigator's file and asked if I wanted to review it. With the help of my translator, I saw exactly how the investigation was conducted along with hand-written accounts from witnesses. These included the shop-keeper across the street (who saw and heard nothing), two waitresses at the restaurant, the taxi driver, the security guy at the restaurant, two of the suspect's friends, and then finally the hand-written confession of the perpetrator. The confession described in detail how he went about it and also what he did afterwards (threw away the wallet and credit cards, went to a nightclub with his buddies). I was not told before-hand that a suspect was in custody (although I suspected that was the case). It also had a copy of two prior arrests, one for mugging and one for stealing a DVD player. The kid was 22 years old and my description was pretty close, although the jacket color ranged from beige (my re-collection) to blue to grey. It also indicated the suspect was likely to spend two years in prison.
Tuesday morning the police investigator called our chief of security asking if I could come back down again Wednesday. The kid's mother wants to return my money. I have agreed. There may be a lighter sentence involved and she is trying to protect her son. Prison is rough, I understand there's a good chance he would get tuberculosis. I admire her for doing that. Maybe it will help straighten the kid out, knowing that his mother would step in like that. Not sure about that, but I'm going to tell the mom how I feel about her doing this for her son. The amount of the money is in dispute, the kid claiming there was only $50 in American, when in fact it was $300. I don't care about the money, really, but I think it will help the mom's conscience whatever the amount ends up being. I know that's a lot of money for a Russian, and it will surely set her back some. As a parent, I empathize with her.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Trip to Elabuga
Elabuga is a picturesque provincial town just north of the Kama river which was home to some prominent Russian literary figures and artists, with several noteworthy Russian orthodox churches and museums.
It was Saturday and Maigul, one of our cost engineers from Kazakhstan, had organized a guided tour with a local driver and an english interpretor. I had not known about it since I had spent the morning at the police station, and I just happened to run into Ric and Neal who informed me of the trip. I asked if there were was any more room on the bus. It so happens it was the last seat in the van. In addition to Neal and Rick (from Texas) was Pandit from India, Tippawhan from Thailand, another Thai girl but out of the Houston office, Bobby from Mississippi, an engineer from Denmark along with his Chinese wife, Katherine from Singapore and another fellow I believe from the U.S. Some of the folks I met for the first time, so I'm not good with names. The point being we had seven different nationalities among the 13 of us, counting our Russian driver and tour guide.
We drove first to Naberezhnye Chelny, a port city on the Kama river about 30 minutes from Nizhnekamsk, where we picked up our tour guide. We then crossed the Kama river, which happens to be the site of a large dam and hydro-electric plant. The river had locks there to get the ships around the dam. The river seemed to be every bit as wide as the Mississippi. We drove through forests and fields not unlike the rolling hills of perhaps central Ohio. when arriving in town, we could see the old Russian architecture on the buildings and houses. The town had recently celebrated the 1,000th anniversary of its founding, first by Bulgarians from the south, then by Russians from the west. At one time the town was home to a very prosperous merchant class, but those people all left after the communist revolution of 1917. A famous poet, I believe her name was Alileava, lived there briefly while she was evacuated from Moscow during World War II as the Nazis were advancing on the city. The city has several memorials to "The Great Patriotic War", as Russians term our World War II, and a number of significant officers from Elabuga had served in the war. The story of the poet Alileava seems to befir the struggles in Russia during the communist rule, as she hung herself in the public square, despondent over the deterioration of the Soviet Union, herself and her husband victims of repression resulting from their overseas travels. Western contact in those days could prove very dis-advantageous. In 1943, two years after her death, her only son was killed in the war.
The Russian Orthodox churches were quite impressive. The bell towers and massive bells, manufactured at the bell factory in Elabuga, dominate the exterior architecture. Massive wooden and steel entrances lead to a long hallway with no seating, fronted by an alter, behind which are situated more tables adorned with icons and candles. The people stand while chanting praises and crossing themselves, while the orthodox priest is praying or lighting candles behind the alter. The women must not enter the church without a head scarf, which are provided at the entrance. The massive interiors echo the chants while the illumination is by candles and sunlight through the adorned stain glass windows. The ceilings are painted with religious murals (although the second church we looked in was under renovation and the murals have yet to be painted.)
In Elabuga there was no mosque that I could see. Unless this is just a freak coincidence - since Tatarstan is over 50% muslim - one could speculate that the muslim tartars may not have had as much influence north of the Kama River as on the south, since the river would have formed a significant natural barrier in the days of their invasions.
There was a large fortress and lookout tower on the bluff overlooking the river that is now a restaurant. Despite mild protests from our driver and guide, we all decided to have dinner there.
It was Saturday and Maigul, one of our cost engineers from Kazakhstan, had organized a guided tour with a local driver and an english interpretor. I had not known about it since I had spent the morning at the police station, and I just happened to run into Ric and Neal who informed me of the trip. I asked if there were was any more room on the bus. It so happens it was the last seat in the van. In addition to Neal and Rick (from Texas) was Pandit from India, Tippawhan from Thailand, another Thai girl but out of the Houston office, Bobby from Mississippi, an engineer from Denmark along with his Chinese wife, Katherine from Singapore and another fellow I believe from the U.S. Some of the folks I met for the first time, so I'm not good with names. The point being we had seven different nationalities among the 13 of us, counting our Russian driver and tour guide.
We drove first to Naberezhnye Chelny, a port city on the Kama river about 30 minutes from Nizhnekamsk, where we picked up our tour guide. We then crossed the Kama river, which happens to be the site of a large dam and hydro-electric plant. The river had locks there to get the ships around the dam. The river seemed to be every bit as wide as the Mississippi. We drove through forests and fields not unlike the rolling hills of perhaps central Ohio. when arriving in town, we could see the old Russian architecture on the buildings and houses. The town had recently celebrated the 1,000th anniversary of its founding, first by Bulgarians from the south, then by Russians from the west. At one time the town was home to a very prosperous merchant class, but those people all left after the communist revolution of 1917. A famous poet, I believe her name was Alileava, lived there briefly while she was evacuated from Moscow during World War II as the Nazis were advancing on the city. The city has several memorials to "The Great Patriotic War", as Russians term our World War II, and a number of significant officers from Elabuga had served in the war. The story of the poet Alileava seems to befir the struggles in Russia during the communist rule, as she hung herself in the public square, despondent over the deterioration of the Soviet Union, herself and her husband victims of repression resulting from their overseas travels. Western contact in those days could prove very dis-advantageous. In 1943, two years after her death, her only son was killed in the war.
The Russian Orthodox churches were quite impressive. The bell towers and massive bells, manufactured at the bell factory in Elabuga, dominate the exterior architecture. Massive wooden and steel entrances lead to a long hallway with no seating, fronted by an alter, behind which are situated more tables adorned with icons and candles. The people stand while chanting praises and crossing themselves, while the orthodox priest is praying or lighting candles behind the alter. The women must not enter the church without a head scarf, which are provided at the entrance. The massive interiors echo the chants while the illumination is by candles and sunlight through the adorned stain glass windows. The ceilings are painted with religious murals (although the second church we looked in was under renovation and the murals have yet to be painted.)
In Elabuga there was no mosque that I could see. Unless this is just a freak coincidence - since Tatarstan is over 50% muslim - one could speculate that the muslim tartars may not have had as much influence north of the Kama River as on the south, since the river would have formed a significant natural barrier in the days of their invasions.
There was a large fortress and lookout tower on the bluff overlooking the river that is now a restaurant. Despite mild protests from our driver and guide, we all decided to have dinner there.
After the Elabuga Trip
I had talked before-hand with some of my co-workers about visiting the new Bavarian restaurant in Chelny and we had all planned to go that evening. Since the drive to Elabuga took us through Chelny, I figured I would have the driver drop me off there and we would meet up and go to the restaurant. The timing was impeccable, the van dropping Ric and I off at the bus stop at precisely the same time as Chris and Mike arrived from Nizhnekamsk by taxi. We jumped into another cab and took it to the restaurant. The restaurant was superb, with two levels, a brewery and seating on the lower level (where it was quiet for conversation). We had sausages, sauerkraut, Bavarian pretzels and two beers apiece. The waiters and waitresses were dressed in traditional Bavarian outfits. We would not have known we were in the middle of Russia. Later on we went to the central plaza, decked with hundreds of chairs and tables for outdoor seating, and enjoyed a Lowenbrau on tap. Off to the side was a huge nightclub with disco. The sound and light show was very impressive. We returned to Nizhnekamsk in a Volga taxi about 1:00 am. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Another Visit to the Police Station
There has been an investigation going on regarding the assault incident on July 4 and I've been called back to the police station for further questioning. I arrived at the police building around 9:00 am on Saturday with the Fluor security director (who is fluent in Russian) and one of our staff interpreters. The building has no signs from what I could see. We went into the front office of the police station. There were locked cages on either side in the lobby with benches, one of which was occupied by a young fellow laying down and apparently sleeping off the ill effects of the previous night. Our security officer explained who we were and the police officer directed us to the next building which must have housed the investigative units. We walked to the fourth floor and found the room. The investigator was a lady in her early 40's, blond with hot pink highlights in her hair. I took her for an admistrative assistant at first, but, as the questioning began, she impressed me as being thoroughly trained, competent, pleasant in demeaner, and very forthright (one time offering up a very mild expletive when there seemed to turn up a slight contradiction in my testimony). Quite simply, I was asked to re-count in exquisite detail the entire chain of events of that night, which were then compared to the transcript of the testimony I had provided on the night of the assault. The investigator was also focussed on the precise amount of the loss, as that would affect the nature of the charges that would be brought against the suspect. Near the end, I was shown a photo of the suspect but I could not positively identify him since I had never really laid eyes on his face. The investigator asked me to describe what I saw of him, which was from the back) and it did match the suspect, particulary the fact that he had a darker skin, hair and eye complexion -features know in this part of the world as "caucasion" (not to be confused with the term used for one's race), meaning origins from the caucasas region of southern Russia, a region of mixed middle eastern and european origin. These people tend to be lower on the economic scale, often found in criminal enterprise, and sometimes the targets of police action. Witness Russia's actions against Chechnya, which is part of that region. It is a source of some internal problems in Russia.
At the end of the session, I was asked to return yet a third time to face the suspect, at which time the investigator is asking us both questions. I felt very uncomfortable with this arrangement and made my feelings known. I did not want the suspect to have a clear picture of my face. Although he probably can still recognize me in a crowd, I did not want to make it easier for him. The investigaor explained I was not compelled by law to do this, and I accordingly declined.
I need to go back to the station a final time on Monday, accompanied by David, my co-worker and interpreter of that night, to read the final statement, have my passport, Visa and immigration card copied, and sign all of the documents. The file is about an inch thick and I felt the investigation was very thorough. I did learn that the suspect claimed there was only $50 in the wallet whereas I have declared there was much more, the total contents of American and Russian currency, together with the wallet, coming to 13,200 rubles, or about $430. I believe the police may have my wallet and I may get it on Monday. If that's the case, score a victory for the Russian police.
I asked our security director in the car afterwards whether my case had been treated with more diligence since I was an expat. He wasn't sure, he said physical assault was always taken seriously, but I have to think this case against an American may have demanded some additional attention. What struck me the most is my perception that, in America, this case would barely have been investigated unless I wanted to first "press charges", and even then I wonder how much our police would have acted. Here I was quite content to accept my loss and forget about it, but the police did the investigation regardless of any real move on my part.
At the end of the session, I was asked to return yet a third time to face the suspect, at which time the investigator is asking us both questions. I felt very uncomfortable with this arrangement and made my feelings known. I did not want the suspect to have a clear picture of my face. Although he probably can still recognize me in a crowd, I did not want to make it easier for him. The investigaor explained I was not compelled by law to do this, and I accordingly declined.
I need to go back to the station a final time on Monday, accompanied by David, my co-worker and interpreter of that night, to read the final statement, have my passport, Visa and immigration card copied, and sign all of the documents. The file is about an inch thick and I felt the investigation was very thorough. I did learn that the suspect claimed there was only $50 in the wallet whereas I have declared there was much more, the total contents of American and Russian currency, together with the wallet, coming to 13,200 rubles, or about $430. I believe the police may have my wallet and I may get it on Monday. If that's the case, score a victory for the Russian police.
I asked our security director in the car afterwards whether my case had been treated with more diligence since I was an expat. He wasn't sure, he said physical assault was always taken seriously, but I have to think this case against an American may have demanded some additional attention. What struck me the most is my perception that, in America, this case would barely have been investigated unless I wanted to first "press charges", and even then I wonder how much our police would have acted. Here I was quite content to accept my loss and forget about it, but the police did the investigation regardless of any real move on my part.
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Job Site
The Russians think in terms of massive scale. When completed, this refinery will not only process crude oil into gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene, but will also produce all sorts of petrochemical products. WIth our help, the client has come to realize their limitations on money and are only going to build the first stage essentials during this initial phase. The other stages will follow once the initial stage is running and producing some income. This stage is estimated at some $4bil dollars.
The site is in the shape of a backwards "L" looking from south to north, with each leg about 2 miles long. So to walk from the north end where our offices are to the extreme southwestern end is about 4 miles. This site is part of a much larger industrial complex with other refineries of similar size. The entire complex is located about 10 miles outside the city limits on a rise above the city. The city is located along the river valley. From the city, this industrial area spans the western horizon.
Our offices consist of a 3-story building of stacked modular construction. They are quite adequate. From time-to-time the power goes out and today the water is shut off. The cafeteria, which is in another building, is also shut down, so we are ordering lunch brought in. Until the portable toilets are brought in, we are watching our fluid intakes.
The site is in the shape of a backwards "L" looking from south to north, with each leg about 2 miles long. So to walk from the north end where our offices are to the extreme southwestern end is about 4 miles. This site is part of a much larger industrial complex with other refineries of similar size. The entire complex is located about 10 miles outside the city limits on a rise above the city. The city is located along the river valley. From the city, this industrial area spans the western horizon.
Our offices consist of a 3-story building of stacked modular construction. They are quite adequate. From time-to-time the power goes out and today the water is shut off. The cafeteria, which is in another building, is also shut down, so we are ordering lunch brought in. Until the portable toilets are brought in, we are watching our fluid intakes.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The Arba
Had a company function at the Arba restaurant. One of the nicer restaurants in town, it has the appearance of a ski lodge with exposed timbers, antiques and rustic wood furniture. The food was wonderful and the beer was German. There was live entertainment by a Gypsy violinist, a female singer (doing only songs in English), a Russian rock-and-roll band, and finally - of all things- German folk songs.
Television
Someone is bound to ask what its like to watch television here. I get it by satellite. Just as in the states, its filled with home shopping networks, news and religious shows. What stands out here is the diversity of languages and channels. After Russian, the most prominent languages are French, English and Arabic. There is also a Chinese station (broadcasting in English). Al Jazeera News Channel is particularly interesting. These guys take a big bashing in the U.S. every time Arab-U.S. tensions rise for being pro-Arab. I was surprised to see they broadcast in English (from London) and I don't find their news at all biased. Let us question our own news as well if we judge the foreign channels. Do we have propaganda on our U.S news channels? Bet your life we do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Food Here (We can survive)
Eating the food here is a god-send for my diet. First of all, the restaurants are very conservative with the portions, they don't heap it on. And you order ala-carte. If you want soup, you order it, same with salad. My favorite main courses are schashlik (skewered beef or chicken) and palmeni (soup with dumplings).
I don't like spending a lot of time in restaurants, so I go to the store or market and get cucumbers, tomatoes, sausage (huge variety here - I look for the lean ones), and bread. When I get back to my room I lay it out on my end table and a bottle of water and take small slices. Sometimes with a bit of cheese. I can eat for about 3 dollars a day.
Breakfasts are served at the hotel right now. It can vary from a slice of wheat bread, cold sausage or fish fillets, cereal (not the pre-sweetened kind) or occassionally I'll grab a couple of fried eggs (no bacon). I'm not much of a breakfast person, so that meal is very light.
For lunch its a bowl of soup, a small (no kidding here) tomato and cucumber salad, and a cup of juice. After the first week of tasting the Russian beers, its now juice and water for the most part.
I don't have a scale, but I can see my waist shrinking. I'm down to my last belt notch. Maybe I'll need a new belt in a few weeks. A small price to pay.I've been to our doctor here and checked on the blood pressure. Its right where it needs to be. I take the stairs to my 5th floor room and walk to the market instead of taking a cab, trying to work up the endurance a bit.
I don't like spending a lot of time in restaurants, so I go to the store or market and get cucumbers, tomatoes, sausage (huge variety here - I look for the lean ones), and bread. When I get back to my room I lay it out on my end table and a bottle of water and take small slices. Sometimes with a bit of cheese. I can eat for about 3 dollars a day.
Breakfasts are served at the hotel right now. It can vary from a slice of wheat bread, cold sausage or fish fillets, cereal (not the pre-sweetened kind) or occassionally I'll grab a couple of fried eggs (no bacon). I'm not much of a breakfast person, so that meal is very light.
For lunch its a bowl of soup, a small (no kidding here) tomato and cucumber salad, and a cup of juice. After the first week of tasting the Russian beers, its now juice and water for the most part.
I don't have a scale, but I can see my waist shrinking. I'm down to my last belt notch. Maybe I'll need a new belt in a few weeks. A small price to pay.I've been to our doctor here and checked on the blood pressure. Its right where it needs to be. I take the stairs to my 5th floor room and walk to the market instead of taking a cab, trying to work up the endurance a bit.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
A Bavarian Brewhouse in the Middle of Russia
Its in Chelney, the next city from Nizhnekamsk, from what I've heard a bit larger with more western amenities. The ad says if there are 10 of us, they will provide transport. I've suggested a Project Controls outing. I'm pretty sure I can get enough people together.
Reading the menu with my limited skills, they have all the right ingredients; Bavarian pretzels, apple strudel...............
Here's the e-mail I received:
Reading the menu with my limited skills, they have all the right ingredients; Bavarian pretzels, apple strudel...............
Here's the e-mail I received:
Please be informed that recently there has been an opening of a new Beer Restaurant ("Maximilian's") in Chelny. It's very good, with genuine Bavarian beer & exquisite german cuisine, etc. (more datailed info is in the attached files:)
If you wish to visit this place you can do it through their manager Irina - 48-76-56 (she is local). They will provide with a transport (there and back) if we have 10 (at least) or more people to go.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Motivation and Privacy
IN MY APARTMENT!! I was notified at 10:00 that I was moving into my apartment that day. At 4:00 a driver took me to the hotel, I packed my bags and he took me over to the apartments. It was a hot day. I had 2 super-sized suitcases, a rolley, a briefcase and two plastic bags of food. I was sweating profusely the whole time. I met the floor lady Svetlana and she checked me in. Her friend (another Svetlana) was also there and was hounding me constantly to get me to hire her to clean the apartment. I was certainly interested but not right away so she gave me her phone number. I said I would call her when I'm ready. She helped me with my bags (big husky Russian woman she is). The apartment was like a new lease on life. After 3 weeks in one room, this place feels like a palace. Organized bass-ackwards, but who cares. Its on the second floor with a huge steel door entrance. Must weigh a ton. Go in the entrance, you have the sink and shower room on the right side, with a small washing machine. Then you have a small closet with the toilet and a water heater mounted above it. They don't bother hiding the plumbing here, pipes all exposed. Straight ahead still on the right the kitchen, small gas stove (need matches to light it), a refrigerator and a table with 4 chairs. From the front entrance you go left and find first the bedroom then down the hall is the living room, with a small balcony. (Bass-ackwards, right?). The TV is a flat screen, I have DVD player with surround sound. Felt good to put on some music and listen on decent speakers. I have a cable for computer connection. In a few days I'll bring my computer home and start the process of getting on the internet.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
My Readings
Job has been very busy, but I've managed to find a bit of time to read. Mainly historical stuff, but while in Berkeley I managed to finally get my hands on a used copy of Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck. Started it 3 days ago and almost finished, can't put it down! Steinbeck is incrdible. I remember reading Of Mice and Men in high school, but it never left much of an impact. He's one you have to read once life has knocked you around a bit. Wanted to get some more perspective on migrations (seems to be a big interest of mine), and this one was all about the U.S. migrations west during the Great Depression. Was interested in how the melting pot of central California came to be what it is today. Man did those people have it rough. But they never lost their dignity or their work ethic. Their outlook on life was incredible. Here's what really comes across - "there's bad in good people and there's good in bad people". Our lives shape us in many ways; at the end of the day we are just people, imperfect in many ways, trying to figure things out. We never will, but thats what its all about - trying to figure things out.
Monday, July 13, 2009
A Few Horrible Days
July 4, 2009 Happy Independence Day
Not observed in Russia of course. There was rumor of some of us expats getting together for a barbecue down at the river. When I got there only two co-workers down there. They had been there a while and were glad to see me. I bought them each a beer and we just started shooting the breeze. No barbecue, the day was overcast, rain off and on, so I guess that kept folks away. A young Russian fellow seated by himself next to us wanted to strike up a conversation. I started asking him about his family and he had a few interesting things to say, so I invited him to sit with us. Chris and Mark ended up leaving after about an hour, so this fellow and I kept talking. He didn't know any English, but with my broken Russian and a few hand signals we were able to communicate. He told me his grandparents came from Germany (he was blond-haired, blue-eyed) and that NO, HE WAS NOT A TARTAR. I asked this jokingly (since I knew by his features he wasn't) just to get a response, and the response was exactly what I had thought. The Russian people stay very close to their ethnic lines, and prejudices are very prevalent. We continued on and he pumped me for information about America, partilarly automobiles. What did I drive, how far was it between cities, did folks travel a lot, how much was gasoline. I bought him a few beers and the lady in the store said my Russian was very good, asked where i was from, I asked her had she ever been out of the country. Course not, had never even left Nizhnekamsk. What a preposterous idea.
Left the river area around 8:00 I guess, Chris and Mark had said they were going to the Bastion Restaurant, so I decided to take a cab over there. They weren't there and it was raining, got back into a cab and asked him to take me to the hotel. Half way there I changed my mind and asked him to take me to the Anbar Restaurant. I was hungry and didn't feel like going to the hotel just yet.
WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS!!!!!!!!!!!
Got to the Anbar and again no one there I knew. Walked up to the Kino restaurant 2 blocks away, where I found Andrew, John and Simon. I sat down and ordered some pelmeny. They were drinking vodka and Schweppes. Guess I had a few too many. Left around 12:00 and started to walk back to the hotel. The security guy at the restaurant (all the nicer places have these) tracked me down and insisted I take a cab.So I walked back to the front door and he put me into the front seat of a cab. Un-beknownst to me (probably because I had a few drinks) a fellow got in the back seat and we drove off. When the cab dropped me at the hotel, I paid the fare and got out. I was walking towards the hotel gate and the next thing I knew I was on the ground and some guy was on top of me trying to pull my wallet out of my pocket. I wasn't totally coherent and he caught me by surprise. I held him for a bit but eventually he took the wallet and fled.
The rest of the night was spent with the police, check the crime scene, answer questions, go to the restaurant and look at surveillance videos, back to the hotel to pick up my passport, to the police station to fill out the report. This was really funny - they needed to know my monthly salary. I told them $400 per month and they believed it. I was supposed to go to work the next day but was tired, sore and dirty. I went to borrow David's phone so I could call home and get my credit cards cancelled. On Monday I got to work and the inquisitions started again. First, the safety meeting. The construction manager gave a talk about what to do and not to do when getting into cabs. Yea, I felt like a real dumb-ass. Then I needed to borrow money, get another phone and find an address of where my wife could send replacement credit cards. The first 2 items were taken care of relatively quickly, the last item never did. Don't know why the HR department couldn't supply me an address. They finally said just to find someone who's on leave to bring them over. Fine, coulda figured that one out all by myself.
July 10
Get a visit from our head security guy (where was he while I was at the police station), he needs a written statement as well. Sure, no problem, same thing I told the police. Later in the week my supervisor comes to my office, shuts the door, and tells me the good news and the bad news. Good news is the client's investigation is closed. Bad news is now there's a spotlight on me. Any more trouble from me and I'll get a one-way ticket home. Now I know how a woman feels when she's raped. Some people seem to think its her fault. Well, yes, I was stupid, but I don't normally go looking for trouble. I've been overseas 15 years and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened. A part of me wants to go out and get mugged again so they DO send me home. Got too much pride for that, though.
Not observed in Russia of course. There was rumor of some of us expats getting together for a barbecue down at the river. When I got there only two co-workers down there. They had been there a while and were glad to see me. I bought them each a beer and we just started shooting the breeze. No barbecue, the day was overcast, rain off and on, so I guess that kept folks away. A young Russian fellow seated by himself next to us wanted to strike up a conversation. I started asking him about his family and he had a few interesting things to say, so I invited him to sit with us. Chris and Mark ended up leaving after about an hour, so this fellow and I kept talking. He didn't know any English, but with my broken Russian and a few hand signals we were able to communicate. He told me his grandparents came from Germany (he was blond-haired, blue-eyed) and that NO, HE WAS NOT A TARTAR. I asked this jokingly (since I knew by his features he wasn't) just to get a response, and the response was exactly what I had thought. The Russian people stay very close to their ethnic lines, and prejudices are very prevalent. We continued on and he pumped me for information about America, partilarly automobiles. What did I drive, how far was it between cities, did folks travel a lot, how much was gasoline. I bought him a few beers and the lady in the store said my Russian was very good, asked where i was from, I asked her had she ever been out of the country. Course not, had never even left Nizhnekamsk. What a preposterous idea.
Left the river area around 8:00 I guess, Chris and Mark had said they were going to the Bastion Restaurant, so I decided to take a cab over there. They weren't there and it was raining, got back into a cab and asked him to take me to the hotel. Half way there I changed my mind and asked him to take me to the Anbar Restaurant. I was hungry and didn't feel like going to the hotel just yet.
WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS!!!!!!!!!!!
Got to the Anbar and again no one there I knew. Walked up to the Kino restaurant 2 blocks away, where I found Andrew, John and Simon. I sat down and ordered some pelmeny. They were drinking vodka and Schweppes. Guess I had a few too many. Left around 12:00 and started to walk back to the hotel. The security guy at the restaurant (all the nicer places have these) tracked me down and insisted I take a cab.So I walked back to the front door and he put me into the front seat of a cab. Un-beknownst to me (probably because I had a few drinks) a fellow got in the back seat and we drove off. When the cab dropped me at the hotel, I paid the fare and got out. I was walking towards the hotel gate and the next thing I knew I was on the ground and some guy was on top of me trying to pull my wallet out of my pocket. I wasn't totally coherent and he caught me by surprise. I held him for a bit but eventually he took the wallet and fled.
The rest of the night was spent with the police, check the crime scene, answer questions, go to the restaurant and look at surveillance videos, back to the hotel to pick up my passport, to the police station to fill out the report. This was really funny - they needed to know my monthly salary. I told them $400 per month and they believed it. I was supposed to go to work the next day but was tired, sore and dirty. I went to borrow David's phone so I could call home and get my credit cards cancelled. On Monday I got to work and the inquisitions started again. First, the safety meeting. The construction manager gave a talk about what to do and not to do when getting into cabs. Yea, I felt like a real dumb-ass. Then I needed to borrow money, get another phone and find an address of where my wife could send replacement credit cards. The first 2 items were taken care of relatively quickly, the last item never did. Don't know why the HR department couldn't supply me an address. They finally said just to find someone who's on leave to bring them over. Fine, coulda figured that one out all by myself.
July 10
Get a visit from our head security guy (where was he while I was at the police station), he needs a written statement as well. Sure, no problem, same thing I told the police. Later in the week my supervisor comes to my office, shuts the door, and tells me the good news and the bad news. Good news is the client's investigation is closed. Bad news is now there's a spotlight on me. Any more trouble from me and I'll get a one-way ticket home. Now I know how a woman feels when she's raped. Some people seem to think its her fault. Well, yes, I was stupid, but I don't normally go looking for trouble. I've been overseas 15 years and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened. A part of me wants to go out and get mugged again so they DO send me home. Got too much pride for that, though.
Friday, July 10, 2009
No blogs for the wicked
The Fluor network won't let me open blogs anymore either. I was hoping to get into my apartment soon so I could get hooked up on the internet, in the meantime we're working 7 days a week so I don't have time to go find a wireless card, let alone spend time in my room at night with the internet. I get home at 8:00, quick dinner, a bit of reading, sleep by 9:30 or so, then up at 5:00. Exciting, huh? Right now the network's down and I have no lights in the office, so I'll save this to draft until I can send it off.
We just got our hot water back in the hotel after 3 days, dark red-brown. Up till then it was sponge baths with heated water from my electric water pot.
We just got our hot water back in the hotel after 3 days, dark red-brown. Up till then it was sponge baths with heated water from my electric water pot.
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