MAPT

MAPT -- That's March in Russian... In honour of Mr. Medvedev's victory yesterday I give you a few pics from Russia from our trip there in 2006. The barkeep at the restaurant (Bistrot Garçon in Saint Petersburg) was a great guy. He spoke a little English and was very welcoming and engaging. He came over to our table at one point with the English-language newspaper and said, "Gentlemen, may I interest you in the St. Petersburg Times?" He even went to and opened the door for us when we left. (A level of service you never encounter in Canada, btw.) We ate there twice and encountered him only on our second visit, just before boarding the "Krasnaya Strela" (Red Star) overnight train to MOCKBA (Moscow). At the end of a great meal, we both ordered a Sambuca, which they served flambéd in a martini glass with an expresso bean. I don't think I slept a wink on the train that night...

We stayed in an apartment in both Saint Petersburg and Moscow, hence our visit to a market... It made it a bit more challenging, but we got to see a lot more than we would have staying in a big hotel. (I speak a tiny bit of Russian, which came in very handy.) There were several gals selling honey at this market in St-Pete... I bought some and it was very tasty indeed. Perhaps this is where Colin Farrell gets his honey, eh?

It's a custom in Russia for newlyweds to place flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is what the weding party is doing here.