Hump Day

Wednesday comes and life is more settled after the decidedly bizarre events of last week and the weekend.  I accompany Jim to his law school classes.  Most of the first year students can come only to the morning 80 minute session, so he makes a point to call on them (pick on them?) in the mornings.  Alexander is one tall first year with a sloppy head of black hair and a sweatshirt.  Jim calls on him, he stands, but significantly slouched, and shyly gives his response in Russian.  Jim calls on him again and he speaks more forcefully and stands a bit straighter.  The third time he is standing erect and clearly excited to have his thoughts heard.  His answer this time isn't the best, but so what?  He's hooked on the class.
The uniform for over half the girls in the class is mini-skirt and black knee-high boots with 3-4 inch spike heels.  Others wear business suits.  Only the first year boys and one sullen older boy are not dressed up for the class.  I am starting the third round of my three ties.
Lunch with Gala and Jim in the faculty dining room is uneventful and tasty as usual, finished with tea.  I am using the opportunities to improve my Russian and expand my vocabulary.  Pezhalsta is please and Spasiba is thank you.  Hrosho is fine or well.  Suddenly A Clockwork Orange with Alex and his droogs and their Russian slang comes to my mind.  They were always saying "Horror show" no doubt meaning Hrosho.
Jim and I explore by walking down Gorkiy Street to the Angara River.  A few fisherman are there and some couples walking together.  The temperature may be just above freezing.  We follow the walkway for many blocks crossing under one of the bridges.  Then we're in an industrial section with no more sidewalk.  Of course, the two alpha males each know exactly how to continue despite not a map between us.  We find some interesting wooden buildings juxtaposed with modern construction and cross several muddy areas where the ice and snow are melting.  We continue walking in the direction we both agree is toward the park and the Kolchak monument near the northern end of Lenin Street, but eventually realize we're lost until I decipher the street sign and realize we're on Gorkiy Street again just two blocks from the apartment.  I need my GPS!
Dinner is in the apartment and is salmon baked in a pastry, delicious as usual.
We walk to the 24 hour supermarket for supplies.  Security is openly eyeing me with suspicion in the liquor department as I peruse more varieties of vodka than I've previously seen.  Then a walk back home each carrying several grocery bags. Jim and I each have a shot of chile pepper infused vodka as a treat and then off to read and bed.
Tomorrow I am speaking to a 2nd year class and then a 4th year class so they can have the rare opportunity to hear a native English speaker.  Then a tour of an ophthalmology clinic is planned.