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Newer Pictures of Drunk Cafe
Here are some recent pictures from us at the "drunk cafe". Pictured are Oleg, his daughter Sonya, Jenia, Scott, Dasha, Merina, and me. Before I get to some of the funny stories, I had to share this one from today.
Based on my stories you may believe this but there was a 35 mile backup, moving at about 5 mph on the main interstate that circles around Moscow, but you are not going to guess what for, heat. Yes, it was about 85oF here today (that was amazing in itself), but it was causing cars to overheat and they just stall on the interstate. It was incredible. I happen to be in Moscow for the Russian version of the "Poultry Show" and Misha had been waiting at his sister's house for us. He told Denis (my translator) that he came from the south and it was a complete parking lot heading south so we headed through the center of Moscow to get home, which takes longer, but it moved! We later heard on the news that was backed up 35 miles. They did not say the reason, but as we saw over a dozen vehicles while getting to the center that had just stopped in the middle of the road overheated.
I had a fun and interesting evening yesterday. After work,
I met Dima, the one friend that is self taught English that I bought the "Happy Wedding Day" card instead of Happy Birthday. He asked if he could invite his "sister" to join us because she wanted to meet me. I should have known something was up, but I did not care so as we were sitting at the outdoor cafe (the Drunk Cafe as we call it) we are talking. His "sister" knows a little English and told me she had already met me...I am scratching my head trying to figure out where and she finally tells me I spoke to her English class in the Fall the Language Center. Later in the conversation, I about fall out of my chair because Dima tells me his father is Masha's father's brother. I knew Dima's parents were divorced so I am trying to figure this whole thing out, thinking they had the same mom and both brothers were in love (or at least had sex with her). After diagraming it for the simple American, she was his cousin. I guess in the Russian, they call female cousins, second sisters (probably because often times they all live together, I am guessing),
but that is why he originally said she was his "sister."
Do not forget, Dima and his Dad were the ones that set me up on the unannounced blind date, well guess what, this too was a blind date, but I guess it was sort of announced...lol After Masha left, I asked Dima was he trying to get me married? He told me, he just wants me to stay here in Obninsk so is trying to find me a, as he calls it, "a girl." I have to admit, at least Masha was friendly and fun to talk to, but was a little young at 20 years old!
The Drunk Cafe is the place to be and where many of my summer stories will probably originate from so besides the blind date, I meet Michael's "memory doctor." I am sure I told the story when at the grocery store, we (Michael, Dasha, and I) ran into this guy that Michael met some time ago and could not remember his name so he wrote a prescription for Michael's memory. Well, I met him at the Cafe, but I remember him and got "brownie points" for asking about his wife
Traffic
Again, another old picture and it was a lot worse today, but did not have my camera with me in the car. The other major change was the sun was out and it was bright, sunny and 85oF! who is a "baby doctor" as he translated to us. He wanted Michael's number and I sort of lied and say I did not have it with me at the Cafe but that I would take his number and give it to Michael. Michael was thankful for that...lol but it was so funny because he kept apologiziing to Dima and Masha for interrupting. After he left Dima asked, "Does that happen often?" I told him just about anytime hears us talking English.
But the best story was the, what I think is the manager of the Cafe. We got there and placed our order and noticed their prices when up 10 rubles over last week when I was there so I told Dima to "complain" about the prices. The manager smiled at me so I knew he sort of understood so I asked him as I pointed at the menu prices. In a terrible broken English he says, "Inflation." It may not be funny hearing the story, but I still laugh thinking about it. I said something else and he said, again in a very broken English, you were the one here last week who brought your own sauce. I just smiled and answered yes. Michael and I like adding a little Tabasco sause to their sandwiches and I knew I was going to the Cafe so I brought a bottle along with me so I guess I sort of made a scene without realizing it. For all I know, I may have offended him by putting it on, but I find the whole incident sort of funny and wanted to share or at least document for me later on as I read through my experiences in Russia.
I also paid my rent last night and while doing so asked my landlady if I purchase and leave it, may I install one of those instant hot water heaters. She objected because of the higher electric cost. I do not think she realizes I am only going to plug it in and use it when we have no hot water but two days was almost more than I could handle and if they actually shut off our hot water for two weeks, I am going to need something. For me to get this to work, I will disconnect the water from my washing machine and connect it to heater. I need to get the specs on it, but if I can get 5 or 10 minutes of warm water, it will be worth it to me! I even offered to start paying the electric bill. She said she would think about, but to get her the specific model that I wanted and she would review it with her husband. I think once she knows better of what I want, I am sure she will agree especially since I am going to leave it and will also pay the electric. (Little does she know, I am most likley going to buy a portable air conditioner for my room.) It is getting hot here and if it is too hot, I am going to be able to sleep. The nights are still cooling down so it is not bad at night yet, but it is only May so I am thinking ahead. I am not going to ask on this one and just do it. I will also resell it when I leave, but if I am paying the electric and it is portable, I figure why should she care.
I did not realize I was going to type so much this evening, but a few funny stories I wanted to share. I hope everyone is going well.
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margaldra
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We're just curious what's so funny about it?