when i studied in kazan, russia, in 1994, dad and norm huizenga came to visit me. i went to moscow to meet them and we took the 13-hour train ride back to kazan. along the way, there was a stop (the name of which escapes me at the moment) where there was a crystal factory.
times were tough in russia back then and the people who worked in the factory were paid in the crystal products that they made. chandeliers, cut glass pitchers, wine glasses, vodka glasses. some in beautiful cobalt blue and other vibrant colors.
the stop came very early in the morning...around 4 or 5 a.m., as i recall. despite the ungodly hour and no matter the weather--bitter cold, driving rain, blizzard conditions--the people from the village swarmed the train with their wares.
i remember my astonishment when dad handed me a $50 dollar bill and said, "get out there and buy something!" words which i'd never heard before and that i'm sure i'll never hear again.
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