sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you dear lady.
Story Veta (Book 2) (complete)
- Thread starter Kathy in FL
- Start date
Chapter 277: Oct 30 - Zurich, Switzerland (3)
Last day in Zurich and I am once again encouraging everyone to be packed and have their main luggage ready for pick up by 11 pm as we have an early transfer tomorrow morning to Basel where we embark. Vit was happy to accompany me one more day though he is less happy that I am losing weight from the endless work schedule of catering to others. He grouches about shortages in the grocery stores and that it has caused him to be unable to locate the nutritional shakes that I was drinking before.
Without telling me, he called the family to apprise them of our current position and also to ask Derrick in particular if he has any other suggestions to make. When has Derrick never had some to suggest when it comes to my health. Honestly.
“Vit.”
“It is for your own good. You will soon blow away in a light breeze.”
“That has to be one of the most outrageous exaggerations I have ever heard you make. What is up with you?” Yes, I was more than mildly irritated. I wasn’t angry but I was most definitely irritated. It is not bad enough that my brats sometimes treat me like a child, I did not want my husband to start doing it just to appease his oversized need to protect me.
“Derrick says …”
Bah. I am now to start adding full-cream, real butter, and other “good fats” to her my diet. And where am I to find these things on a ship that serves nothing but low-carb/fat free stuff? He also wants me to eat more than plant-protein because he suspects the stress we are under has dropped my B vitamins to lower levels. Gah. I like meat but again, I can only eat what is on the menu. Worse, if that does not plateau my weight loss, at the very least he wants Vit to start having me drink a milk shake, a smoothie, or an additional glass of milk per day … even if it is merely a glass of warm milk at night. The warm milk might even benefit my restless sleep. Let me repeat, I am not a child.
Then Vit cuddled up next to me and said, “Derrick also recommended chocolate. It might not help exactly but it certainly can’t hurt and I have a surprise for you.”
He is just sooooo lucky I was in the mood to be appeased. I’m Cossack too you know.
I had to laugh when Vit cautiously slid a box across the bed and I found it full of Swiss chocolates as well as shelf stable full cream milk. I decided that a mug of warm milk before bedtime sounded like a good thing and here I sit to finish this journal entry and submit my final report for Zurich on today’s tour.
Another day of pacifying the SOs as well as giving some of the personnel a chance to walk off the mullygrubs before we embark tomorrow.
Our first stop was Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's main shopping avenue. It is mostly pedestrian-only, with tram access to the city's transportation network. The streets are lined with luxury retailers and fine-dining restaurants. Bahnhofstrasse begins at the Zurich HB central railway station, which fronts Bahnhofplatz, or "Station Square." From there, it continues southwards until the shore of Lake Zurich at Bürkliplatz. Basically we were walking, sightseeing, and shopping all at the same time. I kept the SOs close while Vit helped to herd the rest.
Along its route, the street passes through several famous Zurich town squares, including Paradeplatz. This is a notoriously expensive real estate zone, where several Swiss banks are headquartered. The street was created at the same time that the central rail station, Zurich Hauptbahnhof, was created in the 1870s. It was built on the moats that protected the original fortified city of Zurich. Every corner of the street has a special treat to uncover. My personal favorite was the mulled wine and hot chocolates offered from vendor carts. Brrr. It was a two-pair-of-tights day.
Some of the people, and not just the SOs, wanted to go into Manor. The remainder stayed with Vit having a coffee and enjoying doing something besides working. Since the 16th century the Swiss have been perfecting the art of timekeeping. Swiss brand watches have become world famous, with most top brands boasting the prestigious and strictly standardized “Swiss Made” description as a selling feature. Manor department store has the largest selection of watches on the block. They also sell a great many other things and lucky for the SOs they have a shipping department because trust me, their faraday bags would not have held it all.
The fictional alpine adventures of Heidi have been read to children since the 19th century when the story was first written. She’s a bit like a Swiss Pollyanna. I enjoyed the stories as a child when Momma read to me and even have some of the original books thanks to Poppa and Derrick. I followed along as young Heidi adapts to life with her grandfather, secluded in the Swiss Alps, her adventures to Germany to meet a new friend, and her return to the mountains to spread joy and hope to those around her. The stories are truly classic … and classy with their wholesome relationships and language. Vit surprised me by buying a collection.
Did you know that Heidi was real? Yes, it’s true. The story is based on the life of Heidi Schwaller who lived to be in her 90s.
Why does everything in Switzerland lead by to chocolate? Founded in 1836 by Rudolf Sprüngli, the luxury confectionery Confiserie Sprüngli is one of Zurich’s very first chocolate makers. However, the company is mostly know for its signature macarons, called "Luxemburgerli" invented by a Sprüngli confectioner from Luxembourg. In 1892, the chocolate-producing branch of the business split off from the confectionery and now operates independently as Lindt & Sprüngli. Their assortment includes an immense range of chocolates with various fillings, pralines and truffles, of which the most recognizable are the Grand Cru truffles. More than six generations of the same family have led this company to success.
There is one naughty bit about the Sprüngli café on Paradeplatz. Supposedly it is the traditional meeting-place of the elderly ladies of Zürich's upper class and local folklore has it that the young men who attend this café alone may signal their availability to the well-to-do females by turning over coffee spoons in their cups. One of the SOs had the temerity to ask the manager about it. He said it is nothing but a persistent myth reflecting Zurich's more puritanical past, when the Sprüngli café was one of the few places where upper-class women could talk to strangers without risking their reputation.
I was cuckcoo’d out at Teddy’s Souvenir Shop. I helped to barter the purchase of no less that eight clocks, a couple of them quite expensive. I came out of the story wondering how the staff did not go deaf when all the clocks went off at the same time. Vit turned his head but I knew he was laughing, I just know he was.
The next place we went was Niederdorfstrasse, the main street that runs through Zurich's Niederdorf district. It lies on the east bank of the Limmat. It's a pedestrian-only cobblestone street. Along the way there were busy pubs and fast-food restaurants. The small streets and tightly packed outdoor cafes have an unmistakable medieval vibe to them. The pedestrian zone of Niederdorfstrasse begins just opposite the Zurich HB and runs parallel to Limmatquai and the river Limmat. It was a beautiful place to explore on foot, with historic buildings towering over us and tight medieval alleyways to wander. Limmatquai, also a pedestrian zone, lies just one block west of Niederdorfstrasse. It provides spectacular views of the Limmat, as well as a park-like atmosphere. On the south end of Limmatquai in the Niederdorfstrasse district, we found Grossmünster church. The Romanesque cathedral's twin-towers could be seen from all around town.
I am told that a trip to Zurich would not be complete without the purchase of a Swiss army knife. These intricate tools are no longer just for woodsmen and campers. Victorinox, the makers of the original Swiss army knife, now make product lines called “Elegant Pocket Tools” and “Victorinox USB”. The popular “Cyber Tool” boasts the classic blades and tools with the addition of small pliers and a multi head screwdriver, for IT professionals, engineers, and other “computer freaks”. The “Cigar Cutter”, features a multi-circumference cigar blade and a sleek metallic casing, while the “Waiter” includes a corkscrew, and both bottle and can opener. Some knives come with digital clocks, engrave-able front plates, paintings of the Matterhorn, USB storage, even pink camouflage casings. A lot of souvenir shops sell knock offs so you need to know what you are looking at. Several of the men in our group had it on their list to be on the look out for and Vit helped them to find a shop that had a pre-holiday sale going on. Everyone was happy; our group members and the shopkeeper.
The last stop we made was enjoyed by all whether they made a purchase or not. Building on the tradition of superior watchmaking skills, Switzerland is also famous for their intricately made music boxes. The first music box factories were opened in Switzerland in the early 19th century and at one time the industry surpassed that of watchmaking. Today, Swiss music boxes still feature the same function, playing songs like “Edelweiss” and the “Happy Wanderer” via metal cylinders and pins. High-end music boxes allow cylinders to be changed in order to play many different songs. The classic style of Swiss music boxes has not changed from its day of invention, but today a much larger selection is available. The “Rolls Royce” of music boxes, a large polished inlaid wooden box with changeable rules, sells for more than 10,000 francs.
It didn’t take long to get back to the hotel and a good thing. I had reports and needed to harry the slow pokes into packing.
Tomorrow is another embarkation day. I hope it goes more smoothly than some have.
Chapter 278: Oct 31 - Basel, Switzerland (embarkation)
How many times will I say, “What a day”? I begin to repeat myself in a parody of Chief Gunder’s “Oh mine Gott.”
Vit and I were up extremely early to reach the new ship before the first arrival of personnel. Those buses were leaving the hotel at 6 am and it only gave us an hour to prepare. When we arrived Vit is quickly called to work … and so was I. Someone from security hands me an electronic tablet and a thick packet. Rather than helping get everyone aboard I have been tasked with accompanying a group of SOs and some support personnel on an excursion to keep nonessential personnel out from under foot. It seems that is to be what my primary job of security has devolved into.
I don’t necessarily resent it because Polina said I am making it so that onboard security does not have to be spread so thin. “Hear me on this Little Sister, you do a thing that helps the rest of us not develop the baldness. Where they are finding these people we must deal with is …” The look of consternation on Polina’s face was quite something to behold and whether she was doing it on purpose or not, it let me know that my job was not just make work but that I performed a real service for the Peace Mission. Or at for the Crew of the Peace Mission. Or something anyway. At least I am earning my paycheck rather than just being pacified with one.
The excursion was a whirlwind of trotting from place to place. I think it was designed to keep the SOs and the others so busy they wouldn’t be a problem or try to constantly call their counterparts onboard.
We stopped first at the Basel Market which was located directly in the center of the city and is easily the busiest place any time of the year, but it was becoming especially so as people anticipated the Christmas markets.. The goods sold included a huge variety of food - fruit, vegetables, sweets, cheese and meat. Due to the progressing promotion of the healthy lifestyle in Europe, Basel Market also focuses on the production and selling of organic food. During Christmas, the market also transforms into the most popular winter holiday shopping venue in the country. They were already putting up some Christmas decorations of all things. I thought the stores in the States were the only one to do this so early.
Confiserie Schiesser is a famous sweet shop that has produced chocolates, cakes and other pastries since 1870. The shop also offers a tea room where visitors may enjoy a fresh cup of their favorite delight. I was tempted. I really was. The aroma wafting out of the shop was mesmerizing. But it was also crowded and we had a timetable to keep.
Chronometrie Spinnler & Schweizer is a specialized shop that has sold watches and other jewelery items since 1920. Today, the business is led by fourth and fifth generational family owners. The shop, beside selling famous jewelery, also offers visitors the rare opportunity to observe local watchmakers at work.
Läckerli Huus is a very popular specialty shop which features some of the best Swiss sweets, including gelée russe, toffees, biscuits, wafer rolls, caramels and chocolates. All items sold are wrapped in beautiful tins that can become keepsakes.
The Home Office had arranged for lunch reservations and thankfully we walked up right no time. Afterwards we were right back at it.
Rathaus represents the city's most beautiful and notable buildings, as well as an important piece for Market Place. Also known as Town Hall, the structure hosts Basel's seat of the government. It was built in the 14th century but has since seen a few different additions as well as reconstructions.
The Dollhouse Museum in Basel is the largest museum of its kind in Europe. The museum displays over 6,000 exhibits (teddy bears, dolls, play shops, dollhouses and miniatures) in arranged vignettes. It also regularly organizes special exhibitions on individual themes. In particular, the teddy bear collection is unique the world over in terms of variety and quality. It was a hit with the women of the group, not so much the men.
Basel Historical Museum: Barfüsserkirche opened in 1894, and is one of the largest and most important museums of its kind in Switzerland, and a heritage site of national significance. The main part of the museum is located in the Barfüsserkirche (literally ‘Barefeet Church’) in the center of the city of Basel. The exhibition presents objects documenting handicraft traditions and everyday culture from the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance up to the Baroque period. The museum also preserves old cabinets of curiosities which have been bequeathed, many of them quite uniqe.
The Middle Bridge, known as Mittlere Brücke in Basel, is the largest and oldest bridge crossing of the Rhine river. It was first installed in 1225 and was used to connect Gross Basel to Klein Basel. The bridge was built with wood and stone. It has since suffered numerous damages and was completely substituted out with a new bridge in 1905.
Les Trois Rois Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in the city. The hotel is located directly on the bank of the Rhine river, close to Middle Bridge. The hotel was first mentioned in 1681 and remodeled substantially in 1844. The hotel incorporates a Belle Époque style and was designed by Amadeus Merian - a famous Swiss architect.
Fishmarket Fountain was built in the second-half of the 14th century. It has tributes to Saint John the Baptist, Saint Peter, Madonna as well as nineteen other saints, gargoyles and angels. And it still works believe it or not.
Spalentor, also known as the "Gate of Spalen", is the central element of the once grand city wall. Constructed in 1356 to protect Basel from natural calamities, the present gate was one of six gates around a wall that was demolished in the 19th century. Today, Spalentor is widely considered one of the most magnificent gates in the country.
Whew. After all of the hurrying I got us into a timed ticket of the Botanical Garden that is part of the University complex. The present garden is the oldest in the former German section of Switzerland. Since its establishment in 1589, the garden has developed into an enormous attraction with millions of species of trees, herbs and bushes. I got everyone to relax and then it was back to the ship.
I’d completely forgotten what today would have been back in the States. That is until I found out that the wife of one of the new diplomats has mobility issues and has a capuchin monkey as their service animal. I didn’t know whether to be terrified, horrified, or stupefied. That’s when I realized the kids would have been trick-or-treating or going to trunk-or-treats at some of the local church. There aren’t that many small children in the family anymore, but some of them still volunteer to help with the games and mission programs in the area. Poppa was never particularly fond of the holiday but Momma always like seeing us dress up … so long as it was age appropriate.
Lucky for me I found out that Madame Kobayashi rarely leaves the ship and that the monkey has been with her twelve years. The monkey is basically her child and friend. I’ll admit to being a bit ashamed of myself after finding she was a very lonely woman. I have an idea. I will start bringing her postcards signed by everyone. I hope that may bring her out of her shell though I heard from Polina that she is painfully shy and quiet.
And speaking of dressing up, I received an email from my nephew Benji telling me about the Fall Festival that he is going to and asking me what I was doing for Halloween. I don’t think he realized that for me Halloween was nearly over while his was just beginning. Pembroke is six hours behind us here in Zurich. His question did make me think.
How and is Halloween is celebrated in Switzerland? After some digging I have found that despite the apparent lack of general enthusiasm for the “American” Halloween, different regions in Switzerland have plenty of unique indigenous traditions around this time of year, tied to the changing of season or religious occasions. In Ticino, the Italian-speaking Catholic south of the country, there is a one-week holiday called the vacanze dei morti (lit. “the holiday of the dead”). This holiday includes Halloween, but was originally intended exactly for what its name says: remembering the deceased. The first of November is “all saints day” (Ognissanti in Italian), a celebration dating back to the 7th century AD, during which Catholics celebrate all Christian saints, including those that are without a name or unknown. The following day, the 2nd November, is the giorno dei morti (the day of the dead), where one’s deceased are remembered in a church mass and a visit to their graves at the cemetery. Traditionally, the belief was that the deceased return home on this day. For this reason, up until the 1950s, people used to change their beds with clean sheets to welcome their ancestors home and leave the fire lit in the fireplace when they went to bed so they wouldn’t get cold when they came. They also used to put out some food, usually chestnuts or beans, and a small basin of water for them to wash themselves. Often, on that day people would eat no meat and instead roast and eat chestnuts together, after having put the deceased’s share aside, before saying a rosary and then going to bed.
I sent what I had learned to Reggie, told him to tell everyone hello for me, and then got busy on my reports and unpacking a bit in our cabin. This ship … er, no. I will not complain. We will not be on it long enough for it to matter.
Chapter 279: Nov 1 - Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, France but you wouldn’t know it from the looks on the crews’ faces. It needed a lot of work. I was off the ship with a small group early in the morning. A 2-hour Segway tour that started at 7 am. I couldn’t help but think of Frankie and how he had been so proud of himself for learning to ride one.
Then it was back to the ship to collect another small group, this one for a demanding climb called Strasbourg From The Top. There are many churches in Strasbourg, but you can’t miss the towering Cathédral Notre Dame de Strasbourg completed in the 15th century (with a Romanesque crypt dating back to the 11th century). Aside from the church itself you can also climb up the 332 steps to the rooftop viewing platform, which has great views over Strasbourg and all the way to the Black Forest in Germany on a clear day. There is also a big deal made of the Renaissance Astronomical Clock, l’Horloge Astronomique, which, moves like a very elaborate cuckoo clock. I personally thought it was a lot of waiting around for a short show but the others enjoyed the changed to catch their breath after the climb and descent.
Back to the ship again to drop and then pick up another group. This one for a bike ride where we explored the forests and parks of Strasbourg, the city’s green lungs. The bike tour passed through quiet, green districts and quaysides. It included visits in two of the oldest and also most beautiful Strasbourg’s parks: Parc du Contades and Parc de l’Orangerie, home of over 100 storks. They were magnificent and I might have one printed and framed for Benji’s room as a surprise. He is still as bird-crazy as ever.
And yet again, back to the ship to drop off one group to pick up the next. This time Vit surprised me by meeting me when we turned in the bikes at the pier. The group I was originally going to shepherd had been cancelled. I won’t get into all the reasons why, suffice it to say the young clerks in the diplomatic offices shouldn’t have tried to rush through just to get a chance to party. Apparently they thought they could ditch me without consequences. Someone found out and … that’s all she wrote.
I will admit that I was disappointed. One, they may have been about college age but for most of them that meant only slightly younger than myself. They should have known better. Two, I wanted to go to a Christmas Market. I prepared to go to dinner with Vit in the Mess Hall but he said, “Nii. You will not miss a treat just because that bunch behaved as they did.”
“What? But …”
“We have not much time,” he said apologetically. “They want to pull out an hour early.”
So I went to my first Christmas market with Vit. And I found I was lucky to go. For the past two years the market has been placed under high security due to terroristic threats from some of the country’s immigrant and refugee populations. The entire historical center is now closed to regular traffic and many streets in and out barricaded. There are police checkpoints at every possible entry monitoring every vehicle and pedestrian who enters. Security will likely be even higher for the foreseeable future. They combine this with a health checkpoint after multiple waves of certain diseases have laid waste to the country’s medical infrastructure … measles, mumps, whooping cough, scarlet fever, TB, and polio. You must have your temperature checked and people with colds, etc. are given a different colored arm band and required to wear a mask at all times. If they are caught without a mask on, worn the proper way, they can be arrested. It is a remnant of the old pandemic policies that have never really gone away in many areas. But it is also an attempt to deal with the country’s current reality.
Strasbourg’s Christmas market is Europe’s oldest and founded in 1570. Four and a half centuries and more later it continues to celebrate Alsatian holiday traditions. Unlike the Parisian markets, the focus here is on the Alsace holiday traditions, so instead of tacky or commercialized Santa Claus hats and electronic toys, you get a more traditional feel, with a focus on hand-made ornaments, local foods and drinks, and musical celebrations in the churches and public squares.
There are eleven markets in different squares throughout central Strasbourg, including just outside the train station, outside the Cathedral, on Place Broglie, on Place Kléber (with the largest real Christmas Tree in France grown specifically for the market), at Place Corbeau by the Alsatian Museum, at Place Gutenberg where there’s a guest visitor market each year, in Petite France overlooking the River L’Ill, at Place d’Austerlitz specializing in only foods and drinks, outside the Temple Neuf Church, and the furthest at Cité de la Musique et de la Danse next to the ice skating rink. Each market supposedly has its specialty, but from what I saw they basically all have ornaments, gifts, pottery, linens, foods and plenty of mulled wine, and of course, storks. You won’t see actual storks in the winter, but there are plenty of them in Strasbourg in the summer, so it’s now their official bird mascot. You’ll see plenty of ornaments and fuzzy hats.
You can seriously eat your way across the Marché de Noël: bretzels (soft pretzels), Kougelhopf brioches big and small, Bredeles (star-shaped spice bread cookies), Pain d’Epice (spice bread or ginger bread with many variations on flavor), every kind of pastry, crêpes, tartes flambés, also called flammekeuche (wood fired pizzas made traditionally with crème fraiche, bacon and onions, but also can have Gruyère cheese or mushrooms), knacks (sausages), choucroute (sauerkraut), and vin chaud (mulled wine) or if you’re not into hot wine there’s also hot spiced orange, apple or lemon juice. For drinks we had to pay an extra €1 deposit for the decorated plastic cup, which you get back when you return the cup (but if you keep it you have a nice souvenir). Yes, I kept it though it was really silly since it was little more than a solo cup decorated with permanent markers and glitter glue.
We were walking fast and nearly out of breath by the time we got back to the ship, but we weren’t the only one. Yegor came running up triumphantly holding his latest bag of chocolate and the ingredients for mulled wine for Polina.
Polina herself was at the top of the gangway looking at us for all the world like our Nonna. I told Yegor just loud enough for Polina to hear, “I think she needs the chocolate more than you. Want my advice? Share. Or better yet, make her an entire pot of chocolate.”
I got while the getting was good and an hour ago she caught me doing reports in the cramped closet I’ve been assigned.
“You like to live dangerously.”
“That’s the same thing I tell Vit once or twice a month.”
Her lips twitched and she sat in the only other chair in the space after removing a box that contained the information I’d been shipped on the coming ports.
“Would you like a glass of wine?” I asked her.
“You keep some here?”
“I hadn’t meant to but Vit and I are waiting for some custom stamps and I thought it prudent to keep it out of our cabin.”
“Smart.” She was quiet for a bit and I let her be. She was trying to form a sentence and I was worried what it might be. “Yegor and I are being recalled. We returned to Russia in a week.”
Of all the things she could have said, this was not one I could have imagined. “What?!”
“It was always doubtful that we would be kept on for the Asian leg. I simply wish they had confirmed this sooner.”
“But …”
“Veta.” I stopped and took a breath and she continued. “This parting has been inevitable but I would not have sproinked it on you in this way if I could have a done it otherwise.”
Sproinked? I think that is the sound my brain was making as I tried to accept what I was hearing.
“What will you do? I mean if I’m even allowed to ask such a thing. I know you and Yegor have high clearances … um … where you come from.”
She sighed. “They want us out of the public eye for a bit. I had not realized but we’ve become … popular. A dangerous thing to be in some circles. And there are decisions that Yegor and I must make before they are taken out of our hands. Our families are part of that. They have been living off of our notoriety. There may be consequences for that.”
Without hesitation I said, “If you need anything you know how to reach Dylan. He’ll know how to reach me. Vit and I will figure something out.”
She looked surprised. “Do not offer such a thing. It is dangerous.”
“Well in case I never said enough, I know what you and Yegor were willing to risk when we were in Russia. I couldn’t live with myself it …”
“Hush. We won’t speak of it.” Then her face soften. “But I will not forget.”
“I don’t know what Vit is going to say. Yegor is like a brother to him … and me. And there’s no labeling what you …”
“Hush. I must walk back through the ship and I do not wish it to be with a red nose. But if I seem … distant … for these next days, it is not out of want but out of need. People will be watching. You understand?”
“Unfortunately. I hate this 007 crap.”
So I have until the 8th to prepare myself. I don’t mean to make this all about me but I never thought of anyone else being Chief of Security, my supervisor. She’s supported me since the beginning of the Peace Mission and now … what will I do. On top of that I am worried for her and Yegor. Politics is a dangerous game too many play in Russia and too often innocent people get caught in the middle.
Chapter 280: Nov 2 - Speyer, Germany (Sunday)
We have arrived in Germany. Six days. Six. And now Vit worries that perhaps Mitkin is behind Polina and Yegor being recalled. I don’t know what to think. Polina said it was always likely they would be dismissed before the Asian Leg of the Mission. I don’t know. Who do we trust now? I am still leery of Baird’s motives. I do not think he is a man that should be away from his family. He is becoming hard, hard and cynical. Barney said this is the way he was for years.
“At least he is not acting like an aging playboy. At least he has a focus to keep his arse out of trouble.”
“Is … I mean was he that bad?”
“Dymtrus has not said anything?” she asked.
“Some. But he’s loyal. Will you and Henry be okay?”
I’d surprised her. She nodded. “We’ve got an understanding. Our families have been connected to the Estate for generations. We’ll get this tied up and get him back to his Little Italian and the children. He’ll change back. He always have. One of the few constants in life.” What choice do I have but to believe her. But I’m also remaining cautious.
Today may be Sunday but Vit cannot afford a day off. He traded shifts to accompany me to the Christmas market and now he and Yegor are in the midst of many temporary “fixes” so that the ship is sufficient to the needs of the Mission. I haven’t complained before this but I must admit that the ship is barely adequate and really needs to be refurbished, and not just in its décor and furnishings kind of way. I hear nothing but complaints about the run-down appearance of the accommodations and how everyone is so glad that this ship will be a much shorter leg of the mission. The intercoms only work half the time. Vit says the engineers keep finding burned or melted wiring when they investigate why something is not working. There are puddles of water everywhere as pipes spring a leak and make a mess for people to slip and slide in. This morning I was nearly scalded by the cold water in our shower because someone switched a pipe to make a repair and didn’t realize it was done for a reason even if it was a sloppy one. Even the bilge pumps grumble and complain and barely do the job. It's as if they picked the cheapest, ricketiest boat about to be sold for scrap and tried to squeeze one last cruise out of it. What a mess.
Six ports, all in Germany (counting today). I think we can survive that long but I almost don’t want it to end because that will mean the ending of other things. I will miss Polina. I already miss Chief Gunder and now realize I didn’t appreciate him enough. Having my assignments be spit out at me from a computer makes finding some kind of emotional attachment to the job much more difficult. Especially with the added responsibilities. And now there will be even less camaraderie.
Today’s excursion was not onerous, simply long and it took much effort not to let others see my thoughts. As soon as tied off on the pier today’s group was off the ship and climbing in a bus for a panoramic Heidelberg. We saw the castle and old medieval town so steeped in romance that they stood at the center of the German Romantic movement. Originally built during the early 13th century, it was the residence of the Palatinate monarchy through the 18th century. After the castle we descended into the Altstadt, or Old Town, for a walking tour toward the turreted Heidelberg University. Founded in 1386, it is Germany’s oldest. You can see the school’s tower in which unruly boys were incarcerated for misdeeds (yes, that was really a thing back them), and the Red Ox tavern in which they boasted to their mates about their imprisonment (also a thing). The Red Ox is where we ate lunch. I let the conversation flow around me. Strange how university students are nearly the same worldwide. It was almost like being back in school myself.
We stopped briefly to check out the Heidelberg Christmas market. That cheered me up a bit but I spent more time keeping an eye on our people than I did looking in the market. Soon enough I will have to learn to trust someone new on the other side of my comm signal. I’m honestly not sure I can so I need to be prepared.
Back in Speyer the group had a bit of free time but I was expected to keep an eye on the reboarding list to make sure that they all reboarded on time. Luckily for everyone that wasn’t a problem. The junior diplomatic staff is being made a pointed example of. Their excursion privileges have been cancelled for at least another week until the investigation into in behavior is complete.
And now here I sit formatting yet more reports in this tiny, dingy, stinking cubicle of a room. I found mold growing in the corner so now I know I dare not put any boxes on the floor or risk damaging their contents. What am I going to do when all of my allies are gone?
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Goodness, more is great, and what a mess she could end up in. Thank you.
Chapter 281: Nov 3 - Mainz, Germany
Five days. And different from the others. At least a bit. Last night before bed Vit came in looking ready to go Cossack.
“Bah! Some in this crew are useless!”
I let him pace back and forth slinging the Russian but he finally calmed down. “Where is that boy you taught to fix the translators?” he asked.
“He left when his father was reassigned I assume.”
“Ahhhrrrrrgggg.”
“Just tell me Vit and let me see if I can help.”
“You must take these glupye deti [foolish children] out to play tomorrow.”
“Nii.”
“Nii?”
I shook my head. “New itinerary. Apparently a woman is being trained.”
“A … woman … is being trained you say? Veta?”
“Reading between the lines, apparently they do not want to put all of their eggs in one basket. I will walk the excursion group off the boat tomorrow and leave them with this woman that the Home Office is sending. They are going on something called The Grape Escape. It appears they will be doing a wine tasting tour.”
“Er … where is the bottle?”
“I have not opened one and will not. There is too much risk that once I start I will not stop.”
“You are wise,” he told me, trying to tease me out of my mood. But I wasn’t really in a mood.
“No. I am costing them a great deal in overtime. This is their rather odd way of trying to close the budgetary gap that is growing. And I am being given a day off tomorrow, except for reports. There must always be reports. So if you need me, I’m available.”
“But you are to have a day off.”
“Screw ‘em.”
“Veta!”
“Did you pack away the bulawa?”
“Ah … yes.”
“Shame. I think that the computer needs some lessoning.”
“O … kay. Let us find your whacking doll. You will feel better.”
“His stuffing is falling out.”
“Veta …”
I felt better this morning. Or at least I felt no worse. And did you know that sauerkraut juice is really a fashionable drink? Yegor didn’t either until I switched glasses with him in line at the Mess Hall. He couldn’t even bring it to his face the smell was that strong.
“And why would you treat me so evil.”
I looked at him innocently. “It is supposed to be healthy. I figured if we are going to work on the possessed translators we should be fortified.”
He fought a grin but it won. “God help the translators.”
“Or the ones that screwed them up,” I said with an evil purr to my voice. Everyone got the message and stayed out of my way. And yes there was a culprit, but not one on the ship. A someone jealous of a sixteen year old communications apprentice … what Yegor named him so that the Home Office would have a breakdown.
“You look pleased,” Vit said warily.
“Maybe not pleased but at least I exercised some of my irritation away.”
“I … er … brought you something.”
“Chocolate?” I asked wondering if I had enough zit cream.
“Nii.” He pulled a large bag of Gummy Bears from behind his back. I wound up laughing and whatever mood I’ve been in is not so bad.
Now that we have sailed from Mainz we transferred to the Moselle River. And another thing, Dylan had another crate delivered and suggested that from here on out, rather than unpacking any purchases we simply put them straight into the crate. Not a bad idea considering how little time Vit and I have to devote to those types of housekeeping chores. But the floor is so disgusting. I have it sitting on the side table.
I wonder how Polina and Yegor will get their purchases home, or if they will even be allowed to take all of their belongings with them. I’d ask but I don’t want to make it harder on them. I forgot myself today, playing with Yegor like he was my brat, but I need to watch that.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Sweeeeet. 
Chapter 282: Nov 4 - Sankt Goar, Germany
Four days. And from what I gather the excursion from yesterday was chaotic at its politest description. The woman tried to make me look bad in her report, one she had sent directly to the Home Office rather than through proper channels; blamed me for this that and the other but using the body cams of the security personnel – just because she wasn’t wearing one the others were not – I shot holes in her complaints. Their only response was, “Very good, carry on.”
I’m not sure if someone is after me or the woman was simply unprepared for her assignment and was making excuses. The anger that some directed at me at breakfast I shrugged off. “Wasn’t my idea,” I told the few brave enough to get in my face. The Home Office is the top of this food chain. If you have complaints? I honestly wouldn’t bother.”
That took some of them aback but I didn’t get attitude anymore.
I was back on the plate today and pitching strikes. By the way, that’s a good thing. I wonder what Polina would make out of the saying. Just another thing I will miss.
The excursion today was to Rheinfels Castle in Sankt Gaor, Germany. It is the largest and one of the most magnificent castle ruins on the Rhine. Our guides helped us to immerse ourselves in the Middle Ages by exploring the castle’s fortifications, towering towers and halls and passageways cut into the rock. The importance of the fortress in military as well as cultural area was clearly presented to us in the museum of local history in the castle’s former chapel. We even got to witness an authentic spectacle of knights' games, bow and crossbow shooting, sword fighting and other attractions.
Each visitor to the castle gets a castle plan at the entryway and can thus explore parts of the castle at their own discretion and interest. For the areas that cannot be explored on their own, the castle team regularly offers open tours during the day. I’d checked out enough mini-flashlights from the boat so that each personnel could have one for exploring the darker areas of the ruin (as part of a guided tour). My group initially thought it was a joke … until they went into some of the lower sections of the castle and didn’t have to worry about breaking their necks or using their phone minutes to light their way.
Built in 1245 by the local counts of Katzenelnbogen (try saying that five times fast) as a base for their toll-collecting operation, it withstood attack from 28,000 of Louis XIV's French troops in 1692, just one of the many attacks made on it. Eventually it was Napoleon and his French Revolutionary army who destroyed the place in 1797 with the help of explosives. The castle's size and labyrinthine layout is astonishing. There are the gigantic vault cellars, subterranean tunnels, and mine galleries. And of course the expected macabre stories that have a ghost or two thrown in.
What must be remembered, I told everyone, is that the castle is a ruin. The only complete room of the castle is the museum and gift shop. So please pick a partner or two and stay together That brought some laughter and I stood around with my tablet keep track of everyone.
Lucky for me everyone turned in their flashlights and I didn’t have to make a budgetary deduction in the report. They’re beginning to expect a report of every nickel, dime, and half-penny spent.
I was walking the deck for some fresh air … and because there’d been a plumbing issue that backed up into our cabin … when a shadow beckoned me over. I clicked off the body cam and slid into the darkness beside Polina.
“Don’t get in trouble for my sake Polina. I’ll figure out what is going on.”
She snorted. “What is going on is there was a change in the finance office and someone thinks they can save a great deal of money but all they are doing is embarrassing the mission and creating further expenses that cancel out any savings. And you’ve managed to create some problems.”
“How so?”
“CYD. You cover your donkey too well.”
Oh my. I told her, “CYA. It stands for cover your … er … ass.”
“Donkey. Ass. What’s the difference?”
Dear Lord I’m going to miss this woman. She would fit right in with the rest of my sisters.
“Any advice?”
“Keep doing what you are doing. Hopefully something will pop up and they’ll find someone else to torment.”
“I don’t want to make anyone else a target. I want them to use some sense and stop. All they are doing is making this job so miserable for everyone that they’ll transfer out and only the zealous fanatics will remain … and then the Mission will fail.”
“Hmmm. Yes. And this is another thing. The Asian leg has a great deal of potential to be dangerous. The Chinese, they have their own unique idea of what peace means. You must guard against being drawn in. They play a long game … they play to win.”
“Not all of them are like that.”
“Nyet, or the world would speak only Chinese, those that survived. Speak with Vit, he will understand.”
I snorted. “I understand. My brother, the doctor, had regular issues with the Chinese government during some of his medical missions. And it wasn’t just because of the religious aspect no matter what they claimed. A lot of Chinese officials … they have control issues.”
“Well, I am glad I do not have to worry that you will fall prey to them. The only addition I can make is, do not lose face and do not bend to their will or intimidation.”
“Derrick used to say using their own culture against them was about the only way to succeed in negotiations. Dylan used to say, ‘Polite the hell out of them and then do what you want anyway.’”
She chuckled quietly. “Sound advice.”
She was about to fade away but stopped when I asked, “Are you and Yegor going to be okay?”
She sighed. “The signs are not as bad as I had feared but for a bit it is going to be like walking across my Babushka pig pen with no boots on. There will be no way not to get a little dirty.”
“Remember what I said.”
And she surprised me by raising her fist to her chest. “It is here.”
I went back to the cabin to help housekeeping clean the mess up whether it was my job or not. I didn’t want Vit to have to deal with it when he came off duty. And the strong cleaning solution was a good excuse for my red nose and bloodshot eyes.
I wound up have to vacate and go to my office until the cabin aired out and found boxes stacked to the point there almost wasn’t room for me in the small space. I managed to find the note when I got to my chair.
“My apologies Kokhana. My retail therapy got away from me. And you will say again and not hold me accountable for the foolishness. But there is a cuckoo clock on the way to our home. Charlie has agreed to pick it up and put it with our other things. It is a very funny one and you will like it and it will remind you of the happy things. And Henry was buying for Baird and only some of these are ours. The time ran out to get it shipped so tomorrow I will help package these up and Henry will send them along. Charlie has also agreed to play post man for that as well. He refuses to take payment so you must speak with him. I suspect Patrice is the reason. I would rather the questions come from you rather than the others think I meddle where my nose does not belong. V”
Well at least I know most of this wasn’t something I’d need to find space for. And hopefully, as Vit stated, Henry will get it posted tomorrow. I did look at the invoice from some place called Stefan’s Wine Emporium. My goodness. The flavors. Blackberry brandy, Black current brandy, Cherry brandy, Chocolate cherry brandy, Chocolate chili brandy, Chocolate mint brandy, Chocolate orange brandy, Clean chocolate brandy, Hazelnut brandy, Coffee brandy, Nougat brandy, Peach brandy, Plum brandy, Raspberry brandy, Rhubarb brandy, Strawberry brandy, Winter apple brandy, Cream brandy, White chocolate brandy, Various wines, Cognac, Rum brandy, and Rum whisky. Did I say my goodness. I suppose I shouldn’t make a joke of it. I’m worried that Baird has started drinking heavily again.
Chapter 283: Nov 5 - Cochem, Germany
Four days. But Polina watches. Last night proved it. And I won’t shame myself, Vit, or her by being anything less than the best that I can.
High of 46 degrees F today. And I still had to wear a skirt. This is getting crazy. Many personnel seem to enjoy the weather, me not so much. I complained a bit to Vit and told him to tell Jack Frost to knock it off. The joke fell flat since I had to explain it to him.
“Ah. Morozko. He was a serial killer. I do not understand.”
“Never mind. I need to pull out the old Christmas movies.”
The face he made made me want to giggle. He has been trying for my sake but some of my Christmas traditions make his head hurt.
I was able to find thicker tights to wear under my uniform that were as close to regulation as I could get. No one cares and most of the people on the excursions just assume that I don’t wear slacks since hardly any of them have seen me in them. They don’t realize that I have to wear skirts because that is what my uniform has consisted of all the way back to the beginning of my tour on the B. Dress, skirt, or capris. Ah well, people are going to think what they want. And honestly, I prefer skirts and dresses and always have. Less trouble with my bubble butt that way but in this weather I really wouldn’t mind slacks. On the other hand, it would be more problematic with the new weight loss. I keep trying to explain to Vit that it is just an issue of the daily exercise but he wasn’t pleased.
“Kokhana, you cannot continue to lose weight. You will become ill.”
“I eat. You see I am eating.”
“I see the rabbit food on your plate. You must eat more substantially. Do not make me be what you call the testosterone poisoned. Eat.”
“Vit …”
“Kokhana …”
t seems a never-ending problem. And where Vit came up with the meal bars I don’t know. All I can hope is that there is time for a “ladies’ room” break when I need one. Those bars disturbed my digestion when I ate them in college. Of course I was using them to correct my weight down – as in they replaced a meal rather than supplemented a meal – not try and maintain or at least prevent further loss.
Calls with the family are not nearly as frequent as on the B. The time difference plus limited bandwidth is complicating an already complicated situation. However, Vit encourages me to do what I can between excursions using off-ship connectivity sources. I explained the issue in one such email to Dylan and Charlie and asked them to let the rest of us know. I received some understanding emails and they told me just to respond when I could or to send a shout out in a group email, just to not lose contact.
We docked early today and it created an opportunity for an enjoyable excursion. In my packet it was called Vineyards and Vistas by Canoe. Essentially, the romantic title not withstanding, it was a three hour canoe trip on the Moselle River. Only a few of the more adventurous personnel signed up for it. Others may say they enjoy the cooler weather but I think few would want to risk a dunking in the river in these temperatures.
The Moselle River in Germany is a famed wine region. We met our guide and completed a safety briefing before donning our life jackets and climbing into our choice of canoe or kayak. Vessels are tailored to fit one or two people. The kayakers preferred single, the canoers tandem. We paddled along and admired the stunning views of our surroundings; impressive castles, ancient ruins and picturesque village churches with their towering steeples among pastel-colored buildings. Upon arrival in Klotten, we walked into the village and enjoyed a warm drink before turned around and paddling back.
I wanted to share my pictures with Vit but there was no time. I needed to get to the Cochem walking tour and Reichsburg Castle excursion with the next group.
We explored one of the most picturesque towns on the Moselle, first ascending to its hilltop castle by transportation van for a fantastic panorama and then to the 1,000-year-old Reichsburg Castle, conquered by Louis XIV in the Nine Years’ War. From there the trail was all downhill. We saw the medieval town gate and passed various churches, including the 15th-century St. Martin’s. In the market square, we admired the bay window of the baroque Town Hall and saw the 17th-century Capuchin Monastery, once a haven for friars and today a lively cultural center. We also tasted some of the town’s award-winning mustard from a local 200-year-old mustard mill, the last of its kind in Europe. I purchased some of the mustard, with one jar being for Yegor … until I remembered. He’d already been complaining that he was having to leave some of his ingredients behind. The Russian envoy was several restricting the weight of what they could bring back.
I decided to give the mustard to Madame Kobayashi instead as a thank you for helping me with my Japanese grammar and pronunciation. Her shy smile was my thanks even as I tried not to be suspicious of the little devil that was extremely jealous of anyone that came near her. It may have been cute, but it was still a monkey and prone to mischief.
Chapter 284: Nov 6 - Bernkastel, Germany
Three days. Perhaps I torture myself but about the only thing to occupy me today after the short two-hour excursion for a wine-tasting was more reports. They want every penny justified. Every expense dissected in detail. I want to tell them I’m not your blasted bookkeeper. The prices are set on your end, not mine. I do everything I can to stay below budget. And you setting make work for me only costs you overtime, it saves you nothing.
I am not the only one feeling the pinch. The other Chiefs complain as well. Even the diplomats are starting to complain about the heavy-handed tactics and ridiculous demands that detract from the Mission. We all think they are looking who to cut first. The problem is we all have contracts. They will have to pay us out to get rid of us. Vit says behind our cabin door that if this keeps up or gets much worse we might welcome being terminated. Morale is getting quite low. They took the dishes and silverware out of the Mess Hall and replaced them with paper trays and plastic sporks. It is like they are trying to force people to resign.
Chapter 285: Nov 7 - Trier, Germany
Two days. I will not cry. I will be stoic. I will not embarrass any of us with excess displays of emotion that could be a danger to them going back to where they came from. I know Vit is preemptively missing Yegor. But he said that it is the way of the world.
“Sometimes you work with a comrade a long time, sometimes only short. Sometimes you can keep in touch. But at least as often not. The length doesn’t matter. The ability to accomplish something does.”
Yes. That’s how I feel. Somehow Polina went from being that scary Russian woman to a sister of my heart. And I will grieve when she – when they both – are gone. I can’t even offer to help her pack because it could too easily be misinterpreted as they’d been compromised.
Today was a half-day walking tour. To save the budget of course. I did the best I could. My group for today seemed to simply enjoy being off the ship. I said nothing but I did not disagree with them either.
Our excursion was a walking tour of Trier, Germany’s oldest city, and a principal center of the Moselle Valley and a once-mighty outpost of the Holy Roman Empire. Vestiges of Rome’s power are everywhere if you know where to look. We passed the ruins of the Roman amphitheater, once able to hold 20,000 spectators. We admired the massive Roman baths, which include the largest baths north of the Alps. We saw the remarkably preserved Roman city gates, the Porta Nigra, so named for the dark color of their stone. Slightly more modern sites included the edifice-like Cathedral of Trier, built under the direction of Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, and the Liebfrauenkirche, the Church of Our Lady, one of the earliest Gothic churches in Germany.
The town was safe enough that I could give them free time and there were no media people around to notice. They were in other places pestering other branches of the Peace Mission and looking for the latest soundbite they could exploit.
We were back on the boat for lunch. I was thinking I was glad to not have the expense then I saw Barney beckoning me. “Your sister does a bit of sewing I remember you saying.”
“Angelia? More than a bit. She learned from our mother.”
“I’d like to introduce ye to Lady Harrington. She’s in a bit of spot. There’s a discount fabric store in town but she doesn’t speak German, and her maid that does is in sick bay with a fever.”
“Let me clear it and I’ll sign out and help with the translating.”
Barney said a car was already waiting and that Mr. Baird would cover me if anyone said anything. Since she said this within hearing of several other higher ranking ship’s officers and I also had it on my body cam I decided to take it at face value. And since being at loose ends didn’t thrill me, it was easy enough to offer my services after letting Vit know I was going off-ship again and why.
“Veta, do the shopping thing.”
“Er … it is for someone else.”
“But you can do some for us as well. You said you would find some of the fabric for our home.”
Well I wasn’t going to argue with others listening in.
The fabric store was called Stoffmarket. Where in the States most fabric comes folded on bolts, in Europe most fabric comes on rolls. I loved the place as soon as I walked in. The store was crammed jammed and was having a huge sale. We couldn’t haggle exactly but by buying in bulk we were offered some sweet discounts as well as access to wholesale prices.
Lady Harrington was so happy that she paid to have my purchases shipped to Angelia for safe keeping. I let Charlie know yet another package was coming freight and then left Vit a note that our cabin bathroom was once again flooded and he could find me in my “office.”
A grumpy Cossack found me and said, “This becomes tiresome.”
“It won’t be for much longer. Tomorrow is Luxembourg and …” I sniffed. “And the day after that we disembark.”
“Ah, your tenderheart. Perhaps I can speak with Yegor, convince him to have dinner with us.”
“No. Polina is right. Too many people are watching. Too many who would be willing to sell us out. I do not like this crew Vit. I like Admin even less. Something has changed.”
“Yes. The Chinese are inserting themselves into the Mission and too many idiots are allowing it to happen rather than risk reprisals.”
I blinked. “You know this?”
“I do. From rumors but also because I’ve had to deal with their tactics before. Remember, they do not really care for Russians no matter what alliances they wish to make.”
It has given me something to think about. I like politics even less than the 007 crap. But it is an inevitable part of what the Mission must deal with. Maybe Polina and Yegor are the lucky ones to be getting out.
Last edited:
Chapter 286: Nov 8 – Luxembourg
A day earlier than expected. Part of me is heartbroken and part of me knows that perhaps it is better for them. Rumors are flying today about the new security chief. He is Chinese and not well-liked already.
We nearly didn’t get to say goodbye. The politics currently at play makes it too difficult to have a proper farewell. Polina demanded that there be no tears. So, no tears. But I wouldn’t let them go without a prayer for safety and peace. It was one of the oldest ones that my uncle the priest taught me in his letters.
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the true and living way, be Thou, O Master, my companion, guide, and guardian during my journey; deliver and protect me from all danger, misfortune, and temptation, that being so defended by Thy divine power I may have a peaceful and successful journey and arrive safely at my destination. For in Thee I put my trust and hope, and to Thee, together with Thine Eternal Father and the All-Holy Spirit, I ascribe all praise, honor, and glory, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
I even managed to remember how to say it in Latin so no one would understand me. But Yegor understood the sentiment. “It is good to have known you. Do not make the same mistakes we have, but still try and have fun in this life.”
I could not wallow in my self-pity. It did not do them any good and there was no time for it. On some days it feels like all I ever do is remind people to pack, pack lightly, pack for overnight, don’t overpack, etc. ad nauseum.
And I was also once again being called on to keep the SOs of the diplomats out from under foot. I decided to focus on the Old Town area. Though I had six hours to play with, I knew these SOs were not particularly active so I stuck to the must-see’s and just did the best I can. Adolphe Bridge, Bock Casements, Walls of the Comiche, the Grand Ducal Palace, Neumunster Abbey, Luxembourg’s Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Bridge, and the Panoramic Elevator were all that we could see in that time.
I called for a van to pick us up but was told one was not available yet. Could I possibly keep them occupied and off ship a bit longer?
With a cheery voice to throw them off the scent I turned and said, “Well, how pleasant. It looks like there’s even time for some shopping and perhaps a tea or coffee. Of course if you don’t …”
“No! We want. Definitely,” one of the women who has turned into a leader said. “I’ll stay away from that horror of a cabin for as long as I can get.” The others all agreed with her.
So I used an app to find an area to let them do their thing. Chocolate of course was at the top of some of their lists. Other foods that can be given as gifts were also on their list; honey, jams especially plum, smoked ham, cheeses, Riesling pate, and of course wine. I really had no idea but wealthy people stock “gifts” in their pantry at the holiday the way some people stock extra paper products. What they do not give out over the season is then gifted to house and office staff for the New Year. I suppose it makes a kind of sense and who am I to judge. When Momma was still with us and well enough to supervise, we used to make and freeze cookies all through the year so there would be enough for everyone at Christmas. And I’m still the only one with Momma’s original recipe for fruitcake. I haven’t made it in so many years … I wonder if I ever will again? Who will I have it to pass on to?
Bah, such thoughts. Finally the women were shopped out and needed to get back to supervise their packing. And lucky for me a van was available. I had to help walk everything through security and prove with receipts where it had come from because the women had absolutely refused to be limited by their faraday bags. I suppose they thought without Polina aboard they could get away with it. And they were correct.
I need to check my so-called office and make sure nothing has been left undone. There will be no time for it in the morning. The day is going to be a long one. And I will not cry.
Landcruiser
Contributing Member
Loving it!
Chapter 287: Nov 9 - Luxembourg to Paris, France (Sunday)
I feel confused and set adrift. Something is going on. We disembark from the longboat early this morning and traveled viat train of a little over two hours. It was the responsibility of Vit and I to escort all the transferring crew members and diplomatic staff on the train. I miss Polina already. Yes, she was my superior officer but she’d also become a good friend. I will remain stoic but it is not easy, and I know that Vit wonders who will replace Yegor. His position has been left blank in the paperwork.
We had an entire train car to ourselves. Some of the diplomatic spouses and support staff seem offended to be forced to travel with crew members but the diplomats are not offended at all, not the least reason being because they are all working, utilizing the “down time” to their advantage. Then once we were in Paris we find out some trouble is afoot. Some snafu. Not with the mission but with the logistics of moving everyone to Tokyo.
Everyone looks at me like I can pull a rabbit out of my hat. And I suppose I did, or at least the illusion of one. The task was made much easier by the fact that there has been another change at the Home Office and whoever is now in charge of the budget appears to be human. And their staff perhaps super human given what they pulled off in how little time.
Everyone that wanted had the opportunity for a highlights of Paris tour with the Louvre thrown in for good measure. Nine hours. It would take that long to finish making the arrangements for the hotel. Everyone was amendable but they asked if they had the opportunity to just sit on the bus should they desire. The answer was that was yes.
We began along the famed Champs-Élysées, viewing the Arc de Triomphe. We passed the Palais Garnier opera house and the Hôtel de Ville, Paris’s 14th-century City Hall. Visited the Latin Quarter and drove by Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Luxembourg Gardens, Musée d’Orsay, Place de la Concorde and the restored Grand Palais and Petit Palais. We saw Les Invalides, where Napoleon is entombed, and the iconic Eiffel Tower. After a catered lunch, we continued to the celebrated Louvre Museum where we spent the remainder of the afternoon.
Originally a fortress-turned-royal palace, the Louvre has become France’s #1 cultural venue. To call it simply a museum now would be a huge understatement. It houses some 38,000 artifacts, spanning the period from prehistoric times to our current century. Whatever your interest – paintings, sculptures, archaeological findings, pharaoh tombs or beautiful jewelry or trinkets of various sorts from all over the world – the Louvre has it all in abundance, including some of the world-acclaimed masterpieces like the ancient Greek statues “Venus de Milo” and “The Winged Victory of Samothrace” or the “Raft of the Medusa” painting, not to mention the talk of the world – “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo Da Vinci.
In fact, for many, Mona Lisa is the prime, if not the only, reason they come to the Louvre. We were told to be ready to politely wedge our way through the crowd to the front row, so as to be able to snap a few shots of the painting, if lucky. Still, it was not until we visited some of the less hyped areas of the Louvre, like the Sully or Richelieu wings for instance, that we could really appreciate the Louvre for what it is. For instance, the highlight of the Richelieu is the Napoleon III apartment with its gargantuan chandeliers, acres of ceiling paintings, swathes of red velvet, and an explosion of decorative moldings, not to mention the kilos of gold leafs used for gilding in a bid to create an overwhelmingly opulent setting. It is a spot less than half the visitors to the Louvre make an effort to see.
Vit received word while we were finishing our tour that the hotel was ready and to just give the address to the bus driver. No frou-frou hotel this. It was a sophisticated high-rise just on the outskirts of Paris. It took a while to get everyone checked in – sans any of their luggage except what everyone has in their carry on – and then we were directed into a conference room where we were met by no less a personage than the new Security Chief and his staff … his personal staff. They were all Chinese as well and spoke no English, or refused to which amounts to the same thing.
The man is stern and very emotionless. Reminded me of a character from an old shogun movie. The man did not bother speaking to us directly but had one of his people deliver the message. Vit and I are free for the new two days and from here on out we will be traveling separately from the diplomats.
The cold from those words nearly slapped us in the face. It is made plain that he does not approve of “staff” and “diplomats” fraternizing. Vit shrugged if off but it bothered me enough that my feelings became involved. Luckily I caught myself before I could reveal my emotions. I heeded Polina’s words and did my best not to lose face.
In our room is when Vit became irritated. He was trying to let Barney know they were in the hotel but cannot get a line through. He’s being blocked.
“Let’s see how they like these beans and cheese,” I snapped. And I used the private direct line.
“Well, that explains more than it doesn’t,” Henry said, being the one to pick up. Everyone on this end is wondering where the hell everyone is. The buffled the connections they did. Hang tight and play their game. Ye deserve some time off and we’ll see work it from this end. Don’t lose this number Dymtrus, it may be our only reliable line of communication for a bit.”
I nearly stomped my foot but realized it wouldn’t look very mature. Vit understood and sympathized but doesn’t feel quite the same way and has other things on his mind.
“Tomorrow I am taking you on the town and we will not be wearing uniforms while we do it.”
“What? I don’t have any civilian clothes. Vit, what are you up to?”
He grinned, “Leave it up to me.”
I didn’t see as I had much choice at that point. Besides, I needed to wash some pigeon … er … excrement out of my braids. They’ve been everywhere today and it explains the giggles coming from some of those in the secretarial pool.
I later found out that the matre’d kne of a small shop that was open late during this season and while I was washing my hair and scrubbing off my hurt feelings, Vit makes a few purchases and surprises me with a bit of Parisian voiture including a pair of comfortable walking shoes.
I know Vit’s love language is giving gifts but I hope he in turn understands that I am worried that he thinks I need gifts to love him.
“Kokhana, we never did get around to having the honeymoon I meant to give you. Let these next two days tell you that I have not forgotten. I would still be along if not for you … and seeing you fight so hard to stay with me no matter what fills my heart and there are no words to explain it fully. You are mine and in this time and this place I wish to show you in a way that may not happen again for many years, if ever.”
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Somehow, my "Watch this thread" for Veta II got turned off and I missed you posting from about about V2, Chapter 230±. I just put that down to the fact you're just a tad busy in RL and the other 20-odd stories in progress you have here.
I finally twigged to the fact you've been posting all along so that was most of my Sunday. My wife was working on some last-minute emergency report for an E-VP of something and appreciated me being occupied.
BTW - Great prayer in Chapter 286. Applies to any trip I think but to me, most apropos for the Journey of Life. I think I may plagiarise that; with appropriate credits of course.
Thanks for that and all the great story telling.
I finally twigged to the fact you've been posting all along so that was most of my Sunday. My wife was working on some last-minute emergency report for an E-VP of something and appreciated me being occupied.
BTW - Great prayer in Chapter 286. Applies to any trip I think but to me, most apropos for the Journey of Life. I think I may plagiarise that; with appropriate credits of course.
Thanks for that and all the great story telling.
Last edited:
That prayer is actually is real Orthodox prayer. I found it on one of my many researching-just-for-the-heck-of-it forays and kept it in my files for just in case. <grin>
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
"for just in case" - ever the prepper.
Greek, Russian or Ukrainian? Only curious.
Not sure it matters as it works.
Last edited:
Russian or Ukrainian. Not Greek orthodox though they probably have something similar.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I finally got to finish this morning, thank you.
Chapter 288: Nov 10 - Paris, France (2) - Part One
Vit has always spoken French so much better than me, a fact we joke about continuously. So today, as we walked around Paris, I gave my tongue a rest. Mostly. And I gave Vit his way and let him surprise me. I will sound like a travel blogger as I record this day but I don’t care. I want to remember every minute of it for all time. I love Vit, I really really do. And not only does it please me to record our travels together, when I do so he knows I consider our day important. A little mushy and perhaps strange to some, but I’ve done it since my firs steps out into the world, the real world. Sometimes I look back, reading my entries and fall in love with him all over again.
I feel very fashionable and am very pleased with Vit’s choices. And they fit. It has been a while since I felt so feminine. Silly I know but today I got to show off that side of myself and I haven’t for quite some time due to the limitations and rules of our jobs. First we took a taxi and were dropped off at the Eiffel Tower. It is equally grand from whatever angle you look at it, whether just walking past or watching it from a distance, day or night, the Eiffel Tower lives up to its iconic status with ease. No wonder it is the no. 1 attraction everyone wants to see on their trip to Paris. In fact, it has become so much a symbol of Paris and France, that it is hard to imagine the time when it did not exist.
Completed by French architect Gustave Eiffel in 1889, right from the outset, the tower was an enormous success, although not to everyone's taste. Before the construction even started, a group of prominent French artists and members of academia disparaged the idea as utterly useless and even monstrous. Despite that, it now gets nearly ten million visitors a year. There are several reasons the tower is so popular. For starters, the entire wrought-iron structure is totally see-through, so you can literally see all of it from one end to the other. Secondly, unlike some other high-rises, the tower is there for visitors only and nothing else. And finally, in Paris where tall buildings are still in rather short supply, the bird's eye view opening from the top of the tower is truly unique and indeed breathtaking. Standing up there, we didn’t have difficulty spotting all of Paris's top attractions such as the Louvre where we were yesterday, the Grand Palace, Montmartre, or the Arch of Triumph.
We went on to the Champ de Mars (Field of Mars) and shared a pastry. In sunny weather, even if it is a bit chilly, there is nothing better in Paris than stretching out somewhere on a grassy lawn. The “Field of Mars”, one of the largest parks in Paris, offers such an opportunity to those lucky with plenty of time under their belt which Vit and I had. This popular outdoor space takes its name from the ancient Campus Martius in Rome, once the drilling ground for the Roman armies preparing for war. Back in the day, the French used this field pretty much for the same purpose as well, although prior to that, in the 16th century, it was just a vegetable garden. It is also the best place to get photos of the Eiffel Tower and Vit and I had both emptied our camera phones last night in anticipation of taking lots of pictures.
Les Invalides was a spacious block of buildings in Paris comprising museums and monuments showcasing the military glory of France. It also played a significant role in the storming of the Bastille as the source of weapons for the mob who attacked the fortress in 1789. Originally designed as a hospital and retirement home for the aged and sick war veterans, the complex had 15 courtyards, with the largest one reserved for military parades. Completed in the 17th century, the hospital once housed up to 4,000 war veterans at a time. Some of France's greatest generals and war heroes, including Napoleon Bonaparte himself, are buried there. The tomb of Napoleon is in the Royal Chapel as a standalone attraction and was as painfully crowded at the area to see the Mona Lisa was yesterday. Had Vit not been holding me to him to protect me from the pushing and shoving we could have easily become separated.
There were three more museums within the complex including the Army Museum, the Museum of Military Models, and the Contemporary History Museum. Of these, the Army Museum was the largest. But while we made some effort to see what we could, the crowds drove us out more quickly that perhaps we would have otherwise left.
The Musée Rodin was another “must see” that we saw and then left. It displays the works of French sculptor Auguste Rodin, who was renowned for his unique ability to mold clay. He was a true Renaissance man, and went down in history not only as a sculptor but also as a painter, engraver and collector. On the outside, the property spans over three hectares and includes a French garden adorned with bronze sculptures, such as “The Walking Man”, “The Cathedral”, “The Kiss”, and the most famous of them all – “The Thinker”.
That’s when we crossed the Alexandre III Bridge. While Paris abounds with beautiful bridges, the bridge of Alexandre III beats them all hands down. This deck arch bridge, spanning the river Seine between the Champs-Élysées and Les Invalides quarter, is widely regarded to be the most ornate and extravagant bridge in the French capital, a truly historic attraction in its own right. It was built at the end of the 19th century, in time for the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris, under the supervision of Russian Tsar Alexander III upon the conclusion of the Franco-Russian Alliance. The bridge proved to be a genuine feat of engineering of the time, not only because of its single arch but also because it needed to sit low, so as not to obstruct the view from the Les Invalides over to the Champs-Élysées Avenue.
The Musée de l'Orangerie in Place de la Concorde is an art gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings displayed in a former greenhouse for orange trees; hence the name. The greenhouse was built in 1852 but the actual museum that emerged here only in 1927 started off with the display of the series of Monet's decorative canvas-painted waterlily panels, called the “Nympheas”. The panels are essentially giant murals covering walls in the oval rooms on the ground floor. Apart from Monet's waterlilies, the museum also exhibits masterpieces by Renoir, Picasso, Cezanne, Derain, Mattise, Rousseau, Sisley, and others. There was a small, well-stocked gift shop on the premises, plus a tiny self-service café. We both grabbed a tea and I picked up some postcards making Vit very happy. Vit brought both faraday bags, one tucked inside the other … at least at the outset.
Nowadays a lovely park, the Tuileries Garden has been a witness to some of the most turbulent events in French history. Centermost of all the Paris city parks, it forms part of the triumphal axis (the so-called “Grand Axe”) stretching from La Défense plaza all the way to the Louvre. The garden is almost totally flat and has a circular fountain in the middle. The garden was originally created for Queen Catherine de Médici who, in the 16th century, began construction of a palace just outside the western walls of the capital, which took the name of the tile factories (called “tuileries”) that it replaced. In 1789, following the fall of the Bastille, King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, moved into the palace in a publicity stunt to get “closer to the people.” Sadly, this stunt eventually produced the undesired effect and resulted in the royal family being locked up in the palace under house arrest. Three years later, the Tuileries Palace came under attack in what proved to be the defining moment of the French Revolution. The French monarchy was abolished as a result. The last king of France, as he rose to the scaffold, turned to his captors and said: "Gentlemen, I am innocent of everything of which I am accused. I hope that my blood may cement the good fortune of the French." In the 19th century, Napoleon merged the Tuileries with the Louvre in a bid to create one huge super-palace complex. The project was barely completed when, during the bloody revolutionary uprising of 1871, the former royal Tuileries Palace was set on fire and completely destroyed. But the palace garden survived and still retains the general outline of the original masterplan.
Place de la Concorde is a major public square in Paris; in fact, the largest and the most monumental of all squares in the city. It is best known for its 230-ton Egyptian obelisk, aged over 3,000 years, which makes it by far the most ancient monument in Paris. The obelisk is flanked on the sides with two fountains – the “Maritime Fountain” and the “Fountain of the Rivers” – built in 1836. A plaque at the sights explains that they symbolize French seagoing spirit and passion for inland navigation. In continuation of the nautical theme, there are 20 rostral columns throughout the square adorned with a ship prow which is part of the official Paris emblem. Designed initially to glorify the absolute power of monarchs, at some point the square became the theater of its downfall. The equestrian statue of King Louis XVI, that once stood in its center, was torn down during the French Revolution and Madam Guillotine put up in its place, the first “client” of which became none other than the King himself. Among other notables who shared his fate there later on, in front of the cheering crowd, were Queen Marie Antoinette, Princess Élisabeth of France, and Maximilien Robespierre. But Madam Guillotine was jealous and thirsty. In a single month in the summer of 1794, more than 1,300 people were executed. A year later, when the revolution took a more moderate course, it was removed but the damage was done. Today in the square there is a big Ferris wheel for those keen on getting a bird's eye view over the nearby river Seine, Louvre, Tuileries Garden, Champs-Élysées, Triumphal Arch, and the Eiffel Tower. The wheel turns three times faster than the London Eye and actually nearly made me motion sick. Vit was upset at first until I got him to laugh and reminded him of our time in London with the Marchand brothers.
La Madeleine is a Roman Catholic church affiliated with the Benedictine abbey in Paris. Its construction, started during the reign of King Louis XV, suffered several stoppages including a major one during the French Revolution. Eventually, in 1806, Napoleon announced the decision to make it a temple to glorify his Great Army. Evidently aware of the emperor's taste for opulent imperial Roman-style architecture, the architect came up with the idea of an enormous Corinthian temple. He was still working on the project when Napoleon was demoted. King Louis XVIII kept the architect and his people on, but ordered that the temple be made into a church. The most striking feature of La Madeleine is its enormous size due in no small part to the inflated ego of Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Devoid of windows, so as not to disturb the severity of the temple, the light is let in from above, via three domes open at the top, in the manner of the Roman Pantheon.
Chapter 288: Nov 10 - Paris, France (2) - Part Two
The Élysée Palace is situated just a few steps away from the Madeleine church, not far from Champs Elysées, one of the most prominent streets of Paris. It was constructed in the early 18th century and was initially owned by the Count of Evreux. Having changed hands several times since being built, the palace finally became the residence of a French President in 1873. The actual office of the head of state, the Gold Room, has changed very little since then. The terrestrial globe, a significant element of the interior, was brought in by Charles de Gaulle. Today, the French Government holds regular meetings at the palace. In the underground section, there is a room with the red button pushing which the President of France can activate the country's nuclear arsenal. The room is also fitted with large screens and communication module linking the President directly to the Minister of Defense and strategic air force commander. And we learned all of this from the outside because, with the exception of the European Heritage Days, it is almost impossible for ordinary people to get into the palace.
Grand Palace and its sister, the Small Palace, just across the street, were conceived simultaneously as centerpieces for the 1900 World Fair in Paris. Reportedly, its construction took more steel than the entire Eiffel Tower. Inside, there are three major sections: the Main Hall, the National Galleries, and the Palace of Discovery, which is the museum and cultural center dedicated to science. Also, on the premises, there is a cinema theater, a restaurant and, seasonally, even a skate rink.
By far the most popular avenue of France, Les Champs-Élysées, or the "Elysian Fields", is a household name deeply rooted in the Greek mythology as a resting place for the blessed souls. Stretching for about 2 km, this major Paris thoroughfare extends from Place de la Concorde to Place Charles de Gaulle, boasting, apart from all the shopping you can handle, luxurious dining and world-class entertainment, some of the top photographic panoramas of the French capital, particularly that opening from the top of the Arch of Triumph.
We strolled a bit, but we needed to head on. The spot at the termination of the Champs Elysées Avenue was always the subject of numerous plans for some kind of landmark monument. It was not until 1806, however, that Emperor Napoleon finally decreed that a triumphal arch, dedicated to the glory of his Great Army, should be built on the site. Napoleon’s architectural projects all made clear his desire to identify his regime with the glory of imperial Rome, and the design was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. I have now seen both and they might as well be twins. I had no idea you could go up in the arche and Vit surprised me with a skip-the-line ticket. The arch stands 150-feet tall and is 148-feet wide. It’s so big that after World War I ended, a pilot celebrated by flying his biplane through it. We spent some time on the terrace and snapped pictures of the city from above. We also went over to France’s the tomb of the Unknown Solider and placed a flower.
The Seine is “the only river in the world that runs between two bookshelves,” they say. If you walk by the Seine, you may find proof to that in the form of large green boxes set along the riverbanks, hitched tight to the sidewalk walls, largely contributing to the overall romantic image of bohemian Paris since as early as the 16th century. Remarkably though, the bouquinistes, owners of these boxes, obtained official recognition themselves only in the 1970s. For the most part, the contemporary Paris bouquinistes sell posters, stamps, maps, magnets, and whatever else the tourists might love. Some say the best souvenir bargains in Paris are found at the bouquinistes. Their main specialization, however, is books. Here you can find some really good stuff printed in French (and not only) and, unless you are restrained in terms of luggage, you can get yourself a few books, either used or brand new, at a really reasonable price. I’ll be honest. I was tempted, especially since Vit tried to encourage me, but decided to pass on until I spotted it. It was a small, antique volume of Shakespeare in French, and over a hundred years old. I thought for sure it would be too expensive even though it was a little dogeared. However, between Vit’s jokingly haggling over the price, the bouquiniste playing right back, and the exchange rate in our favor, the book cost less than $10US.
I hugged the little book to me and Vit asked, “You are happy?”
“Will you read Hamlet to me? In French?”
He replied huskily, “Je ferai ce que vous voulez.”
Oo la la. I told him, “Promises, promises.”
He growled playfully making everyone around us smile. The French love displays of affection. Not the grasping, face sucking that you see in a lot of movies. The type that says your love may last a lifetime.
The Pont-Neuf (or the New bridge) has been around since the late Middle Ages. Although the name claims that it's new, it is, in fact, the oldest standing river crossing in Paris. Despite the age, or perhaps because of it, the bridge is just as popular today as it was back in the 1600s when it first opened and is undoubtedly the most famous of all the bridges spanning the river Seine. In reality, the word “new” was to distinguish it from the other, older bridges standing at the time and traditionally lined with houses on both sides. The novelty of this New Bridge was that it was the first one built without houses along it, thus allowing to observe, from the river, the unobstructed panorama of Paris in all its clarity complete with the boats passing underneath.
It took many years for them to start rebuilding Notre-Dame after the catastrophic fire of 2019. There is still a regular battle about what is being built. Most want to continue the Cathedral as a place of worship. A vocal (and wealthy) few try and turn it into a touristy theme-park like setting. Nearly all the work that had come before was undone by yet another fire. Even with modern construction tools and methods it looks like it is going to be decades before a finish structure will be available for public use.
Sainte-Chapelle, the Holy Chapel, is located not far from the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Aged almost 800 years, the chapel is renowned for its stained glass and most notably the 15th century rose windows in the upper part, widely regarded to be the best of its kind in the world. The chapel was built for King Louis IX, who led the 7th and 8th Crusades to the Holy Land and brought home, among other treasures, what was believed to be the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus himself. Naturally, a precious relic such as this required a depository, but besides that, the Holy Chapel was conceived also as the palace chapel for the king and the royal family. Over the centuries, the chapel had sustained multiple damages. A repeated victim of floods and fires, it suffered particularly badly during the French Revolution when its sculptures were deliberately destroyed and furnishings looted. Miraculously, about two-thirds of the original stained glass has survived. It looks particularly impressive in sunny weather, but even when it's cloudy, the glass is absolutely fabulous.
The City Island (Île de la Cité) in Paris, situated amid the river Seine, is a home to the 14th-century palace that went down in history as the seat of the French parliament prior to the French Revolution. It is also known as the home of France's first public clock, installed around 1370. Nowadays, it is particularly famous for its Conciergerie section which owes its name to a “concierge”, the official nominated by king to maintain law and order in Paris. In 1391, the building was partially transformed into a jail to hold both regular criminals and political prisoners. The treatment of inmates depended totally on their wealth, social status and personal connections. The most affluent were usually allowed separate cells with a bed, desk and reading/writing materials. Those less rich settled for more modest cells, called “pistols”, furnished with a rough bed and a table, whereas the poorest ones were kept in the dark, damp and vermin-infested cubicles, known as “oubliettes” (or “dungeons”).
Paris City Hall is the largest city hall building in Europe. Curiously enough, the early sessions of Paris municipal council were held at the home of a city mayor – the practice continued until the 16th century when King Francis I ordered a dedicated Renaissance-style city hall. Centuries later, it served as headquarters for the French Revolution, accommodating Robespierre and his supporters. Ironically, it was there that Robespierre himself was arrested at the end of the infamous “Rule of Terror” period.
Bastille Square is what's left now of the once infamous fortress-turned-prison. Initially reserved exclusively for the upper-class inmates, gradually this prison started to accommodate commoners, as well, although in far less comfortable conditions than those afforded to the aristocracy, for which reason it acquired a bad reputation and was hated and feared, all at once. On July 14, 1789, the prison-fortress was stormed by a crowd of angry and armed people, now called The Storming of the Bastille. It was just a matter of days later that a building contractor was hired to demolish the Bastille, and by November of that year it has been razed to the ground. Special pavement stones mark the original site of the fortress.
We’d been strolling along, sharing treats throughout the day to appease our thirst and hunger. I was expecting to go back to the hotel when Vit smiles and waves his phone beneath my nose and I see electronic tickets … to a French Wine and Champagne Tasting.
“Vit!”
He smiled. “Come Kokhana. Now you will have more good memories, yes?”
His syntax was awful telling me he was tired but still being playful. I really had enjoyed the day to that point and yes, I was making lovely memories to save but the best of all was being able to share them with Vit. I told him so and was well rewarded, causing some applause from an area near where our activity was to take place. Neither one of us cared. Where normally we preferred privacy for our displays of affection, this was our honeymoon … and it was Paris.
It was near the Louvre and a renovated wine cellar. A sommelier, a wine expert, walked everyone through tasting six different French wines from all over the country, including Bordeaux, Sancerre, Rhone and Champagne. He explained what makes French wines so beloved and about how Champagne is made. Words like 'appellation' and 'terroir' were explained as well as how to read a French wine label. We sipped wine from delicate Riedel glasses and nibbled fresh bread as well as a plate of cheese and charcuterie. At the conclusion of the tasting, we received a list of all the wines we sampled, and Vit purchased a couple of bottles of the ones that we favored the most. Mine was a red and his was a bottle of champagne.
From there Vit hailed a taxi and we returned to the hotel. It was like the Peace Mission didn’t exist since we’d been given a room so far away from everyone else. We … celebrated some more and Vit fell asleep but I’ve been too content to want the night to end. However I believe I am written out. Vit says he has tomorrow planned as well. He asks me not to worry about the day after that.
“Kokhana, let us enjoy this time. That day will come soon enough.”
I can live with that. So I will sleep and be refreshed when I wake in the morning and have fun and make more memories. Because Vit and I are together and we’ve survived what has been thrown at us thus far and we’ll survive whatever is thrown at us in the future. Is it too romantic to say our love was written in the stars by the Creator Himself?
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you
Chapter 289: Nov 11 - Paris, France (3)
What a day. Yes, I say it again though this time for a good reason. I believe we must have eaten our away across the whole of Paris today. Before breakfast we met up with a small group at the Etienne Marcel metro station. Our guide first led us to a local bakery where we enjoyed a coffee and a buttery croissant. Very French. I noticed our guide picked up some baguettes here which intrigued me.
The Les Halles quarter of Paris is traditionally known as ‘the belly of Paris.’ Once home to the huge, teeming food market that fed the city each day, it remains today a mecca of streets lined with specialty food stores, restaurants, cafés and kitchen supplies. We took a stroll along its liveliest street, the rue Montorgeuil, stopping along the way at several popular boutiques. We savored tasty artisan cheeses from across France in a traditional, local fromagerie (cheese shop), and delicate flavored fine chocolates from an artisan chocolatier. Then it was time to visit the oldest patisserie in Paris, founded by the baker to Queen Marie in 1730 - also the inventor of the ‘Baba au rhum’. We got to choose our favorite pastries to be savored later over lunch. I couldn’t decide what to get. It was worse than being a child in a candy shop. Vit laughed and variety box including a chocolate éclair that made me feel like a cat after a mouse.
The last stop was a beautifully restored epicerie, where we tried traditional delicacies from the South West of France. There was also a centuries-old oyster house (the oysters were originally rushed to Paris by horse), as well as traditional butchers, fishmongers, and grocers as we wandered along the fascinating street. The tour ended at a wine bar, where we took out all of our acquired goodies, including the baguettes, and had them paired with a flight of top-class French wines, served by a sommelier. Vit and I were treated very wise for our choice of wine “class” last night. They were so serious it nearly gave me the giggles.
What didn’t give me the giggles was Vit’s choice for our next tour. He knows I don’t like “spook and jump” tours so I decided to trust him rather than complain. I’m glad I didn’t. What an incredible opportunity. We got to explore “hidden Paris” by going below the streets to the Paris Catacombs. I think some people joined the tour for what they thought the atmosphere was going to be but while it did have a bit of the macabre to it, mostly it was enlightening.
We followed our guide more than 65 feet below street level, 131 steps, into the shadowy world known as ‘The Empire of Death’ - invisible to the locals and visitors strolling the famous boulevards above. The Catacombs extend for more than 200 miles beneath the city. Nope, did not make a mistake with the zeroes, that is 200 miles. I would hate to get lost down there. What’s more the catacombs are the resting place of the bones of over 6 million former Parisians. Paris' dead were moved en masse from existing cemeteries to the Catacombs from 1786 to 1788. Their remains were moved here when the city cemeteries overflowed, the open graves and unearthed corpses spreading disease (and some horror stories!) throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. The catacombs were created out of abandoned quarries into one of Europe's largest communal burial grounds and is quite a story, to say the least
Our group had six people … there were two couples, a single, and our guide. The guide had a sophisticated bit of equipment with him that kept him from getting us all lost. Apparently it has happened. Vit was itching to tinker with it to the point I almost laughed. He was bouncing on the balls of his feet.
We wandered through endless tunnels stacked with neat rows of millions of bones, with our guide unlocking and locking gates to prevent the general public from gaining access and disappearing into the dark. Legend has it that the Man in the Iron Mask is buried here, along with those guillotined during the French Revolution, and even some of their executioners. We heard stories of those who worked, visited and have been laid to rest here over the centuries, including some who ventured in and never came out again. Hear stories of secret societies that still visit today.
We passed strange sculptures made of human remains and crucifixes fashioned from skulls, miles of tunnels, stacked floor-to-ceiling with human remains, a small chapel that, until surprisingly recently, hosted religious ceremonies; and the Catacombs' first tourist attraction - a set of stone carvings created by a bored quarryman before he was killed in a rockfall. Masonry monuments in the Antique and Egyptian styles were also installed along the circuit, in the shape of Doric columns, altars, steles or tombs. Certain areas were named after religious, Romantic or Antique sources, such as the Lacrymatory Sarcophagus, the Samaritan Fountain or the Sepulchral Lamp. They even equipped the catacombs with an educational aspect to the circuit, by having two cabinets built in the style of traditional cabinets of curiosities; one was dedicated to mineralogy, the other to pathology. The pathology cabinet showed specimens that referred to bone illnesses and deformations. Another pedagogical tool are the plaques featuring religious and poetic texts that are found throughout the galleries. They encourage visitors toward introspection and a meditation on death.
Scientific and pathological experiments have been ongoing since the catacombs were created. Two researchers from the French Museum of Natural History were the first. They were Jacques Maheu, a botanist, who studied the flora in this light-free environment, and Armand Viré, a speleologist and naturalist, who discovered the existence of cave-dwelling crustaceans. Héricart de Thury also made an experiment in 1813: he put four goldfish into the basin of the Samaritan Fountain; the fish survived but were unable to reproduce and became blind. In 1861, Félix Tournachon, more widely known as Nadar, experimented during three months with the first shots taken using artificial light. Since the darkness required a very long posing time, the photographer used dummies to represent workers in their environment. Today, pathological research continues when work is undertaken to consolidate the ossuary. Ensuring the preventive conservation of the bones in a very humid underground environment, respecting human remains and promoting the geological, archeological and historical heritage are real challenges for the Paris Catacombs.
As historically and scientifically interesting as the catacombs were, it was still the stories of the individuals buried there that caught my interest. However, when the two hours was up I was ready to exit despite the 120 steps to get out. Brr. And despite the subject matter Vit and I were both ready for something to eat. Good thing because cheese and chocolate was on the menu.
First we bit into the history of French cheesemaking by taking a guided tour with a cheesemonger. We had to put on a protective suit designed to preserve the delicate cheeses, and descended into a cool cellar filled with ripening blocks, rolls and wheels — some as large as 77 pounds. From the expert we learned about the traditional art of cheesemaking and the importance of the maturing process. Best part? We tasted seven different varieties cut fresh from the block: Swiss Gruyère, bôfavre (a hard cheese from Switzerland's Jura Mountains), delicate Camembert, Etivaz (a hard cheese originating in the Alps) and Beaufort (a raw cow’s milk cheese). We alternated bites of the fromage with sips of fantastic French wine paired for complementary flavors, plus fresh baguettes and fruit to complete our gourmet tasting experience. Yum. The tour was thorough and only too about an hour and a half, about what it would have taken us to get a “quick” lunch in Paris. But wait, there’s more. LOL
Paris is renowned for its fine taste in all things, and this includes chocolate. I think today has been Vit’s attempt to put a few pounds back on me because I swear it must be so. We met our guide at the famed Place de la Concorde square and took a short stroll to a sophisticated district in the heart of the city that features an abundance of historic charm and some of the finest chocolatiers in Paris. The smell alone was sticking ounces on our entire group. We visited five artisan chocolate shops for samples of the finest cocoa-based treats in France. Truffles, nut clusters, chocolate bars, cookies and more were on the menu while we learned about traditional chocolate-making methods at each stop. There were only seven us … three couples and the guide … and the small-group atmosphere was quite jolly and even Vit unbent a little and was able to speak to the other men who were all just as indulgently giving their own Sweeties a romantic holiday. Vit insisted on buying something from each shop making me want to shake my head at the expenditure but … I didn’t. He was having too much fun and my increased pay and associate per diem would cover it. I know, I know. If Vit had realized I was keeping a running toil it would have spoiled his day. He doesn’t want me to worry about money, he thinks that is his job.
I thought we were finished for the day. It was getting later and we headed back to the hotel. Vit stopped and picked up something at the concierge desk and I saw him palm something off to one of the women. I wondered what was going on but didn’t say anything until we got to the privacy of our room.
“Vit. Really. I know that look.”
He tried to give me his version of an innocent look but couldn’t quite pull it off. Instead I got a kiss. “One last treat Kokhana and then our coach turns into a pumpkin.”
“Bah! Who needs a coach when I already have the prince?”
“Dress,” he said gruffly, pushing me towards the shower.
I wasn’t sure if it was an order or a thing since at the same time he handed me one of the boxes he’d taken possession of.
Oh my goodness. A dress and shoes. And it fit so perfectly. He laughed when he heard me squealing in the bathroom. I felt as silly and naïve as when we’d first met. It fit me … well just never you mind. It was incredible. Made of a soft, grey cashmere with dressy heels of the same exact color. It was sleeveless so I was happy it came with a long sweater jacket in the same grey cashmere. I allowed my crown of braids and a little light make up to be my only jewelry. I came out and he stepped in and then out quickly in a tuxedo suit. Oh. My. And he’s mine to keep forever.
The surprises didn’t stop there. We were picked up and dropped off by a classic Rolls Royce for dinner … in the Eiffel Tower. We’d already been once with the Marchand brothers what seems a lifetime ago but that was for lunch. Dinner was a much more romantic affair with views over Les Invalides, Montmartre, the Sacre Coeur, and Montparnasse Tower right from our table. It was a three-course gourmet meal and I was positively stuffed at the end of it. We left to take a short stroll on the banks of the Seine, we me gripping our souvenir photo capturing the moment. It is one of the best pictures Vit and I have ever taken together.
I thought we had only stopped to enjoy the view but then he guided us towards was of the Seine riverboats. We took a short cruise in a glass-topped riverboat to see the Paris sites at night and all lit up. Wow, did my camera get a work out. And I swear Vit is such a neanderthal, but he is my neanderthal. He stood there smiling indulgently and consented to many selfies which he normally avoids. At the end of our cruise we were back at the base of the Eiffel Tower, where the Rolls Royce waited and took us to … wait for it … the 11 pm Moulin Rouge late show.
The driver, another male Neanderthal who grinned at my surprise, said we were being transported to the golden age of Parisian cabaret. Founded in 1889, the iconic dance hall quickly became renowned as a glamorous gathering place for a broad range of Parisian movers and shakers. (Sorry about the pun.) The Moulin Rouge’s famously beautiful dancers are memorialized in paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec, and it is considered the home of the celebrated cancan dance. We had to wait in a queue but it was more for effect than anything else. Definitely an adult crowd with many people dressing up in period clothing just for the fun of it. We sipped on a half-bottle of French champagne and enjoyed the sumptuous fin de siècle surroundings that have played host to countless musical legends throughout the years, including Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli. Everyone in the room was mesmerized as a parade of 80 talented dancers and acrobats took the stage, including 60 legendary Doriss Girls. There were spectacular costumes of feathers, sequins and rhinestones and show-stopping numbers performed to original music against the backdrop of elaborate, moving sets. I am not the prude I once was but some of the partial nudity made my face light up so much I felt like a candle. Even Vit whispered, “There is more of this than I expected.”
When the clock struck one we climbed in our pumpkin and made it back to the hotel in time to realize I hadn’t reminded anyone to pack and be ready to go.
“This security chief sees your job differently. Let them discover on their own that you were more than just doing them a favor. We will see what else has changed tomorrow. The clothes were … er … rented. I will return them to the concierge desk.
I kissed him to let him know how grateful I was for his frugalness, and he went off smiling and I wrote this all down so I wouldn’t forget a thing. Yes, it is late but I do not care. I may care before the day is over tomorrow but for now … Paris! Morning will be soon enough for recriminations.
Chapter 290: Nov 12 – Paris to Brussels to Tokyo (1)
It has been a insane day but at least I was able to sleep on the flight. We were in coach and there was barely room for Vit’s legs. I’m spoiled and prefer the trains we have been on but there is no train to Tokyo. Let me explain. The train from Paris to Brussels took approximately one hour and twenty-two minutes. Then the transfer; train from Brussels to Brussels Airport – Zavetem 1 hour. Getting through international flights was way too interesting and then a plane from Brussels (BRU) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) for 11 hrs 30 min. Next we got picked up at NRT by a private hire van and driven to Yokohama cruise terminal. It was supposed to only be a one hour drive but wound up being closer to 2.5 hours and then go through security to embark. Whew.
My Japanese has improved since I put so much into learning it. I knew I was going to need it on this leg of the Mission. Madame Kobayashi’s assistance greatly enhanced my grammar and pronunciation. My ear for languages has definitely given me an advantage several others do not have, special diplomatic staff has had to be hired.
We arrived at the pier to find chaos and confusion. It took a few moments but I figure out what the confusion is and after relaying it to the various XOs that have been standing around waiting for the new Security Chief to clear them, they go over his head and speak to the correct person that removes the guards refusing to let them board. Mr. Baird was definitely part of that decision. However, that doesn’t mean everything is hunky dory. In fact, the security chief tries to take aim at me with extreme cold precision, surprising everyone at his swift verbal attack. I found my backbone and stood up to him.
“The error was not on our side. You obviously need to check your ‘staff’ if you was not receiving the correct names and clearance levels. Chief Vit Dymtrus and I have been with the Peace Mission since shortly before the Bonhoeffer sailed.”
“You aren’t on the Bonhoeffer,” he snapped coldly.
Remembering how Madam Marchand handled such attitudes I told him equally as coldly, “Obviously not.”
It took a moment but as shot hit home I added, “This is the World Peace Mission. Our security clearances are what they are as are our job descriptions.”
Vit had had enough and added, just as critically, “If you or your staff have immediate concerns they should be dealt with according to the chain of command.” That very pointed shot concerning the limitations on the security chief’s authority also hit home. It also reminded those listening of that chief’s place and it wasn’t as close to the top of the food chain as he was acting.
“You are Russian,” he sneered at Vit.
“You have not read personnel files apparently. To be correct, I am Cossack. I was born Ukrainian but spent my childhood in Russia. But I am now US citizen. And I am here to do my job, as are we all.”
When the others, including myself, saw that Vit was not backing down everyone straightened their backs and stood there. And several diplomats stepped in and added their two cents. The security chief suddenly found himself caught between crew members and the very diplomats he claimed to be speaking for. The Security chief is summarily called away by the diplomats to make an accounting of the situation. We were not to know until later that the situation had been caught on tape though we all should have expected it.
We were finally allowed aboard and I took note of our surroundings as we waited in line for our security packets, something that should have been ready before that moment. Another sign of either disdain or sloppiness, I’m not sure which. The ship is not a long boat but a small, reconfigured cruise ship. This one is the former Pacific Princess, long ago sold during the Covid19 pandemic, but brought back into service temporarily for the Peace Mission. It holds 670, double occupancy, guests plus 375 crew members. Once we got our cabin assignment we saw we were being “put in our place.” We were given a cabin on Deck 3, far less than any of the other XOs. The cabin has an obstructed porthole and is 146 square feet.
We both got a call on our comm badges to report to Mr. Baird. He’d just found out our cabin number and is scandalized but there’s nothing that he can do at this point. Vit and I both laugh, the imagined snub falling short. The cabin is bigger than we’ve had since the Bonhoeffer, has a sitting area other than the bed, and is very convenient for me as it is right on the tender deck level. It is also convenient for Vit as it is nearest the elevator that goes straight to the Bridge.
“Glad you can both laugh at it. Damn someone is playing a low-game. And you know where they come from even if we can’t be sure exactly who ordered this. Whatever you do, try not to lose face at this point.” He casually pulled them into the corner of his suite and away from the open balcony. “If there is a leg of this mission that can go toes cocked this is it. And you know I don’t mean any offense, but I’d rather deal with the damn Russians than this toalie we’re dealing with now. Yer pardon Veta.”
Since I had no idea what he was apologizing for I just nodded my head and then later asked Vit. When I asked what a toalie was he nearly inhaled the sip of tea he had just take in the Mess Hall. “Kokhana,” he coughed while trying to wipe the tea off of the table in front of us. “It is not a world used in … er … polite company.”
“Oh Lord, what did I just say?” I asked horrified and realizing I should have just looked it up online myself.
“Er … feces.”
I wanted to sink through the floor and prayed the few people in the buffet area hadn’t heard me. “I take it the word is more … uh … raw than that.”
“Yes,” was all his said as he dared to try and take another sip of tea.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Um always someone trying to stir the pot. Thank you.
Chapter 291: Nov 13 – Tokyo, Japan (2)
With time on our hands last night, Vit and I sat down to write down what all we might purchase on this leg of the Mission and how to get it home. We haven’t really bought as much as we thought we would, at least not as far as household items go. Wine we have in plenty, the cellar is full, but we need to think about more practical things from here on out.
“Luxuries are not a bad thing, and there are still some I think of, but we also need some of the fabrics on your list.”
“And things from your list as well Vit. Please don’t make this all my wants. Let’s add needs as well, even if it is just some of the foods that you’ve mentioned in the past that were difficult to impossible for me to find back home.”
“Ah, you think of my wants too much.”
“Not too much my Cossack. You sacrifice at least as much as you say I do. Let’s stop arguing about it and just accept it.”
We’ve created an encrypted spreadsheet with the help of one of Dylan’s handy-dandy programs on my personal tablet that Vit also has access to. We’ve organized it by ports as much as possible and we’ll further organize it based on whatever schedules we have. In some ports I will be responsible for purchases and Vit hopes that in some ports he has time to help.
In Tokyo our list was … well it looked a little silly but I’ve managed to take care of most of it. Vit has a weakness for KitKats. They aren’t quite a cookie. They aren’t quite a candy. The easiest description of them is that they are a chocolate covered wafer type edible with flavored goo between their layers. They are a very popular item in Japan[1], to the point you can find flavors here you can find no other place in the world. Rum raisin and Japanese strawberry, Green tea, apple cider vinegar, sweet potato, wasabi, cherry blossom, choco banana, lemon, sweet corn, grape, soy bean, soy sauce, orange, pineapple, blueberry, and on and on. Vit insisted that we buy a case of the 204 flavors for the Petric children, if not for this Christmas then next.
There was something called Tokyo Honey Sugar. I bought it at a grocer but I’m not sure I have any desire to try it. It looks like a wafer or waffle but it is honey flavored. Closest thing I might compare it to is a Stroopwaffle and those things are so sweet they’ll give you diabetes just from looking at them.
Vit (and Henry) took care of some of what Vit wanted. Japan brews, distills and curates some of the finest liquors in the world. Suntory’s Yamazaki Single Malt was once crowned the best whisky in the world. I left all of that to them. The saki as well.
The next was not my fault. Really. November 11th (11/11) is something called Pocky Day in Japan and we just missed it but evidence of it was everywhere. Pocky Day is similar to Valentine's Day where people give each other Pocky for the sake of romance. And just like in the States, it isn’t just about romance … children exchange Pocky, friends do it, family does it, and so on and so forth. I came back to the cabin tonight to find several packages of Poky on our bed.
“What on earth are these sticks? I’ve been seeing them all day today.”
That’s when Vit explained what they were and also that they were from my admirers.
“My what?” I asked taking two steps back.
He finally laughed. “The diplomats miss you looking after them. They want you to come back … and help deal with their SOs.”
I snorted. “I dealt with some of them today. There were complaints aplenty. And no, not at me just at all of the new procedures they are expected to follow that all run cross purpose. Apparently they are to be seen as little as possible and heard not at all. The Security Chief is rather … militant. And his staff is being given authority their rank does not convey and privileges not given to even the military personnel. I’m not even sure what he makes of my department. There aren’t even procedures in place for me to make reports. I’ve asked for clarification from the Home Office but I haven’t heard anything back yet. And, stepping close to Vit I whispered, I’m not even sure the request for clarification went out.”
Vit nodded before showing me one of Dylan’s “toys.” There were six listening devices in this cabin. I have disabled them but there are more likely right outside in the corridor. Watch what you say and who you say it to. We do not know who placed the devices even if we are suspicious.”
“What did Security have to say?”
“You can say nothing about what you won’t hear. I had to go with Baird because it was going to be 2 weeks before I would be allowed an appointment with one of the minions.”
The minions is what has quickly become the nickname for the Security Chief’s civilian staff. Not the cute little yellow ones from the old children’s movies, but minions as in the original definition; a follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile or unimportant one. They are really irritating to deal with. And they refuse to speak any language but Chinese. The only group they are more insolent to than the Russians are the Taiwanese whom they refuse to acknowledge at all. They make getting any kind of work accomplished beyond difficult.
“And what did Mr. Baird say?”
“He only growled and then motioned for me to sweep his suite. Veta, their were devices in every piece of electronics, every light fixture, every communication device. I do not know what is going to happen but you must take care. And remain stoic. Give them nothing to use.”
That was stress upon the stress of how my day had already gone. The excursion was a Tokyo City Tour with non-Asian members of the personnel and staff. I heard nothing but heated commentary through the day. The Chinese are trying to get more of their people on board by forcing other, non-Chinese off and out of the picture. Vit and I really aren’t certain where we stand until during evening Mess Hall when Mr. Baird and some of the other authorities in charge announced that there will be no more staffing or crew changes, nor will they add any additional diplomats to the onboard roster as cabins were all assigned weeks ago. Any additions will only be available to land-side delegates and only on a one-for-one measure … meaning they can only replace their own existing staff and those staff will not be participating in any activities restricted to shipboard … including using the Mess Hall, going on excursions, meeting space … and in fact will not be allowed on board at all.
The excursion was supposed to be 8 hours but wound up being many more hours longer than that. They just kept changing drivers and vans because the ship wasn’t “ready” whatever that meant. I certainly wasn’t being told. I became concerned because I was not allowed to do my job – the job as I did it on the previous legs of the mission. I later found out that Vit was also being prevented from doing his job. A lot of Chinese all over the ship and Vit says he already plans to go back over everything with the “fine tooth comb” given to him by Dylan whether the new security chief likes it or not. He’ll start in selected locations, like he did our cabin and Mr. Baird’s suite, but it will have to be in out of the way spots and under the radar so he can’t be stopped and the device taken away.
Another complicating factor is the Chinese are stepping all over the Japanese trying to take over. The Japanese are doing everything to prevent the Chinese from getting away with it. The non-Asian members of the crew feel caught in the middle without a translator. I’ve done what I can to help them today but our Chinese security personnel made it extremely difficult until I discovered none of them speak German while it is a common language otherwise. Sneaky, underhanded, totally without reason. I hate this 007 crap.
Not that there was much time to communicate. The sites came quickly and I felt like a rat in a maze. Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa (oldest temple), Hanayashiki (oldest amusement park), Meiji Jingu Shrine, the Imperial Palace and gardens. Hama Rikyo Gardens. And on and on. One the bus, drive in the worst traffic I have ever see, off the bus, take a couple of pictures before being shoved back on the bus or risk getting left behind. The only commentary came from me as I tried to quickly translate what little info I had from each site. The security team sneered and generally got in my way as much as possible. Apparently I was to have been replaced but the legal team at the Home Office denied the personnel change because of my contract. Thank you Mr. Baird and I will say prayers for you more regularly from here on out.
I was exhausted by the time we were allowed to come back to the ship. Vit only knew my location because of my phone app that apparently they were unable to deactivate or obscure. And that’s when I found out about everything else.
And let me add the food in the Mess Hall is … less than appetizing. Supposedly ship’s supplies are being held up someplace. Yeah. I’ll believe that. Not.
Rice. Rice and little to flavor it with. That’s what they are feeding everyone, even the diplomatic staff. Some of the diplomats are being treated better but most are not. I was told that the Chinese are eating in an area off limits to anyone else. Supposedly for security reasons but the smells coming out of there proved that their meals were better than the Mess Hall. Vit says they are driving a mutiny to occur. Dear Lord I hope not but if anyone would know it would be Vit. He’s experienced one such incidence in his life and look where it has left him. I am very worried where this is all leading.
[1] 204 Kit Kat Flavors from Japan - THIS IS JAPAN
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
Chapter 292: Nov 14 – Tokyo, Japan (3)
What a day this has been. There, I said it again. It is becoming my theme song … or dirge.
It was to be a long day with the SOs and a few other select people that had won the lottery for this particular excursion. It was a day trip to Mt. Fuji. They tried to replace me with someone of the Security Chief’s choosing at the last minute but even I was surprised at how vehemently the pushback on that came. Within ten minutes of the announcement another came that there had been some kind of mixup and Chief Veta Dymtrus would indeed be leading this tour. Alrighty then.
“Okay people, confusion cleared up. Let’s get to the bus so we don’t have to cut anything out. We leave port tonight at 8 pm and I’d rather not worry whether we’re going to have to swim for it. Everyone have their identification? Faraday bag? Plastic spendy card? How about something to keep you busy on the two and a half hour drive to get to the giant splodey thing?”
There was good natured laughter, most it of the relieved sort. I do try and make even the boring parts fun when I can. This group had been fiercely on my side even if it was for their own self-serving reasons. Sometimes you just have to be grateful and move on.
I left most of the commentary to our Japanese guide and driver as we took in the scenery on the drive to Mt Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain. I did have to translate a few things back and forth but not many, our guides were well-educated university graduates earning money for some post-doctoral coursework. We proceed by coach to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station that is located at 7,545 feet about halfway up the mountain. It offers another vantage point for Mt Fuji and the surrounding lakes (subject to weather conditions of which we had some of the best they’d had all month). The 5th Station also features shrines, torii gates, souvenir shops, and a few climbers completing their preparations for their ascent.
We looked around and then gathered to enjoy a Japanese-style lunch which was served family-style and included such items as Ramen, Tempura, Soba, Udon, and Miso. I was a little over-noodled but they really were all delicious. After lunch we drove to Lake Ashi, located nearby in Hakone National Park. We admired the scenery as we took a short cruise across the lake, which is surrounded by mountains including Mt Fuji and Mt Komagatake. You really can’t take a bad picture unless it is out of focus, or your thumb is in the middle of the lense.
After the cruise we journeyed to the top of Mt Komagatake on the Mt Komagatake Ropeway. No, it is not a rope trail or bridge but an aerial tram that lifts off from the shores of the lake and takes you up Mt Komagatake in an enclosed cabin with 360-degree views. When we reached the summit, we had the opportunity to enjoy time to take in views over Lake Ashi and Mt Fuji. Some asked if I would take them on a short stroll along one of the walking trails at the mountain top. Thank goodness I wore my hiking boots.
After visiting Mt Komagatake, we took our coach back down the mountain but instead of riding it all the way back to Tokyo, we caught the evening bullet train (Shinkansen) for our return to Tokyo Station. Our transfer was late to get us back to the pier and I tried not to get worried … or worry about some trick being played on the personnel for bucking the Security Chief’s orders.
When the transfer bus arrived I didn’t recognize the driver but I did recognize the two support staff. One of them checked everyone onto the bus while the other pulled me to the side.
“Sorry for the delay. There’s been trouble and all of the protocols and comm links are suspect and locked.”
“Is there any danger to the personnel here … or on the ship?”
“No. I honestly don’t know what is going on, none of us do, but there was a … disagreement over in the diplomatic service area that started right after you bunch took off this morning. Thought there was going to be a damn mutiny and Chief Dymtrus … her … your husband ma’am … must have thought something was going down too. He hand picked some of us and stationed us on the Bridge and around the ship in strategic locations.”
“Anything come of that?”
“Had a few of the minions try and join whatever was going on with the … er … disagreement but Chief D repelled them and wouldn’t allow anything to become violent. Things calmed down and it was moved on short about lunch but been tense and weird ever since.”
“Define ‘tense and weird.’”
“Er … tense ma’am. The weirdness is that to a man all of the minions have disappeared. Their gear is still there, what little they had, but Chief D and some of the Japanese security force from Yokota Air Base locked the area down and I think they’ve been going through everything. The reason I can’t tell you more is because everyone else was removed from the ship and we’ve been waiting in a warehouse ever since.”
“Thank you for telling me but don’t tell the rest of the personnel. We’ll leave it up to whoever is in charge once we get back.”
“Can’t ma’am. We’ve been ordered to keep our lips locked. Chief D did ask me to relay it to you but … er … he said to use these exact words. ‘Remain stoic.’ What does that mean?”
I wasn’t about to tell him but instead said, “His way of telling me to have my game face on and not to worry.” That made the man relax and we boarded the bus and headed back to the pier. My stoic face was in place but that doesn’t mean my head wasn’t spinning with the possibilities.
The rest of the story is nearly too chaotic to put in any order. People were taken off the bus as soon as we got back to the pier and run through the same security screening that everyone else had been put through in our absence. I was ushered through a different hallway, and it was a makeshift sick bay. And there was a situation in progress. Two of the minions, both female, were in the midst of some kind of … I don’t know what to call it really. All I know is that there was red on Vit’s shirt and several other men were injured, some on gurneys and some from what was going on. Ping. Veta went Cossack.
I really don’t remember what all I did to the two women. I would have kept doing it however if I hadn’t heard, “They are down Chief. Turn them loose so my men can’t deal with what’s left.”
The voice was so shocking it took me a moment to believe I’d heard it. I slowly turned. “Chief Ivanov!!”
“Yes. Let us deal with these females and then explain why it is not prudent to assume they will be able to use the girl card.”
Well, illusion, delusion, or just what I hadn’t a clue but I certainly was in the mood to make sure that the “girl card” was the last thing they’d get to use to defend themselves with. I looked around and saw Vit who motioned that the red stuff wasn’t his and that we would come together as soon as he could arrange it.
Rather than take the two women to the brig on ship we marched them to a waiting van that had two very large Japanese women driving it. They weren’t sumo wrestlers but they weren’t far from it. I bowed to them politely and one of them said in perfect English, “Don’t worry about these two. They’re wanted by Scotland Yard and will be held until they are extradited.”
I remained silent until polina led me onboard, through several security check points, and then to an area I knew was where … well … I’ll just go ahead and say it. Polina was recalled to be the Chief of Security aboard the P … for Peace, not for Princess. The other man had been relieved of his position. It was all just too much for the Home Office once the original duplicity had been reported by Mr. Baird. Investigators were on it immediately, and yes Dylan Petric stuck his nose in it too. But they were trying to bide their time until it could be handled quietly. The problem was that things kept escalating too quickly and then the explosives were found. Yes, explosives. Polina told me privately that the man was found to have sympathies to Aum Shinrikyo, the Japanese cult behind the Tokyo Sarin attack way back in 1995. Now we don’t know if it is an issue of domestic terrorism or mischief, or a the group within the Chinese government … sanctioned or not.
What we do know is that the Chinese are very displeased that Polina has returned to her previous position. The “compromise” is that Yegor was not, but he was brought back on as a consultant. Polina tells me it is actually a good thing. His health … they think they got it all. A small spot on his colon that does not require radiation or chemotherapy. More than a polyp but just barely. Caught so early that … I don’t want to think on it. Yegor is far too young for this but Polina says it runs in his family, that’s why he checks so often. He seems well, he has just lost weight. He is now on a special diet.
“It was like living with a cobra for about a week, but he is better now. And he is only allowed wine, and not much of that. You can imagine how pleased he is.”
“Better to be denied one thing than denied another,” I told her. “Please tell me if there is anything I can do.”
“Just treat him not like he will break. But …”
“But?”
“Help me keep an eye on him without him noticing.”
“Ah, you want me to treat him like my sisters do our brats.”
Some of the darkness went out of her eyes. “Yes,” she said quietly. “That will work.”
Vit knows and he said he will watch from his side but agrees that to treat him differently will make him feel weak and that would not be a good thing.
The ship was late leaving port, but we had to wait the next tide as well as finish checking things over with Dylan’s tools. Another pass will be made tomorrow and then the next on the next day, so on and so forth until it can be determined that everything is as it should be. I was told that security getting back on the ship on our days in port will be extremely tight and that I would need to be extremely vigilant. Now it is not only Mitkin I must deal with, but also crazy cultists, and angry Chinese officials, and who knows what else is hiding in the wings.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'm glad I keep checking
Chapter 293: Nov 15 – Shimizu, Japan
Early departure today as the P tries to make each port in the morning. Today we arrived at 8 am, other days we will not be so lucky.
I looked over the list that Vit and I had made for each port and today was fabrics that are unique to the area. That’s about all I saw and all I knew I would have time for, and I wasn’t even sure of that. I had woken to an announcement that the per diem was expected to be spent in port spreading economic cheer so it wasn’t like I would have to justify my purchases.
I stopped by Polina’s office to see if she needed me to pick up anything, but she was busy and from what I could tell, exhausted. I saw Yegor and went to ask him.
“Why ask me?” he asked grumpily.
“Because Polina looks like she is ready to throw something, and I don’t want to get in the way or be her target. So…?”
“Aren’t you going to ask?”
“Er … I thought I just did.”
“About why I am just sitting here instead of in there,” he said, pointing to communications.
“Oh that. Probably because Vit can’t escape. Go rescue him. He said there were many things he needed your help with. You can imagine … no, ask him. I am not playing monkey in the middle.”
“What? Monkey?” he asked thorough confused at my unexpected response.
“Middleman, keep away, it is a stupid game and we’ve had enough stupid games for a while. It has been a madhouse since you left. At least as a consultant you no longer have to be quite so gentle with your words.”
He slowly brightened. “Where is Vit?”
“I don’t know. I don’t have a tracker on him for heaven’s sake.”
At that moment the man himself stormed into the corridor from the stairwell. “There you are!” I thought he was speaking to me, but he brushed past me, stopped short, then said, “Be cautious today with your communicator.”
“Uh …”
He then turned to Yegor and said in rapid fire Russian something about finding yet another something or other in the programming and he was about to go mad. To come save the poor something or other or Vit was going to tear his head off at one more stupid question. I watched the two of them wander towards the elevators muttering and mumbling in various languages while Vit brought Yegor up to speed.
I shrugged then turned to find Polina watching but not watching them leave but she didn’t beckon me over so I was on my own. I took my work tablet – freshly “cleaned” as of this morning – and stepped out to the railing and watched as we sailed into the Port of Shimizu. It was easy to see why it is considered one of Japan’s three most beautiful ports.
Mount Fuji was visible soaring above the surrounding area. I tapped my tablet to grab a few soundbites and found that that Shimizu is not only a scenic area, but a culturally significant one as well. In addition to Fuji, the area also overlooks Miho-no-Matsubara, a pine tree grove included as one of the World Heritage’s constituent properties. These assets combine with the area’s moderate climate to mark the port as one of Japan’s prime sightseeing destinations. Shimizu’s rich cultural heritage is rooted in the surrounding Shizuoka area’s history as the home of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, following his retirement from government. A collection of historic buildings in the vicinity, such as Kunozan Toshogu Shrine (designated a National Treasure by the Japanese government), Sumpu Castle Park, and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, depict a fascinating portrait of the life and accomplishments of this major historical figure. The Shizuoka area’s ancient culture is available not only for observation but for hands-on experience as well. At Sumpu Takumi-shuku, visitors can try their hand at making traditional Suruga handicrafts characteristic of the Shizuoka region, such as bamboo works, dyes, and lacquerware. Also famous is the areas seafood. In addition to tuna, for which Shimizu has the number one haul in Japan, other local specialties include sakura shrimp (a small, crunchy variety found only in the area) and young sardines called shirasu.
My group wasn’t doing any of that. We were going out for a four-hour ebike excursion. Our rides were more “bike” than “e” so we got a workout. Among other points of interest, we stopped at the Mochimune Fishing Port where a lot of fishing boats are moored when not in use, Utsunoya path which is a traditional Japanese village, and Meiji Tunnel, the first toll tunnel in Japan and now one of the most mysterious sightseeing spots in Shizuoka City. I still don’t understand that last bit. I think it is something cultural.
Had to hurry and could only peruse the nearest port market for the fabric … which I bought an entire bolt of … before we had to be onboard for the 2 o’clock sailaway. I spent the remainder of the day writing long-delayed reports and then tried to eat a salad and help Barney out with a stack of translations because they aren’t certain whether the translators have been compromised.
I’m back in the cabin and waiting to see if Vit is coming to bed or fixing some other thing that was compromised. Despite all our best efforts those sorts of thing continue to be found. What a mess. I’m not even going to try and describe what Barney and Henry have to say about it all. I don’t understand a quarter of the colloquialisms they are using and I’m pretty sure most of them translate into some foul filth. I don’t blame them, but I’ve made that mistake once and don’t want to get caught repeating something rude again.
Chapter 294: Nov 16 – Osaka, Japan (Sunday)
Arrived in port at eight o’clock but as tomorrow is a sea day we are still hear still awaiting an eleven o'clock pm sailaway. At least Vit is finally hard asleep. Vit is in need of a day off but neither he nor Yegor got one today despite it being Sunday.
“I will not whine like a child but pardon me if I stomp my foot. You are exhausted. Even if you didn’t leave the pier area, you should have been allowed to get off and get some air. Use Yegor as an excuse.”
“I will not use Yegor that way. Polina already times his rest periods and watches nearly every morsel that goes in his mouth.”
“She’s worried about him.”
“Have you spoken with her?”
“Not after that first meeting where we … er … dealt with those two women. Let me correct that, I turned in my reports to her this afternoon but she’s a little unreachable at the moment. If she speaks with me it might be that she admits she is scared. Right now she can’t afford that. And get that look off your face Vit Dymtrus, I am not … dramatizing or whatever you are thinking. I’ve seen some of my sisters go through this.”
He sighed. “It will do me no good to warn you to protect your soft heart will it.”
“Nii. Because in this instance it isn’t my heart we should worry for. Polina reminds me a lot of Angelia, just not quote so outwardly emotional. At least Angie lets off steam. Polina holds things in so tightly. She shared enough that I got a look over the wall she has up. I think … perhaps it is worse than they let on. Or more to the story. I don’t know which.”
Vit sighed. “Do not ask me to tattle.”
“So you do know?”
“Nii. But … I suspect as well. Yegor keeps … hmmm … it is like he wishes to speak of something but then pulls back. If he does talk … I will have to use my discretion.”
“Vit I’m not asking for you to be a traitor to your friend. I’m well away that men need to have their privacy as much as women do. Or have you forgotten how many brats I have. And nephews. And …”
Vit snorted. “I do not forget. But also remember that Yegor is not your brother. And Polina is not your sister. And while having time with them again is something to be joyful about, eventually this time will end as well. You must be careful Kokhana, do not build fantasies. We will help them if we can but reality is what it is.”
He’s worried for me. He still thinks of Mitkin and now all this other nonsense. Not quite as bad as pirates but not a walk in the park either. And the stoicism he is exhibiting gives his own worries away even if he doesn’t realize it. He’s protecting his own heart. I think maybe I understand better than Vit about goodbyes. Momma. Poppa. Even Lena. And all of the other goodbyes I have had to come to terms with. I can do this, have enough Faith that it won’t damage me as he fears. But some of it I will fight. I will try and maintain a connection with them, but only if they want one and right now I’m not sure if Polina has the space in her head to think about it.
My tour group did a lot of walking today INSERT HOW MUCH and my Japanese got a workout with my grammar bringing a few chuckles, but happily it was mostly appreciated that I was trying. And I did not mind the corrections. Mostly people were just happy at the economic injection the Peace Mission was bringing. It has been many years since the abysmal collapse of the Japanese yen. The country has not, and may never, recover to the financial strength they had in the 1990’s before the Asian monetary collapse. Population numbers have still not risen to a sustainable level. The only thing that has prevented their land and islands from being completely taken over by their cultural enemy the Chinese is that China has had its own series of financial setbacks and collapses, especially after the bombs fell. I tried to keep it all in mind as I ran my tour.
First was the self-guided walking tour of the Osaka Castle area. Sprawling on the south bank of the Ōkawa (Yodo) River, Osaka Castle Park occupies a vast territory in the heart of Osaka. The second largest park in the city, it covers nearly 495 acres with lots of greenery, sports and other facilities.
Apart from being an urban public venue, the area is also a historical site, dating back more than half a millennium. Back in 1496, during the Sengoku period, a militant temple of the leagues opposing samurai rule in Japan was built on the site. In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a Japanese samurai, regarded as the second "Great Unifier" of Japan, destroyed the fortress and built Osaka Castle in its place.
From 1870 to 1945, most of the area was used as an army arsenal. In 1931, however, a small public park was opened nearby. But it wasn't until after World War II, when the arsenal was destroyed, that the park finally got enough space to expand.
As for the Osaka Castle, or “Osaka-jo” as they call it in Japanese, the five-story structure is certainly one of the most famous and visually spectacular landmarks in Japan. It also played a key role in the country's unification during the 16th century. The castle grounds cover some 15 acres of land and contain 13 structures denoted as “important cultural assets” by the Japanese government.
Chief among them, situated between the outer and inner moat, is Hokoku, a Shinto shrine built in honor of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in 1879, by the Emperor's order. Another notable sight – one of the two places to cross the inner moat – is Gokuraku-bashi (Paradise Bridge). Just across the street from the Castle is The Osaka Museum of History that recounts 1,400 years of the city's history in a variety of media.
From the Osaka Castle area we headed into the city proper. Osaka is the third largest city and second largest metropolitan area in Japan. The city has a long history that dates to the earliest days of Japan. In fact, it is thought that the area was the location where the first inhabitants of the island settled. Archaeological evidence shows there were settlers in the area more than 2,000 years ago.
The beginning of the third century brought many more residents to the port area. Nobility, artists, fishermen and rice farmers populated the shore. The Osaka region continued to grow over the centuries and eventually became an economic hub. Not only that, but also a cultural mecca. Much of the art and architecture that is associated with Japan today originated in Osaka. Osaka's growth expanded after World War II. As the city rebuilt, it became a spot that focused strongly on technology. Today, Osaka is the headquarters for numerous international companies like Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Sanyo and the Sharp Corporation.
Tourists can experience the vibrant downtown culture when they explore Dotonbori and its famous Ebisu Bridge. Shopping in Osaka puts visitors directly in the midst of the activity while also giving them access to local food and artisans. The Dotonbori Gastronomic Area is arguably the best place to try street food and make purchases to enjoy later. Shinsaibashi Shopping Street is a must for anyone who wants to take home a memento of their trip to Osaka.
I spent a couple of hours helping one of the Japanese diplomat’s clerks who had volunteered to lead a “snack food” tours of the shopping district. Good heavens there are a lot of snack foods in Japan[1]. I’ll admit I bought a couple, mostly to be polite, but it reminded me of the suitcase full of snacks that Vit and I used to keep for the Marchand brothers.
Beyond that I didn’t really see anything on our list before we had to go back to the ship. I was going to try and get my reports done early so I could do some laundry when I got a note to go to Mr. Baird’s office. I thought someone needed to make sure that I was going to be available tomorrow but when I got there … oh I’ve got the giggles just thinking about it. Let me explain something first. Bâton d’or is a unique Japanese snack found in Osaka, which is part of the Pocky series. Although Pocky is a snack which is found all over the world, Bâton d’or is only found in Osaka and people often must wait in long queues to buy this. There is also the Bâton d’or pretzel which is thicker than the normal Pocky. This is made by first kneading butter into a dough and then adding more butter in it. So, if you are a Pocky fan, then this is something you may want to buy for yourself. That’s a rather long-winded explanation I know but why I still catch myself laughing is Mr. Baird. He surprised me by giving me a variety case of Pocky including the famous Bâton d’or.
I was just standing there holding this large box of snack sticks and he keep getting redder and redder in the face before finally admitting that he’d gotten a little carried away in his ordering.
“Should’ve had you or Henry with me. The shopkeeper must have thought I was a complete rocket.”
“Uh …”
“What I thought was a dozen boxes turned out to be a dozen cases.”
“Oh?” and my voice was likely at least an octave higher than normal. But he promised next time he’d ask me rather than a translation app. I still haven’t figured out what he meant by “rocket” and I’m honestly a little too afraid to ask. I think I’ll just let that go this time. But oh my … cases, not boxes. I wonder who else received some of the largesse?
[1] What to buy in Osaka? — 21+ top gifts, souvenirs must buy in Osaka & best things to buy in Osaka - Living + Nomads – Travel tips, Guides, News & Information!
Chapter 295: Nov 17 - @ sea
First sea day since I think we crossed the Atlantic, before even the students returned to their homes. Not unwelcome. I certainly wasn’t bored. For the most part I kept her nose in the translation machine or reviewing the ports as far in advance as I am allowed to view them.
I am glad I had so much to do – the translators are still untrustworthy – because I started thinking about Thanksgiving and missing yet another one with the family. I was getting in a real funk until I realized I was being ridiculous. Thanksgiving should be every day and Vit is my family.
Bah. I am tired, and not necessarily in a good way. Vit works again tonight. I have not spoken with Polina since the first day of her return. Vit still worries about Mitkin even as he admits that the man is unlikely to be a serious threat at this point. And I must stop this worrying and get to sleep. It does no good and wastes time better put to other use.
Chapter 296: Nov 18 – Busan, South Korea
South Korea. Now there’s a place I never dreamed of going, especially not after the bombs of NK. South Korea still has not fully recovered from the pounding that North Korea took after the two missiles that went astray hitting China and Russia. North Korea was the target of revenge, but SK took some damage as they tried to take in as many refugees as they could. China has still not fully recovered either as the nuclear warhead failed to explode in the air like it was supposed to but did explode on contact and both the loss of life and property – mostly due to fires in the poorly constructed residential apartment complexes - and the resulting economic and social upheaval. There is enmity between what remains of North Korea and the rest of the world, but especially with China who does not seem to want to separate South Korea from North as South Korea has taken in anyone that has family willing to accept them and be responsible for them. But they almost overloaded their own country and there has been loss of life from both the attacks and the resulting infrastructure failure.
As a result of the dramatic increase in population, then decrease, then yet another increase, SK has instituted hygiene and cleanliness mandates nearly as strict as Singapore. Some are leftover pandemic mandates, but some are also due to the radio-biological issues the border with NK has created.
North Korea still technically exists as a country, though its government is barely a coalition of some type. The sister of the previous dictator has great sway and people are scared of offending her in case she returns to supreme political power. It is similar to a regency as she represents the previous dictators surviving children. The government they do have is overseen by the UN. Some countries are jealous of this and some consider NK as a puppet of the UN Council. Or that NK has too much sway in the UN Council which may not be as strange as that seems on the surface. The sister plays a deep and longview game and always has.
Our “excursion” today was rather depressing. It consisted of a panoramic bus ride around the city, mostly telling of the way things used to be and how they are now and how Peace is desperately needed as well as economic support from the world. With that last fact so strongly put forth, we were dumped out into a market that had been set up near the pier. We, meaning all Peace Mission personnel and staff, were told in no uncertain terms we were not to buy or take any food items. The only exception to that was dried seaweed, ginseng, tea, and rice liquor. Vit and I had agreed we would buy what we could here to support economic recovery on a local level.
Korean Red Ginseng has been world renowned since ancient times for its medicinal properties. People from all over the world used to come to Korea to find this magic root but they are having a hard time exporting it now as people are worry it has been contaminated. The ginseng for sale at the market has a special sticker that it came from uncontaminated sources. They also had a scientist testing each batch before the sale closed. Even with all of those extra expenses adding to the cost, it was still half the price of what I would have paid for similar back home. I purchased some to share with Yegor by way of Polina. We weren’t talking but at the time I had hopes that it would at least open the door.
Although tea isn’t nearly as popular in Korea as it is in countries like China and Japan, the country still produces high-quality green tea in regions such as Boseong, Hadong and Jeju. Traditional fruit teas like omija-cha (‘five taste tea’ made from magnolia berries) and meshilcha (sweet plum tea) are also popular beverages, not only for their taste but also their health properties. I scooped up a extra large supply of both … again with tags that said they were tested and contamination free. The woman running the booth was about my age with two young children, one listlessly staring off into space and the other in a baby carrier on her back. She started crying quietly when I insisted on doubling my order when Vit galled asking for it. I quietly asked her if it was a problem, was I taking too much of her supply. The issue was the exact opposite. Their family had a small farm but they were unable to exports as they had because of all of the troubles. This was putting food in her children’s stomach. Thank you and be blessed. I saw the Rosary she wore and realized she was one of the minority Catholics in the country, though there population has been growing ever since the 60s when the Catholic Church provided much needed support during the time of the dictatorships. I also quietly directed some other “tea drinkers” from the ship to her booth. It was the least I could do given the excellent price she had given me.
Some of the other odds and ends I purchased was a dinner set of Korean chopsticks. They are unique from other Asian chopsticks as they are flat. The set I got was stainless steel and when I realized the price I got several sets in different patterns. You can’t buy regular silverware for the price I paid and Vit and I use them often when we are home simply because they are easier to wash … or I reused the plastic ones to mark my garden rows. Of course I got a supply of dried seaweed, some Korean fans for gifts. At the same vendor I purchased the fans there was a beautiful supply of Hanji paper (homemade) that could be used as stationary. No many people handwrite correspondence anymore but I still like to. I picked up a couple bottles of Soju, the local rice liquor as well. I’m glad I didn’t get more than I did because Henry also picked up a few bottles for Vit. I’m not much of a fan for rice liquor, even for a small sip you get quite a kick, about like drinking jet fuel in my opinion.
Then I hit the cosmetic items at a large section of the market. There were foot peel masks, volcanic mud facial masks, and lot of other creams and notions. Because I am on my feet so much, my normal foot care routine has been good, but it needs to go up a notch in effectiveness. Not to mention Vit is strangely fascinated when I put the extra effort into my skin care routines. It has become a bit of a game. Of course turnabout is fair play and I massage him with the various oils I have found … all in scentless or manly scents.
The market was busy and my faraday bag full to nearly overflowing so I went back to the ship and to our cabin to unload. When I got there I found a Dojang. I had thought of buying one and then decided against it. I thought Vit had done it only it wasn’t him. Dojangs are personalized stamps that were and are still used throughout Korea to sign contracts and bank account books. It’s basically your signature in stamp format. Sure you can get these in other countries, but here the signature is in Korean. Who gave it to me? The SK diplomat. The note said it was a thank you for my help with a rather sticky bit of translation as well as the kindness I showed his valet. I really didn’t think much of it at the time but apparently he did. Koreans are very particular about their looks and men of status hire valets to help them with their style and even their make up which is very common for men to wear in Korea. It is considered “gross” for men to have body hair in Korea and the translation was for some personal hygiene items which was not considered high-pri for the use of the translation machines. I wondered if I should keep the gift and decided all I could do was ask someone in security, so I headed that way.
Isn’t there always a but or something else in these stories? I decided to use the stairwell rather than the elevator to save me some time and had to stop because a deck above me I heard a couple of the Korean diplomats talking. I’ll be honest, if it had been staff I would have blown on through playing deaf but these were the actual diplomats; one from SK and the other from NK. I’m sure they did not think they were being overheard and probably took the conversation there instead of their offices for this very reason. Few people use the stairwells and fewer still who would have understood their language.
The NK diplomat was agitated. He was saying that he got word from his son that a plague has broken out along their northern border. And that it was due to a biological testing accident by China. The SK diplomat asked if he was sure. The NK diplomat answered that his own son verified with his eyes a drone flying erratically before crashing. It was right on the border and his unit was giving the Chinese time to clear it rather than create an incident. However, within 24 hours what they are calling people with plague symptoms started showing up and some have already died. The area has already been cordoned off, the same they did when radiological symptoms started showing up along the border after the bombs fell.
They hurried away when I heard some other people in the stairwell. I immediately comm’d Vit to meet me in our cabin if possible. It was urgent.
“Veta?!” he asked urgently as he knew I wouldn’t have been asking him about a stain on our uniforms. I pulled him into the bathroom and turned the shower on and then explained.
“But I didn’t have my body cam running. I was heading to security about the gift.
“First you must calm yourself. You are pale and nearly blue around your mouth. Breathe. Good. I will use the secure channel we have with Dylan and will relay the rumor to him. And yes, you must treat this as a rumor. You will go to security and report, but make sure to do so in absolute secure location. Yes?”
So I pulled myself together, stopped being a ninny though that is not what Vit meant for me to think, and then went where I had originally been heading after comm’ing Polina. I could tell she only answered reluctantly.
“Relax, this is not a personal matter. I … need to speak with you Chief Ivanov.”
She later told me she heard something in my voice even if others would not have. I’m not sure if that is true or not but it gave her an out and I let her have it. She said besides, she also had something official to relay to me … to Vit and I.
Vit was there ahead of me having received my comm. He looked agitated but it passed as being interrupted yet again. Not even Yegor knew what it was but said something snarky like I must be on my menses as I do not normally act that way. He’s lucky I have other things on my mind or I would definitely be thumping him. Not even my brats try and get away with such things with their sisters.
Polina was very stiff when she asked us to sit.
“This comes through official channels so it has been verified. Mitkin’s wallet and some other identifying documents were found at a sight in Russia. There was also evidence of a biological nature. It doesn’t look good for Mitkin. There are rumors that his former – and still powerful – in laws had a hand in whatever has happened.”
The only thing Vit said was, “Do not expect me to weep for the bastard. If true, I hope it was hard and painful.”
I could only stare but didn’t speak. I did put my hand on his and I felt him flinch then relax.
Polina turned to me and said, “You had a matter you wished to discuss.” That’s when I spilled the beans. I could see the wheels turning in her head despite how stoic she was being. “First, keep the little gift. It does not compromise your job. As for the other … I will speak to my contacts. You will speak to your brother?”
“At your orders Chief.”
She opened her mouth to speak and then deflated a bit and turned on the “sound machine” that prevents things from being recorded. I now see why, or at least some of why, she has been so stiff. “Yegor’s swift treatment came at a … cost. I owe … people. You need to keep your distance. Vit has done much to smooth over what could have been an embarrassment to the party currently in control, but calendars turn and the hawks are circling, and I have no idea how much longer the doves will be in power, especially if this rumor grows tentacles and swims into the deep end of the pool.”
Oh my Lord, maybe she doesn’t do it on purpose. Tentacles instead of legs? Deep end of the pool? Really?
“Carry this news to Dylan Petric. I will speak to my contacts and perhaps they will stop nagging. If anything comes of it? So be it. Either way within 24 hours I need to take this to the senior military and diplomatic representatives. I should not need to remind you to remain silent on this matter.”
As we were turning to leave I took the package of ginseng out of my pocket and put it on her desk. “For Yegor. There is nothing owed on it.”
I left before anything could be said. Vit told me later that I must be correct, either Yegor is sicker than they’ve explained or there is something else going on. Vit, who is not given to fantasy, told me Polina’s face looked like it was nearly cracking from emotion.
I pray that Mitkin really is gone but now he has been replaced by another boogey man. As Poppa used to say, “All I can do is all I can do. The rest must be up to God.” My prayers are going to be longer for a while to come.
beaglemama
Contributing Member
Thank you, Kathy!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you. I keep refreshing when I get the chance just in case.