After we checked in we went back out and met a family friend for dinner. The daughter of my parents’ friend. The grown-up daughter.
We took a walk toward the river where a crowd had gathered. The bridge was closed and a band played courtesy of the communist party. Drunk dancers whipped each other ‘round, chanting “Mit-ter-and! Mit-ter-and!”
The family friend stood next to me and I stood next to her. She asked me to dance.
I placed my arms around her timidly, tremblingly. We circulated for a little while in the mayhem. Celebrating victory.