DaKnack's Trip Report: The "Evil Empire" Strikes Daknack!

[catzenmouse]

Must be having problems now as everytime he sits down to type he think of the Banya and gets all "hot and bothered"... hope it isn't from thought of being beaten by another man.... 

See what happens when you leave us hanging too long DaKnack...

[Rvrwind]

OH OH Ken, thats low but funny!!!
Lets face it Matchewww, you gonna get a lot of flack if you don't finish what you started

[LEGAL]

Russian banya in Russian Art.

[Daknack]

I'll update tommorow.  I promise.  I need constant kicks in the pants to write my story.  I get lazy!  BTW... Igor wacking me was harsh... but oh so gentle.... sigh!

[catzenmouse]

Remember DaKnack... the "W" here is for Women. The topic of discussion is Women. We don't want to hear any more of your sordid Turkish prison stories...

We'll hold you to that tomorrow update!

[Daknack]

Intermission:  Meanwhile back at DAKNACK cave…

Here is a place to talk about a few things that happened, that I am unsure exactly when in the story they take place.  The exact timeline is a little bit muddled, but they are nonetheless important.

One is the walking issue. If you recall, Zera walked very fast, and me very slow.  This fact caused our timing on walks to be way off.  This was corrected during a visit to a very small art museum.  A friend of Zera worked there, and we were to meet her and take a tour.  The first time (which I am certain was on Monday at some point during “Episode 3” during our walk) the place was closed, and the second time, I am not certain when it happened, but it was raining and resolved our walking issue.  Because of the rain, Zera and I snuggled under the umbrella as we walked.  Needless to say, I was suffering (NOT).  After this, there was no walking issue, and it helped to break a lot of the ice that there was then. 
When we got to the museum, not only did Zera’s friend take us to her office to talk, but several other women (all attractive too) came to talk with us all.  I really didn’t know what was being said but picked up words here and there.  They asked me if I was comfortable not knowing what they were saying, and I told them it didn’t really bother me.  We walked through the museum then returned to the office.  When we returned to the office we said goodbyes but Zera’s friend came with us to the café.  I really enjoyed talking to her a lot, and it helped I think as I was still at a awkward hump with Zera.  She was a very funny person, and mentioned that “ginger is good for you!”.  I explained that I liked ginger and both she and Zera laughed.  I didn’t understand the joke so I said that Zera should eat all her ginger since it was good for you.  They looked at each other grinning.  Zera’s friend explained to me that “Ginger is good for men.”  I explained that I agreed not yet getting the point.  That ginger helps settle the stomach and I often drink ginger ale for just such a reason.  They looked at each other slightly grinning and explained not for the stomach for men.  This time I got the reference as “Just for men”.  But of course they were being coy, and I wanted to get them to tell me exactly why ginger was good for men.  Zeras friend hemmed and hawed, but eventually she said “ginger is good only for men.  For making babies!”  I laughed pretty hard on that, and ginger because a minor running joke throughout my stay!

During this time, I talked a little too much to Zera’s friend and not to Zera, and her friend told me privately to include her more as Zera was getting bored.  I was good advice, and she was right, I was messing up a little and not focusing were I should.  But my greatest lesson would come later.

I know some will call this entry a cop out, but its important later on trust me.  Things were still a little distant at this point.  I will make a new entry tomorrow too to fill my obligation!

[DonAz]

Dude get on with it already

[Daknack]

Episode 5    Adler Bound

The next morning, I wanted to get a gift wrapped, so Ira came over to take me to a place to get my gift wrapped.  As we walked, we discussed how things were going,  I told her that I thought things were going well, but that there was still too much push-pull.  Basically being pulled close but also to a measure at arms length.  She told me “yes, this is how Zera is in the beginning.  She is not yet comfortable it takes her a little time.”  We walked and discussed more, and I had my gift to her wrapped.  I was to go to Adler at 4 or 5 as a feast was being prepared for my arrival, and Zera was helping with the preparations.  I was also invited to stay the night in Adler.  I waited a good bit of time and I think this was the first day I went to the internet café.  I came back and around 4 or 5 a cab was called to take me to Adler.  The cab came, and although he didn’t speak a lick of English we got along well.  WE even got lost and had a decent time.  The driver pulled up along side this amazing looking redhead (the only one I think I saw during my time there that was a natural redhead with the pale type skin and freckles).  In fact, this may have been the most perfectly proportioned women I’ve ever seen in my life.  The driver looked at me, I looked at him, and he pulled over and asked her for directions.  As we pulled away he made the universal hand signal all men recognize.  The “woman hour glass” hand gesture.  I could only nod and smile totally agreeing!.  Truly amazing women there.  Finally we had to break down and call Zera for directions.  I was met about a block away from the house where Zera stayed by Zera, her friend Nadia and Nadia’s Daugher (and Zera’s god daughter) Polina.  Polina did NOT seem happy!  I was a big strange man and she did her best to avoid me when I tried to say hello hiding behind her mom.  I laughed.  Nadia spoke some English and was rather good at expressing herself.  Nadia helped a great deal with conversation, as did Zera, and Igor (who had a natural instinct for understanding what I ment to do and or say).  Nadia is married to Dima who is a small (by my standards everyone is small so probably medium sized to everyone else) guy that seems a bit stoic, but a good and serious man.  Nadia and Dima also have a son named Lera who is quite the mommas boy!  Nadia told me when he would whine for her “Only Mama!”  Then of course there is Igor and his wife Lena.  Lena is a very cute brunette with stunning blue eyes.  Then there was “Mamma” Nadia and Lena’s mother who was a woman that resembled an older version of Nadia with a ready smile (and makes a damn good chicken dish where there are apples stuffed in them.  Quite tasty!  Everyone went out of their way to make me feel at home

I was amazed at how friendly, and fun everyone was.  I truly had a fantastic time with them.  We all drank vodka and cognac.  The Russian men Dima and Igor told me that they liked me.  I was like Russian man and could hold my drink!  Generally that’s a pretty true.  We talked all day and night about the similarities and differences of our people.  I really felt at home, and included in all the conversation and activities even when they were speaking Russian.

I am sad though to find that since my visit that Igor and Lena are no longer together.  They remain friendly, but still, this type of thing always scares me.  No one ever wants divorce, and they seemed so in love while I was there.  I don’t know what happened, I am not sure I want to know.  But I can say it weights heavy on my heart to know.  Both are very good people and I enjoyed getting to know them both. 

[DonAz]

Matt, are we ever gonna get another episode or what? 

Come on Dude have some mercy

DonAz

[catzenmouse]

Might as well face it Don. Matchew is a SLACKER!

Ken

[Shadow]

Thinking of how long it took him to take the trip he is actually puttin up his reports fast 

[CaptB]

Is this trip report ever going to be finished?   

[DonAz]

Daknack~ it everything going OK with you two?

[Rvrwind]

I don't know, Mathew kinda faded away not to be heard from again. Don't know what happened. I used to get the odd email now & again but havn't heard from him in quite a while. Sure hope all is well.

[Son of Clyde]

I have Matt's phone number and I will contact him this week and post a status report.

[Son of Clyde]

I will remind DaKnack that he has a birthday today.

[Admin]

I will remind DaKnack that he has a birthday today.

Hmmmm - I don't think so.

I *think* it is this Sunday - if the RWD Calendar is to be believed.

- Dan

[Son of Clyde]

Oops, my bad.

[catzenmouse]

Well he's not going to get a present from me until he get's his butt back here and finish this TR!

Ken

[Elen]

He didn't answer at my Hi today in MSN  though he was online

[Daknack]

Ladies and Gentleman, I am very good and everything with me is fine.  The past 2 months, my computer crashed about 4 times and required long repair times.  In addition, I have had a very full plate with teaching classes and preparing them for the maryland assesment tests. 

I assure you, I will write multiple TR entries this week!  (SPRING BREAK).

To Elena, thanks for the message, I was however not at my computer when you sent the message.  As ever you are gracious and I wish I could have talked with you a little bit.

[Rvrwind]

DaNack is back!!!!!

[Patrick]

Happy Birthday my friend. I hope that you have many more good ones..

[Son of Clyde]

Happy birthday Matt I will be in touch. Happy Easter too.

[Rvrwind]

Happy Birthday Matt,good to hear all is well!!