Well, over the last few days we have had an opportunity to walk around Kharkov. I like this city very much. In some very strange way it reminds me of downtown Detroit - - just, with people walking around everywhere and no crime. Kharkov, like Detroit, has a lot of beauty - working-class beauty, I would call it. 
We were sitting at a bar along the Kharkov River and Anya's friend (and after all the beers we had - and the fact that he took part in the "Ancient Dance of Slovakia" with me - he is my friend too) pointed to the river and told me that not long ago it was dirtier. That the government recently cleaned it for 'Kharkov Day'. He (Anton) explained that once a year things around the city would get done because of celebrations. It reminded me of all the improvements that were made in Detroit when it hosted the Super Bowl... Hmmm... I think Detroit would be lucky to see improvements even once a year.
While sitting at the bar a thunderstorm took over Kharkov for about 30 minutes. It was a relief for me. It has been very hot in Ukraine since I arrived a couple of weeks ago. And this was the first heavy rain since I've been here.
Last night we (Anya, Jenya and Inga) went back to the "Pivo Bar"... [Pivo = Beer, in Russian]. I like this bar. It is called 'Pivo Bar' because they have a large selection of imported beer - all in bottles. Although, no American beer (except Bud - but even that was imported from somewhere else).The American beer is too expensive to import.
I had a Guinness. It was a nice change of pace. The beer in Ukraine is delicious, but seems to be all lagers and pilsners. I haven't had an IPA or pale ale in months, roughly... Guinness is a stout, but still a nice change of pace. After a few beers at the bar we headed back to Jenya and Inga's house. Our first stop was 'Target' - a large supermarket (not the same as the American store). We needed beer, cheese, chips - and of course - vodka.
The vodka selection in the supermarket was maybe the most incredible thing I have ever seen. Yes, the Black Sea was beautiful. The squares in Kharkov and Kiev are lovely. The churches are breathtaking... but, the vodka aisle at Target was ASTONISHING!!!. It was 100ft long and 8ft tall. (I really don't think I'm exaggerating). It was amazing.
We went from the store to Jenya and Inga's house (that is Anya's brother and his girlfriend). In Crimea Jenya had already given me an abbreviated vodka test. But last night was more official - there was more vodka involved - and much more beer (for me). I felt proud as our cab driver flew through the streets of Kharkov, on our way home - and I was still awake. There was enough vodka involved for me to take a stab at discussing America's gun laws... We decided it was best to watch comical performances byRussian musicians.
Including this gem. The singer ('The Russian Sinatra' I am told) wanted to cover an American song, but the Soviets censored it so much that it turned into this.
Well, I hope you enjoyed. And, because that is about where my night left off - - that's where this blog post will end as well. (I will share some pics from Kharkov below...)
Anton and I after the bar...
PS. I have to admit that I finally broke down and went to McDonald's, although to my credit it was to use their "water closet". But, once I made it to the door I decided that french fries would be a delicious snack. Later that same night we headed back for a fountain pop. McDonald's is the first, and only place, I've seen fountain pop available... Everything else is in bottles because you can't drink the water.
