Newspapers / The Charlotte Jewish News … / Dec. 1, 1989, edition 1 / Page 18
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Page 18-THE NEWS-December 1989 From Here to the Soviet Union — Part IV By Patty Gorelick On this warm June day, Arbat Street, one of the main shopping streets in Moscow, was closed at both ends preventing cars from entering and creating a sort of open air shopping mall. Crowds of people were enjoying the beautiful day and we thought the stores were doing a booming business until we went inside to look. The customers were jammed against the single dis play counters or in line to pay the cashier. There was hardly any merchandise in the stores and we couldn’t understand what everyone was trying to buy. Even the shop windows had little to display with nothing to entice customers to enter. Despite this, ^ people were flocking to the stores in hopes of finding some worthwhile item to purchase with their rubles. It was a depressing display of the sorry state of the Soviet economy. Other than the Beriozka stores (tourist only shops) shopping is probably at the bottom of most tourists’ “must do” lists. On the other hand, the Moscow Circus should be at the top. The circus was performed in a building similar to the old Charlotte Coliseum, only with wood parquet floors. The acts are somewhat different than in the U.S., such as the double hump camel chasing a man around the ring and trying to take a bite out of him. We also saw a trained hippopotamus with a dog riding him and a monkey on top of the dog. The circus is usually sold out with tickets priced so that everyonfe can afford to go. Lenin’s Tomb is another at traction that shouldn’t be missed. In fact, tourists from all The Gorelick family recently traveled to the Soviet Union to meet their Russian relatives for the first time. This is Part IV of a series of articles concerning that trip. over the USSR come to Moscow and form long lines waiting for a quick glimpse of an embalmed Lenin displayed under glass for all the world to see. Lenin looks as though he could be alive but sleeping. It’s quite amazing that his body is so perfectly preserved after 65 years. The next day, after touring Moscow with our guides, we found ourselves back at Aunt Gesya’s apartment. This was our last Moscow family dinner and Aunt Gesya knew at 86-years- old and in delicate health, she would probably never see us again. She told us the story of her 7-year-old great-grandson, Grisha, finding her crying. He asked her why she was crying and she replied, “111 probably never see them again.” “Don’t worry, grandma. 111 see them,” answered Grisha and she seemed comforted by these simple words. It was very hard for us to leave that evening. We knew that we would be seeing our cousins, Michael, Alla, Boris and Larisa in Leningrad before we returned home, but we would not see Aunt Gesya again. It must have been fate that I happened to be wearing a small gold necklace inscribed with the words, “I love you.” In all the years of owning that necklace, I hardly ever wore it. I knew that it was meant to remain in Moscow with Aunt Gesya and that is exactly what happened; 1 removed it and clasped it aroyild her neck. Although bodily we would not be with Gesya, our thoughts and love would remain and she would be in our hearts forever. Famers Market in TibiUsi. Photos/Patty GoreUck SHOPPING SERVICE, INC. “Corporate Gifts” Remember your clients and employees with our large selection of gifts for this holiday season. Eva Nove 5112-B Strawberry Hill Df. President Charlotte, NC 28211 365-2001 The flight to Tibilisi in the republic of Georgia went smoothly the next day. Surpris ingly we found ourselves in stalled in the Iveria Hotel which supposedly is one of the best TibiUsi has to offer. We had originally requested this hotel but were told it was fully booked and we would be put elsewhere. However, at the airport there was so much confusion that it must have seemed simpler for Intourist to put us there with the tour group that arrived on the same plane with us. At this point I was experi enced with the arrival procedure and before going to our rooms went immediately to Intourist with our vouchers to confirm all guides, cars, tours, etc. which was no simple matter. We needed dinner reservations for the three nights we would be staying and requested certain restaurants. The Intourist desk in Tibilisi uses a system that probably worked well in the 19th century. There is no telephone directory or telephone informa tion and they didn’t have the restaurant telephone numbers. There is also no such thing as a two-line or multi-line tele phone in the Soviet Union. After trying for 45 minutes to reach a restaurant by phone, we were told to take a bus or taxi to the restaurant to make our reservation. We decided instead to go to our rooms, wash and then go out on the street and explore the town while looking for somewhere to eat. On the street the Georgian people were friendly and curi ous. They could tell on sight that we were Americans — and they love Americans. We noticed many young men who were intently watching the young women in our group. Bari and Dana had their husbands (my nephews) to hold onto but I felt responsible for watching my daughter, Marcelle and my niece, Pam (when Shelton wasn’t nearby). A woman and her daughter approached us with big smilp on their faces. They asked us in broken English about the U.S. It is their greatest wish to come here someday. A group of young Georgian street traders sidled up to us and introduced themselves with “How much for t-shirt? Have very nice sunglasses. Nice, pretty girl...believe me, I am gentleman...maybe we meet.” They were definitely interested in Marcelle and Para and there were many traders who all seemed to know each other. My sons, Rael and Todd, made arrangements to meet them later in front of the hotel to conduct business. Further down the street we found the hotel that had a recommended dinner show and we made reservations to buy tickets. Across from the dinner reservation desk in the lobby was a TV set tuned in to the live broadcast of the Soviet congres sional meetings. Several men were sitting with their eyes glued to the set — expressions similar to Charlotteans watching the NCAA basketball finals. In the lobby later that evening after waiting half an hour, the saleslady finally made an ap pearance and we were able to purchase the dinner show tickets. She proceeded to guide us down t^e street and around the corner to another building. We entered, went down the stairs and were seated at three separate round tables in an empty supper club. Why did we need reserva tions? The empty room was not reassuring. Immediately plates of cold hors d’oeuvres and See GEORGIA next page Baubles, Bangles, Beads, Belts, Earrings, Scarves, Accessories and Gifts We have an excellent selection of colors and thousands of styles to choose from EVERYDAY UNBEUEVABLE LOW PRICES AT WHOLESALE OR BELOW Also Visit Kristi’s Korner (in front of Kristi’s Jewelry Warehouse}—“Creative clothing for the discriminating woman M ^ Kri/tiV Jewelry Warehouse 935 E. Main St. Rock Hill (803) 324-8754 (803) 324-7779 Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon. Sat. Take Exit 77 off 1-77. Turn on Hwy 5 West Go to Traffic Light at Food Lion, Turn Rt., Go 3 Bkxks. TTT .. ,f or Gifts Braun Volc«*Controll«d Alarm. Tell It you want more time and the akamn is Interrupted by your voice. $30.95 Montbianc Rollerfoall. The Melsteretuck RollertxjII cornbines ballpoint technology with the writing ease of ttie finest quality fountain pen. $100.00 JoMph DanM Bri«fcciM. In rk:h Bkaci Cherry hand-stained shrunken leather whfch enhances Its natural grain. $260.00 Wlfxlsof Squore 9623 E. Irxiependence Blvd. Motthev>« NC (704) 845-2329 MorxJov-Satufdoy 1(W Sundoy TTTTmr
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Dec. 1, 1989, edition 1
18
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