My friend Stepan Orlov and I were going to hang out for a little while on Friday, but the lunch surprise required us to reschedule for Saturday. Stepan has a girlfriend and of course his wonderful Mother, Anna, and I felt bad about his spending time with me. He assured me he already had plans for his ladies later in the day, so he met me for lunch....I had some Caucasian "pelmeni", tasty dumplings with chili sauce. Stepan had some ravioli made with blue pasta, some of which he kindly shared with me. Something very interesting happened while we were at this little restaurant which has just opened up. Stepan took out his phone and using some sort of app, checked in saying he was at this restaurant. He got up, went to the counter, and came back with a free glass of delicious, freshly made smoothie/juice thing(which he gave to me!)----free----they notified him on his phone when he checked in and boom. Free juice. The potential for technology to improve marketing, PR, etc., is just infinite and it is happening in Russia too!
After lunch we decided to go play some pool. Billiards here, but like most everything in Russia, is definitely NOT the same as American pool. The balls are bigger, table is bigger, pockets are smaller. It is virtually impossible to knock anything in unless the shot is perfect.
The balls are all white and numbered except the ball you break with which is yellow. It is then a little like 9 ball in which you can hit anything you want, slop included, using any ball as the cue ball. Most Russians glance the 'cue" ball off of an existing ball on the table, into a pocket. Not much banking as far as I could see. I'm a decent player and I couldn't seem to knock anything in---plus thinking about bouncing my "cue" ball off another on the table was counterintuitive, requiring a whole new geometric perspective and skill set. Once someone knocks in 7 balls they win. Winner racks, loser breaks. Stepan beat me like 5 games to one, but he is such a kind fellow-----giving me advice, pointing out better shots. I had a great time and we plan to definitely do it again.
When you walk in this place, it has bowling UPSTAIRS! Billiards in the basement. Nothing here is the way an American would do it, but that is the beauty of Russia. We were the only people playing for more than an hour. Afterwards we visited a bookstore, where I bought a poster of the galaxy for my apt, and some drawing supplies; then down to the market where I bought some rugs for my bare, empty abode(As you remember I also have the faux cowskin rug that Yulia so graciously lent me earlier last month) so it looks more like a little home, bit by bit.
That evening, for the first time I went out alone to a little live music club I had scouted out after some recommendations from Russian friends. It is about 8 blocks from my apartment, so convenient, and is called "Machine Head". Live music many nights, $5-10cover. Mostly original bands.
http://www.machrock.ru/page_1.html
I only stayed an hour or so. It is a great little friendly place. No problems navigating things at all. Band was original, people were dancing. I met a fellow named Vladimir and hung out with he and his buddies for a bit-----they drink Bushmills Irish whiskey and Pepsi!Went home and was in bed by midnight. Gotta watch the ice when you drink anything here; Funny, on my way out TO the club, sober as an airline pilot, I stepped on a patch of ice and boom. Down for the 3rd time in Russia. Luckily you are wearing so much clothing, no injuries. I am very careful on the way home and no further incidents.
