While filming the Army Games that took place at the ABT Masters finals, I found myself in a situation where there was nothing to do. Colleagues with video cameras watched the next crew, and since at least 20 minutes passed between the starts of the cars, I decided to bring the body into the vehicle fleet in order to communicate with the participants.
Of course, we were most interested in the opinion and emotions of our foreign guests.
The situation turned out to be more than peculiar.
It was not possible to talk with the participants from Kazakhstan and China. It is difficult to judge whether you never know what instructions they were given there. Well, okay, it's easier to give up on all these swirls.
Next was the parking lot of the Venezuelan team. Here a surprise awaited me. Nice but noisy. These South Americans, I can tell you, the five of us can make such a noise that our football fans can learn from. The subject of noise was our member from the DOSAAF team, with whom the hot Latin guys decided to talk about politics. And he did not know who Hugo Chavez was …
I do not speak Spanish, but since I was hanging around in Spain for several months on one of the works, I managed to keep about a hundred words in my head. Enough for a start. Then the VGTRK operator, a very humorous guy, came up and asked what such an op was worth. I told him, they say, our boy does not know at all who Chavez is.
Sergei took a very successful pose, turning, in his opinion, to the west, and issued the phrase: "Hugo Chavez - u-es-hey fakyu!" Well, and accompanied by an appropriate gesture. The Venezuelans gave him such a standing ovation that not only a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense came running to the noise, but also an interpreter. When everyone was convinced that everything was in order, we talked quite normally. Daniel was fluent in Russian (5 years of study at Minsk State University), there were only problems with the line of people who wanted to talk.
In general, it was interesting. For all right, Kazakhstan and China are actually close at hand, and Venezuela is on the other side of the world.
It is strange, but the artillerymen of the 43rd artillery brigade, headed by the deputy commander of the brigade, came to us to participate in the competition of vehicles. Colonel Richard Jose Tores Granadinho took the time and the desire to talk to me, and this is what I learned from all of them. The colonel is generally such a cool man, and his subordinates are charisma collectors of an optimistic plan.
The Venezuelans were simply in seventh heaven when they were invited to Russia for the competition. Everyone understood perfectly well that there would be no chance of victory, but they went to fight. And by the way, they weren't whipping boys on the track.
Why gunners? Everything turned out to be very simple. They have KamAZ trucks in the brigade. Good old 4310. That's why the command decided that they would perform, since the technique is more or less familiar.
Venezuela is now facing a severe crisis. Such that Ukraine will seem like a paradise, rich and stable. At least that's what the fighters said. They used their own definition, which Daniel refused to translate, but I understood that, because the same expression usually rushed towards the States. And then, making a serious face, the speaker added: "Yes, yes, in nature!"
Despite the problems, the Ministry of Defense of Venezuela even bought them such KamAZ trucks, which they had to drive. One 5350 and one 65225. And, by the way, the crew of the tractor took the third place, which surprised everyone a lot. It was on these machines that they prepared and were selected.
Their bandanas caught my eye. Couldn't help but attract, beautiful little things. It turned out that this is a double or even triple-purpose thing. It can be worn on the head, in which case. It can cover your face in a strong wind with sand, which they have enough in the mountains. And this bandana is still worn like a neckerchief, and is something like a ceremonial chevron.
At the top are the words of the old motto. "Independence and Socialist Fatherland", "We will live and we will win!" With these words, Hugo Chavez usually ended his speeches. Below: "Our Principles: Union, Unity and Commitment." Well, between them is the emblem of the brigade, of course. Red headscarves are for ordinary soldiers, black for officers.
In general, they are extremely open guys. All without exception. Miguel, the driver of the UAZ, said so about this: "Well, we were invited, we arrived, everyone here treats us so nicely, you feel that there are only friends around! You Russians, however, are somewhat gloomy, but your fighters are animals, you can learn a lot from them. We have been learning all this time."
He asked how you are in Russia in general. Interesting. All wrong. Not at all, but cool. Especially fields with yellow flowers to the horizon (sunflowers). We were afraid that it would be … cool. But it's good, everything is just like ours (it's +37 in the shade). The food is funny, especially the "krechka". They filmed everything they were treated to on their phones. There will be something to show at home.
I asked about vodka. Have you tried it? Well, yes, how can you not try? Nothing, but ours is better. And they took out a liter bottle from the UAZ. Will you? This is kokui, this is a real Venezuelan kokui! Seeing the figure "alc 57%", I shuddered internally, and, thanking him, refused. 57 degrees inside and 37 degrees outside … no, well, such an experiment.
We started talking about the weather. I told them about winter that it would be interesting in winter. No, they answer, it’s definitely cold here in winter. And bears do not go to cities anyway. And in general, they have already seen a bear in Moscow. The bear is super cool. They have cougars, jaguars and crocodiles, but the bear … In short, they liked our symbol.
Lieutenant Colonel Chavez (they call him only that way in the army) is still a symbol and icon for all Venezuelans in uniform. You know who Chavez is - already half his own.
At the competitions, the Venezuelans were rooting for everyone, without exception.
But at the awards ceremony, they got a little discouraged.
The Russian anthem is playing.
Army General Bulgakov and Lieutenant Colonel Granadinho. Nothing, next time it will be easier …
The lieutenant colonel very willingly posed with everyone, did not refuse anyone.
With Russian team captain Andrey Rakeev.
You know, sort of our common opinion: it's nice when the allies (and the Venezuelans only position themselves in this way) are so open, cheerful and charismatic. And they look at Russia not as a temporary partner, but as a kind of support. Many would like to use it as an example. In short, our people.
