Thursday, November 4, 2010

2010 11 04 - Unity Day

November 4th is Unity Day in Russia. Similar to many holidays in the US, Moscovites seem to view this as a day off with little thought to the day itself. Near as I can tell everyone used the day to shop or dine. The most significant difference in our lives was an increased Police presence on the metro.

Unity Day always falls on the 4th of November - this year the 4th is a Thursday so....Russia has also made the 5th part of the Holiday and everybody gets a four day weekend, sort of...

In order to make up for the "extra" day off on the 5th - the following Saturday (11/13) is a working day.

Follow that? It doesn't make much sense to me either. Essentially rather than having an Observed and Traditional Holiday (Washington's Birthday/President's Day) they have tacked on an extra day to the holiday, but you have to work that day on the following Saturday.

Regardless both Billie Jo and I have a 4 day weekend which means some more touring and enjoying the rather warm November that Moscow is experiencing.

No comments: