Happy Independence Day!

I was on the metro on my way to meet up with the study abroad students to tour the Kremlin. One stop before I was to get off, a couple walked in. The man said, in the most American English I have heard in a while, "They said it was just one stop. I don't really know, but I think we just get off at the next one." With this, they walked over the the metro map posted on the wall and tried to make sense of it. Then the woman turned around, and I smiled. She gave a little start as she smiled back. She then smiled even bigger with a questioning look in her eyes.

"Hi," I said in MY very American English and smiled again. "Do you need help with anything?" She looked relieved as she answered that they would love help. Her husband was walking around with a metro map and cash in his hand--I figured they were toursits. Turns out they were going to the Kremlin as well, so I told them they could get off at the next stop with me. Then I turned to them and said, "Happy 4th of July!" She smiled and said, "Oh yah, they don't celebrate that here do they? Happy 4th of July!"

I told them of a 4th of July celebration that was taking place in the city that night--complete with baseball, concerts, American food, a speech from an ambassador, and fireworks. They seemed pretty excited about it.

It was so fun to run into them! What better day than independence day to run into a couple of really nice Americans from San Diego who sometimes do some skiing in Park City? I guess I got my American 4th of July after all.