Coming of age in the USA is the most important day in an American's life. Because it opens up real adult life with nightclubs, bars, and alcohol.

(Birthday party for our friend (the athlete in the foreground), who just turned 21)

(The birthday boy surrounded by new friends from different countries)

Before 21, they won't let him in anywhere and won't sell him anything. No compromises, no chance to negotiate like in Russia. Just no. No options. But what happens on that cherished birthday! The birthday boy gets completely wasted and tries to visit as many nightclubs as possible. Kristina and I were 20. So in our case, the 'no options' rule applied. But Veronika was already of legal age by American standards, so her nightlife had a richness of color that neither Kristina nor I ever managed to see.

(At Universal Studios park, Kristina and I finally got our hands on butterbeer in the 'Wizarding World of Harry Potter', which actually turned out to be non-alcoholic)

(When you aren't allowed into nightclubs, house parties come into play. Our Mexican friends threw one of these. Sombreros and that 100% agave drink are the main attributes)

In American resort towns, there's a great thing called 'happy hour,' when in the evening all bars and restaurants have huge discounts on food and drinks at the bar counter. But those under 21 are forbidden from sitting at the bar in a restaurant. Once, we went to a buffet (that's what they call an 'all-you-can-eat' place in America) located inside a casino. Moreover, you could only exit this buffet through the gaming floor. Where, of course, Veronika was allowed in, but Kristina and I were not. Security came for us and escorted us out of the casino by the arm. That's why we decided, for obvious reasons, not to go to Las Vegas that year.

(Veronika filmed that very casino for us as a souvenir)

(Casino. View from the outside. I'm sort of telling it: 'In a year, we'll definitely see each other, bro!')