TRIVIA 13

Stalin built the Moscow subway system in 1932-35. They were to be the best and most beautiful in the world----to outshine capitalism. Each station is a museum in itself and each is different. The first station we entered was lined with larger than life bronze statues of fighting men, the protectors. Another station had beautiful crystal chandeliers and another was literally an art gallery.

Our guide said, “The subway system is closed only four hours a day for cleaning. These wheat design bronze vents change the air in the system three tines a day. Some of the system is 350-feet below ground level. In fact Stalin had an underground command post within the metro system.”

The stations were spotless and there was no graffiti anywhere. They were really beautiful,and like all subways one must act quickly to get on and off the train. The trains run often, are reasonable and the system is easy to follow and a good way to get around the huge city.

A poffertje is the Dutch equivalent of fried bread. Many countries have a similar thing under a different name. Poffertjes are about half again bigger than a doughnut hole and flatter. Dusted with sugar they are eaten warm and are yummy. It was a great treat, especially on a dull cool day!

Leads and polymyas are biologically active zones of the frozen Arctic. A polymya is an area that remains ice-free all winter. A lead is a long crack broken in the sea ice by either tidal currents or wind and may remain open for minutes to several days.

In Sydney QVC is a Romanesque Revival style area that is now a shopping center. It was used for other things until its restoration in 1984-86. The Royal Clock activates on the hour displaying six scenes of English royalty accompanied by music. The money from the wishing well near the statue of Queen Victoria benefits blind and deaf children.

In the days of English witch hunts the thumbs of a supposed witch would be tied to her toes before being thrown into the water. If she floated she was quilty and if she sank she was innocent, but either way she was dead!

In France it seems everyone owns a dog, often a small one. The dogs go everywhere! It is strange for an American to see a dog in a store, market or restaurant. I was amazed how well behaved the dogs were, even when not on a leash. Barking was noticeably absent and I began to wonder if their voice boxes had been fixed. However, one should be aware of of where one steps as the French would never think of carrying a plastic bag, never mind a super duper pooper scooper!

In Germany I marvelled at how clean the cities were, how nearly all parking was underground and how almost no utility lines or billboards marred the lovely scenery.

FYI—good to know: The Canadian one-dollar coin is called a loony because a loon is on the back of the coin. The two-dollar coin is called a toony. The smallest paper money is a five dollar bill.

When traveling one frequently has to pay to take pictures, especially in museums in the third world.

In Melbourne Fitzroy Gardens/Park occupy 65-acres. Capt Cook's cottage was dissembled in England and shipped to Australia where it was reassembled in the park in 1934. The cottage is small and stands behind Cook's statue. The park has a restaurant and a large arboretum filled with gorgeous flowers many of which were foreign to me.