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"Such caustic effect made me wish that I was licking off some rusty water pipe, rather than passing by an opened vodka." 😂 Also, cinnamon sticks in vodka?!

Beautifully written, Helen. Didn't know an essay about licorice and vodka could be so good!!

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Thank you Sandra!! Really appreciate your kind words! <3

Ahhh allow me to clarify: licorice roots, when soaked in liquid, would look like big cinnamon sticks. It was the licorice roots and licorice extracts that the locals add to their vodka.

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lololol oh gotcha!!

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Could smell the vodka and taste the licorice! Great writing per usual Helen!

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Awww thank you so much Michelle! Happy that the effects came across!

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This has to be one of the most uplifting reads in a long time, Helen. The power of nature to overcome salt and grey. Your visual and sensory language has my mouth contorting! This essay is going to stick with me for a while. Not a big fan of licorice, but I may have to start stocking some now.

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Awww thank you so much for your kind words Karena! So happy that the senses could get across! <3

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I love this line: "As a teetotaler, I couldn’t tell a Two Buck Chuck from a Johnnie Walker Blue. But I could smell a Qarataw from a mile away." ha!

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