I couldn’t spend a Saturday night in a hostel room, especially when there’s a new city to explore! It was 10pm the time I was freshened up, but my room mate Эдуард (Edward) was up for a quiet pint so out we went.

Ed is from the Altaiski Krai, working away from home. He didn’t take much persuading to come out! We found a quiet pub come restaurant with an Octoberfest special of beers and cold meats. It was great for an hour or so, but then a DJ cranked up the music and it turned into a disco. Oh dear!

On the way back we called into the Black Cat bar, more or less a shipping container with a bar at one end. There was a metal band on who were petty good, I liked the head banging bass player the best. He made me laugh!

It was a microcosm of human behaviour the world over. As I watched from the sidelines I saw all the usual events unfolding. A couple arguing and making up, a young guy with too much to drink, a guy trying to chat up a girl and having no luck – friends shouting over the noise of the band. I could have been in any pub anywhere.

After the band an impromptu acoustic set kicked off, with many Russian folk songs being belted out by drunk Russians. It really was excellent night!