at home international women's day might be something noted on your calendar. i bet 99% of americans have no idea when it is. but here, like in most of the former soviet union and a bunch of other countries, it's a pretty big deal. everything is closed today, there's a big festival in the square. sisters, mothers, grandmothers and female friends all expect gifts and flowers. being the doofus foreigners, we didn't do anything for anybody. but it is fun to be in a place with everyone out celebrating.
