I was invited to share a park bench by this colorful elderly gentleman, who spoke nonstoped for over an hour, on a multiple of topics ranging from football to politics.
He was of the opinion that President Putin gave too much thought to what the West would think, which to him made no sense, since the West was certain to think poorly of Russia in any case.
He was quite positive that if Stalin were president this war would have been won a long time ago. Just look how quickly he put Czechoslovakia in order.
I am seventy six years old and this man is younger than me by possibly ten years. I don’t have any personal memory of Stalin although he was the party chairman when I was born. The first chairman I remember was Nikita Khrushchev.
I didn’t get a word in edgewise so he never knew that I wasn’t a Russian. He was a jolly fellow and I didn’t mind one bit listening to his diverse opinions. Which he offered up in copious quantities.
After about an hour of continuous lecture, he had somewhere else to be. He said goodbye, we shook hands and he walked a way with a pronounced limp. Quite an experience for me.
A big shout out to the people who follow me. Unfortunately I’ve had to leave Russia. It became impossible to receive any funds from the US. I am currently living in Batumi, Georgia.
This is my family in the living room of my apartment in Kimovsk, Russia. I am a disabled Vietnam veteran. Seventy six years of age. My son Aleksandr (left), and my granddaughter Dasha (center) look in on me. Here, I had hoped to live out my retirement years.
Christmas Day Walk
I went for a walk today. Almost all businesses are closed for Christmas Day. The store that sells Turkish carpets was open so I went in and immediately spotted a beautiful Oriental carpet, bright red, black and gold.
I ask if it was a magic carpet and if it would fly.
The lady answered, “All my carpets are magical. As to whether it will fly, that all depends on what you put in your hookah.”
This is my apartment in Batumi. It’s on the eighth floor and the elevator works most of the time.
I pay 800 lari per month for this two bedroom apartment. That is approximately $294.
I have a fifteen to twenty minute walk to the beach. This is a great town for retirement. There are plenty of beaches to rest when you get tired.
The pink bedroom I call my guest room and it’s where my granddaughter will sleep when she visits me.
