Author Topic: More Beautiful Russia (Read 9438 times)

mendeleyev · « **on:** July 31, 2007, 12:16:11 AM »

Monastery at St. Sergius.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2007, 12:24:58 AM »

Nightfall at Patriarch Pond.

Apartments.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2007, 12:58:46 AM »

Summer streets in Ukraine.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2007, 01:05:56 AM »

Land of beautiful churches.

Books. "Kha-knee-ee."

mendeleyev · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2007, 01:14:22 AM »

Correction: Bookstand is in Ukraine. Totally different country now. I have one of Pushkinskaya somewhere in my files...but that isn't it.

Samovar (for Tea).

mendeleyev · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2007, 01:24:47 AM »

And summers so humid that vodka could melt. Okay, maybe not. Summers are perfect for KBAC. Just think of "Kha-vass" as a cross between castor oil, stale bread, and rotten potatoes. Carbonated. Yummy! Pour me a glass right out of that tank please.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2007, 01:41:11 AM »

Russian kittens.

Koka-Kola.

Army museum - antique mobile gun truck

This Red Army truck is a bit more modern.

Chris · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2007, 01:53:30 AM »

Some nice photos mendeleyev

mendeleyev · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2007, 09:50:42 PM »

A tour of the Golden Ring around Moscow is very interesting for history buffs...and for guys who want to meet girls outside the big city. A series of Monasteries rings Moscow. Very rural, a half-day trip back to the 1960s.

Tsar's Chambers, now Theological Seminary for Russian Orthodox Church.

St Sergius at Larva Church.

Golden altar at St Sergius Church.

Patriarch's official residence.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2007, 09:56:17 PM »

Chapel "over the Well"...literally. Sergiev Possad.

Inside St Sergius Church.

Peter's summer palace outside the old capital--Peterhof.

My cousin German is a policeman in Moscow. This is NOT him! Whoever this guy is, he and his bottle didn't quite make it home. Guess his life is going to the dogs, sleeping on a Metro platform.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2007, 10:01:11 PM »

And before we move on, have you heard this Russian joke:
Question: What is the definition of a workaholic in Russia?
Answer: Someone who drinks on the job.

What you won't have much of after marriage to a RW.

And less.

And less.

Husband's allowance.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2007, 10:38:37 PM »

Moscow State University is housed in one of Stalin's "Seven Sisters" identical skyscrapers. He lived in a different one each night, fearful of being murdered by his own staff. Only a few key advisors knew his living schedule. Each house had two kitchens which prepared identicial meals. An aide tasted food from both about an hour before Stalin would dine to make sure no dish was poisoned. Perhaps the most famous of the "Seven Sisters" is the one found in the centre of Moscow--the Ukrainia Hotel (and apartments).

Moscow State University currently has over 34,000 students full-time (including our youngest daughter this fall!) and dates back to the year 1755. This skyscraper/University is located above Moscow in what is called "Lenin Hills." Originally called "Sparrow Hills" because SPARROW (Lenin's favourite bird) was the code name for Lenin before the revolution. At the base of the impressive University drive is a popular water park overlooking the central part of the city.

This location is also significant because it is where two invaders were stopped. First was the French Napeleon. In old European wars it was the custom for the conquering General to wait outside the city for the surrendering home generals to come out and surrender. The Russian Generals refused telling Napeleons messengers that if the great General wanted to visit their fine city he was going to have to fight his way all the way in.

It is also the site where Russian troops finally stopped the Nazi German advances and began to push the Germans back...just like they had sent Napeleons troops packing centuries earlier.

As you descend into the city from this great hillside the breathtaking "Great Patriotic War" Memorial Park to the memory of World War II will greet you with acres of parks, old tanks, monuments, and amphitheatres. At night waves of red light run like rivers of blood. Its dramatic....breathtaking.

Russia lost over 20 million people during the war. It is said that of all young Russian/Ukrainian men between the ages of 16 and 24, less than 10% of them lived to see their 25th birthday.

May God grant all who died "eternal memories." (Russian Orthodox memorial to those who have died)

After the park comes the famous Triumphal Arch into the city to remember the victory in the War of 1812.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2007, 10:51:56 PM »

Just before you reach the famous Red (Beautiful) Square, there is another square across from the main library and the Duma Parliment buildings. This square has a fountain with a secret because underneath is a large underground shopping mall.

Underground mall.

Metro station.

Moscow River view of Kremlin.
Unlike the mental images we often associate with the Kremlin and Red Square, other than the red brick walls there is little of the colour RED on "Red Square." First time visitors are startled at the overwhelming grayness of Red Square. However it is beautiful nonetheless. And the word Red comes from the Slavic root word meaning BEAUTIFUL helping one to understand how the square got it's name.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2007, 11:09:09 PM »

In the background stands the Christ the Saviour Cathedral. Built by the Romanov's and torn down by Stalin as a harsh symbol of the Communist view on religion. Stalin build a massive swimming pool where children in the Communist Youth Organization swam by day...and political opponents took their "last swim" by night.

Now rebuilt by the Russian government to exact detail as the original, the church (with an underground women's monastery) is beautiful and inspiring. It is where the Russian Patriarch holds special services and where government ministers of cabinet come to take communion and receive blessings.

The Cathedral is a massive building which houses the main church and several large chapels.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2007, 11:14:32 PM »

Every RW loves to go shopping...at GUM!

On opposite side of Red Square, this is location-location-location, baby!

Chris · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2007, 02:05:09 AM »

More great pics mendeleyev,

I have some taken from similar positions here, taken earlier this year.

Quote

Moscow State University is housed in one of Stalin's "Seven Sisters" identical skyscrapers.

Over 23,000 rooms, if you stayed in a different room each night and went in when you were born you would be 65 years old before you had tested every room

mendeleyev · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:31:20 AM »

Chrismc, I like especially your night views of the new casino...very impressive. Also enjoyed the burial chamber of St Basil which you took inside the Cathedral. Aya, Heidi and I were part of a rare tour back a few years ago when they were still doing extensive structural work on St Basils. When I brought up my camera to catch a shot of the burial chamber, the room attendant jumped in front of me with a stern "no photos"

tongue lashing. So, I'm glad you were able to capture it! Very nice!

Now with most of the structural re-hab done I need to go back and try again. I did get a few incredible shots from the scaffolding on a side tower looking back into the city (night views with city lights) but can't seem to find them in my files.

Chris · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2007, 08:15:45 AM »

Thanks mendeleyev.............yes you have to take them when no one is looking, I had a phone camera with me so managed to do it, but some places you do get stopped if they see you.

I wanted to take a camera with me into Lenins tomb, but they won't let you get anywhere near with a camera or a mobile phone you have to check it in well before you are allowed anywhere near the building.

One of the days I was in Red Square was 8th March, so that is why it was empty, they wouldn't let anyone on the Square until after 2pm.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #18 on:** August 05, 2007, 02:06:43 AM »

Russian transportation runs pretty much like clockwork. So many choices: Metro underground trains around the city, electric trolley trains inside the city, electric trains to outer areas such as Tver and Kaluga, express trains to select cities, and the long distance trains to other regions. You can take a normal city bus or a small express van or choose from a trolley bus that runs on overhead electricity.

The electric trolley buses are my least favouite because in winter they are extra cold. Most buses in winter don't vent heat from the engine back into the passenger areas because the engine needs all that extra head to keep from freezing in the near-artic winters. But a little seeps thru and combined with passenger body heat makes the experience quasi-comfortable...as long as you keep your coat on. But the electric trains have no combustion motor. They generate no heat at all. Those babies run simply on electric gear shafts and you will freeze your buns off inside.

The Casino is a regular stop on this bus line.

For your safety hold on the metal rail. The next stop is Metro station.......

Metro station

Russia's super highway

mendeleyev · « **Reply #19 on:** August 05, 2007, 02:13:33 AM »

Victory Park water and lights run blood red at night to remember those who died in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 with the Nazi's and the 1812 Patriotic War against Napoleon's army.

Church at Victory Park.

St Basils--winter.

Covered parking--with snow is Moscow style

mendeleyev · « **Reply #20 on:** August 05, 2007, 02:23:10 AM »

Endless apartments. Generic by design to devalue the idea of private property and to promote common communal living. Gray and dank, often depressing.

Communal living out in the country. "Communal living" is where several families share what was once designed for a single family. A typical "communal apartment" might have 3 bedrooms with a FAMILY living in each bedroom. These families share the small kitchen and bathroom. Its not uncommon to have 10-12+ people living in an area originally designed for 3-4 people. Massive building programs is trying to relieve such crowding (it was common and expected in the Soviet period) and it will take another decade or so to build enough apartments for everyone.

Meanwhile the wealthy build large dachas outside Moscow.

New style apartments.

Massive blocks of apartments, stretch forever.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #21 on:** August 05, 2007, 02:55:14 AM »

Country apples.

Autumn and winter are my favourite times in Russia. My first winter was depressing with only limited sunlight coming up about 10:30 and then dark again by 3:30pm. But Russia lives, really comes alive in winter, and now I have learned to celebrate the cold, snow, and ice.

Nothing like a cold Moscow morning. You'll get used to taking showers at night instead of morning. Avoid catching pneumonia that way.

mendeleyev · « **Reply #22 on:** August 05, 2007, 03:02:54 AM »

First comes the biggest holiday of the year--New Year's Day! A week later Christmas will be celebrated on 7 January but New Years is biggest by far. Gifts are exchanged on New Year's morning. The "New Year Tree" is decorated. Family and friends gather for a long dinner party and sleepover.

How did this one survive not being cut down?!

We have to go where? Why?

mendeleyev · « **Reply #23 on:** August 05, 2007, 03:07:37 AM »

Shopping for Christmas really doens't happen that much since gifts were already exchanged on New Years, however there is always that last minute item available from a kiosk on the street...

or at GUM.

Ornaments for the "New Year tree."

mendeleyev · « **Reply #24 on:** August 05, 2007, 03:08:59 AM »

Russian summers at the dacha:

News:

Author Topic: More Beautiful Russia (Read 9438 times)