For Father’s Day, the family took me out to сыроварння “Cheese Barn”. This is a Moscow-owned Italian restaurant that as the name proclaims, specializes in cheese. The food and ambiance were 10 of 10 and I highly recommend the restaurant. Every dish was delicious and we sampled the mushroom with truffle oil pizza, fish and grilled vegetables, ravioli, and green salad. It has a sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere and it is located in a park near the Bla Bla Bar in the city center.
I am getting a few last bike rides in before we travel on our summer holidays. Late yesterday afternoon I noticed police and paramedics alongside the Ankhor Canal. Divers were in the water with ropes to stabilize themselves against the strong currents. I think they were looking for someone who drowned and by the time I got back from my bike ride, they were much further down the canal by the dam. Many people swim in the cold, fast currents of the canal. It is hot and humid and I drank a lot of water on my ride. Winds picked up in the late afternoon causing lots of dust. There was a chance of rain and the temperature did cool, but no precipitation. Tashkent has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers.
I ended my night playing soccer with my son’s team against the TIS maintenance/groundskeeper team. I am just happy to be able to run around and play team sports at age 56! I didn’t get hurt, although my toe towards the end of the game was starting to feel some pain, so I quit about 10 minutes before the end of the game. This morning it feels fine, so I think it was a good decision. I’ve learned to listen to my body to avoid injury because I don’t recover as fast as I used to from injury. Loved it!
Having a career in international education means you move every few years. This involves finding a different home and specifically a new bedroom every time we move. Homes sizes and styles vary greatly depending on the country and city. In Colombia, Australia, and Serbia we lived in apartments. In Japan, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Uzbekistan we lived in houses. It is a mind shift to go from say an American-sized home in Venezuela to a typical-sized home in Japan. “How is our stuff going to fit in here?”
I’ve learned that I will always want a King Size Bed. The most important thing is the width and the Standard or “Eastern” King of 76 inches is the best. The length does not concern me because at 68 inches in height, even the smallest bed, a “Twin” is suitable at 75 inches in length. When you are sleeping with a partner, it is best to be in the same bed (I don’t want to sleep in another room or a different bed in the same room) as some older couples get to. Both Nadia and I are not loud snorers so that is not a problem, it is a question of movement. I like bedrooms cooler however, and she likes it a bit warmer.
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