Where were you when? Cossack dancing in Berlin

Never ones to let slip an opportunity for some cross-cultural capers, here is a snap of one of our valiant troupe putting his best foot forward in front of a world landmark albeit in a slightly understated manner.

The photo shows Nigel H in front of The Brandenburg Gate (German: Brandenburger Tor) which as many of you will know is a former city gate in Berlin, rebuilt in the late 18th century as a neoclassical triumphal arch and is one of the most well-known landmarks of Germany, just one block to the south of the Reichstag building.  It was commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia as a sign of peace and having suffered considerable damage in World War II it was fully restored from 2000 to 2002.  During the post-war Partition of Germany, the gate was isolated and inaccessible immediately next to the Berlin Wall, and the area around the gate featured most prominently in the media coverage of the opening of the wall in 1989.  Throughout its existence, the Brandenburg Gate was often site for major historical events and is today considered as a symbol for the tumultuous European history but also of unity and peace. (Thanks Wikipedia!).

So what brings young Nigel to this location?  Well, apparently the photo was taken in late April 2012, in a spell of completely unexpected incredibly warm weather, as he was visiting a relative to help celebrate his good lady's birthday. In fact it was the warmest weather any of us experienced all last year… The hat was borrowed just to keep the sun off, not for effect!  How we can only dream of those sunny days.

Anyhoo, before we drift off, the scores are in.

1. The Location - 3.5 (Impressive in its European cultural significance, if not in actual signage).

2. The Pose - 4.0 (A daring degree of pointless grandeur, especially given the Cossack dance pose which is probably laden with political overtones).

3. The X-Factor - 3.5 (For having the temerity to be wearing that T-Shirt in that location).

Making that a total of 11.0 - The highest score from someone dancing like a loon in front of a World icon - it must have been all that sun!

More please.