We had to get new Metro Passes so when Cindy came home we had a short cocktail hour to let the crowds thin and then we walked to the station and purchased our passes. We then headed to our Georgian restaurant for an early dinner. The joint was almost empty at 7pm so we headed to our favorite table and sat down. Soon a waitress, who was new to us, came up to take our order. She had wonderful English and was able to help us learn to pronounce new words. We had a great meal with our favorite grilled quail and three glasses of wine; we shared a rich red with the quail. When the bill came, it seemed rather high for the modest meal we had so I checked it carefully. She had charged us 300 rubles per glass of wine instead of the 150 it should have been. I brought it to her attention and she said, “Oh, you had the Georgian Wine, which is 300 per glass.” I told her we most certainly did not have Georgian wine and asked her to show me where that was on the menu. Only full bottles of Georgian wine are available and yet she persisted in trying to tell us we had Georgian wine. She must have thought that I had just fallen off the beet wagon! I very gently, but firmly handed her the bill and told her to adjust it. She did, but not before making sure we knew that she had given us Georgian wine. We left her the normal tip and left the restaurant feeling like we had lost a good friend. Now we have to be super careful when we go there, or anywhere in Moscow, and it will not seem as relaxed and friendly as it had been.
Seems that they are giving out awards to everyone in Russian this week. The Spies that Couldn’t, who were deported several months ago, all got awards at the Kremlin yesterday. Goodness, I wonder what the good ones we don’t know about get?
It is 8:30 and I’m ready to head out to the Metro to go to the train station to go to the airport. More luggage to schlep again since I’ve a lot to bring back from Charles Town next week. At least it doesn’t weight much since there is nothing in it, a perk of going home where I have everything waiting for me.
The same thing that happened to me in April when I came to Moscow happened to Robert Di Nero over the weekend. Well almost the same. He arrived in a private jet, but was still hassled over his visa. I feel so much better. http://www.oochoo.com/2010/10/robert-de-niro-is-in-moscow/
That’s it from Moscow for me. Stay well, William
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