Horses in Moscow

In the yard of Moscow's museum.
 
Posted by Irina.
www.irinapictures.blogspot.com

Moscow Subway/Underground in English

If you are planning to visit the city, this map is veeery useful for your browsing in the web of Moscow metro stations. 

The original map lives here: http://altmetromap.com/

Posted by Irina

Sokolniki Park

Still Looking for Winter Pleasures in Sokolniki Park.

Posted by Irina.

On Guard

Mmmm, excuse me, where is the metro station? 

Posted by Irina.
www.irinapictures.blogspot.com

Rooster

Rooster, rooster, please crow for the spring.

Posted by Irina.
www.irinapictures.blogspot.com

Love, chained

Tradition to lock the lock on "Cast-Iron bridge" on the wedding day is really popular here.

Posted by Irina.

Cucumber House

Most of these summer days I stay in Moscow neighborhood, at my parents "dacha". So there are no skyscrapers, no people, no churches, no autos, no noise, no pollution.  Moreover, there is not much to talk about or to show in the blog. So I prepared for you this Cucumber saga.
Parents were brought up and developed in Soviet era, when private property was almost forbidden. Little piece of land (600sqm actually) and little wooden "Finnish" house (here is example), which people received at work as the bonus to Communism builders for dedicated work, was the long-expected dream came true.
Now the Communism builder could plant and grow fruits and vegetables for himself (selling was prohibited), so the land was divided in patches or greenhouses were built to save tomatoes and cucumbers from unpredictable weather.
Here we arrive to the exact cucumber house we see above. It is in full motion and is the integral part of urban landscape in every household in the neighborhood.

I show you the exterior, interior, produce and result.

And the receipt of salted cucumbers (they go great with vodka in the winter time) from my mother:

Put cucumbers in 1litre glass jar, add cold water, 2 tablespoons of sea salt (no salt with iodine!!, Mother's special note), dill's umbrellas, garlic, currant's and cherry's leaves. Keep jar open 3 days in room temperature.
Then pour out the pickle to the pot and bring it to boil, then pour over the cucumbers and keep them for 5 min. Repeat this "hot pickle wash" twice.
And at the end close the jar tightly with thoroughly boiled tin cup.
Keep in fridge's coolness till winter and enjoy!

Few questions because of my long absence.
What happened to City Daily Photo site, maybe you have some info?
Why Tomas is in Montana?
Aren't this blog new co-workers are gorgeous, do you agree with me?

Posted by Irina.

Ecology Friendly

I have not been to this dancing (Bar "Farm-Dance", bar where they dance! - is written on this green hill) but I saw this car moving all the way down the Archipov's street (street's new old name now is Bolshoy Spasoglinishchevsky pereulok), so it is not just boring street decoration but the true auto.

Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Please close the gate

The inscription on the plate:

"Dear gentlemen!
Please close the gate behind you.
Draught!"

Sorry, I'm not sure about correct translation of word "Draught".

"Сквозит" - This is when the wind blows through anything.

Posted by Artem.

In the City

"On the road" photo. I was confused by the number of air coolers on the building and made a shot. Later I realized that it was very recognizeble Moscow photo: traffic jams, famous sky scraper, faceless building blocks of 70ties to the left and old building "decorated" with air conditioners without limits..

Posted by Irina

Aloha!

Two days ago I was at the presentation of Hawaii dance class in "Open World"  center of eastern practicies and self-development.
It was very relaxing and joyful experience. I think that the national dance is a great and detailed introduction into the mentality of the nation. Just compare person of Georgia and of Hawaii here. With my Georgian roots it was a nice challenge to put on the relaxing and peaceful Hawaiian clothes))).
Georgian:


And Hawaiian:
 

Cloudia, Aloha! Her blog "Comfort Spiral" is about Hawaii and is a must see.

If you are in Moscow, you can like to join the dance class or any other activity in "Open world" as it looks like rather busy and interesting place.

Posted by Irina.

Lovestory

Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Design News

If you have old wooden ski (check the attic!) you can repeat this idea of wall lamp, I photographed in the cafe "Cup and Cake". Ski pole is included, too.

Posted by Irina

Doors

"Zone, private club. Your entry can be denied without explanation of the reason."

Looks like a rather welcoming place..
It's night club with dancing and restaurant behind these doors, here. 

Red October

I liked the decoration of this jewelry shop.
The photo was made at "Krasny October", ex-pastry factory, now the place  inhabited by galleries, studios, boutiques.

Happy New Year!

Valenki - is the best winter footwear for centuries in Russia. Made of felted lamb wool it is the guatantee of warmth and comfort in cold winter days. Best in the snow, rubbers added during wet weather. Still very popular in the country and around Moscow.

As you see, can be used as Christmas tree decoration  too. I made this photo in October, waited for the occasion to make a post)))

Happy New Year! 

City of Contrasts

When I was a school girl and learned English, we had several topics to study in our English class. "London - city of contrasts" and "New York - city of contrasts" were among them. They were about rich cities where poor proletariat was suffering and struggling for the lives and piece of bread in luxury world of bourgeoisie.

I thought about my school time yesterday, when I took an excursion to GUM, our oldest and most famous shopping mall, located on the other side of Red square from Kremlin.

And then I saw it, in the middle of GUM passage. The Christmas tree decorated with the winter bird house made of milk carton from 70-ties (then it was the only milk opportunity we had in the shops) - in front of the luxury shop glass window. 

Street Lamp in Knitted Coat

I have recently read about the knitted decorations of lamps, benches and pergolas in the renovated Gorky park as the reminder that the winter was almost here.
I stopped to check the place this Saturday. I am not sure if the street lamps feel warmer, but  colors are great joy for the eyes in grey Moscow November.

Et Cetera

The building constructed in 2005 for the "Et Cetera" theater. I read at theater's site that the idea of the building appearance was offered by theater's art director  (most of our theaters have permanent buildings, director, troupe and repertory). Mr. Kaliagin wanted to mix all the architectural styles to symbolize the variety of theater's world. Yes, it looks very various...

Site of "Et Cetera" theater.

Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Beware of the Dog!

Beware, fierce dog! (or "Beware of the fierce dog") - the sign can be read with both meanings.
The idea is to keep strangers away from the mysterious "something" behind this fence, in the yard of warehouse. Old Soviet signs are still popular here. I wonder if they are effective.
I head no dogs barking, though.

Posted by Irina.