Poston's take Paniflov Park - by McP

I just wanted to add a few comments to Alison's report of our beautiful Autumn day outdoors (her post is below this one)...

As Alison described, we went to Paniflov Park, where Alina and Mac were dwarfed by the huge bronze sculpture (see above, bottom right of statue - can you see them?), which is the memorial to the 28 Kazakh soldiers who fought off 50 Nazi tanks in 1941 and so saved Moscow from the Nazis. They were the last line of defense and held.

Their commander was General Panfilov for whom the park where the memorial now stands is named.

All of this reminds me of how changes in world events can often end up affecting and enriching our lives. Our driver Emil and I were discussing how when we were boys, we would have never dreamed of a day when we could be friends. He was born in Moscow but grew up in what was the Kazakh Soviet Republic and now is the Republic of Kazakhstan (after the fall of the U.S.S.R. and Kazakhstan's independence almost fifteen years ago). The Soviet Union fell and here we are again, getting ready to bring home another great kid from Kazakhstan, who will become by law an American citizen as soon as we reach Atlanta next month!

All the Soviet memorial infrastructure is mostly intact, with statues of Lennin and grand roadside memorials everywhere. Paniflov Park and the surrounding area is one of the most impressive. The beautiful Russian Orthodox Cathedral that Alison pictured was built entirely with wooden pegs and does not have one nail!

Today was a really fun day with cool but beautiful weather. Having been here six years ago in November and December, I know winter is coming. But for now, it is very nice and the kids and I plan to get out a lot more in the next couple of weeks, while we can!

Cal was a real trooper and quietly enjoyed the stroll all day. We ate at an Irish pub and restaurant named "Mad Murphy's". Alison and I had been there in 2000. The food was great.

We miss everyone and look forward to getting home, but we have much work here yet. Internet connections so far do not allow much in terms of sending pics via email, so thanks for your patience and for checking this blog.

Best to all back in the good old U.S.A.!

McP