Topsy Turvy

Expect the unexpected! I guess it's all part of the appeal. Russian life is a rapidly evolving creature, where anything is possible. It really is an exciting place to be. Democracy is only 16 years old, in a country with a vast history and so change is the order of every day. The people here are fanatical about getting a head creating a “Wild West” attitude towards business where just about anything goes. Coming from the sanctity and reliability of Australia, this topsy turvy lifestyle is shocking, entertaining and has a raw originality that is rather addictive.
Life is moving and nothing is set in concrete.
The examples are endless. Yesterday’s weather was a sunny 18 degrees, today after an impenetrable fog descended over the city the mercury plummeted into the single digits. Visibility now is 10 meters at best. Tomorrow, who knows what will be ditched up?
Last weekend, as part of the schools extra curricular activities, a trip to Russian Island fort was organized. Or should I say disorganized! The event started normally enough, until it came time to board the ferry, when all mayhem broke out. Something went wrong with the purchasing of tickets and the result was a major scuffle where our guilds for the excursion were up-ended and thrown back onto the pier. It wasn’t only us; other passengers were being pushed back off the ship, with one gentleman being separated from his wife. It was like a scene from a war tragedy, the wife screaming for her husband, the husband fighting through the soldiers (ferry attendants) to be reunited.
What followed was pretty ugly; punches were exchanged as the man forced himself on board. The whole experience left me scratching my head and putting it all down to just another day in Russia.