Liliya and I walked a few blocks when we saw a restaurant. I was starving, so I nodded toward the door hoping she would get the hint. “Ah. You want eat? Okay.” That was all it took, and we went inside. 

The inside was so much like an American restaurant that I almost forgot where I was. We found a nice table toward the back of the room, and I took a chair on the back side so I could look at the people and the traffic outside.

I looked at the menu, but didn’t know what I was reading. I recognized pictures of the meals, so I pointed at eggs, toast, and bacon or sausage. Then added coffee with cream and sugar. Liliya looked at me with an eyebrow up. “What?”

“You not like tea?”

“It’s okay, but I was raised on coffee. It wakes me up.” I tried to speak slowly so she understood me. The waitress came up about then, and she told her what we wanted. I put my menu back in the little rack in the middle of the table and waited for our food.

“What you think Kazan?” she asked to keep the conversation going. At this point, I was almost overwhelmed. The little bit of the city I had seen reminded me of Denver, but I could tell it was much bigger. A street we had passed on our walk to the restaurant made me want to stroll.

Liliya had mentioned that there were over 1 million people in Kazan and more coming because there was going to be a 1,000-year celebration soon. “I think Kazan is wonderful. So big. I have not been in a city this big before.”

“Yes, Kazan big. I like, but my home now Chelny. You see today.” Our meals came, and I was shocked again. There were so many scrambled eggs and link sausage. There were 4 pieces of toasted bread. I looked at the plate and shook my head.

“You no like?” she asked, looking a little upset.

“I like. So much food. I will try to eat it all.” And I did try, but after two pieces of bread and all the eggs, I was getting full. I managed to eat 2 out of the 4 sausages, then I laid my silverware down. “Very good.” I sipped my coffee while she finished her eggs and sausage, and then we sat in silence for a bit.

Liliya motioned to the waitress, and she brought the bill. Liliya paid and finished the last of her tea. “We go now. Take taxi to bus.” I was right with her as we left.

My eyes were trying to take in everything we passed, but I knew I missed some things. I was on the passenger side of the taxi so I could look out the window. We came up on what looked like a river. Then I saw it. A huge ship was anchored to a dock, as I saw in California when I was 8. I had to lift my jaw back up. Who knew?

I only had my 110 film camera and 2 extra rolls with me. I wanted to take a picture of everything but knew it would be impossible. I clicked a few more, and then the driver turned off the main road, and we were at a bus station of sorts. Liliya paid the driver, and we started walking to a long row of buses.

Each bus had a number on the front window, and Liliya searched for the right one. She took off to the right and asked me to stay and watch our bags. I did and got a few more shots while I waited.

With tickets in her hand, she approached the driver, who put my big luggage under the bus and pointed to the door. We climbed on and moved toward the back. “We sit here. Your bag,” she pointed at my carry-on bag, “more room by feet. No problem.” I did as she directed me, then I found her left hand and held it.

“Thank you for coming to get me. I would have been lost.” She smiled and squeezed my hand. The bus took off with a small lurch, but I hardly noticed. We talked a little as we rode. The city passed by, logged in my memory. I counted my blessings at being here, on the other side of the world with this wonderful woman. My heart was beginning to swell.

It wasn’t long before we were out of the city and into the countryside like I saw between Pueblo and Colorado Springs, or the Springs and Denver. Small communities were spread out on either side of the road. Occasionally we had to slow down as we entered a small town along the way, but it wasn’t but a few minutes and we were on our way.

I had a ton of ‘Oh My’ moments as we rode out of town. I had to remember that Kazan had almost 1 million people living there and they needed a lot of housing, malls, and stores, so I sat back and enjoyed the ride.

I had dozed off a couple of times, and just as I was fading again, Liliya shook me. We had pulled over, and there was a shopping area with a long boardwalk in front. I could see food shops, soda and candy shops, and thankfully a place to pee. Liliya paid 10 rubles each to use the bathroom. When we left, I had way too much food, but I loved it.

This place is still going strong today. We still had another hour and a half to Chelny and then a taxi ride. I will share that with you next time, and meeting the family.