Farewell Medok

We work right next to a small, old-fashioned store called "Medok." The store was only memorable due to its curious location next to fancy stores like Davidoff, beautiques, and fur shops. Essentially, it was a bit out of place and anachronistic for the new, flashy, downtown Kyiv. The shop was normally very crowded, though, especially around late afternoon, filled with middle-aged and old men ordering vodka and snacks. I only ventured into the store to buy crackers or champagne for a party. And then one day, suddenly, it was closed. I only learned the story later, which was that, surprise, surprise, the store didnt have a license to serve alchohol. They could sell it buy the bottle, that was no problem, but they were't allowed to open the bottles themselves and pour out the customary 100 or 200 gram for a few hriven. That would have made them on the level of a bar. So, the authorities closed the place. This move apparently infuriated Medok's loyal clientele, who, starting at 11 AM one day, expecting to have a few drinks during lunch, arrived to find the place shuttered. They then proceeded to do the only civilized thing possible in this situation: break the door down. The enraged Medok loyalists actually didnt make it that far, and werent able to get in, but they did leave the front windows shattered, and ensured that two policeman had to stay on guard in a car out front for a week. Throughout the weeks following the closing of the shop, I have witnessed several old men approach the storefront, only to become confused and then realize that their daily oasis is no more. Forlornly, they trude away. Where will they find pickled fish, calmari snacks, and cheap vokda in downtown Kyiv?

So Long Tina Turner's Command Vehicle

It finally happened. The burned-out, rusted car with broken windows was removed from the courtyard parking lot. At least I will have my fond memories of daydreaming about various scenarios in which the vehicle was used to outrun post-apocalyptic punks in an urban wasteland. Sigh. Now I'll have to go down the block to fulfill my daydream fantasies. I only hope that the feral kitties weren't using some part of it as a sanctuary.