I am now in Houston, Texas.

Wow – very different.  There are SO many things to buy.  And so many versions of so many things to buy. And so many different places to buy the so many versions and so many prices to compare to see how I can buy one version the cheapest.  WHEW!

Anyhow, I already miss Uzbek veggies and fruit, but not necessarily the cuisine (sorry!).  So far, I’ve eaten SASHIMI (mmmm); BLACKENED TILAPIA; the world’s best ja-jang-myun (noodles with black bean sauce); and Starbucks skim latte. 

I drive in Houston, so that’s not an issue, but when I arrived in NYC and was trying to catch a taxi the next morning to come to Houston, OH MAN, was I missing the fact that I could point my finger downward and have a car stop.  FORTUNATELY, as I was walking to 2nd Avenue to see if I would have better luck, a Cuban man was walking out of CVS and asked me “hey, need a cab?” I ended up having a very nice conversation with him and he told me that his favorite Cuban restaurant is the one my friend Mel and I really like. (it’s actually Mel’s favorite).. which means it’s AU-THEN-TIC.

I am also shocked by the new cars.  I don’t recognize any of the new cars.  Also, GAS is just CRAZY expensive!! Yikes.  Houston is booming, though (OIL TOWN). 

I am also shocked by everyone’s friendliness, but that’s Texas.  Smiling people.  “HOWDY”…

This was the “decoration” in a cabin I stayed in at a sa-na-to-ri-um (that’s what they call “spas” in Russian) a few weeks ago.  We were having training there.  It’s sad to think that people actually had to put forth energy to make this thing.

LANA TOUR 2005

I’m coming to the States for one month.  My schedule:

April 19th – April 30th : HOUSTON
May 4th                       : PR. Meeting for Uzbekistan in NYC
May 6th – May 8th:       PHILADELPHIA (May 7th – Uzbek dinner)
May 8th – May 10th:      WASHINGTON D.C. (Uzbek dinner – Date TBD)
May 12th – May 14th:     BOSTON
May 14th:                       UZBEK-LANA-PALOOZA in NYC
May 19th – May 22nd:   LONDON
May 23rd:                      Back in Uzland

I am VERY excited about having the opportunity to catch up with people!  I’m also excited about eating McDonald’s!  Ridiculous.  Even if I don’t get to see you, be on the lookout for an email which will give my contact information so maybe we can talk on the phone at least!!!!