I'd like to make a toast. . .

OK - well two funny things happened -

Leo and I went out to dinner last night. There were very few people in the restaurant. While we were waiting to order a party of 2 couples came in and sat at a table near us. Leo gets annoyed at me because I eavesdrop - but really, these were speaking russian so I wasn't paying much attention (now another couple on the other side of us, with an older, quite short, english speaking man with a young, tall, russian supermodel looking woman intrigued me). So after a while I glance over and it looks like one of the men is giving a toast - they are sitting with their wine glasses held high while one guy is talking . . . and talking . . .. and talking. I mention to Leo - I think that guy is giving a toast. He motions for me to be quiet so I work on my salad.

After a few minutes he shakes his head and laughs. Wanna know what that guys toast was? he asks. Of course!

So here is a rough translation:

I have money. A lot of money. Really I am quite rich. I like to spend my money on things I like. Incredible things like trips, clothes and nice restaurants. I feel pity for those people with a lot of money like me, but who dont know how to spend it as well as I do.


Nice toast, mister, incredible really.

After we left we were walking home and decided to step into a starbucks for a bit. It was quite busy but we found a seat easy enough. Near us was a group of young people drinking their drinks and chatting. In walks a friend of theirs with a huge box from Dunkin Donuts. He sets it on the table and they all dig in.

So Leo and I agree that bringing food from one restaurant into another is uncool. Not sure on this one if it is a Russian thing, or just young people being young people.

Speaking of Dunkin Donuts -

Kids and I were walking on Arbat the other day. Arbat is a historic pedestrian street in Moscow. When I came for a visit in 1999 it was full of souvenirs, crafts, vendors selling all manner of goods from kiosks. I didnt even notice the storefronts lining the street. Then the vendors were cleared out and only artists were allowed to sell on arbat. When we arrived 2 years ago Arbat the street had portrait artists, booksellers further down and other artists selling their paintings and the souvenir shops inside the stores lining the street.

The artists and booksellers are still there, as well as a few souvenir shops lining the street. But yesterday, as we were walking - I counted 2 Starbucks, 2 Dunkin Donuts, Hard Rock Cafe, Texas Chicken (?), Cinnebon, 2 moo moos (ok, this is a russian place - but a cow themed cafeteria style restaurant). . . . . Arbat is becoming the food court of some small town american mall.