I agree with you about the value of learning English and Spanish as second or third languages given their popularity. English is the most spoken language and I think Spanish is the third or fourth most spoken language on the planet.

In my opinion, if you are going to spend years at a time in a foreign country, it will always be very helpful to learn to read, write and speak the local language. Especially when a very low percentage of the population speak and understand anything other then their native language as is the case in Russia.

I forgot about dress up on game days.

The good old days.