Kazan — summer 2010

The morning was lovely and sunny. I took the metro to the station Парк победы "Victory Park" to explore the farmers market there. Then I walked from there to the next metro station. On the way I saw these things:

The right side of this ad is entitled "McAuto," which is their name for drive-up window service. Of course, back in 1986 there were zero McDonald's in Russia. Now they have drive-up... Wow.

This huge building has a sign on it reading "The Big Meat Fair." I entered the building expecting to find meat. Instead I found a warehouse full of clothing. Which wouldn't have suprised me if I had paid attention to the одежда "clothing" line above the sign. Never did find the meat.

This store is named "The Guppy Zoosalon." In other words, it's a pet store.

A few minutes ago I hear a noise out my kitchen window. Unexpected fireworks.

Strange day. First it was sunny. Then incredibly windy. Then a storm worthy of Arizona's monsoon season, minus the thunder and lightening, then wind, then calm, then sunny, and then another storm. Now all is still and quiet.

Alas, I started feeling gross this afternoon. Hope to feel better by tomorrow for our trip to Елабуга "Yelabuga."