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April 21, 2005
silver jubilee and more
Did you know that this month is the silver jubilee of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands? Just like me! I woke up yesterday to find a dusting of snow, a birthday SMS, and some souvenirs from my host family on this anniversary of my birth. Condoleeza Rice also came to Moscow and gave a live interview on Ekho Moskvy. Who knew I was so important!
We had a low-key celebraton for me at Vanessa's. Here's a picture of those in attendance, minus two who had to run off to catch a train to Petersburg. See if you can determine who's Russian and who's American:
Actually, that assignment is way too easy. I should have asked everyone do their best to fool you.
Answers next week.
In other news, I hear that the government is telling Muscovites to watch the Victory Day celebrations on TV since all sorts of roads will be closed downtown and you won't really be able to get anywhere near the action. Oh well.
My potential visitors to Russia are dropping like flies. (But if you're one of those flies, don't feel bad—I'm keeping busy with those who are already here.) I understand that visiting Russia is a bit expensive, but it's probably not as expensive as you think by looking around on the web. I hope I can help make some cheaper arrangements for anyone interested.
I've decided to take Vanessa's place at the above-pictured apartment, with its classic Russian decor, when she goes back to the States. So I'll be sharing the place with Vince, another Fulbrighter and Maryland native from a Big Ten university, starting in mid-May rather than move to a second host family. That means that if you come to Moscow, I now have a place for you to sleep!
Posted by kshawkin at April 21, 2005 10:40 PM
Comments
Wow, 25 years? I remember when my Dutch classmates got out of school so that they could watch the ceremonies.
Time flies.
Posted by: gzombie at April 22, 2005 12:16 AM
I remember the whole third grade crowding in Ms. Huebler's room to watch the inauguration of George H. W. Bush on television. We probably only got out of handwriting lessons or something, though. Maybe that explains the current state of my generation's handwriting.
Posted by: Kevin at April 22, 2005 08:54 AM
lol
Posted by: gzombie at April 22, 2005 04:18 PM
Answer to last week's trivia question: two Russians on the left, four Americans on the right.
Posted by: Kevin at April 25, 2005 05:57 PM
I would have gotten most of them wrong. I guessed the guy in the DDR sweatshirt was probably not American, and the woman in the Princeton sweatshirt probably was, but otherwise...
Posted by: gzombie at April 25, 2005 09:57 PM