Russia, Day 11

 

 

Day Eleven 

We had our usual coffees at Coffee House.  Our typical order was a two-shot latte and an Americano.  Other days we tried American drip coffee and even a French-press.   

Today’s plan was to see the Museum of the Revolution – just a bit down the road from Pushkin Square.  The metro came in handy again.  We arrived at the museum on another wet day.  We checked our bags at the cloak room and then walked the rooms of the museum, seeing as much as could.   Exhibitions were mainly of the period of the late 19^th Century to the present day.  I absorbed as much as I could.  Many of the “facts” I had studied and researched for years started to make more and more sense.  As I was walking through the exhibition halls, I was enjoying pointing out to Kade some of the similarities between Russia back then and Thailand today.  Kade, on the other hand, was probably a bit overwhelmed by it all, and perhaps a bit annoyed by my question-asking.   

When we finished our somewhat hasty walk through the museum, we started to exit, but then realized the rain had really picked up.   We opted then to go to the museum’s café.  It was a great decision.  The café was small, but cozy.  The food was home-cooked and hearty.  We got a pasta dish and some soup.  Also, we ate an entrée that had a sauce that was a wonderful complement to the rice.  Yummy!  In the café, at a table near us, was a group of young military conscripts in their fatigues.  I enjoyed observing their playfulness and camaraderie.  I wondered how and why they had gotten into the military. These were very young men!

Before going back to the hostel, we ended up getting afternoon coffee somewhere.  Back at the hostel, we waited until 6 PM, which was the designated time for going to Timour’s.  Since we were leaving for a few days, we packed our bags and left them in the main TV room at Godzilla’s.  We only were taking our weekend essentials to Timour’s.

We took the metro to Bratislava Station and then walked to the mall McDonald’s in order to wait for Timour.  He was having a busy day and we actually didn’t know if he would meet us on time.  We sat and waited at the food court.  I grew hungry and walked over to the Sbarro and ordered some pasta and a salad.  As I was paying, up walks Timour saying we needed to leave.  They “boxed” my food and we left.  Before we left the mall, Timour wanted to buy a birthday gift for Kamil.  We were going to his house for a party.  Timour searched and searched, finally settling on a bottle of cologne.  Our biggest find was some Cuban cigars I bought for myself, Mark and Jeff. 

Timour drove us over to Kamil’s house (apartment) and we walked in to a room full of people.  Everyone was sitting around the table.  Kamil was celebrating his 23^rd birthday.  The oldest at the table was Timour’s great-uncle.  He was in charge of keeping the toasting alive.  On the table there were all kinds of foods. We ate and ate.  We listened to and gave toasts.  We watched old video footage from my years in Tashkent.  I saw Andy on the tube.  Also, Timour’s mom was on video.  She had died sometime after the video was made….of cancer.  What was intriguing – and slightly confusing – was figuring out which of the young ladies in the room were the wee little girls on the video.  Eventually, I picked out Ranata and Elmira.  I know it’s cliché to say, but “time flies.”

 

Kade and I nervously waited for our time to toast.  Kade, in particular, was nervous.  At least I had some practice!  Still, even for me, I worried that I might simply be repeating my same toast over and over.  Our time came and we handled it well.  I made reference to the fact that Kamil resembles Marat Safin.  I also advised his girlfriend, Sasha, not to let him put on too much of the cologne for fear it could attract too many girls.  Over the course of the evening, I drank far less than at the last party.  After eating some birthday cake, Timour asked me to let everyone know that we needed to go.  Oh, before we left Renata and Dilya put on a musical show.  Once again, “Strangers in the Night” was a centerpiece.  I loved Renata’s family’s apartment and the hospitality of everyone there.

We walked over to Timour’s apartment, enjoying the quietness and coolness of the night.  In the evening, as Kade readied herself for bed, Timour and I talked quite a long time on politics.  It was certainly fascinating to hear a different take on things.