Tak

I think that means so in Russian. I began my current drinking in Tomsk, yes Siberia. I had gone there to meet someone. Sure, that will work.

I went to an excellent party. In the US, no one invites me but there I was almost a celebrity for some reason. Literally, few at the party of 10 had ever met an American. Tomsk was seriously verboten just a few years ago. Almost as verboten as Novosibirsk where those naughty KGB agents were trained.

Anyway. It was Galina's birthday party. My so-called friend took me. Well, in that part of Russia, when its your birthday party YOU do the cooking. LOTS of suspiciously preserved foods etc. since preparations had begun days earlier.

It was a lively gathering of friends, vodka, some local beer, I think it was beer.

One of the drinks was: you slick a glass with water and rim it with ground coffee. The glass was just filled with vodka. I am sure it was highly appreciated in absence of more complex spirits and drinks And vodka was VERY affordable.

One drink led to another. Food, music and dancing. One banker asked me, in pretty good English, if I would dance with his wife, while he danced / groped another woman.

Hmm. His wife was extremely attractive.

More drinks. It was a really fine party, among the 7 total I have been invited to.

More drinking. I actually danced. My so-called friend had to catch the last tram to her place. I stayed.

More drinking. I was having a good time. The hostess Galina and I danced. I fell in lust, and completed this the next day. She was truly beautiful and I would have liked to stay but my time there was up.

I began drinking at a party half way across the world. I liked it. I continued.

I have not been to a party since then. I hope sometime I get to go to more.

Now, I drink alone, which is the next entry.