This is absolutely hilarious and fascinating.
I ran into a college friend-of-friend at the Newark Airport a couple of weeks ago. He was off to Minsk on business. I said, "Uh oh." It always seemed to me to be on the "places to avoid" list. I'm not saying that I'd be on House Hunters International, but you've given a peek at a completely fascinating part of the world.
You have managed to convey the beauty amid relics of the Warsaw Pact.
Above all, your sense of humor is spectacular. "No I have no idea how that knife got there, but you better check real thoroughly for anything else, Irina." I think that's my line of the week. Thanks for that.
Счастливого пути!