Coming from the Midwest and now living in Florida, I have had little exposure to public transport systems in large cities. Therefore, maneuvering through Ufa on the buses, trams and trollies has been challenging, interesting and pleasant. While we are able to walk to most any necessary shop or restaurant, we enjoy getting out and about to see and experience more of the city.
On days like today when the weather is cloudy and gray with a biting wind, the buses are a nice way to get to and fro. The buses/vans/trollies/trams are regular, organized and usually heated. You pay as you exit the bus, sometimes just pitching your change in a small wooded box in the front by the driver. People are so polite and thoughtful on public transportation. I have yet to see a babushka board a bus and not see someone give up their seat. Not only give it up, they insist that the babushka sit and they stand. Today a young mother and daughter moved out of their seats for John and I, seeing that we were carrying a bag of groceries. It's so civilized and humbling...
For those of you wondering, the "fried pizza" was excellent. We are eating at home more now, as the whole challenge of restaurant ordering and communication gets so difficult that we prefer "our place". We discovered a "Blues Bar" quite near our apartment recently though, and have enjoyed the music there a time or two. This place, like many others here is underground. It is under another building and is cozy, warm and quaint. They serve food, drinks, have good music, and the people there are friendly. It's also not like a bar. You see lots of folks (even the band on breaks) having pots of tea and coffee. On Friday night, the blues was played now and then but it was Billy Ray Cyrus's "Achy Breaky Heart" that really brought the Russians to the dance floor. What fun!
On days like today when the weather is cloudy and gray with a biting wind, the buses are a nice way to get to and fro. The buses/vans/trollies/trams are regular, organized and usually heated. You pay as you exit the bus, sometimes just pitching your change in a small wooded box in the front by the driver. People are so polite and thoughtful on public transportation. I have yet to see a babushka board a bus and not see someone give up their seat. Not only give it up, they insist that the babushka sit and they stand. Today a young mother and daughter moved out of their seats for John and I, seeing that we were carrying a bag of groceries. It's so civilized and humbling...
For those of you wondering, the "fried pizza" was excellent. We are eating at home more now, as the whole challenge of restaurant ordering and communication gets so difficult that we prefer "our place". We discovered a "Blues Bar" quite near our apartment recently though, and have enjoyed the music there a time or two. This place, like many others here is underground. It is under another building and is cozy, warm and quaint. They serve food, drinks, have good music, and the people there are friendly. It's also not like a bar. You see lots of folks (even the band on breaks) having pots of tea and coffee. On Friday night, the blues was played now and then but it was Billy Ray Cyrus's "Achy Breaky Heart" that really brought the Russians to the dance floor. What fun!
Suzanne, love every part of your blog. Tell John hello.
ReplyDeleteSincerely, kip
(Your chicago pizza bartender)