So, I went to the Hermitage! Well, I say I went... I queued for a bit and decided it was taking too long, so sacked it off and went for a Teremok instead. Now I must explain what Teremok is for those of you who aren't in Russia. Teremok is a really common chain fast food place here – imagine MacDonalds... but with PANCAKES! I am a massive fan of pancakes. You could say I'm a fan-cake. So this is the perfect solution for my ever hungry self, although I'm not sure how long my body will take the abuse of three heart attack inducing pancakes a day in place of real food. But in a country where the food is either plain nasty or totally different to what you were expecting, it's a nice addition. Here is a picture of an 'E-mail' pancake which is my usual order. I don't know what's in it, something like mushrooms n ting:

<3

After bunking off the Hermitage we went for a гулять around Nevskii for some shopping. I assumed I could wing it with a very short leather jacket in winter but my legs are none too happy about the situation so looks like I'll have to buy a proper coat, like. It's so expensive here!! The coats not only cost an arm and a leg, you would have to lose an arm and a leg to afford enough coat to be warm. Did get ambushed by 'free hugs' people on the way though, provided some temporary insulation.

Apart from the failed trip to the Hermitage, the week so far has been busy-ish. I've been helping some friends find a flat – they are using the same estate agent that we used, Ira. She's absolutely lovely but doesn't speak any English apart from the odd mispronounced word ("I k-now"") And keeps telling me to buy a better coat, put on weight and screw as many men over as possible while I'm still young. Bless 'er. She's been so ridiculously helpful! Sorted out my internet, recommended where to buy Halaal meat to a friend, pointed us in the direction of a good place to buy coats. Alllllll sorts. She taught me a Russian swearword too, one that I should “never, ever, ever use in a lesson, or in fact, in life”. So naturally I have drawn up a contract with a certain chap in my class to outline the conditions under which he must slip the word 'бля' into a lesson, for which he will receive payment of 100 roubles. In return I have to use the archaic Irish phrasing 'tomorrow week' instead of 'a week tomorrow'. I foolishly didn't read the small print that stated I have to do this until the end of time...

There are endless birthdays and visitors this next week or so (well, two birthdays and one visitor. Endless!) so we shall see if I get round to blogging from the nadir of what promises to be an epic hangover!