So this past weekend, I saw someone get shot. Literally shot. Twice.
So here's the rundown: It's Friday, December 3rd and some friends ask me if I want to get some dinner and a few drinks for my birthday. I, of course, agree and go meet them at a little place next to my dorm. We weren't there very long when we decided to head for a restaurant/dance club 'Даян' (if you can't read that, sorry). I was little upset when we sat down because I learned that I HAD to order dinner, something I had just eaten not 20 minutes before. But I obliged and ordered some sort of pork with, конечно!, cheese and mushrooms. Regardless of the garnishes it was pretty good, especially with the Carlsberg I was washing it down with. Anyways, we had eaten, had a beer or two and danced a little (well not me really, my friends) and it was around 12:30 and we were sitting at our table talking a little bit. That's when it happened....
A group of obviously drunk guys was walking down the center aisle after getting their boogie on, about 10 feet away from our table. Well one guy decided to push another, which as it turns out, was a very bad choice. The drunk guy who got pushed wasn't happy about being pushed, pulled out his gun and let off three rounds.
It all happened really fast and it wasn't until it was over and saw the blood and the hurt girl behind me that I realized what had actually took place. The drunk guy had hit his target twice, though I'm not sure where and I believe a third shot grazed the head of a girl sitting as she was bleeding a fair amount, but not seriously injured. During the shooting something ricocheted off my head. I'm not sure what it was, but I THINK (though I know next to nothing about guns) it was a casing as it came pretty fast, but didn't really hurt.
I understand things kinds of can happen anywhere and as such the most disturbing part of the evening was the reaction of the people in the restaurant. While I've never been present during a US club shooting, I imagine that people generally run and scream and try to leave. Elista, Russia? No sir. After a few moments the patrons of the restaurant continued with their evening of eating, drinking and dancing as a janitor lady mopped up the blood while my friends and a few people who knew I was American passed the situation off as "That's Kalmykia!" or "That's Elista!" No, good people of Kalmykia/Elista, no that is not the correct response.
Anyways, I'm not sure if the guy died or if the shooter was arrested. I was ready to leave, but my friends said we needed to wait for the police to arrive and make sure we wouldn't get shot on the way out, which seemed smart to me. The cops finally showed up and it was about another hour and a half before we could actually leave, during which at least two more fights broke out. But I finally managed to get home, though I didn't get much sleep.
Well the next day was my birthday and due to a lack of sleep, I spent the better part of the morning/afternoon in bed. However, I had class at 3 and I was excited for it. It was with my Access students and they had decorated the room with some posters and a banner. It was a very sweet gesture and we ended up having a great class.
That night I decided not to go out, something I figured I was totally justified in doing even though it was my birthday and to relax and watch movies in the safety of my room. One of the Mongolian students in my dorm, one who regularly attends my class brought a cake, a card and a little gift. It was very sweet and I was a bit moved as it was very unexpected. After this, two OTHER Mongolian students, whose names I don't know and had never actually talked to before, brought me some Mongolian keychains in honor of my birthday.
Overall, Dear Readers, it was perhaps the best/worst and most interesting weekend I've ever had. Not necessarily one I'd like to relive, but certainly one I don't want to forget!
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