I’m in an expensive internet cafe now. I still can’t get a reliable internet connection here. But anyways, need to check email and things, so I wanted to write more here…
A WEEKEND IN EKATARINBURG (CONT’D)
This is the local chapter of the Russian Communist party holding a rally in the center of Ekatarinburg. They want to return to the Soviet times. Most people think of them as a big joke. The rally had maybe twenty people there, and one old lady who kept stuffing propaganda in my hand.
Ekatarinburg was the most partying I’ve done since coming to Russia. It was an excellent time. Maria introduced me to all her friends, and after that, the weekend was basically one long party. After walking around and seeing the city all Friday, we went out that night to a few different bars. On Saturday night, we went to a friend’s flat for a small party, of about 15 people (pictured above).
Drank I had there I promised to introduce to Americans — “Batman.” Part hot coffee, part coke, part vodka. Drink warm. Surprisingly not disgusting.
After the party, we went out to the club until six in the morning.
On the last day of being in Ekatarinburg, Sunday, something happened that I’ve been dreading — I got sick for the first time in Russia. My nose ran constantly, I felt like doing nothing but sleep, and my stomach felt like it housed a demon. Maria and her friend Ann were infinitely patient with me while I was a terrible, sickly guest — and I am extremely grateful. Thank you! That night, I went to the train station at one in the morning. My train departed at 2 a.m. And the long, long train ride, across Russia began.
And I’ll write about that later. This internet cafe is god awful. The computer is so slow, it’s taken me ages to write this much — and I have no idea how expensive it will be.
