Yah-nah-pah-nee-mah-yoo

You can't believe it unless you see it.  You wonder how in the world these little guys can eat SO much.  I have two hungry swimmers at home and they can't match what these boys are eating.  It's a good thing food is cheap here.  I mean, 6-7 meals a day.

Ice skating today at the mall.  Fun.

I had an amusing encounter with a stranger today, at the ice skating rink.  Whenever someone approaches me and asks me a question in Russian, I give them the blank stare and "Yah-nah-pah-nee-mah-yoo" ("I don't understand").  Usually I get a turned head in response.  Once in a while a surprised look, or even a fleeting smile.  Today I got a huge smile and a "Where are you from?!" in English.  I told her "America," and I thought she was going to burst.  "AMERICA!!   Friends again!" and she shook my hand.  There she is!  I've been waiting for her!  lol

Make of it what you will, but usually the locals who are curious about me are young--younger than me.  It's the older generation, the ones who grew up under communism, who seem dismissive.  Suspicious.  Unwelcoming.  Not always, but usually.

I will post some photos shortly.