Crystall Vodka Factory Tour

This weekend, Jolene and I went on a tour of the Crystall Vodka factory.  This factory has been in business since 1901.  There is a small museum with lots of different glasses, bottles and other trinkets related to Vodka, its production and consumption :) 

 Inside this bottle is a devil, to remind you of the effects of drinking.  There were several other bottles with objects in them.  There was one with a rooster in it and another with a swan. 

During WWII, the company was bombed by the Germans because of the production of Molotov Cocktails.  The bomb was not a direct hit and the company continued to produce them.  The dark bottle in the middle is an actual Molotov Cocktail produced in WWII, with the instructions printed on the label.

Below is the couch that Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov got the news that the government was taking over all vodka production, putting him out of business.  The story goes that he had a heart attack and died upon receiving the news.

After the tour, we sat down and participated in a Vodka sampling.  With the table spread with different kinds of snacks from pickled herring to salami.  We sampled 10 different types of vodka and 3 different liqueurs.  We finished our tour with a stop by the gift shop where we picked up a few bottles for ourselves.  You can see the rest of the pictures at our online web album.  https://picasaweb.google.com/mwalls88 

Marine Ball

Today marks the 236th anniversary of the US Marine Corps.  Last weekend Jolene and I went to the ball here in Moscow.  We had a great time.  First of all Spaso House is just awesome.  You can see the photo's we took at https://picasaweb.google.com/113369402327770116567/MarineBall2011#.  It was nice to be able to finally wear my tuxedo.  The ceremony was very nice.  I'd like to thank all the fine service members out there, but especially the Marines on their birthday.