(1215) MUSIC AND ME (March 24, 2016) RUSSIAN COUPLE VASSILY GROMOV AND HIS WIFE

ANOTHER RUSSIAN COUPLE AT BREEZE BAR
     The Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort is becoming the hang-out place of European tourists specifically Russians. Here, Mr. Vassily Gromov and his wife enjoy the music of Roberto Hernandez and their conversation about music, travel, places and chess.                         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez -- Taken by Den Flores)


                    RUSSIAN COUPLE
       VASSILY GROMOV AND WIFE

MARCH 11, 1983 is the civil wedding date of Roberto Hernandez and his wife Flor. They got married in the church on Sept. 25, 1983. Two years later, their first and only child, Karen Gennibeth, was born on May 18, 1985. Roberto accepted a job in Bahrain in January 29, 1987-April 1989 as musician in Khayam Taverna (Greek Restaurant). He accepted another musician job in Palau on Feb. 04, 1992 and 2 years later, took his family (wife and daughter) to Palau and live there since June 17, 1995.

                March 11, 2016, Roberto met a Russian couple –Mr. Vassily Gromov and his wife. Upon knowing they are Russians, he gave Mr. Gromov his card with his Russian name written on it. Mr. Gromov needs to put on his reading glass to be able to read it although there are enough fluorescent lights now at Breeze Bar for a change. They offered Roberto a drink and he ordered the one they are drinking… local draft beer Red Rooster Light. With the suggestion from his wife, Mr. Gromov also gave Roberto $5.00 tip because he played the most popular Russian song that he knows--the Russian version of “Those Were The Days” by Mary Hopskin.

                Mr. Gromov said that he is from a family of military members in Russia and has many relatives and high ranking official (general) in Russian military. Roberto told them that he’s been to Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia in Sept. – Oct. 2010 representing Palau in the World Chess Olympiad. And also in Australia, Istanbul, Turkey and Norway as well as this year’s 2016 World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan. They know Baku very well. When Roberto mentioned to them that former world chess champion Gary Kasparov was born there, Mr. Gromov said, “Kasparov is too Americanized.” Maybe being in New York for many years made him think Kasparov is now being influenced by Americans.

                                                         

                He said also that there are many Russians, about 12, coming in the next few days and all of them will be checking in at Palau Royal Resort.

                A few days later, they’re now listening to Roberto’s music but mostly they are talking and drinking. Sometimes, Mr. Gromov and his wife will sit on different table and sometimes joining them. Always when they arrive, they never forget to wave to Roberto as well as before leaving to sleep.

                Long time ago, Mr. Gromov said, he can speak English very well. But now that he stays in Russia for many years, he forgot many English words. Two days before they leave, Mr. Gromov gave Roberto something like a native Russian food, like a candy bar with labels all written in Russian. The animals on the label are a mother bear and 3 cubs.
              While talking on that eve of March 11, 2016, we notice the 'cat pet' of PRR. I took a shot of it with bartender Den Flores serving the other table full of Chinese...

Mr. Gromov said that cats in Russia is much, much more bigger like this one in Norway.

Sources: Music and Me
              By Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              March 15, 2012 -- April 2013
              http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
              April 2013 -- March 24, 2016

              Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
              The Beginning of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              To be published as a book in the future