However, a couple of the other students here knew a Russian guy from last semester and wanted to go out as a group. I was very iffy, but after incessant prodding I gave in and went to a bar/restaurant/thing with them. The drinking age in Russia (like most of Europe, I think) is 18, so the door was open if I wanted to venture down that dark, dark path. Having said that, I still wasn't planning on drinking anything.
First, the Russian guy (Ilya) took us to a place in Китай-город (literally China Town, but it doesn't really mean that - has to do with older Russian) called Propaganda. It was kinda dark, but it looked pretty much like any old restaurant with a bar in it - well, that is, except for the techno music blasting on the speakers. Seriously, people were just sitting down eating and they had a DJ up there playing the same song over and over and over. Anyway, I was pretty bored and uncomfortable, mainly because we couldn't get a table and were just kind of standing right in the doorway.
Eventually we decided to leave and go down the street to another bar, called Proekt OGI. Once there Ilya and mostly everyone else ordered a round of drinks, butt I decided to refrain...for a while anyway. I'm not gonna say that I succumbed to peer pressure, but I eventually decided after much prodding to order a drink, and being that I am in Russia, what do you think I decided to get for my first ever alcoholic beverage? That's right, a shot of vodka. Apparently I shouldn't have done this (order a shot of straight vodka), so Ilya ordered himself a glass and some lemons for immediately afterward. He told me to breath out, drink the shot, and then eat the lemon. So I did. And got dang did it burn. For a good 10-13 seconds my throat was on fire, my face was twisted, and my eyes were watering. But it wasn't so bad. I don't remember what it tasted like, but it wasn't so bad.
My First DrinkAfter that, Ilya suggested that I get myself a beer - a good one. As I looked at the menu, Ilya gave me some tips on the different beers. For example, regarding the extremely cheap (55-85 rubles) Russian beer, Ilya had this to say: "They're sh**."
So I eventually settled on a 500ml (yeah, I was going to get the 250ml, but Ilya and Catherine were all like "BUT IT'S ONLY 40 RUBLES MORE FOR TWICE AS MUCH!!!!") Franziskaner. Unlike the previous beers I'd sipped, it wasn't that bitter. That's not to say that it was good, but it wasn't that bitter. Apparently I drank it pretty quickly, since I kept getting remarks like "jeez, Paul, you're drinking that really quickly." By the time I finished it, I was feeling very slightly dizzy (buzzed I guess), and I decided that I was done for the night. A couple other people decided to stay out with Ilya, but I certainly didn't want to push it my first night drinking.
My Second DrinkWe headed back to the dorm, during which time I was much more talkative than normal and a little disoriented, but other than that, pretty normal. Here's to stepping outside your comfort zone. YEAH!
I was going to destroy this picture, since it was taken at a terrible moment (you know how you can pause a movie and get an actor's face to look incredibly stupid? Yeah, it's like that), but it's funny, I guess.
I don't know how she got my face like that...I didn't friggin drink it yet!Also: Since that day (last...Saturday?) I have had two more drinks and have come to the conclusion that beer tastes like crap.
OK. First things first: I told you not to go to Propoganda! It's horrid. The techno music will kill your brain. Though, there is a lovely sushi bar right around the corner. Ah, Paula had his first drink. Remember, sniff blackbread, do shot, suck lemon. Once you get used to it, its quite good. And beer is actually awesome. You just need to find what kind you like. I would suggest Baltika, though house beers are also good. But, I'm proud of you (for trying it and for knowing when to stop, both). :)
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog, Paul :-). Keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been responding to the comments.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, despite what you and everyone else here tells me about beer (it's an acquired taste!!!), it still tastes bitter as all hell. I've tried three different beers and all of them have varied from not that bitter to really, really, bitter. I think I'll stick to my mixed drinks. Rum and coke wasn't too bad (just tasted like semi-flat coke with a kick). Also tried a Screwdriver, which wasn't too bad.