Тучка Котлетевна

I agree I agree, over a month is too long. But rest assured, there is good reason. Life in Russia in this massive city is busy beyond my expectations. I have moved. I now live roughly one block away from fabled Nevsky Prospekt. This is akin to being a block off of Broadway in NYC. Its amazing, convenient, and bustling. A few nights ago I spied a lively knife fight on my way home from work! We bought a kitten, a dear little russian blue named Tuchka (rain cloud). Unfortunately kittens from the pet market have a tendency to be parasite ridden as poor little Tuchka unfortunately was. We took her to the veterinary university and treated her as best we could, but in the end we had to call a house vet to put her down....it was a sad day. So here is to little Tuchka! RIP.She was a dear kitten, but she was just too small and too sick. She was a fighter though, and made it through several days of treatment and countless bumpy Mashrutka rides up and down Moskovsky Prospekt to the Veterinary university. This is Meagan and I in a Marshrutka with little Tuchka riding box seat. Photo courtesy of the lovely Star Silva who was visiting at the time, and bore witness to the short brilliant life of our kitten.Victory day was May 9. In Russia, World War II is known as "The Great Patriotic War." Considering the fact that 70% of Hitler's forces where diverted to the eastern front, and that almost no family in Russia was left untouched by the massive losses the Red Army incurred, I would be inclined to agree with them. So "Victory Day" is a massive massive celebration here. Here is a shot of Palace Square filled to the brim with proud Russian Sailors in tight formations.While Star was here, we made a visit to the Peter and Paul fortress, which marks the site of the beginning of St. Petersburgs rise from swamp to Capitol. It was there the first outpost was established to protect the Northwestern Russian territory from Swedish invasion. Today there is an odd statue of Peter in this place. The bronze body was shaped large and regal, but the head was taken from an actual Peter-head-sized casting taken while he was still alive...as you can see the proportions are a bit out of whack...but its quite endearing in a way. The children at the fortress that day all sat in his lap, laughed and rubbed their fingers on his tiny black face, polishing it with their grubby russian kidhands.Star and I also took the (self-imposed) Baltika challenge. Baltika is a Petersburg based beer with 9 varieties. There is Nol (0), a non-alcoholic beer, and then 2-9 which range from light lager, to dark porter. Number 9, Baltika "Krepkoe" (strong) is 9% alcohol and is rumored to be mixed with vodka at the brewery. I've reccomended my father invest in this company, as I believe it will soon become a powerful global beer brand. Mark my words. Baltika is coming to a stadium or grocery store near you! One evening we decided to taste and rate each variety. It was a trying task, but some expatriate had to do it...might as well be me no?More to come...and the time wait will be much less next time. Thanks for your patience, my love to you all, as all is well in Russia.