In 2007, Jean Wilson Hale and her husband, both civil engineers, journeyed to the other side of the world to manage a large construction project for ten months. Accompanied by The Magnificent Seven (their luggage), their two cats, and most importantly, their sense of humor, they traveled for twenty-five hours to reach their new home in Ekaterinburg, Russia (almost Siberia). Ten time zones from home, with neither of them speaking the language, they set up housekeeping in a new apartment, hired a driver, and embarked upon their adventure.
Punctuated with laughter, they endeavored to learn a language which sort of looked like English, but was actually very different. The quest for food, without being able to read the labels or ask for help, is recounted with humor and some exasperation. Explaining American holidays and customs to their Russian friends became an exercise in absurdity-why do children in the U.S. dress in costumes and go door to door threatening home owners with mischief if they aren't given candy, and what is a groundhog, anyway?
Presented through a compilation of letters and emails sent home to family and friends, this is a delightful snapshot in time of two people living far, far from home.