Ok, right now I am in Mcdonals looking down from the second floor window on the biggest display of patriotic nationalism I have ever seen. The funny thing is that the holiday hasn't ever started yet. Tomorrow is "Victory Day" the day that Russians celebrate singlehandedly winning WW2 and just Russia itself. Everybody has either a Russian flag or a Chuvash flag in their hands, most have both. People are dancing in the streets for sheer joy. Many have dressed up in their traditional Chuvash attire and are playing Chuvash techno music from big stages. Policeman and SWAT team guys are everywhere. They make up 25% of the attendants. They are almost happy too. I have been lifted off the ground by hugs from people I don't even know. Buses and taxis are barely charging money at all. Shopkeepers are out in the streets with everyone else, their stores left unattended. Everyone here is overcome with the pride and joy of being Russian. Tomorrow tanks will drive through the streets and planes will fly overhead. I can't even imagine what the people will be like then. Every soldier in the area will be in the parade. I hear that Moscow is even shipping in some American and British soldiers.

Ok, I am going back to the celebration...more to come