Day Of Unity

In case you didn't know today was a public holiday. Russian Day Of Unity, is a bit of an enigma amongst most of the locals, ( surprise,surprise). No one seemed to be able to explain it's significance, something about peace and goodwill being spread over all ethnic groups. Actually the holiday was kind of just thrown in, in order to replace a former very significant Holiday. The 7th of November was, in USSR times Revolution Day.


Anyway, I appreciated the chance to convalesce and catch-up on some of the more medial tasks that have been long over due, a trip to the car wash, gym, pick-up some stationary for work etc.

Saturday night was a hoot. The two of us were invited around to Jeff and Rarda's for some Mexican and some intercontinental Trivial Pursuit warfare. Each combatant exuded national pride and held a take no prisoners approach. There was Jeff (USA) and Rarda(RUS), who were a rather imposing team. Jeff, an American who through his teaching has seen him work in India, Mexico, Ukraine and now Russia posed quite a threat. Hailing from Minnesota and wearing the obligatory "I Love Hot Mums" t-shirt, there was no way I was going to let this cowboy swagger his way to the gold.

Then, there was possibly the biggest threat in Ed (UK). The Cambridge Graduate has traveled to 31 countries (his words), speaks German, French, Chinese, Russian and of course the Queen's English. Ed hails from Nottingham, the Quintessential Pom who will at any chance, attempt to ear bash you about English superiority and the mighty British Empire. On paper alone, Mr Cambridge was enough to scare any Trivial Pursuit enthusiast back to pure luck games like Monopoly. Then there was of course my wife. Nastya's (RUS) mix of European, pop culture and mathematical knowledge has in the past buried me. From out of nowhere, she has the ability to fly under the radar for a few questions then pounce like rabid she-wolf.

Boy were the odds against the "gym guy " from that inhospitable island,that grabs world attention, once or twice a year, for end of the news stories such as surfing dogs, shark attacks and other oddball Aussie tales.

End result USA - 1st
Australia - 2nd
Russia - 3rd
England - last! (Amazing the benefits of a good education).