The last four days in Regina were a mad dash to finish business and see as many people as possible. MayB had people for supper Thursday night and Friday night and when they left, more people came for coffee. Sunday was her church's annual Christmas program and dinner so I was able to see many old friends and eat another Turkey dinner.
She hauled me to the airport Monday morning on her way home from work (MayB works 10 pm to 8 am and The Guy from 4 am to 1 pm; they see each other occasionally) and the long trip home began. AC left Regina on time (surprise); so far so good. Even the Toronto-Frankfurt leg was relatively uneventful.
When we got to Frankfurt, it was snowing heavily. Not good. Four hours late leaving Frankfurt meant I missed my train connection in Kyiv. Our long time taxi-driver, friend and all around fixer, Kostia, came to my rescue and helped me acquire a ticket for a later train. Not an easy task at the last minute and beginning of holiday season but possible for Kostia. Upper bunk in an open car but a ticket never-the-less. Instead of arriving home at 11 pm Tuesday, I would leave Kyiv at 11 pm and it would be 6:00 am Wednesday before I saw my Tanya.
An upper bunk is not impossible for me to climb into but having to do that every two hours becomes a bit difficult. Lucky for me the Car Attendant sized me up as possibly having more money than energy and rented me her roomette for the trip for $12.50 (100 UAH - same price as the ticket). A bottom bunk and a room to myself. I slept a little, which I would not have done on the top bunk, in spite of being exhausted.
Andrei met me in P'yatikhatki. The fog was thick as pea soup (or in Russian, casha - porridge) and even Andrei had to keep his speed down. Tanya had borsch and roast chicken waiting for us.
A wonderful trip. Spent time with my children, my siblings and Grandma - the primary reasons, in that order, for the visit. Everyone else was a bonus and there were too many I didn't see. Not enough time but it was time to go home. There is no place like home and no one like Tanya.
Life these days is just getting too hard. And now more difficult as we all know time speeds up as we get older. This will be but a flash of your memory. I miss the old slower days.
ReplyDeleteA warm and joyous holiday to you and your family.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
ReplyDeleteHave a great Christmas WAY over there!
ReplyDeleteDemeur is so right about the perception of time. When I was a little guy, the last two weeks before Christmas was an eternity that passed very, very slowly. Now, it goes by in the blink of an eye. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteSounds as though you had a good and memorable trip, BF. I'm glad you're home, safe and happy with Tanya. I wish you both the best of Christmas and a wonderful new year.
Thank you for your wishes, and yes, the older we are the faster time goes by. How did Joni put it? Drag our feet to slow the circle down?
ReplyDeleteBest new years wishes to you and Tanya. Friends and family are nice, but there is no place like home - and wife.
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard