Kazan — summer 2012

I can’t imagine knowing you then. I suppose I would not have given our vast differences.

Don responds: Yeah, truth to tell, we would have hated each other back then.

Yep, there is a face I remember. Was that the 1988 trip? Come to think of it, weren’t we room mates at Севастопольская гостиница that summer?

Don responds: No, this was 1986, my first trip. I don’t think we were ever on the same trip in Russia at the same time, but perhaps my memory misleads me.

Now I’m scratching my head. My trip was with Del Phillips the summer of 1988. Leningrad, Novgorod, Moscow. I swear you were my roommate, but then I can’t remember… Wait, that guy from Tucson who when by the nick name Shalom was also on the trip as well. You introduced me to him. Or am I just dreaming things?

Don responds: My error: you are right. I was part of the trip with Del in 1988. And it would make sense that we were roommates; you would have been one of the few people whose judgment I would have trusted enough to room with.

Is that snow painted on like Santa’s Castle? I know they do that at the North Pole in Alaska. it’s not very attractive in summer :)

And my, how you’ve … Filled out :)

Don responds: Nah, those are just white roofs.

Yup, I’m now a standard fat American. Time to get back on the stair master.