Lover of the Russia Queen.

This is probably the best song ever.  I want to add it to my Russian Repotoire. 

I mean, seroiusly.  Once you've listened to it, you can but think: "How good was that?"  And then you realise, not only did you want to dance to it, but you learned from it.  It's like Bony M does History.

Here are the lyrics for your personal delectation:


There lived a certain man in russia long ago

He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow

Most people looked at him with terror and with fear

But to moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear
He could preach the Bible like a preacher
Full of ecstacy and fire
But he also was the kind of teacher
Women would desire
Ra ra rasputin
Lover of the russian queen
There was a cat that really was gone

Ra ra rasputin
Russias greatest love machine
It was a shame how he carried on

He ruled the russian land and never mind the czar
But the kasachok he danced really wunderbar
In all affairs of state he was the man to please
But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze
For the queen he was no wheeler dealer
Though shed heard the things hed done
She believed he was a holy healer
Who would heal her son

Ra ra rasputin
Lover of the russian queen
There was a cat that really was gone

Ra ra rasputin
Russias greatest love machine
It was a shame how he carried on

(spoken:)

But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger
For power became known to more and more people,
The demands to do something about this outrageous
Man became louder and louder.

This mans just got to go! declared his enemies
But the ladies begged dont you try to do it, please
No doubt this rasputin had lots of hidden charms
Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms
Then one night some men of higher standing
Set a trap, theyre not to blame
Come to visit us they kept demanding
And he really came

Ra ra rasputin
Lover of the russian queen
They put some poison into his wine

Ra ra rasputin
Russias greatest love machine
He drank it all and he said I feel fine
Ra ra rasputin
Lover of the russian queen
They didnt quit, they wanted his head
Ra ra rasputin
Russias greatest love machine
And so they shot him till he was dead

(spoken:) oh, those russians...
 
Oh those Russians, indeed...

"The Kind Of Teacher Women Would Desire."

Hmm.  Whatever floats your boat I suppose.

Humble Beginnings .

I grew up on a diet of Anastasia.  It is a cartoon film by 20th Century Fox, all about Anastasia.  I watched it over and over and over and over... I think you get the idea.
One Christmas, I got the book of the film, a cuddly-toy pooka, the plastic models of Anya & Dimitri at the Opera (complete with Royal Box and Opera Glasses) and the CD.  I think you see my level of obsession. 
You may be wondering why I'm telling you this, but it's all important.  Important so you understand that since then, I have longed for Russia.  And part of me, even though I've read countless accounts of the real version, believes that Rasputin really did sell his soul to the Devil for a reliquary, that Anastasia really did survive and fall in love with a handsome chancer who worked at the Winter Palace as a boy.  Call me stupid, but it's my little piece of romance.

Now.  To the point of this blog.  I'm going to Russia.  With my school.  In March.  Do you know what the average maximum temperature is in St. Petersburg in March?  0oC.  0oC!!!
That means snow.  And ice.  And little red noses and thick warm coats and seeing your breath.  And waking up with cold feet and fingertips. 

This, my lovelies, is my dream come true.  I'm so excited. 

I shall use this blog to post my pre-Russia exploits, findings, discoveries, trepidations.

If you like travel, and adventure, and just a little bit of fairytale magic, come and read about it. 

I'd like to inspire you to seek out your own childhood imaginings too.

Dosvidanya!