Back in California

Larry here:
We are back at home. Sasha and I arrived last Sunday, Alison--after a business trip to Israel--returned yesterday.
We all stopped in London on our way home, and had a great time.
It's not a big culture shock to be back. This is familiar territory. California hasn't changed much.
Still, we can't believe we're not looking out on rush hour backup on the 12-lane Prospect Mira while we eat dinner. Or riding the Metro. Or dodging cigarette smoke.
But California is in all its early summer splendor, and we're enjoying our return.
A couple of postscripts: a box of supplies that Russian customs had refused to give to us because the box contained sudafed, came back to us in the mail. Last week. It gives us hope that our other packages we mailed as we left the country will follow.
I visited a Russian store today in Palo Alto and found many of the foods we'd eaten in Russia for sale. Even Baltika beer. We had pelmenyi stuffed with turkey tonight for dinner. Tomorrow we'll eat the round pretzels and finish the brown tea cookie that Sasha first tried in Moscow. Food triggers some great memories.
We look forward to seeing our California friends this summers. And following life in Moscow from afar.