We got the ball rolling in Lafayette Park, where French General, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau stands immortalized, gesturing demonstratively toward the Potbelly’s Sandwich Works on 12th Street. General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau is well known for supporting the American Revolution by commanding French troops to fight the British army. He also has the longest name in the history of the world. But you already knew that. What you probably didn’t know is that General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau would inadvertently inspire a generation of children to replace the traditional “Rock, Paper, Scissors” with his 4th last name, pronounced phonetically, “Ro-cham-bo”.
As for Michael, I award him five points with a great deal of hesitation. He nailed the aerial maneuver and the pointing, and we sure as heck learned a lot of important history. But, where was the colonial outfit, the gingivitis and the giant map that were so common in those times?
I would pretty much sell my soul for a Potbellys sandwich right now.
April 7, 2009
friends and family, Mimefest, Washington DC