You may remember I have been sending parcels to the Submariners Club in St. Petersburg, ever since the Kursk went down. I had been choosing lightweight items and sending them air mail but the new rates now make the cost prohibitive. The last parcel--a big box--went surface mail (it will take AGES) and I apologized to Capt Kozyr and "the ladies" at the club. This is his delightful response:

Don't worry, you are in our dreams forever and all our thoughts only about your health. We believe that you kind soul could open every heart. We have many jobs too, because of problem with our lord (We rent some rooms in building that he decided to sale). So we trapped by a light fever to fight against this dangerous intention. Signs of spring we can find only watching young ladies, they dressed in white and blue despite of ice on the Neva river and a light frost about 10 degrees of C. Hope a bit of spring warm will be in your parcel too. So we are waiting for it impatiently.

Cordially yours,

Igor and ladies.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

Answers

The box is filled and STILL sitting in the Parlor, next to the front door, waiting to be sent to Russia! Please give me the address again and instructions on sending it.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

Careful, Git, you'll blow your image as forum curmudgeon.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

I'm just being nice to them in case the Russians ever invade. Address: Captain of 1st Rank (ret) Igor Kozyr

Submariners Club

Line 9, 50. V.O.

St Petersburg

Russia 199004 No instructions, really, other than to get a customs form at the PO--things will need to be itemized and cost written in. PO clerk will stick the form on the package for you. Go on the low side so they don't have to pay duty. Oh--you have to write it in French :). You might want to run it by me first since je parle francais--or they can help you at the PO. And (in case I forget) you might add, pour les veuves de la "Kursk" (for the Kursk widows). I don't know if it helps to prevent the packages being stolen but all mine have arrived so far.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

Russia 199004 No instructions

Is this to be added and if so, where?

Go on the low side so they don't have to pay duty.

Maybe put the cost of things, like you would pay at a garage sale?

And (in case I forget) you might add, pour les veuves de la "Kursk" (for the Kursk widows). I don't know if it helps to prevent the packages being stolen but all mine have arrived so far.

And where do you put this?

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

Sorry forgot the page break after the postal code. That's just part of the address, No instructions goes on next line.

Maybe put the cost of things, like you would pay at a garage sale?

I usually put thrift shop prices. Head the list "Les donations:"

I put the bit about les veuves in parens following the list on the customs label. There's room on the big white ones. I forget what the dividing line is between the little green customs label and the big white one. It's a weight and size thing--they'll tell you at the PO.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

Thanks.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

What have you been sending them?

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

Well, I go to a lot of estate sales and find beautiful scarves (silk and wool), gloves, silk ties, little purses, ear muffs, costume jewelry, anything lightweight. And we (my sidekick the Hungarian and I) go to the annual yard sales of a couple of churches and the Junior League sale and pick up new and nearly-new baby things, shirts, blouses, dresses, sweaters, T-shirts, lingerie, hose, on and on. We also send them dried food (hot chocolate, coffee, tea), safety pins, needles and thread, manicure supplies, make-up, soft toys for the children, whatever we can find that they might be able to use. We try to find plus size clothes because "the ladies" are mostly on the large side. Doesn't really matter, I know from a friend that anything they can't use, they can barter or use as a bribe for better health care.

When I sent some raspberry-cream flavored coffee, Igor wrote, "The smell of your coffee broke my heart."

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001