Happy Halloween Part Dos

We arrive at the cutest Halloween party-literally just the perfect size café turned into a party. It was not really an Armenian Halloween, but mostly a Russian one as it is a Russian café/bar. Everyone was super friendly and we took some photos and danced a bit so innocently to Halloween hits that had a electronic music vibe to them. 

While I was thoroughly enjoying myself, Yulia suggests we go to another party because she was not really content with the age of the people being in their 20s. Russians in their 20s are not Americans in their 20s-they behave like my age or older.  I was totally fine with the crowd and loved the whole place, but off we went to her favorite underground spot Tol. 

We shared some wine and Ildar was drinking a Bumble bee, which consists of espresso and orange juice.  He is suppose to be home sleeping as he wakes up everyday at 4:30, but he is still toasting the night away.

In Georgia, they call this person the “Tumador” who leads the group in drinking saying various toasts so we let Ildar continue to toast to new friends, to finding peace everywhere we go, and just these adorably cute words. His English is not the best, which makes it even better because I always find innocence with the effort people put and the mixing up of words.

He is one of those people, among many, who try so hard to speak and always ask questions wanting to learn the right words, pronunciation, and speech. It is just 5 of us at this “party.” Ildar is giving a whole speech on history speaking about Iran and Palestine, Georgia and Armenia, and all the conflicts of the nearby regions. 

While I love these conversations during the day, it is 11:30 at night and just like him, I am usually in my bed winding down to sleep.  I decided to step outside for fresh air and there he was….

Outside smoking an Armenian breath of fresh air. Arman-a local bar business owner and like myself, a volunteer for war and good causes. He said that he volunteered with the Red Cross for the war against Azerbaijan and it was so difficult to see all the kids and families. I shared with him my time in Ukraine and how it was a rewarding and amazing experience.

When a man talks about volunteering or being involved in social service and they are attractive, this definitely sparks my interest and this “woke me up.” He is my usual type, speaking in a bit of a vague manner about his life and quite mysterious. He asks me to go inside and talk and I somehow get sidetracked by people coming in and actually having interest that about me being born in Chicago.

 “Chicago the band, Chicago the windy city, I visited Chicago for work.” Someone naming off the capitals in the Midwest. It is adorable how people try their best to connect with where you are from and what knowledge they have about that place.

While I am very engaged with a Russian guy who says that he quit his corporate job and decided that he wants to take a break and maybe teach tap dance to kids. His father was a member of River dance and he just has such an interesting life and story. (These people in Georgia and Armenia have great stories). 

In the meantime, I see HIM sitting at the barstool and in the corner of my eye, I can see him staring directly at me. This is one of my favorite things about these mysterious men-when they just sit across the room and “stare” in a very attractive, cool way.  I can feel their eyes from across the room and I love the attention and their intriguing interest.

We are hopping inside and outside and everyone is getting ready to head to another party. The guys are very social and talkative while their Russian girlfriends are very reserved. 

Everyone is heading out and I figured that he had left. I walk out the door and he is standing on the side smoking. 

"What are you still doing here?" 

"Waiting for my friends to come."  

I tell him that I am leaving as I have to go back to my guesthouse. I am staying with a family and I do not want to stay out super late. 

I am definitely not smoking, but he makes it look so good. 

"You should stay."  

His friends all pulled up in an older Mercedes (the car of Armenia and Georgia) and he is greeting them...

He says, "You are really leaving." 

“Our Yandex is waiting… I have to go.”

And I run off into the street like a Sarah Jessica Parker and Mr. Big moment. He definitely had “Mr. Big energy and he was super attractive.”

Yulia is preoccupied with talking to his friend and I am telling her, “Lets go.” She was having an absolute blast and wanted to stay, but she had a babysitter and I had a curfew that I set for myself as I did not want to go home past 12.  I had my own keys and I was paying for the room, which was true, but still "no" We are going home. 

I asked her what she thought about my mysterious new friend and She described him as “dreamy” and I agree that he definitely has some super attractive, magnetic quality. 

"Did he ask to see you again?" 

"No, but he did not understand why I had to leave. I laughed and said "breastmilk and babies." 

We were both laughing hysterically and she waited outside until I got in the front door.....This girl was the best and I adored her new friendship. 

Nothing happens between us and we don’t know if anything ever can because I left… I leave men behind…that is a common habit over the years and years of travel since leaving the love of my life- RD in Turkey 10 years ago….