I never really felt drawn to Brighton Beach, but I had some free time and here we are. You know that stereotype of older Russian-speaking ladies and gentlemen you picture when Brighton comes up? Well, they're exactly like that in real life and walking around everywhere. Russian is heard on the streets more often than any other language.

Russian shops are packed with goods from former Soviet countries. I've got no complaints about condensed milk from Natakhtari, but why people haul juice brands like J7, Dobry, and all that Miracle-Berry stuff across the ocean is beyond me. It's like the US doesn't have its own crappy juices or something. Obviously there's demand if they keep bringing it in. Anyway, enough griping about that.

But I did have the best pilaf I've eaten all year here. I really miss that kind of food in Belgrade.