They Turned the Heat Off

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I noticed it today when I got home from Moscow, they turned the heat off. During the day, the building was getting hot but in the morning, it took the chill off. We are getting up and into the 50's durning the day and down into the 40's at night so I guess it is about time.

They have also openned the "drunk cafe" where Michael and I use to go for dinner and a drink after work. I guess Alan wants to start joining us once a week as well so we may have a "party" each week if several others join us. I would not say the food is that good as much as it is just fun and they lady there that takes the order just loves to make me try to order even though she knows exactly what I want, she gets a laugh at me trying.

On Friday, I went to Moscow and had dinner with my friend Alex. We ate the American Bar and Grill. By the pictures, the food looked good, very "American" but when they brought it to the table, it was NOT American. It was not bad, but when you expected your sampler platter of wings, rings, baked potatos, and nachos a certain way and it was not even close, it does make you a little disappointed. The thing I hated most was the smoke. There was no ventilation in the place and it was so smokey, I could not breath and kept coughing. So it looks and sounds American, but not really all that American so I doubt I will be back.

I then stayed in a different hostel last Friday night for $30, which is so much cheaper than a hotel. It was pretty full, but everyone is so nice and friendly. I enjoyed talking to the people staying there. Although everyone was considerate of each other just with that many people, it was a little noisier as people came and went. It was still a lot of fun and well worth the money. After I got up, I headed to the American Clinic to have my throat and shoulder checked out. Obviously they are not related but both have been bothering me for a couple of weeks so I thought I would have them looked at by a real doctor. I had a few tests and now waiting on results.

Afterwards, Michael, Dasha, Alan, Alan's personal driver, Oleg (a newly hired English speaking Russian we hired from Simmons Foods in AR), Oleg's wife, Misha (my driver), and I all met at the Hard Rock Cafe to watch the Russia verses Finland hockey game. I thought it would be packed with people and have that bar cheering for their team atomsphere, but not really. There were a few people there watching the game and cheering, but not like I would have expected. Nonetheless, we had a good time and the food was as I expected. I had ribs (after here Mom talk about selling/eating ribs, which got my mouth watering for some good ol'BBQ ribs...umm!), coleslaw and bake beans. All tasted like I would expect which made them taste all the better. Afterwards, we all headed back home.

Yesterday and today, we have been getting much needed rain so I may just stay around the flat today, rest and watch a movie. I am going to make some french toast here shortly, but wanted to get the blog updated. Take care and have a good weekend!

P.S. I also started taking pictures of the metro stops so I will wait until I get a few more pictures to post one of just the metro stops, but I think you will be amazed to see some of these especially knowning how old they are.

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Comments

[Lorraine]

So I can't help but wonder, do you use a space heater after the building's heat gets turned off? Is there a safe one to be found in Russia?

[vkramer515]

Space Heater
The problem is not finding safe space heaters but having safe electricity in the flat to run them. I have not had much problems, but I know Michael has to turn everything off in his house when he runs his otherwise he flips the breaker. I have only flipped the breaker once and it was when I was running the heater in the kitchen and use the microwave at the same time.

[Lorraine]

I don't know why that made me laugh out loud, but it did. :0)

[Gale]

Sounds like an interesting thing to do 'turning off the heat'. Do they do this city-wide? Glad to hear you're doing good.