Снег идёт в Вашингтоне!

[peacetraveler22]

The first snowflakes of the season are falling! My Russian friend arrived from Moscow on Sunday and since then cold, icy and snowy weather. It's great! Today I awoke to notification that my office and the Federal government are closed due to inclement weather. I looked out my window and saw some snowflakes but the roads are completely clear. This is Washington, DC! I'm a good girl and decided to go to the office anyway and captured this scene on the way with my iPhone. Plows on the road, but nothing to scrape. Danger - they might ruin our beautiful asphalt in the process!

The Russian is completely amazed at the closures. In my area, there's immediate panic in any type of snow because it's rare here and people don't know how to drive in such conditions. In order to avoid accidents and road back-ups, the Feds let us stay home. :) People from Minnesota and New England States like Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, where large snowfalls are common, think we are crazy. How did I know work was closed?

We receive instant notification via text message and also a telephone call with a voice mail recording informing of the closure. I explained before that in America everything is done with a lot of detail. Signs everywhere, long explanations about potential dangers on roads, construction sites, amusement park rides, high tides at the ocean... I haven't noticed so many signs or warnings in any other country. The same is true in business relations. Everything explained in detail so there's no confusion.

You can even track the location of snow plows in the area in which I live. Simply go to this site, and look at the interactive map. Your mind will be put at ease when you learn the plow is on its way to save the day!

Can you imagine such nonsense in Russia? Businesses, schools and work closed over a few snowflakes? Your country would be shut down for the entire winter! If Putin really wants to conquer Washington, DC there's a simple plan. Gather huge amounts of snow from Moscow, ship it here, and dump it on the streets of DC. The entire city will be paralyzed and the Russians will immediately capture the White House and rule the city. :))

On an unrelated note, many thanks to the loyal readers who nominated me for the "Top 100 Interesting Blogs in 2013." I made the final list, but it's necessary to place your final vote before 25 December 2013. You can vote here. Nominees are in alphabetical order, so I'm easy to find. If you enjoy the content of my blog, please take a second to vote.

Tomorrow we're off to Tennessee! Soon, interesting stories from this State.

Comments

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Now I'm in Tennessee. Much warmer here!

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

Country Music rulezzz :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes! We're listening to country and bluegrass music all day in the car. It's Alex's favorite. :) I can't imagine that many Russians listen to this type of music.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

I really like it. LIstened to it all the time in the States.

Russians like sad emotional ballads :)
And we like celtic tunes too.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

I think your insight (about women) is correct: viewing Russians as Southerners helps to understand.
We are the same sentimental racists :)
And we have much common in history too: we had landlords, and slavery was abolished at the same time.
In American history yankees won but in Russian history we have won over overly rational Western invaders (at least 4 times: Poles, Swedes, Napoleon, and Hitler).
A Dixie Empire we are! :))
/End of historical speculation

This is not Country, this is genuine Russian, but Country-like, I think.

www. youtube. com/watch?v=0qrMg_-qJZw

Do not cry, one more night is left with you.
I will whisper one more time to you: you are mine.
Once more, final time your eyes
Will look into mine will look and tear suddenly will fall on my hand,
And tomorrow I will remain without you,
but you do not cry.

Do not cry,
so it came out that the fate us did not give us
to be together with you, where was I earlier,
so late I met you, but at this moment
I know that now (I am) yours and only cry
I will hold in control tomorrow, but now
stay with me for the last time,
for the last time.

Understand, now I won't be able not to think of you
I do not know myself, how I allowed myself
that you took my love
in that hour, when I saw you
and whispered yes
but you understand, understand me
indeed you know, how I love you, I love you.

So know,
I will find you everywhere wherever you are
I I will use up all sheets writing verse for you
if I encounter you among the crowd you
you will not then turn away from my path
I will steal you from all
You will be then mine forever
you are mine forever. 

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I've noticed in all these country songs a common theme involving the three "B's" - "beer," "blue jeans" and a "broken heart." :)