Of Libraries, Hats and Fame.

I had a pleasant walk down Nevsky Prospekt yesterday and had some lunch in the Coffee House before wandering through Gostiny Dvor. I succumbed to temptation and bought myself a Russian hat! Russians know how to wear hats and therefore have my undying respect. Westerners generally do not give head gear its due respect. It is a flaw in our character that I constantly strive against. My new hat has attitude. It positively demands the cold to do its worst! 'Come on snow, ice and frost if you think you are hard enough!'
I met up with the others at 3.30 and we were taken on a tour of the National Library, known locally as Publichka. It was an interesting tour but was designed for the general public and the tour guide really wasn't sure about specific research questions. Still, they have Voltaire's complete library there which was bought by Catherine the Great and the old parts still look like a real old fashioned library.
The group were keen to commence (or recommence) the drinking so I took my leave as I was feeling tired and needed to get some revision done before my next class.
Now, I know I am prone to unusual events happening around me but what happened last night was in a whole different league! There I was, minding my own business and wishing I didn't have quite so far to walk from the metro to the hotel when I suddenly discovered a microphone under my nose and a camera in my face! What, the intrepid reporter wanted to know, did I think about the quality of Russian products? Now, I am thinking, there is so much potential for a diplomatic incident here. What is the best way to proceed?! I decided on the tactful and diplomatic course if for no other reason than I was really tired and couldn't be bothered with the hassle!! Actually I probably looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights and jabbered like an idiot!
I would like to pretend that I covered myself in glory and conducted the entire interview in Russian...alas, not! But the reporter wasn't to be put off by such trivialities and spoke in English!! So, as a result I am now a minor celebrity...at least in the language school!
I am really begining to tire now and wish I was home. Two more days of classes and two free days to go. I leave on Monday but unfortunately not until the evening. They don't let you into the airport here until your flight is announced, usually and hour before departure so I will have to find something to do for the day that is reasonable close to the hotel. The Aurora and Finland Station are close by and therefore don't involve long walks or I may just sit in the hotel with a coffee and read a book. Anyway, between now and then I would quite like to have a quiet, incident free time!