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dwfunk
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| Joined: | Tuesday March 21st, 2006 |
| Location: | Houston, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 109 |
| Visits: | 3 | | Currently: | married |
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Posted: Sunday November 12th, 2006 06:39 am |
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So it was because of the encounter at Sheremetyevo-2 that Natalia became extremely sensitive to situations that had the potential to take her David away from her. For example, every time we encountered 'law enforcement,' мили́ция or полиция, (Militsiya or Policiya) which was often on Metro, Natalia would grab my arm tighter and we'd cut behind another row of colmuns on the Metro, turn into a side street if we were walking topside, turn into a shop, anything, to avoid an encounter with the local constabulary.
Well one day, entering Театра́льная (Teatralnaya metro station) we had made it through the turn stiles, (where "iron bars grab you!") and were heading for the escalater down to the Metro. Usually the Militsiya were in groups of 3, but this time there were 4! Great! We had to pass through them to go down the escalator. I keep looking stright ahead, suddenly realizing there was enormous pressure on my left arm. My Natalia was squeezing my arm extremely tight and I knew we were in trouble
As I stepped on to the escalator and we began descending I thought I heard amongst some other Russian words, "паспорт пожалуйста". At that point the pressure on my arm increased to the point that I thought we would become permanently attached to each other. We continued to descend and after what seem an eternity, when I didn't hear any machine gun fire, nor did I hear any shouting, I ventured a peek back up the escalator.
One of the Militsiya had his arm outstretched with baton in hand and was restraining another Militsiaya who seemed agitated and determined to pursue us. There was obviously an animated conversation going on at the same time amongst all of them.
It was then that Natalia began tugging on my arm. I bent my head down to hear her, and she told me in a very soft voice, that they were discussing me. They were confused and unsure if I was a "Special Policeman" or a "Gangster from Chicago!" Either way, it seems one of them was proclaiming to the rest that none of them had sufficient rank to protect them from inevitable repercussions if either situation proved to be true and that they should just let us continue on our way. Well they did and we did!
When we arrived at the station to transfer to our line, we encountered 2 more Militsiya. Natalia tightened her grip on my arm and we marched right past them!! I have no clue if they even noticed us or not, but we felt like we owned the world at that point!
A few days later, we were waiting for the monorail (Моско́вская Моноре́льсовая Тра́нспортная Систе́ма (ММТС)) at the Vestavochnyi Tsentr station. Natalia had some questions about schedules and pricing and was at the кассир. We had learned that most of the time I needed to be out of sight while she was purchasing our transportation tickets, otherwise much "swearing" ensued over prices for foreigners versus Russians. (that's another story)
Meanwhile a couple of Militsiya had appeared on the station platform. They kind of strolled a circuitous route around the platform and I thought they were leaving when one of them approached me and said something. I got so nervous, I didn't pick up a single word he said. He repeated what he had said, reached out his hand and touched the back of my sleeve.
About then I heard a voice like an angel from heaven!! My Natalia had appeared, and she told me, "Honey, he says you have something on your coat." Natalia had finished with the cashier and was returning to me and to her horror, saw the 2 Militisya talking to me and reaching out as if to grab me! As she got closer, she heard what he was saying and knew everything was alright. It turns out I had brushed up against something and had a smear of chalk, plaster or something on the back of my sleeve. I Спасибо, Большое спасибо, to the officers and then stood there while Natalia, and the Militsiya officer brushed whatever it was off my coat. Between my Большое спасибо and Natalia's profuse thanks and what ever else she told them, they nodded, tipped their hats and we boarded the monorail that had just arrived.
After that we went every where as if we owned the world. I got the distinct impression that given a chance, a Russian will do everything she can to 'tweak' the nose of the authorities.
Oh my gosh, that reminds me about our "Guest Pass" the hotel security guards, my Honey, and my not yet recognized persona . . . .
to be continued
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David & Natalia
Republic of Texas/ Moscow, Russia
УЛ. КОНЕНКОВА
16th World Spacemodeling Championships
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dwfunk
Member
| Joined: | Tuesday March 21st, 2006 |
| Location: | Houston, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 109 |
| Visits: | 3 | | Currently: | married |
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Posted: Sunday November 12th, 2006 06:41 am |
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Sometimes they were everywhere!!!!
Attachment: HPIM0279_400-wide.JPG (Downloaded 24 times) Last edited on Sunday November 12th, 2006 06:42 am by dwfunk
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RQRose
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| Joined: | Monday October 27th, 2008 |
| Location: | Tampa, Florida USA |
| Posts: | 60 |
| Visits: | | | Currently: | learning about RW |
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Posted: Tuesday November 4th, 2008 08:58 am |
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Why did they think you are some sort of "Special Policeman" or "Chicago Gangster"?
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Current time is 12:44 pm | |
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