Posted Nov 8, 2011, 11:40 am
My journey will start within the next few days and my road leads me to beautiful Russia
Posted Nov 8, 2011, 11:54 am
. I love it! It is so cuddly hihi
Posted Dec 11, 2011, 9:50 pm
Yuppi! How wonderful it is, to stop travelling and to leave my envelope! Of course, it's comfortable, but... so boring!
And now I'm slowly getting out of it and who is the first person I'll meet? It's Kioko - another TV! I hope, we'll become friends! He gives me a big hug and organizes an excursion in my new host’s house. Of course, it’s just a small flat, but I really adore a beautiful picture on the wall.
It’s an old Russian temple with so unusual and amazing blue domes. At once I says that I want to visit it, but unfortunately, this church is far away from Moscow. Well, it’s a good chance for visiting Russia again 
And another adventure happens today – Marticia (my host’s pet) probably think that I’m a puppy and was so happy about it! Or, maybe, she decided that I’m a chewing toy? Ohhh…. I’m scared!
Posted Dec 20, 2011, 8:29 pm
Wow, it was fantastic! You can know more about famous cosmonauts, consider different spaceships and meet scientists of the past!
So, let me tell you about wonderful excursion and guess what? Masha’ve also explained me, how to use Internet photo albums. And now I can leave a comment to every picture I show! Hurray!
Our journey started outside from a beautiful park with many sculptures. Dates of the most known events connected with a space age are named on these stars. For example: 20.08.1960 – return of the spaceship with 2 dogs-cosmonauts – Belka and Strelka (Squirrel and Arrow)
You can see flowerbeds and they must be empty at this season. But park keepers threw some painted sawdust on the flowerbeds, it looks so lovely.
This sculpture is so unusual! It’s like the sky, but in globe. And I don’t know some of constellations.
And many other statues, as Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova - the first woman in space. She was selected out of more than four hundred applicants, and then out of five finalists, to pilot Vostok 6 on the 16 June, 1963, becoming both the first woman and the first civilian to fly in space, as she was only honorarily inducted into the USSR's Air Force as a condition on joining the Cosmonaut Corps.s.
It’s the Monument to the Conquerors of Space and it was erected in 1964 to celebrate achievements of the Soviet people in space exploration. It depicts a starting rocket that rises on its contrail. The monument is 110 m tall, has 77° incline, and is made of titanium.
There is a soviet-style bas-relief on its side – Away, to bright and happy Future!!!
And a little Solar System!
Look at me – I’m inhabitant of Saturn!
The first a the most curious thing of main composition – the stuffed dog – Strelka. And also it’s a real spaceship Sputnik 5 – where they spent a day in space aboard on August 19, 1960 before safely returning to Earth. My host told me a real iterating story about Belka and Strelka – do you know that they were accompanied by a grey rabbit, 42 mice, 2 rats, flies and a number of plants and fungi? And all passengers survived. They were the first Earth-born creatures to go into orbit and return alive.
Strelka went on to have six puppies with a male dog named Pushok who participated in many ground-based space experiments, but never made it into space. One of the pups was named Pushinka (Fluffy) and was presented to President John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline by Nikita Khrushchev in 1961. A Cold War romance bloomed between Pushinka and a Kennedy dog named Charlie resulting in the birth of 4 pups that JFK referred to jokingly as pupniks. Two of their pups, Butterfly and Streaker were given away to children in the Midwest. The other two puppies, White Tips and Blackie, stayed at the Kennedy home on Squaw Island but were eventually given away to family friends. Pushinka's descendants are still living today. What a beautiful story!
Besides Strelka there are some “stuffed people” – it’s a real survival suit of Gagarin – you can see his photo on a background. And real furniture of Sergei Pavlovich Korolev’s room. Can you understand calculations on a board?
Then we saw a huge collection of meteorites with data about places of falling and weight. Wow, these stones are so huge! And we remember that have strongly scorched, so they’ve lost most part of their weight!
I always want to know, how seas of Moon are called. And here in Moscow I can do it! It’s a giant Moon Globe! Do you know that Mare Crisium is the site of the Luna 15 crash in 1969?
We saw a stand with photos of all Russian astronauts. Now I know that there are 122 astronauts in USSR and Russia. And near you can have a look at an interactive panel with all over the World cosmonauts. Look! I choose Austria and here he is - Franz Artur Viehböck - Austria's first astronaut. He visited the Mir space station in 1991 aboard Soyuz TM-13, returning aboard Soyuz TM-12 after spending just over a week in space.
In spaceships experiments with vegetables were spent. It allows to study properties of weightlessness. Thus cosmonauts can not only use fresh products in food, but also improve atmosphere by the spaceship. After all so oxygen is developed and carbon is absorbed. Look at this poor facedown onion!
And some more words about food on spaceships. Of course, you can’t keep them on table – they would fly around you! So astronauts use a special refrigerator. This one is a working one – from a ship! And, of course, the thing that everybody heard about - tubes with edible paste! Don’t you imagine it, when think about space?
And last but not least object that I like is a bench where each visitor of the museum can sit down and feel himself among well-known cosmonauts! Hi, guys! Perhaps, I will become the first TV-cosmonaut?
Posted Jan 1, 2012, 6:45 pm
While we approaching to a building, we saw a beautiful fur-tree been dressed up - marketing works perfectly!
The detailed description hangs on a wall at office - how fur-trees as for them to look after are grown up. So we could understand that it’s an “official” firm - they don't cut down a fur-tree in an illegal place, but grow up them especially for sale.
There are hundreds of trees inside and some of them are packed into a grid, for convenience of storage and transportation so they are very compact.
Look at this one, it’s so huge!
We have chosen this one, not so small and not so thin, perfect for our room. It’s my host’s father, Lev, on the photo.
After choice of a suitable fur-tree, it was packed into a grid by this device. It is very simple - the fur-tree is just passed in wide end of the tube and leaves in narrow end already packed. Voilà!
It is possible to buy supports under fur-trees at the same place. It is very convenient, as a tree trunk can grind at once for the necessary size.
We haven’t a car, so Lev puts a fur-tree on his shoulders and transports it to the main road. There is an electric train station nearby, therefore cars can't approach directly on a building. Oh, it looks very difficult!
We get our support from a balcony and we put it on a rug. It protects our floor from falling needles.
I take a huge knife and start to cut packing. Oops, it seems that I forgot to remove a cover from the edge.
The fur-tree is almost free and becomes stout...
Oh, I even can see some little cones on a branch! This tree is so fantastic!
Posted Jan 1, 2012, 8:56 pm
A new TV has arrived today. Wow, he’s a little bit... huge! And he also brought a writing-book with him – to remember some beautiful moments, just like me! He thinks that touchable memories are very important too
As the hospitable owner, I has offered the visitor a tasty chocolate. I hope, he will like it? And how wonderful it is that the bear will meet New year not in a box in mail-office, but in a warm and benevolent place, among new friends! It’s a Christmas miracle, isn’t it?
Posted Jan 3, 2012, 7:36 pm
It’s New Year's Eve today and I’m so happy! Me and my host will celebrate this holiday at home with her family and close friends. You know, in Russia New Year's Eve is now celebrated similarly to Christmas, just without the religious aspect of the holiday.
We have begun our day with a dinner in vegetarian restaurant - my host adores it very much and says all food there is unbelievably tasty.
At first - cream soup from a leek with saffron. Very holiday look!
Then cutlets with vegetable stuffing and special piquant sauce. Delicious!
And the last, but not least - a fruit dessert with soya whipped cream. I want to prepare it at home, so simple and tasty.
A bill was brought in this box, and I have taken visiting card! When I am in Moscow next time, I will necessarily visit it again - cafe Sok (Juice), healthy and tasty.
My host has been passed her exams till 30th December, so we decide to dress up a fur-tree today! Hooray!
Fur-tree toys are stored in box on the top shelf of a wardrobe.
There are a lot of toys here, old and new, glass and plastic. My host told me that the oldest one - a toy glass alarm-clock, was put on a fur-tree by her great-grandmother! It is excellent tradition - to buy every year some new toys, but also to leave the old. You can feel proximity of generations.
How beautiful!
OK, now let’s hang up electric garlands so the fur-tree will be sparkle beautifully in the evening. Oh, I’m a little bit confused...
And other garlands, we should hang up them everywhere in the house, for holiday mood! So, let’s load it on my shoulders and drag forward!
Wow! Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) have come to us for a party!
I already wrote that in Russia New year has no relation to religion, therefore Ded Moroz isn't similar to Santa Claus! My host has told to me that earlier, Ded Moroz was a wicked and cruel sorcerer, ruling over frosts. According to legend, Ded Moroz liked to freeze people and kidnap children, taking them away in his gigantic sack. Parents were said to have to give him presents as a ransom in return for their children.
However, under the influence of Orthodox traditions, the character of Ded Moroz was completely transformed, later adopting certain traits from Santa Claus.
And the modern Snegurochka is depicted as the granddaughter and helper of Ded Moroz. But in another story, she is the daughter of Spring and Frost, and yearns for the companionship of mortal humans. She grows to like a shepherd named Lel, but her heart is unable to know love. Her mother takes pity and gives her this ability, but as soon as she falls in love, her heart warms and she melts.
Oh, I see, Ded Moroz has a gift for me! Let's look what it is!
It’s Christmas-tree decoration! So beautiful! Hmm, it would be nice to collect toys from all over the World, what do you think?
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Happiness, good luck, love and more sweet surprises next year!
Posted Jan 8, 2012, 1:37 am
It’s really bad weather this weekend, rainy and grey behind a window, so we decided stay home till next weekend. And what can we do at home? Cooking, of course!!
Our special Christmas dish – traditional Russian soup, solyanka!
It is very simple soup, but very tasty. It isn't similar to other soups, much more hot and sour because of pickled cucumbers. Such unusual taste!
First we take potato, carrots and onions.
We should cut them. Look, what a remarkable grater. My fingers are far from blades because of the holder.
Then we take pickled cucumbers and olives. They give to soup especial taste.
Cut them…
Then we fry vegetables and boil potato at the same time.
Put cucumbers and fry the mix some more minutes.
Finally we put everything together in a pan and cook some minutes so all products will mix up in a single dish
Bon appétit!
Now let's prepare a dessert. It will be tastiest cakes with a chocolate stuffing. It is prepared very quickly. We take sugar, oil, milk (my host uses soya), and flour.
We mix everything in dough in one second.
We put all in beautiful forms, we strew with edible ornaments or sesame, and in the middle of each cake we put a chocolate slice. We bake it in oven within 25 minutes.
Mmmmm, delicious!
I decided to write down this recipe in my notebook to prepare this wonderful dish at home. It is time to buy olives!
Posted Jan 24, 2012, 8:14 pm
This weekend we have visited one of the most beautiful and ancient monastery in Moscow – Andronikov monastery! There are working churches inside, so we can’t take any photo, but my host tell me that it is consecrated to the Holy Image of Saviour Not Made by Hands and it is home to Andrei Rublev Museum of Old Russian Art, named after the most famous monk of this abbey.
In fact, there many buildings in this monastery are devoted to Andrey Rublev (the greatest medieval Russian painter of Orthodox icons and frescoes). Already during his lifetime some his icons were appreciated and esteemed as wonder-making. Here you can see copper monument to Andrey Rublyov working.
Near the monument there is an arbor, and there you can see a copy of the most well-known Russian icon of Andrey Rublyov - the Trinity. You know something about it? Trinity depicts the three angels who visited Abraham at the oak of Mamre, but the painting is full of symbolism and often interpreted as an icon of the Holy Trinity.
The monastery was established in 1357 by Metropolitan Alexis as a way of giving thanks for his survival in a storm. Its first hegumen was Saint Andronik, one of Sergii Radonezhsky's disciples. The extant four-pillared Saviour Cathedral was constructed from 1420–1427. Andrei Rublev spent the last years of his life at the monastery and was buried there.
Newer and more harmonous church of Michael the Archangel (1690s) perfectly looks at my photo!
And of course there there is a small belltower where it is possible to ring by a bell. Oh, it seems, all Moscow could heard it! Icons are also represented on bells, probably, they help to sound better!
Posted Jan 29, 2012, 4:08 pm
Today we have decided to take a walk across old Moscow, to look how people lived there earlier. Despite the fact that Moscow is a huge megacity where the population is more than 11,5 million persons, some areas were not built up with modern skyscrapers, and have been left the same as they were several centuries ago.
Well, we begin all the same with a Stalin skyscraper (it means that have constructed it at the time of Stalin - 1952). This residential building, costs on Kotelnichesky quay. It consists of 32 floors and has height of 176 m. In a skyscraper 540 apartments are located. In modern films if want to show that the hero is rich, but has earned riches not on gamble, and occurs from dear family, he usually lives in this building.
Later on our way we have saw the church of Nikolay Chudotvorets (Nicolay Miracle). It is said that it is last medieval building in Moscow. You know that in 1689 Peter the Great became the tsar in Russia. He has decided that Russia should follow Europe at all and within several years has changed everything - an economy direction, fashion, architecture, art. And this church has been constructed in 1697 under the direction of Osip Startsev. He didn't approve reforms, therefore has constructed the building in old Moscow style. And nobody after that has dared to contradict the tsar!
We pass to street with a name of Alexander Solzhenitsyn which is entirely built up by buildings of 18-19 centuries. They are not inhabited, and are leased by offices of large firms. I don't know, how much it is prestigious, to work in this building, but it seems to me it is not very convenient - there can be drafts, a cold. Precisely in winter!
There is a very beautiful church of Sacred Martin Ispovednik, the Pope, in this street. It has been constructed in 1806. It is said as one of the most beautiful temples in Moscow. It is well-known for a surprising event. During occupation of Moscow by Frenchmen, in 1812, when the city was grasped by the enemy, was plundered and was burned down practically entirely, this church remained untouched. It was so pleasant to Napoleon that it has given a platoon of soldiers for protection from marauders. This platoon has surrendered by a captivity of Russian armies entering into a city, left a temple in an excellent condition! Under a temple beats a spring from which priests take water for consecration.
There is another beautiful house in the street of Solzhenitsyn. In my opinion, again, not so comfortable. My host told me that Solzhenitsyn was a writer , who, through his often-suppressed writings, helped to raise global awareness of the gulag, the Soviet Union's forced labor camp system. Solzhenitsyn was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970. He was expelled from the Soviet Union in 1974 but returned to Russia in 1994 after the Soviet system had collapsed. It was named as “prophet and conscience of an epoch”. He died on August, 4th, 2008 and already on August, 12th this street has been renamed from the Big Communistic street into street of Solzhenitsyn. It has broken the Russian law that says that it is impossible to name streets in honor of known people till 10 years from the moment of their death. However the government of Russia so wanted to underline that it is against communism (Solzhenitsyn struggled against it also) that have agreed with infringement.
Oh, I am a little bit tired. Let’s make a break and take a bite? Look at me, I am the King of burgers!
One more small wonderful church in that area, constructed in 1659. It is temple dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos (Uspensky temple). The main relic of the church is the wonder-making icon of the Virgin Mary - "Troeruchitsa" – “Having three hands”. The icon has received that name in honour of healing by Saint Mary the cut hand of sacred John from Damask. It says that, thanks to protection of this relic the Uspensky temple wasn't closed even in the difficult periods of the Russian history and has kept all its bells.
Wow, I totally didn't expect to see here such a modern and amusing building! It is a small wine bar constructed recently; it is so allocated in the general view! And the skyscraper which costs on a background forces us to forget that we are in the oldest quarter of Moscow.
And last temple that we saw today - the Temple of Saint Sergij Radonezhsky. It always was one of the richest temples of Moscow, with large quantity of icons, silver dishes. It was well-known for the chorus of the blind men. Interesting feature of this temple is that it is constructed in “old believe” quarter. Old Believers don't recognize modern orthodox religion and have their own little temples. Therefore the Temple of Saint Sergij Radonezhsky has been made such huge, light and ornate to entice parishioners to the Orthodox Church.
Posted Feb 7, 2012, 4:09 pm
Today we visited an exhibition of Japanese art not far away from our house. The excursion was very interesting, now I would like to visit Japan, to learn its culture better, because I like this exhibition very much! Perhaps sometime I will go there...
Our excursion has begun with survey of armor. I understand that many kinds of armors exist! On a photo you can see Hon-iyozane dou or Nuinobe dou. These are armors with improved design (in comparison with older variants), from the big plates and a small lacing. It is lamellar armor and consists of hundreds of small rectangular iron, leather, or bronze plates (scales or lamellae) which are pierced in various locations and laced together into horizontal rows to the proper length needed to construct a particular armor item. It is rather cheap variant of armor, but very solid and convenient.
Later we have seen Bisjamonten – the deity most known and esteemed in Japan. He is one of Shitenno – «Four kings», keepers of four parts of the world. Among four deities – he is the leader, the others are his vassals. He is known as the god of War, the patron of people who is engaged in military arts, and also – as god of healing, who possessing force to protect emperors from deadly illnesses and to expel of demons of a plague. In the left hand he holds a treasury in the form of a pagoda. It collects and protects treasures, and also distributes it to worthy persons.
The following hall has been devoted kimonos. The guide has explained to me, that kimonos are T-shaped, straight-lined robes worn so that the hem falls to the ankle, with attached collars and long, wide sleeves. Kimono are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (except when dressing the dead for burial), and secured by a sash called an obi, which is tied at the back. Do you know, that today, kimonos are most often worn by women, and on special occasions. A few older women and even fewer men still wear the kimono on a daily basis. Men wear the kimono most often at weddings, tea ceremonies, and other very special or very formal occasions. Professional sumo wrestlers are often seen in the kimono because they are required to wear traditional Japanese dress whenever appearing in public.
One more hall has been filled by toys. You know, that Japanese dolls were initially created not for game, but for magic? They said that with them it is possible to ask mysterious forces to help people and bring good luck in hunting, good harvest, to provide a victory over the enemy, to relieve of harm and illnesses. There was an interesting custom of protection of fields from insects in May. Such dolls representing soldiers had protective function and were pledge of the future harvest. Interesting, this soldier would not like to be a toy-voyager?
Near cafe there is a small hall where lessons on Budzinkan Budo were conducted. It is school of military arts and principles (ways) of Japan, created Hatsumi Masaaki (1931). Budzinkan - literally from Japanese language - a temple of the divine soldier - is a classical martial art. A main objective of its followers is to lead healthy life, without causing harm to a society, developing an interconnection between the Nature and Mankind through practice of military arts and principles. And, of course, it is remarkable possibility to interest somebody! This high and lean person, the teacher, easily consulted with the strong and brawny pupil! What girl won't like it?
And at last we came into a local little shop. Certainly, we have bought nothing, but have admired beautiful small lamps. I want the same one in my room as a night lamp, so cosy!
Posted Feb 18, 2012, 7:59 pm
Today we decided to be engaged in good business and to help birdies to live happily. You know, in Russia it’s really cold in winter, therefore wild animals in the city have problems – where to live and where to eat. My host lives near to park, so we solved to create a feeding for titmouse and sparrows - almost free, but effective!
At first we take a juice package, certainly empty. I like an apple one - beautiful green box, reminds of summer among white snow.
Then we measure distances accurately and line everything by the pen. Hm, it is not so convenient to me to hold the handle by my paws.
Now we take a knife and start to cut out apertures. Not so simply, when a knife is bigger than you!
We paste a paper over edges to help birdies not to wound when they would fly inside. Well we also can do more beautiful! What do you think?
We insert a branch so birdies could eat sitting. I have found chopsticks - excellent idea!
Last but not least - a tasty feed! For this case we bought the real delicacy - apples, peaches, grapes, cherry, seashell crumb, seeds and cereals. Sounds good! Now in park there will be the thickest and healthy titmouse and sparrows.
Finally, we adhere a feeding to a tree and wait for visitors. Bon appetit!
Posted Mar 3, 2012, 5:49 pm
Terrible snowfalls still storm in Moscow; therefore we continue to visit museums! I’m waiting for spring, streams and birdies so much! =) Today we have decided to visit the Polytechnical museum – one of the oldest scientific and technical museums of the world that emphasizes the progress of Russian and Soviet technology. The museum was opened in 1872 and it is completely devoted science development - chemistry, physics, electronics, there are over 190 thousand museum subjects. Our excursion was very interesting and informative. Everywhere I saw tablets in English that has allowed receiving tons of new knowledge for non-russian tourists. And also there are interactive models which will make a science more fun!
The very first exhibit that we met is the Soviet nuclear bomb – RDS-1. Its non-official name is The First Lightning (Pervaya molniya) and it was used in the Soviet Union's first nuclear weapon test, code-named Joe-1, in reference to Joseph Stalin. It was exploded on 29 August 1949, at Semipalatinsk, Kazakh SSR, after a top-secret R&D project. At Lavrenty Beria's insistence, the RDS-1 bomb was designed as an implosion weapon similar to the Fat Man bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan; it was an implosion type weapon with a solid plutonium core.
My host says that we live in very strange world when for peaceful life it is necessary to make bombs. If the USA after the attack of Japan stayed monopolist in nuclear arms, nobody could know, what would be a destiny of mankind. Thank God that Cold War hasn't outgrown in Third World one.
Then we have passed in the huge hall telling about the oil industry in Russia. Can you believe, that earlier oil extracted from wells like water till middle of 19 century? And was transported by camels. So weird!
I have been very impressed by a huge platinum nugget more than 9,5 kg in weight. It was found in the Ural mines. Host told me that platinum has been found for the first time in 1819 in Russia. But it was very cheap and was called as "rotten gold", nobody needed it. You know, a word "platinum" literally means «small silver». Such scornful name can be explained by bad fusibility of platinum so it was estimated twice lower than silver. Well now this nugget costs more than 530 thousand dollars! Certainly, it is a model, because it would be too dangerous to keep it here.
In a museum it is possible to see development of art processing of stone, one of the first natural materials used by the men. Russian masters, unlike European ones, aspired to follow more unique natural drawing and beauty of marble, than templates. This marble mosaic table-top has been created in the Peterhof Lapidary Factory in 19th century. This well-known factory produced beautiful things for the Hermitage!
Look, there is a steelmaker's spoon It is made more than 40 years ago. So interesting that it is used not for the basic work of metal fusion, but for removal of tests. By this spoon a steelmaker scoops liquid metal and sends it to experts to find out, which components don't suffice the quality.
Here it is a first Russian TV with new, for the first time in the world applied standard of clearness in 625 lines - "Moskvich-T1" (Muscovite – T1). I can't understand, what could be pleasant to watch it! Seriously, it is easier to listen to radio, than to crowd round the TV!
It is very amusing record player, isn't it? I saw many record players - they have these huge pipes which strengthen a sound. But this one has zither - the string resonator. Zither strings vibrate from a sound. Each string of a zither responds on a sound of "its" note, strengthening it. So unusual!
Also we saw different models of cars created many centuries ago. This one on a photo has been thought up in 1600 in Holland! Amusing, it is look like overland ship. Imagine, if such cars drive on streets today!
And in the end we have come into a hall of high technologies - computers! A group photo for memory! (There was very strict keeper who didn't like toys on technical devices)
There is the main stage in working out of modern computers is presented – the machine tool which reads out punched cards. We have been told that at the beginning – in 1820 - there was a weaving loom working this way. The pattern which was necessary for weaving was set by them. Inventor Herman Hollerit has decided to use a similar method for processing of results of population census in America. Processing of results of last census has been counted almost seven years! And the population continued to increase … But the machine automatically processed results. Finally results have been processed for six weeks!
And at the very end of excursion we have seen this remarkable gadget for electricity development. Looks like a bicycle connected with wires. You should twist pedals, and in a case a device that is sufficed of electricity – the hair dryer, a mixer or even the TV - starts to work! What a pity, that my legs don't get to pedals
Posted Mar 20, 2012, 7:09 pm
Right at the beginning we see this lovely fox. The photographer says that he has been made this photo the whole month. To create this photo at level of fox’s eyes, it was necessary to creep on snow on a stomach!
Here I am attacked by an terrible two-meter rattlesnake from Texas. If people see this snake, they kill it at once; therefore the photographer had to try really hard to find it.
The next photo is called "the Guard of natural precious stones". Photographing was very difficult; the spider jumped over different blades of grass, threw off water drops and climb up the camera. But the final picture is excellent!
For getting this shot the photographer had to hang head over heels over a stream surface. But looks as a landscape from other planet, right?
In the spring at the height of building of nests, wool interests birds very much. The blue tit, found a scrap of cervine wool, gathers in a beak as much as possible hair. What if you return, and everything have been stolen already.
You will never guess what it is - the big dandelion! It looks like a pentagram.
And this small birdie is called redpoll – in Russian chechetka (a tap dance). It arrives to Moscow in winter, to get warm. In its homeland, far in the north, it is absolutely cold. Though it is difficult to me to imagine where can be even colder than in Moscow.
This beautiful photo is made in Russia. In April the big gray herons have already made “the choice” and they can pay much attention each other. Soon they become parents and easy life will end
The excellent shot with Elephant seal is called Big and small. Males of elephants weighs 3,5 tons and in comparison with me it is really huge!
And last but not least - tomorrow I will not be in Moscow any more! Guess, where? The host took me to Thailand! First we wanted to go to Maldives, but a boyfriend of my host has forbidden because of political problems. OK, we will visit Thailand! There are more sights and we will have more fun!
Posted Apr 8, 2012, 9:42 pm
At last I can publish amazing photos of my holidays in Thailand! I can warn you, there are more photo than one hundred therefore at me it’s a lot of work
Hey, my very first day of holiday begins! You know, how long it takes to fly to Thailand from Moscow? 9 hours! And one and a half more to the small island Samui where we will enjoy everything. Add time at three airports between planes, and day passes. But of course, holidays are worth it!
Everything begins in Domodedovo – one of four airports in Moscow, the biggest and overloaded airport in Russia. It was opened in 1963 and sends more than 400 flights a day!
We approach to our table. We’ve chosen flight of Transaero Company. It is the leader among the Russian companies by quality of transportations. Well, and by the price of the ticket too.
Plus, we have a business class. It isn't necessary, but we are going to fly all night long. I couldn’t imagine, how it is possible to sit 9 hours long on inconvenient armchair, some people can't even extend a foot, what to say about sleeping. Comfort is money!
So, it is necessary to be checked on the x-ray device. It seems, there are no metal explosive parts and water in me but who knows?
Well, we passed customs, before our flight it is 2 hours, than how we will waste our time? Let's eat. The last European food for a half-month – it is still unclear what we will find in Thailand …
The business class gives another remarkable priority – a special waiting room. It is awesome to relax in a soft chair with a plate of snacks. These luminous bubbles behind my back –it is so cool!
At last, we in the plane. I never saw such amusing chairs-capsules, did you? Now we can sit and read a book comfortably …
And by pressing one button they automatically turn into the real bed! Yes, in such armchair it is possible to sleep perfectly 9 hours long! And the back doesn't move, so nobody hangs over. Super!
Short stop at the airport of Bangkok. There is no time for photography – it is necessary to take away luggage and send to the following flight! But this mosaic on a wall I simply couldn't pass – so beautiful.
And certainly, always there is enough time for the most tasty coconut. Oh, it is necessary to drink directly from a nut? And the barman instead of using a shaker takes a sharp hatchet, does 3 strokes, a straw and everything is ready. Exotic!
Look, what a fantastic view from the window! It is simple to understand, where you are.
At last, cute small airport of island Samui (or coh Samui as local people say). Very small. Compare it with my first photo! But it is so lovely. There are many airports in picturesque exotic places worldwide, but the island Samui airport is known as the most harmonious with the nature of Thailand. Only two companies work there: Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways. An airport building has only one floor, in colors and flowers.
So, after our arrival we look in a map to reconnoiter the area. Such a tiny island! We are in the top right corner. And our hotel is on the right coast, between two "horns". Look, there is the only McDonald's on the island nearby. Mmmm, civilization!
My God, it is so pleasant to lay down on the real bed and to extend feet! Moreover on such beautiful one.
The first day of my holiday came, I shouldn’t hurry up now, I take a breath for a few minutes in our room, as there is a conditioner, and on the street it is really hot!
Posted Apr 12, 2012, 9:45 pm
In my story about Thailand we move from one step to the next. At first I told about flight, now I pass to our settling. So, we live in Fair House Resort hotel in Chawengnoi beach. My host chose it, as a quiet place where it is possible to sleep sweet under palm trees. At the same time there is Chaweng beach some kilometers to the north – the most party place of the island.
The hotel is protected by two small gods – my host called them "kamnegryzy" - stone-nibblers. I don't know, the sculptor thought up them or they are from local folklore, but look scary. It seems to me, or he has hearts on his stone?
You know, what really amazed me after arrival? Reception! I never saw such fantastically beautiful building. It is all surrounded with greens (well, it is Thailand; there is A LOT of greens). And the Indian god – Ganesh meets us, for some reason. Hm, OK, maybe the majority of tourists are induist. I always thought that official religion of Thailand – the Buddhism.
There is a zoo around the reception-building – terribly dissatisfied elephant
and cheerful pig.
In general, as I understood, Thais adore sculptures and figures. Look – on a small corner of their table - four figures and all different!
Geese are interested in a beautiful bouquet of flowers. And on a distant wall – a portrait of the emperor. It hangs in each building. Nearby – a portrait of the queen, and on another wall – one of princesses. What a respect to royal family!
And more animals – small happy elephant. Elephants are on each corner there – a symbol of Thailand, by the way!
Group photo while waiting for registration. We were given a glass of fruit juice – there is a bar on reception, but it produces only this single glass – if you want to drink – go on a beach!
Finally a small automobile came and we are going to our house. It is interesting that we live further than everybody else from reception – practically on the beach, on the very end of the territory belonging to hotel. Plus, reception (and near - the exit from the territory) is much higher than a beach – it is on a hill. So 1-2 times a day when we wanted to eat, we were necessary to lose couple of kgs at first, clambering upward on the street. But let's talk about it later.
So, it's our room. On the right another one, belonging to German tourists, and the beach begins. Disappointingly that there is no dryer – it is necessary to hang out swimsuits on a balcony. And so convenient – a basin for washing feet near every building. You are walking barefoot all the time and when you come home – simply dip feet in a basin.
Our number is rather small, for three people. Such beautiful pictures hang on walls.
Lamps are very unusual and very badly shine. In general, number isn't shined at all, it is hard to read books! We need to remove lamp shades from lamps or you can't see anything. By the way, on a photo – my host with the parents
As I show you a bedroom – I will show a bathroom too. Everything is excellent, but I'm surprised that there is no bath curtain. Of course, I do not splash strongly, when I wash, but if someone pours over all floor and slip?
And here there is our beach chairs on a beach. Look at this huge tree – many people are going to lie under it! Also what is that white foam plastic piece with a hieroglyph for? Perhaps "lifebuoy" or protective spell?
Posted Apr 16, 2012, 3:39 pm
Let me break my Thai photos with some common one – it’s Orthodox Easter today! In Russian it is named Paskha.
My host isn't too religious, but we visited her grandma and had a lot of fun.
It's religious feast at first, so the main action happens on a Saturday night - people put on their best clothes and come together in dark churches that symbolize a gloomy world without the light of faith. In the past, satanic creatures were believed to turn especially evil in the night before Easter. People didn’t dare to go outside after sunset as they feared every cat could be a witch and every dog a devil!
So, it’s interesting, that there is not Easter rabbit in Russia! They don't go search eggs; they just change them with their friends and family and kissed 3 times. My host’s grandma don’t paint eggs – she bought special plastic paintings and stick them with boil water. Looks so beautiful!
And there is special food on Sunday: Paskha and Culich
(Easter - is made from spesial cottage cheese, nuts and raisins
Little easter cake - is a bread with a lot of sugar and candied fruit.) Mmmmm, yummy!
Should pay more attention - what great embroideries are created by the grandmother! It’s her hobby and all walls of the apartment are covered with such “pictures”! And pillowcases on pillows too were embroidered by her. Super needlework!
Posted Apr 18, 2012, 8:12 pm
Today I want to show you my hotel – in general. You can see that the main colour here is green. There are trees and plants absolutely everywhere and my host told me that they are “real” – grow by themselves. In Turkish and Maldivian resorts every tree was planted by human. But not here! So, welcome to Samui!
We started our walk at sunrise from the seashore. Even mountains are covered be trees!
Let’s lie down for a moment on a chaise lounge and enjoy sunbathe together, the beach is so beautiful!
Also we have a small pond, I think, it is intended for watering. Small fishes and beautiful lotuses swim here.
Our pool is very small and absolutely empty day and night. Who want to swim in the pool, when there is an ocean?
The most interesting trees here are "sheaves". Lianas braid a tree very strong and even if it perishes from a lack of air, they don't fall, and continue to stand!
As I said, this island is absolutely fantastic. It looks like the most peaceful place on the Earth. And the hotel does a lot of things to help you enjoy good weather, like this cute pavilion.
Posted Apr 22, 2012, 7:15 pm
In this post I want to describe you our ingestion. We chose hotel with only a breakfast, it helped us not to overpay. Thus, we have breakfast in hotel, during the lunchtime we have a bite fruit, and for a dinner we go to "city" and we enjoy local exotica.
So, we wake up and go to the dining room.
It is very lovely, light and comfortable. There is a salad bar, some muesli-flakes, ham, bread, juice. Separately hot dishes and fruits stay. Besides, you can get a fresh omelette or fried eggs.
It is possible to gather such a huge plate in the morning to get myself fill for all day long
We pass to a dinner. The first few days we ate kgs of fruit. I ate the whole pineapple plantation! Very conveniently - you sit down on a verandah at a little table, cut pineapple, you can sugar it or water with a lime juice... Yum-yum! And every day you can try something new - Dragon fruit, Lychee, Lamai, Mango, Mangosteen - you will not list them all!
In shop we bought some nuts so our meal was more substantial
But what should we do, if you used to eat densely and aren't satisfied with fruit? It is a terrible heat that goes from asphalt on the street and it is better not to leave. We should go to small restaurant on the beach. It is rather expensive there (if it is possible to consider 80 euros for three person with wine expensively), but the place is literally two steps away from your house and the cuisine is really tasty.
And the remarkable way to finish a good lunch - to sit, drinking coconut juice and enjoying a fine view of the sea. And if you want to swim - it is not necessary to go far!
At last, dinner!
We leave the territory of hotel and move up or down on the street. There are hundred tiny small restaurants here, in only 15 minutes of walking! You choose any of them; they are almost identical according to the menu and at its prices. Certainly, we preferred Thai cuisine, but for the variety, it was possible to choose German, Japanese or American small restaurant. And only 40 euros for three persons!
Often it’s family business - a husband cooks food, a wife is waitress, and a daughter stands up for the cash desk. Also I saw some Thais who eat there too, so quality of food is high. Once we came in absolutely local “ramen restaurant”, without the menu, without cloths on tables, and there ate for only 7 euros for three person! Soup was the most delicious in my life!
Posted Apr 27, 2012, 10:12 pm
Today we decided to stop lie on a beach like vegetables. Thailand is such a beautiful country, it is necessary to see more!
As excursion we chose is a trip to local small islands, snorkeling and swimming.
Everything begins near this small mooring. There are about 10 people with us; we float on one of these lovely boats.
It looks wonderful already. Other islands are seen on the horizon, but we will float much further, on the island Coh Tao "Turtle Island". Ko Tao was named by its first settlers for the island's turtle-like geographic shape. Coincidentally, the island is an important breeding ground for Hawksbill turtles and Green turtles. Development of tourism has negatively impacted the health of these grounds but a breeding program organised in 2004 by the Royal Thai Navy and KT-DOC, a coalition of local scuba diving centres has reintroduced hundreds of juvenile turtles to the island's ecosystem.
Oh, it’s a mad speed! It is necessary to keep and not to fall overboard!
So we are on a place. Beautiful! There are small tourist bungalows and local court boats. Such amusing - ordinary boats with the fan on a pole.
There are hundreds of fishes here! What a pity that I have no mask for a snorkeling, but from a water surface everything is perfectly visible. They are multi-colored, big and small.
You come into water from a sand beach, then by swimming reach a place surround by anchor buoys. There begins the real reef, dangerous and sharp. My host cut a foot while reached there. Thank God, sharks don’t live nearby.
We leave this hospitable island and come to another one where we will have lunch. Islands are far apart, you need to float an hour on our small board.
Mmmmm, bon appetit!
Excellent lunch - a plate of rice and four different curries - with meat, bird, fish and vegetables. My host was so happy; she hates to leave on a plate what she can't eat (she’s a vegetarian)
While we ate, the storm began. It began... then changed its mind and ended. Even a rain didn’t start. We are luckies!
Away, to the last island!
So, the last point of our travel - "The threefold island". Imagine two mountains growing from the ocean, like this one. And they are connected by a beach strip - white-white sand. Our guide suggested us to get on top of the mountain and to look at this beautiful island entirely. Well how is it possible to refuse?
And we climb upward on the wooden bridges which don’t inspire trust. Scary boulders are piled up one on another around us. Somewhere the bridge is broken, it is necessary to look for other ways!
Then up and up and up…
But the finish worth the spent efforts, if you see this view once, you’ll never forget it.
Oh, after such mad ascension it is necessary to have a rest.
Let's go to swim? These stones are visible again on this photo - why they don't fall?
Here, as I understand, it is possible to order a lodge. Islands are so small- I don't know, if there is even one cafe! And the unique entertainment - to rise up by the mountain every day!
And last fantastic photo. So quiet and calm.
Posted May 1, 2012, 11:40 am
Today we decided slowly walking around our hotel – we have already seen beautiful and green places – maybe, it’s time to look closer and deeper? Unfortunately, it’s rainy, the sky is grey. But is we can’t swim and take sunbathes, what are we going to do? Making photos, of course! So let’s take the biggest umbrella we have and don’t afraid of bad weather! By the way, do you see a funny frog behind us? It’s a special gadget for getting water - a hose can be connected with a mouth and it spits out water. Creatively!
Oh, look, whom did I find! Because of rain local snails decided to walk around - I counted three only near our verandah. And they are so huge!
And today there are awful waves! My host worries, but her mother adores swimming during in storm like that, even now it is possible to notice her head on water... Oops, where is she?
It seems, the rain comes to end, and we go deeper to the territory. I like these flowers in bags - very conveniently – you can take it simply and at once plant on a flowerbed.
Or this variant- for hang plants. Never saw it before!
There grow... vegetable marrows-mutants? I don't know what plant is it, do you? They are so heavy that it’s necessary to support them, or they will fall down.
Flowers here are grown up directly on palm trees. Imagine, the shell of a coco is taken, attached to a palm tree; the sprout is inserted inside and voila! It's big business here - the heap of a coconut shell is visible from afar. Also imagine, how many nuts tourists drink daily, probably it will suffice to tie each palm tree.
So beautiful. Feelings like you are in the national park, instead of in small hotel in Thailand - neither asphalt, nor flowerbeds - only the nature.
As another model of communication with the nature - a lodge for home spirits. One of the biggest that I saw. Here they are placed near each significant building - restaurant, receptions - for protection - they were constructed earlier, than the main buildings, thus alluring spirits. And this, huge, is probably for all hotel complex! Inside there is food, water, beautiful flower wreaths and tapes. I am especially impressed that inside everything is really made for little men - a ladder that helps them to rise, the tubule into a bottle with water that helps them not get a shower. Thus the majority of the population shrives the Buddhism; such "paganism" is very amusing.
It is possible to rent cars and motorcycles in hotel, and then put them in this convenient and beautiful parking. By the way, motorcycles are extremely popular among local population and they drive with awful speed. Very dangerous.
It is. As I can understand, local esteemed God - I don't know his name. We often put coins on a plateau near it, probably, therefore our rest passed so perfectly.
In this small multi-colored house some Thais do Thai massage. My host never used this offer (she is not delighted with massages), but, maybe, if I arrive to Thailand next time, I should visit this place?
Well, it's enough to wander on the hotel territory, it is necessary to get outside! Here such beautiful view opens directly near our gate. Cars rush like meteors. There is our traffic controler. If someone decides to cross the road, he whistles in a whistle for a long time to passing cars, creates a corridor and then transfers you to another side. He can even call for a taxi if it's necessary.
On sidewalks through every 20 meters such "little shops" stay, where you can buy... Guess, what is it on sale in bottles? It is gasoline! I thought that it is home-distilled alcohol at first.
Another small lodge for spirits. I said that they are everywhere here!
Wow, look, whom we met in a yard! We were afraid at first, but it appeared that the bull is attached to a column therefore we could approach closer and make a photo.
And palm trees, palm trees, palm trees... If to depart from the main road, everything around is surrounded by palm trees!
When we came back home, we found a lovely cat on our verandah! Though the rain ended long time ago, it, probably, dozed off and filled warm and safe.
Posted May 8, 2012, 12:22 pm
Today we decided to take excursion on Samui entirely! It is very small island therefore it takes only half-day on all its survey. But as we here, it is necessary to learn more about this island. Besides, we’ve already been tired to lie on a beach. We ordered this service directly in our hotel so it is extremely cheap. Only 12 euros for one person for 6 hour journey by the comfortable bus. Fantastic!
Then we can take a view over the longest beach on Koh Samui 7 km. of white sand, clear water and nature. Our hotel is nearby from here.
I don't know, what is this - a sundial? lunar calendar? planetarium? and a pond with golden fishes in addition
Telling about lodges for spirits, this one brightest we met. It is visible from the road therefore each passing car signal, expressing the respect.
Then we saw the Monkey Show. The monkeys here used to be seen all over the island when selling coconuts was the main income for the local people. Now you can visit them and see the working relationship between man and monkey in harvesting the coconut trees.
Here you can see Wat Khunaram temple – the most known and esteemed on Samui. I do not know what does this image mean – maybe a demon? And why then he is over the entrance of the temple?
You know, why it is well-known? The mummified monk! A native of Koh Samui he enjoyed a long prosperous family life until he was 50 years old when he decides to devote the last part of his life to the monkhood. After being ordain in 1944, he became reknown for his meditation practice for about 20 years. He was also able to foresee his own death in 1973 when he was 79 years old. After his death his body remained undecomposed so his family and deciples decided to place his body in an upright position with in the casket as requested by him in written instructions. To keep as a symbol to aspire the future generations to follow Buddhist teachings and be saved from suffering.
Despite that we don’t have enough time, I took a second to make a pair of beautiful photos.
Namuang Fall is famous on Koh Samui. It originates from the Mountain in the heart of the Island and falls from the Cliff 30-40 metres high. You can enjoy swimming and Jungle around the Area. It’s an important site because kings in Chakri dynasty have visited the place several times.
Also what I see? Oh, my God! People riding on elephants! Tell me, would you refuse it? Would you?
We choose an elephant and stand near this "elephant stop".
Now we sit down on the elephant and let’s go! Certainly, photos aren’t too impressing as I was afraid to fall down very much - the elephant awfully shakes! But believe me, I received tons of pleasure!
It not the end of our travel - we saw many temples then! But I will tell about them next time – too many photos
Posted May 16, 2012, 11:21 am
Finally I can continue my tale about Samui Island!
Here I am near a huge temple complex. Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple) is one of Koh Samui’s most famous landmarks. Located near the airport, the site boasts an immense 12 meter tall golden Buddha image that can actually be seen from the plane as visitors fly into the island.
Construction of the temple was commenced in 1972 and since then, it has gained in popularity, now experiencing a healthy number of locals and tourists who come to pay their respects and take some amazing photographs.
Other attractions at the temple are a set of dragon-like naga that flank the stairs leading up to the Big Buddha itself and hmmm… green demon on an elephant?
With the amount of tourists coming in, the temple is constantly getting upgraded too, thanks to the large number of donations. If you wish to give money, there are plenty of ways to do it from buying floral garlands to getting your fortune read. We choose this one – you pay 2$ and “buy” a piece of tile. You can write something on it and give to a monk. Then with those tile the temple will be reconstructed. I hope, it will bring good luck to us!
The base of the statue is surrounded by several restaurants and shops selling snacks, jewelry, clothing and other souvenirs.
This place is so peaceful! There are hundreds of animals here, and no one tell them a bad word!
Near a river there are some statues that Thai adores so much. Probably it’s a folkloric scene from local history?
Here's a sample of how unusual the statues of the deities at those temples are. This 14 armed deity looks more like it belongs in India than in Thailand. She keeps a certain tool which helps to put things in order to a man in each of 14 hands. Best thing is, it's free entrance but dress conservatively if you want to show respect to the local people.
This is a look on the main building of temple, the Bot. It's beautifully decorated inside, with stories about Buddha's life painted on the walls and the ceiling.
Demons-guardians again. But they are blue this time
Also there is a pond with huge carps who are fed by tourists. You should pay $1/3 for a forage pailful13
Here is another part of complex – with Happy Buddha statue. So beautiful!
Posted May 20, 2012, 11:55 am
Today is our last day on Samui, so we decided to visit a local restaurant – to taste some extra-food, not just noodles and rice.
So, I went to the reception and bring a free special guide – the best restaurants of this island. Yes, Samui is really small, but there are at least 45 gourmet-restaurants!
So, let’s choose…
We had a little dispute here – where should we go? My host advised us to visit Amala – vegetarian restaurant. Guide said that it’s in an exceptional location at the western end of Big Buddha Beach and serves vegetarian cuisine “fine-dining” style.
So, we’ve never gone “meat-less” before, may be this place is good to start a new culinary adventure?
The restaurant looks fantastic! It has natural rocks and solid wooden features with modern stressed-concrete walls. On the back side you can see small kitchen garden where cooks can take some grass and vegetables for their delicious dishes!
And I can’t tell you much about cuisine… You should taste it by yourself, because it is absolutely fantastic! I took “Amala Antipasto” – soft rice paper rolls packed with fresh herbs vegetables and grilled tofu satay served with various sauses and “Zuppa di Pomodoro” – classic Italian-style tomato cream soup served with homemade garlic. I’ve never believe that vegetarian food can be so various and nourishing!
As this restaurant concerns the Indian culture, it is possible to see some beautiful bas-reliefs on a wall
And, of course, location. You can enjoy swimming in 15-metre infinity pool which runs along the small resort’s beach frontage and use their day-beds for a spot of sun-bathing and relaxing.
The restaurant was excellent. And now we have a rest on a bench, near a pond with goldfishes, waiting a taxi to return to hotel and to start to pack things to the airport.
Posted May 26, 2012, 1:16 pm
Let me finish my story about Thailand today. It was an unforgettable adventure and so a pity that it ended, but experience is amazing!
Here we go to the airport by the car. I want to take a rest and lie down on kindly provided sofa - so convenient and soft.
The tiny and lovely airport on Samui. Compare with my first photos from the Moscow airport. And what are those mad lamps on a ceiling?
Now in the airport there is an exhibition of the children's drawings devoted to the king. He is extremely popular among the people; it takes root since the childhood.
Just look, how many things people should leave at customs! Unfortunate tourists forget to put them in their suitcases. I am impressed especially by a huge heap of scissors
Airport is so unique! It is similar to the Moscow one, only imagine that 2 floors are stretched like one and a roof is demolished
Here it is possible to take rest on such remarkable small benches and admire a flowerbed with tulips.
Even indexes here are special - lovely monkeys. And flowers are everywhere.
And also ponds loved by Thais. How many of them I’ve met since the travel beginning?
A little bit more flowers
It is a waiting room. Certainly, not so grandiose, as at the Moscow airport, but very light and bright
Eh, last view of greens and broad lands. I hope, I will return here again!
We get on a bus, which will bring us to the plane.
And, here it is. The smallest and the cutest plane I’ve ever seen. I hope, it will reach well?
We are loaded into luggage...
And the last whom we see in Thailand - the security guard of the airport – Virulhok. It’s a giant with a dark blue body. He was the ruler of Maha anthakarn – the subterranean world. Bye-bye!!
Posted Jun 2, 2012, 12:13 am
Today we are visiting one of the most famous place in Russia – the Red Square. It separates the Kremlin, the former royal citadel and currently the official residence of the President of Russia, from a historic merchant quarter known as Kitai-gorod. As major streets of Moscow radiate from here in all directions, being promoted to major highways outside the city, Red Square is often considered the central square of Moscow and all of Russia.
At first we will pass an entrance. Resurrection Gate is the only existing gate of the Kitai-gorod in Moscow. It connects the north-western end of Red Square with Manege Square and gives its name to nearby Voskresenskaya Square (Resurrection Square). The gate adjoins the ornate building of the Moscow City Hall to the east and the State Historical Museum to the west.
The State Historical Museum of Russia is a museum of Russian history, opened in 1872. Its exhibitions range from relics of the prehistoric tribes inhabiting present-day Russia, through priceless artworks acquired by members of the Romanov dynasty. The total number of objects in the museum's collection numbers in the millions. But my host tells me that she doesn’t like its color – pink or red… It cannot be compared with Kremlin.
Kazan Cathedral Russian: Казанский собор, also known as the "Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan", is a Russian Orthodox church located on the northeast corner of Red Square. The current building is a reconstruction of the original church, which was destroyed at the direction of then General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, in 1936.
It is well known and extremely disputable place - Lenin's Mausoleum also known as Lenin's Tomb. It is the mausoleum that serves as the current resting place of Vladimir Lenin. His embalmed body has been on public display there since shortly after his death in 1924 (with rare exceptions in wartime). Aleksey Shchusev's diminutive but monumental granite structure incorporates some elements from ancient mausoleums, such as the Step Pyramid and the Tomb of Cyrus the Great.
The Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat also known as Saint Basil's Cathedral, is a Russian Orthodox church erected on Red Square in Moscow in 1555–61 on orders from Ivan the Terrible. It commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan.
St. Basil's marks the geometric center of Moscow. It has been the hub of the city's growth since the 14th century and was the city's tallest building until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600.
There is a well-known statue, it commemorates Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, who gathered an all-Russian volunteer army and expelled the forces of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from Moscow, thus putting an end to the Time of Troubles in 1612.
The Spasskaya Tower is the main tower with a through-passage on the eastern wall of the Moscow Kremlin, which overlooks the Red Square.
The Spasskaya Tower was built in 1491. The tower's modern name comes from the icon of Spas Nerukotvorny (The Saviour Not Made by Hands), which was placed above the gates on the inside wall in 1658 (it was removed in 1917) and the wall-painted icon of Spas Smolensky (Smolensky Saviour), which was created in the 16th century on the outside wall of tower (plastered over in 1937, reopened and restored in 2010). The Spasskaya Tower was the first one to be crowned with the hipped roof in 1624–1625. According to a number of historical accounts, the clock on the Spasskaya Tower appeared between 1491 and 1585. It is usually referred to as the Kremlin clock
Near Kremlin there is "Zoo" of fairy-tale creatures. You can see "Princess-swan". Its' fairy-tales that every child in Russia knows - their famous poet Pushkin recreated it in poetry and made so excellent and funny!
2rd sculpture’s name is "Ivan-prince and frog-princess". It's a funny story about one king, who wanted 3 his sons to marry. They took a bow and arrows and each made 1 shot. 2 first arrows went into houses of princesses. But the 3rd son's arrow flow far far away and fall into a bog and a frog found it. So, he has to marry her (it was a rule of his father). But of course, it was a bewitched princess, and after some adventures they were happy
This beautiful fountain is main in sculpture complex on Manezhnaya Square. The group of a fountain includes sculptural composition "Four seasons" Z.Tseretelli where each horse symbolizes spring, summer, autumn and winter. Now, unfortunately, the fountain is closed, but, I hope, I will see, how it works!
Posted Jun 10, 2012, 6:32 pm
Today we visited one of my host’s the most favorite places in Moscow - the Novodevichy Convent! Its name, sometimes translated as the New Maidens' Monastery, was devised to differ from an ancient maidens' convent within the Moscow Kremlin. Unlike other Moscow cloisters, it has remained virtually intact since the 17th century. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Novodevichy Convent was founded in 1524 by Grand Prince Vasili III in commemoration of the conquest of Smolensk in 1514. It was built as a fortress at a curve of the Moskva River and became an important part of the southern defensive belt of the capital, which had already included a number of other monasteries. The Novodevichy Convent was known to have sheltered many ladies from the Russian royal families and boyar clans, who had been forced to become nuns.
The Preobrazhenskiy church is constructed over a northern entrance of the monastery. It is well visible from the neighboring area.
We can get a bird's eye view of a monastery at the beginning of excursion.
The oldest structure in the convent is the six-pillared five-domed cathedral, dedicated to the icon Our Lady of Smolensk. Extant documents date its construction to 1524–1525; yet its lofty ground floor, magisterial proportions, and projecting central gable are typical of monastery cathedrals built at the behest of Ivan the Terrible. Most scholars agree that the cathedral was rebuilt in the 1550s or 1560s; it was formerly ringed by four smaller chapels, in an arrangement reminiscent of the Annunciation Cathedral in the Kremlin. Its frescos are among the finest in Moscow.
The cathedral may be a focal point of the convent, but there are many other churches. Most date from the 1680s, when the convent was thoroughly renovated at the behest of the regent Sophia Alexeyevna (who, ironically, would be incarcerated there later). The blood-red walls and crown-towers, two lofty over-the-gates churches, a refectory, and residential quarters were all designed in the Muscovite Baroque style, supposedly by a certain Peter Potapov. In the old cathedral, a new bowl for holy water and gilded carved iconostasis were installed in 1685.
An arresting slender belltower, also commissioned by Sophia, was built in six tiers to a height of 72 metres (236 ft), making it the tallest structure in 18th-century Moscow (after the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in the Kremlin). This light octagonal column seems to unite all major elements of the ensemble into one harmonious whole.
Especially interesting story is connected with this tower. After Peter I dethroned his elder sister, tsarevna Sofia, and forced her to the nun in 1689, she lived in this Naprudna tower. The kind brother decided to entertain his sister, and hanged out dead soldiers and her guards on trees under windows of her cell.
But you cannot hang everybody. Even having become nun, Sofia found possibility to leave a wall of the dungeon for the purpose of love adventures. Today it is considered that the tower (or spirit of tsarevna Sofia) can grant the desires connected with love! It is enough to write it on a wall, to enclose a note between bricks or simply ask very strongly. Do you believe in it?
Like other Moscow monasteries (notably the Danilov and the Donskoy) the New Maidens' Monastery was coveted by the Russian nobility as a place of burial. The Napoleonic hero Denis Davydov is also buried in the grounds. In 1898, the so-called Novodevichy Cemetery was opened without monastery walls. Anton Chekhov was one of the first notables to be interred at the new necropolis, and Nikolai Gogol was later reburied there too. During the Soviet epoch, it was turned into the most high-profile cemetery in the Soviet Union, with the likes of Peter Kropotkin, Nikita Khrushchev, Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich, Konstantin Stanislavski, Boris Yeltsin, and Mstislav Rostropovich being interred there.
Especially I like figures of angels - often it is female graves, the inconsolable spouse gave them a statue
Now we left the monastery constructed 500 years ago. At once behind a local pond the modern city begins - skyscrapers are seen on the horizon. Two different worlds incorporate here. Hey! Can you see a duck?
Let's take a farewell look at monastery walls - how beautiful it is!
Monument "Let pass to ducklings" was established in Moscow, on the square avenue opposite to the Novodevichy Convent in 1991. It is an exact copy of a monument in Boston, in the USA. The sculptural composition was created by the architect, the sculptor and the restorer Nancey Shen. The plot is taken from the old fairy tale written for the American kids by writer Robert Makkloski many years ago. In it it is told about mother duck looking for a convenient and safe place for the family. On the way they meet many people. Someone treats them with a peanut, and policemen block off traffic to help ducklings quietly cross the road. In Moscow the monument appeared as a sign of friendship between the USA and the USSR. It was Barbara Bush a's gift to Raisa Maksimovna Gorbacheva.
Now the monument is adored by children - I hardly found second for a good photo!
Posted Jun 17, 2012, 2:02 pm
Today we decided to visit the well-known and beautiful churches of Moscow to familiarize with its architecture better. They are absolutely different - big, small, grandiose, modest, multi-colored, bright. It was unforgettable walk! My host is the big fan of the Moscow churches; she considers that they give pleasure and piece to those who admires them. Unfortunately, in orthodox churches it is impossible to photograph inside therefore we will be limited to appearance.
The first church which we met on our way - the temple of an icon of the Theotokos «Joy of all who Sorrow». This icon is widely known as wonder-creating since 1688. This year it cured for the first time a sister of the Moscow patriarch - Efimiya Papina. This girl had had a serious illness for more than a year and already prepared for death. She constantly prayed to the Theotokos for healing. And once Mary came to the girl in a dream and ordered to bring in the house the icon which has recently appeared in the temple nearby. After the icon was established in the house, Efimiya was wonderfully recovered.
The Resurrection Church in Kadashi Sloboda is a major Naryshkin Baroque church in Moscow, formerly the tallest building in Zamoskvorechye, which may still be seen from Red Square.
A wooden church on this site was documented as early as 1493. The elongated five-domed church with an elegantly "laced" belfry was constructed between 1687 and 1695. Napoleon's soldiers desecrated the church, turning it into stables. In the 19th century, the icon screen was restored, the galleries and apses were expanded, and several outsize domed porches were added. The church was closed by the Soviets in 1934 and was adapted for accommodation of a KGB archive. It was not returned to the Russian Orthodox Church until December 2006.
There was much media focus on the Kadashi Church in 2010 when Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov ordered the demolition of several old buildings near the church, including a deacon's house from 1813, in order to replace them with an elite apartment complex. The decision was viewed as Luzhkov's latest attack on Moscow's architectural heritage in the interests of building companies and sparked a resistance campaign labelled the "battle of Kadashi" by the Russian media.
Especially I like this photo - the set of posters around cries - "Go away from church in Kadashi!", and here it is simply shown, that Moscow was so beautiful town before, without skyscrapers. And what a considerable influence churches had – if you lifted your head you always saw a spike with a cross!
The following church which we visited has Saint Clement’s name. Clement (d. c.100) was pope and martyr. Bishop of Rome after Peter, Linus, and Cletus, Clement is known today mainly for his Epistle to the Corinthians. Clement was exiled to the Crimea for the skill and extent of his apostolic activities in Rome. While in exile he was compelled to work in the mines, he opened a miraculous supply of water, he preached with such effect that again he made innumerable converts so that there was need for seventy-five churches. He was killed by being thrown into the sea with an anchor round his neck: angels were said to have made him a tomb on the sea-bed, which was uncovered once a year by an exceptionally low tide.
Seven centuries later, the missionary brothers Cyril and Methodius, who were apostles of the Slav countries, ‘miraculously recovered’, they claimed, the body of Clement, piece by piece, together with the anchor. These relics were translated to Rome and buried in the fine church of San Clemente.
And the last church I will discribe to you today - Saint Nikolay's Church. It is one of the most esteemed in Russia sacred man and he has many interesting and instructive stories about his life.
One legend tells how a terrible famine struck the island and a malicious butcher lured three little children into his house, where he slaughtered and butchered them, placing their remains in a barrel to cure, planning to sell them off as ham. Saint Nicholas, visiting the region to care for the hungry, not only saw through the butcher's horrific crime but also resurrected the three boys from the barrel by his prayers.
In his most famous exploit, a poor man had three daughters but could not afford a proper dowry for them. This meant that they would remain unmarried and probably, in absence of any other possible employment, would have to become prostitutes. Hearing of the poor man's plight, Nicholas decided to help him, but being too modest to help the man in public (or to save the man the humiliation of accepting charity), he went to his house under the cover of night and threw three purses (one for each daughter) filled with gold coins through the window opening into the man's house. The third time the father lies in wait, trying to discover the identity of their benefactor. The father confronts the saint, only to have Saint Nicholas say it is not him he should thank, but God alone.
About other beautiful churches I'll tell you next time!
Posted Jul 1, 2012, 11:06 pm
At first this unusual Marfo-Mariinsky Convent. It was founded in 1908 by Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna (sister of Alexandra Feodorovna, the last Empress of Russia—both of whom are counted among the Russian New Martyrs) to assist sick, wounded, and maimed soldiers in their recovery, and to provide for the needs of the poor and orphans.
Grand Duchess Elizabeth (you can see her statue) was the widow of Grand Duke Sergeii Alexandrovich, who had been assassinated by terrorists in 1905. After her husband's death, she gave away her magnificent collection of jewels, including her wedding ring, and sold her other possessions. With the proceeds, she opened the Convent of Ss Martha and Mary and became its abbess. Her vision was to begin a religious community, made up of women from all social strata, that would merge the ideals of saints Martha and Mary, dedicated both to prayer and to serving the needs of the poor. She purchased a tract of land in Moscow and constructed a hospital, an orphanage for girls, and quarters for the nuns. Working in conjunction with church authorities she developed the monastic rule and habit—which differed somewhat from the traditional habit of Orthodox nuns—that would be used at the convent. At its peak, the convent housed 97 sisters and served 300 meals daily to the poor.
Next church is known by its famous icon - the Panagia Portaitissa or the Iveron Theotokos. The original of this image is found in the Georgian Iviron monastery on Mount Athos in Greece, where it is believed to have been since the year 999.
A unique characteristic of this icon is what appears to be a scar on the Virgin Mary's right cheek or her chin. A number of different traditions exist to explain this, but the one most commonly held by Orthodox Christians is that the icon was stabbed by a soldier in Nicaea during the period of Byzantine iconoclasm under the Emperor Theophilus (829–842). According to tradition, when the icon was stabbed, blood miraculously flowed out of the wound.
According to the Orthodox Church's Sacred Tradition, the icon was at one time in the possession of a widow in Nicea. Not wanting the icon to be seized and destroyed by the iconoclasts, she spent all night in prayer and then cast the icon into the Mediterranean Sea. The widow's son later went to Mount Athos, where he became a monk and recounted the miracle of the bleeding wound, and how the icon had been placed in the sea. Much later, (ca. 1004) the icon was recovered from the sea by a Georgian monk named Gabriel (later canonized a saint in the Orthodox Church), who was laboring at the Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos. This occurred on Tuesday of Bright Week (Easter Week), and is commemorated annually on that day (as well as the fixed date of March 31). The icon was taken to the katholikon (main church) of the monastery from which the icon gets its name.
The tradition goes on to say that the following day, when the monks entered the church they could not find the icon. After searching they discovered the icon hanging on the gates of the monastery. This occurrence was repeated several times, until St. Gabriel reported that he had seen a vision of the Theotokos, wherein she revealed that she did not want her icon to be guarded by the monks, but rather she intended to be their Protectress. After this, the icon was permanently installed above the monastery gates, where it remains to this day. Because of this, the icon came to be called Portaitissa or "Gate-Keeper". This title was not new for the Virgin Mary, but comes from a verse of the Akathist to the Mother of God: "Rejoice, O Blessed Gate-Keeper who opens the gates of Paradise to the righteous." Orthodox monks and nuns throughout the world will often place an icon of the Theotokos Iverskaya on the monastery gates.
And the last church has name is a Holy Trinity Church.
It was built, probably, in the 1630th in connection with settling of the southern suburbs of the city by the Streltsy covering the defensive line of the shaft. The first documentary certificate on new church is dated 1642; Last name "Veshnyaka" or "Vishnyaka" is also connected with streletsky commander Matvei Vishnyakov. The first stone temple was built in memory of Fight under Chigirin. The belltower was taken out to the red line of Pyatnitskaya Street which was considerably more narrow, than today.
In 1804 consecutive replacement of constructions of the old temple began. During a fire of 1812 the temple burned and was restored roughly in 1815, completely — to 1824. In 1826 Pyatnitskaya Street was expanded, and the old belltower disturbing to journey, took down. The church at the time when Zamoskvorechye was wooden, was the largest town-planning vertical of the Pyatnitsky part.
The church was closed not earlier than 1929, and again opened in 1994 at Sacred Tikhonovskiy orthodox institute.
Posted Jul 5, 2012, 9:56 pm
Today we decided to visit one of the most well-known church of Russia - Cathedral of Christ the Saviour! With an overall height of 105 metres (344 ft), it is the tallest Orthodox church in the world.
When Napoleon Bonaparte retreated from Moscow, Emperor Alexander I signed a manifest, 25 December 1812, declaring his intention to build a cathedral in honor of Christ the Saviour "to signify Our gratitude to Divine Providence for saving Russia from the doom that overshadowed Her" and as a memorial to the sacrifices of the Russian people.
The cathedral took many years to build and did not emerge from its scaffolding until 1860. The painting were overseen by Evgraf Sorokin and thereafter some of the best Russian painters continued to embellish the interior for another twenty years. The cathedral was consecrated on the very day Alexander III was crowned, 26 May 1883.
After the Revolution and, more specifically, the death of Lenin, the prominent site of the cathedral was chosen by the Soviets as the site for a monument to socialism known as the Palace of the Soviets. This monument was to rise in modernistic, buttressed tiers to support a gigantic statue of Lenin perched on top of a dome with his arm raised in the air.
On December 5th 1931, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was dynamited and reduced to rubble. It took more than a year to clear the debris from the site. Some of the marble from the walls and marble benches from the cathedral were used in nearby Moscow Metro stations. For a long time, these were the only reminders of the largest Orthodox church ever built.
The construction of the Palace of Soviets was interrupted owing to a lack of funds, problems with flooding from the nearby Moskva River, and the outbreak of war. The flooded foundation hole remained on the site until, under Lucy Khrushchev, it was transformed into the world's largest open air swimming pool, named Moskva Pool.
Finally, in February 1990, the Russian Orthodox Church received permission from the Soviet Government to rebuild the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The restorer Aleksey Denisov was called upon to design a replica of extraordinary accuracy.
A construction fund was initiated in 1992 and funds began to pour in from ordinary citizens in the autumn of 1994. In this year the pool was demolished and the cathedral reconstruction commenced. About one million Muscovites donated money for the project.
The monument is located in the city center therefore you can enjoy such beautiful views of the old, not reconstructed quarters of Moscow around!
Especially I like this bridge - very popular place for wedding ceremonies and simply walks.
On the right you can see one of the chocolate factories oldest in Moscow, and also Peter the Great notorious statue on a ship. So many people consider that it is ugly, but it can't be demolished. The designer Zurab Tsereteli is known as a friend and favorite of Moscow's former Mayor, Yury Luzhkov, and the artist has received many municipal art commissions in recent years, such as the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
The Peter the Great Statue in Moscow was designed by the Georgian designer Zurab Tsereteli to commemorate 300 years of the Russian Navy, which was started by Peter I of Russia. At 94 metres, it is the eighth tallest statue in the world.
And at the left - a view which is often printed on postcards - the Kremlin ashore. Do I need to say anything else? Fantastic!
And the monument to emperor Alexander II the Liberator of Russia from a serfdom, in fact, from slavery, is located near the temple. Alexander is represented in a military uniform and with an imperial cloak.
The five-meter bronze figure is placed on a stone pedestal with a graceful colonnade. Behind the back of the emperor two bronze lions sit. They, as a plan of author Alexander Rukavishnikov, symbolize old traditional Russia.
Posted Jul 10, 2012, 6:08 pm
This weekend we’ve visited Kremlin!
Wow, I think, I should come to Moscow again, because it is such a wonderful place and has such an interesting history! My host thought that I should know everything about it, but of course, now I can remember only a small part.
You can see, first we were standing in a small queue near the white Kutafja Tower (from the word “fat clumsy woman”) and had a chance to take photos on the swallows’ tail – they are situated on each access road of Kremlin.
And the Troitskaya Tower - the tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin. Its current height on the side of the Alexander Garden together with the star is 80 m. Today, the gate of the tower is the main visitors' entrance into the Kremlin. And the view is so beautiful!
Here you can see the Kremlin Senate, a building within the grounds of the Kremlin. Initially constructed from 1776–1787, it originally housed the Moscow branch of the Governing Senate, the highest judiciary and legislative office of Imperial Russia. Currently, it houses the Russian presidential administration and is a highly secured and restricted area closed to the public. At present, only the southern corner façade, opposite the Tsar Cannon can be viewed.
Then we saw the most interesting exhibits of this museum – the Tsar-Bell and the Tsar-Cannon.
The Tsar-Bell was made of bronze and it is currently the largest bell in the world, weighing 201,924 kilograms, with a height of 6.14 metres and diameter of 6.6 metres, and thickness of up to 61 centimetres. The bell is decorated with relief images of baroque angels, plants, oval medallions with saints, and nearly life-size images of Empress Anna and Tsar Alexey. Unfortunately, before the last ornamentation was completed, a major fire broke out at the Kremlin in May 1737. The fire spread to the temporary wooden support structure for the bell, and fearing damage, guards threw cold water on it, causing eleven cracks, and a huge (11.5 tons) slab to crack off. The broken piece weighs 11,500 kilograms, you can compare it with the crowd around – it’s as tall as a man! Some people believe that on Judgement Day, it will be miraculously repaired and lifted up to heaven, where it will ring the blagovest (call to prayer).
The Tsar-Cannon was cast in 1586 in Moscow, by the Russian master bronze caster Andrey Chokhov. Mostly of symbolic impact, it was never fired in war. Per the Guinness Book of Records it is the largest bombard by caliber in the world. The very low ratio between its calibre and the length of its barrel makes it technically not a cannon, but a stylized mortar. The Tsar Cannon weighs 39.312 tones and has a length of 5.34 m. Its bronze-cast barrel has a diameter of 890 mm, and an external diameter of 1,200 mm. The spherical cast-iron projectiles located in front of the cannon - each of which weighs 1.97 tons, were produced in 1834 as a decoration.
Then you can see The Ivan the Great Bell Tower - the tallest of the towers in the Moscow Kremlin complex, with a total height of 81 metres. It was built in 1508 for the Russian Orthodox cathedrals in Cathedral Square, which do not have their own belfries, and is said to mark Moscow's precise geographic centre. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower today contains 22. Of these, 18 small bells hang in the base and in the middle of the bell tower. Of the four large bells, one is named the Upsenskij Bell, and weighs 65.5 tons. It rings traditionally among the largest religious festivals such as Easter, and was made in the early 16th century.
Next building with great triangle golden roof and domes is The Cathedral of the Annunciation (Blagoveschensky sobor). It was originally the personal chapel for the Muscovite tsars, and its abbot remained a personal confessor of the Russian royal family until the early 20th century. Compared with the other major Kremlin cathedrals, the Annunciation Cathedral has slightly smaller dimensions. It is also built in a more traditional style, as it was created by local architects from Pskov, rather than Italian expatriate architects. The most characteristic feature of the building is its nine golden domes, and roof with rich kokoshnik ornamentation in an ogive form.
This beautiful cathedral with frescos is The Cathedral of the Dormition (Uspensky sobor). The Cathedral is regarded as the mother church of Muscovite Russia. In its present form it was 1475-79 at the behest of the Moscow Grand Duke Ivan III by the Italian architect Aristotele Fioravanti. From 1547 to 1896 it is where the Coronation of the Russian monarch was held. In addition, it is the burial place for most of the Moscow Metropolitans and Patriarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church. However, one of the most important cult images of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Theotokos of Vladimir kept at the Cathedral from 1395-1919 is now at the Tretyakov Gallery. Near the south entrance to the Cathedral is the Monomach Throne of Ivan IV (1551).
Verkhospassky Cathedral with eleven small golden domes was constructed by tsar Michael Fedorovichem in 1635-1636. From this temple the ladder conducted to a seigniorial platform where decrees, orders of the tsar were read to boyars, and the tsar presented boyars and near people birthday pies. Divine services in it aren't made.
The Cathedral of the Archangel is a Russian Orthodox church dedicated to the Archangel Michael. It was the main necropolis for members of the Tsars of Russia until the relocation of the capital to St. Petersburg. It was constructed between 1505 and 1508 under the supervision of an Italian architect Aleviz Fryazin Noviy on the spot of an older cathedral, built in 1333.
The Grand Kremlin Palace was built from 1837 to 1849 on the site of the estate of the Grand Princes, which had been established in the 14th century on Borovitsky Hill. Designed by a team of architects under the management of Konstantin Thon, it was intended to emphasize the greatness of Russian autocracy. The Grand Kremlin Palace was formerly the tsar's Moscow residence. Thon's palace is 125 meters long, 47 meters high, and has a total area of about 25,000 square meters. It includes the earlier Terem Palace, nine churches from the 14th, 16th, and 17th centuries, the Holy Vestibule, and over 700 rooms. Now it carries out a role of smart president residence of Russia. Important nation-wide ceremonials pass in its halls, such as delivery of the state awards or credentials. You can see that big national flag is lowered on the spike. It means that Russian president is out now, but he could come back every minute!
Posted Jul 17, 2012, 7:57 pm
Today we went to the concert of my host’s favorite Russian folk rock band “Melnitsa” – “Windmill”.
It was founded in 1999 by Natalia "Hellawes" O'Shea and Alexey "Chus" Sapkov around the remnants of a local folk band 'Till Eulenspiegel'.
The band fuses Russian, Irish and other North European folk influences with guitar pop/rock. Natalia "Hellawes" O'Shea, the lead singer and primary songwriter, is an academic and a specialist in medieval European languages and cultures by day. Her expertise lends the typically complex fantasy-laden lyrics a degree of authenticity. Texts are based on national (Russian, Celtic, Scandinavian, Balkan), and also medieval ballads and legends.
Well, photos are not so good, but I have a lot of fun!
In the beginning it was necessary to defend huge queue in Arena-Moscow club.
Inside there was too many people therefore we appeared far from a scene. But look, what a beautiful light show!
We could buy T-shirts and posters with symbolics of group, jewelry in celtic style and many musical instruments.
I couldn't make satisfactory photos of me and singer of the group, but it is impossible to ignore, such an authentic look.
My host asked me to give references to songs of "Windmill" - I don't know, is it legal? I hope if it is impossible – somebody will send me a message
. This group has not official clips, therefore these videos are fans’.
This song is called "Werewolf". It is about a soldier who lost his peace. He hears whisper from a door on the street - it urges to leave doubts, to release an internal animal to freedom. Thus, the soldier has a girlfriend who cries and asks him to remain. But most likely, he won't obey.
This song is called "Dragon", it tells us about a dragon.
Now he is very old and lies, protecting a treasure. Shine of gold reminds him of his darling who died many years ago. And he starts to dream of the country very far away, where still live his majestic relatives, the most beautiful beings of the World! But some heroes feast in a palace and they are going to kill the dragon - till Christmas.
Posted Jul 24, 2012, 11:05 pm
Today my host took me into bowling! Oh, I’ve never visit it before, I hope, it would be fun!
First of all, look, what an amazing building it is! Everybody can understand that there is something exciting inside
Which ball should I choose? Mmmm... I will take the pink one!
Let's aim…
Come on, little ball!!
I can't understand, am I winning or not?
I am sure that I won!
And therefore it is necessary to celebrate! Traditional Russian food... oh, no, it isn’t cooked here. Well, sushi then? How can I pick them up...
And let’s drink a cranberry mojito. Looks great.
In this building there is an excellent desktop hockey. I will beat you, Lucy!
And while we are here, I can ride in a car. Speed-up, speed-up!!
Posted Aug 5, 2012, 8:22 am
My host tells me that now it’s time to leave Russia.
Well, she said, we spent fantastic days together, but when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. She gave me some presents, so I’ll not be boring in my travelling. Farewell, Russia!
Of course, I’m kidding!!
Me and my host are going on holidays to Turkey! We’ll have amazing tan, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, eat a lot af fruits and have fun! My host tells me that she is too tired (she found a new job 3 month ago and she is working there like a slave), so this time no excursions, no running, just sleeping on the beach and drinking cocktails. We are going to be there till Sunday, so wait for message from me
Posted Aug 21, 2012, 3:32 am
Now the day has come when I and my host are going to the airport! It is the new small terminal of the Sheremetyevo airport and in spite of the fact that my host already about 20 times was the abroad; she flies for the first time from this terminal! In my opinion, it isn't very convenient yet - few seats for the rest, only two cafes.
But you can't stop the progress, of course! 
As it is necessary to come to the airport in 3 hours (mother of my host very cautious person and always is afraid to be late) what shall we do before the departure? To eat, of course! Here, the last time we will try a traditional borsch and Russian salad. Now it is possible to fly.
Oh, when people will understand, what it is wrong to take water in the airport, because it can't be taken out? Well, why to bring 1-liter bottles?
At last our plane arrived. It looks impressively, isn't it? And the luggage is brought there!
Ladies and gentlemen, please, fasten your belts, the plane prepares for take-off!
Finally, we are in our hotel in Turkey. Its name is MegaSaray. Very amusing fact: in Turkish, Saray means a palace. Whereas in Russian Saray means a barn. My host laughed a lot, when she chose the hotel!
Posted Sep 1, 2012, 1:45 pm
Today we decided to play tennis together! Certainly, not at afternoon, when the sun is so hot, but early in the morning - perfect!
Rackets and balls can be taken free on a reception. I decided to play with CandyFloss - in my opinion, he is a very bad tennis player.
I extremely liked this rest spot - there is an automat with tea, coffee and coca-cola, convenient chairs, a fine look and THE TREE GROWS DIRECTLY THROUGH THE ROOF. Minus 10 to protection against a rain, but plus 20 to originality
So, I am ready to begin the game!!!!!
I even have a team of fans. It is a pity that I didn't manage to make ribbons with my name.
Oh, we are soooooooo tired... I agree for a draw.
Let's drink on a glass Coca-Cola to celebrate the beginning of my sports career!
903696013@qq.com
Posted Sep 6, 2012, 2:18 pm
Oh!!! Mom!!! I arrived safely at china! Hostmom and grandpa, grandma, welcome my coming. My notebook and photos, make them feel excited! I also meet some friends, we are together! They love me!!!
I ate some fruits, good health!
Hostmom took me to visit all the room, I found some Chinese family characteristics. Such as fish of decorative, means auspicious. There are a large clock, it at least 200cm high.
I am using the computer of hostmom, to see my own page, so fun!
Now here is 21:15, I decided have a rest! Hostmom and grandma Selection of routes for me, and after the program. I am looking forward to my trip to china!
Oh, mom, love you!
See you!
903696013@qq.com
Posted Sep 7, 2012, 2:49 pm
How are you today?
I accompany her to watch some TV program. This is one TV program of her love, also have the Chinese and English version. So, I also enjoy some of ancient Chinese art works.
She always hug me, very warm.
At lunch, Grandma cook some traditional Chinese dish, for me.
She told me, Chinese every day will eat some rice. I also learned how to make traditional rice, with rice cookers.
It is very simple! Add rice and water, when the red lights bright, it begins to work. When the green light is bright, the rice is OK!
Oh, mom! Please see my rice, I think it's perfect!
Now here is 21:44. Love you, mom.
See you!
903696013@qq.com
Posted Sep 8, 2012, 1:44 pm
Today, it has been raining . Hostmom very happy, she love rainy. Then, she and I, grandma take a walk in the house nearby.
My hostmom home.
Also we sees her neighbor's plants.
Grandma said, I can eat it. haha
This pepper is very hot! Hostmom and I also can't eat it!
This neighbor grow a persimmon tree, a lot of fruiting. But hostmom and grandma never eat it. I think I can eat it, when it becomes red.
There is a funny thing: when hostmom take me a photo, that neighbor's big pets: golden retriever and Samoye, shout loudly. Hostmom scared, hug me to run away.
Grandma said, if it doesn't rain tomorrow, will take me to a new place. I'm looking forward to it!
Now here is 20:44. Oh, mom. I love you!
See you tomorrow!
903696013@qq.com
Posted Sep 9, 2012, 2:35 pm
Hello, mom!
Today, grandma took me and hostmom to a new place, it is a lake and park. They took about 300 photos for me, too much. I can only choose a part, slowly update.
You can see, Chinese population too much. Not too much space, so most people only live in high-rise apartment.
In the square of the park:
There is a water and glass bridge, a lot of kids here through, play.
I think I'm a good driver! Oh, The steering wheel is too big?haha.
The main landscape, it is an museum. Unfortunately, it was closed Sunday. Next time we come back.
We in the lake and park, walking for about 2 hours. Very tired, so, it's time to eat. Grandma took us to a Xinjiang style restaurant, which food is northern taste. We tried it for the first time.
This is a soup, eggs and corns. It's sweet, taste good. I like it.
Oh, this is the Xinjiang style of representative food, it has chicken, potatoes, noodles, hot pepper and so on. It tastes very good, and this plate has at least 45CM!!!
I took a part, on my plate. Oh, I like it.
Oh, mom. Now here is 21:34. Tomorrow I will continue to show you some photos!
Love you!
903696013@qq.com
Posted Sep 14, 2012, 2:16 pm
Now I will give you some pictures, lake and park. I am very happy.
On the way to the bus station, I see some flowers.
On the bus...
Long wall relief.
In the square of the park.
Chinese porcelain style garbage bin.
I try and grandma to do Chinese egg cake, host mom also taught me how to use chopsticks!
Host mom bought honey and Starbucks beverages for me.
Oh, mom. I love you!
903696013@qq.com
Posted Sep 15, 2012, 2:32 pm
Today grandma and hostmom took me to city museum, I enjoy the Chinese ancient culture and history. We try to take the BRT(Bus Rapid Transit), because grandpa put the car, drive to go fishing.
In the museum, the gate.
This sculpture is the ancient Chinese legend of auspicious animal: kylin.
It is here unearthed ancient ivory fossil, it is 3.6 meters long. I feel very excited!
We first visited a part of Chinese ancient bronze ware, it was unearthed in here, an aristocratic tombs. These things at least 4500 years ago, I feel surprised.
You can see, at that time, the bronze ware stored these liquids!
I and grandma, I think she looks very young. We enjoy the Chinese ancient bronze mirror, mirror on the back of exquisite patterns. I like it very much.
Oh, mom. This is only a part, tomorrow I will show you more .Host family really took so many pictures, for me!
Love you!
Posted Sep 15, 2012, 4:16 pm
Today I want to describe you amazing Mediterranean Sea. To swim there is a real pleasure. Water is very warm, sun is hot, people are polite and pleasant
The best pastime - to lie, sunbathe, get a tan and drink cocktails!
I like to build sand castles, there are many shells for an ornament on a beach
Mother of my host helps me to float on a rubber ring because I am very small and can fall in a hole
Nearby in the sea there is a floating platform where it is possible to climb up, take a rest and sunbathe. And during a storm it's very cheerful to drive!
The fantastic pier is on a beach. There are trees, plank beds, mattresses and chairs on it.
So soft and convenient!
Also there are lifebuoys - if somebody needs help. Don't worry, while I am here, everybody are in safety
And surely flags - Turkish one, hotel's one and the guarding organization's one
If you got hungry - there is a small and free cafe with a buffet on a beach. Can you imagine, it is possible to sit and admire the sea and eat a lunch! But I will tell you about food next time, this subject simply can't be passed!
Posted Sep 15, 2012, 8:56 pm
First of all - a breakfast. It passes in the central restaurant with a buffet. Here something easy is served - cheeses, salads, eggs, sausages. For children there is a pizza. It’s really funny that when you choose a piece of cheese – there are no names on cards (like Camembert, Roquefort, Blue). They are called round, square, rectangular – by the way they were sliced.
Closer to the noon we went to drink coffee in a small coffee house. There is a conditioner; it is pleasant to sit in a cool. It is possible to take liqueur or a cake with coffee, to read the book in silence.
It’s still the whole hour till a dinner, so it is time to have a bite! Especially it’s important for children - they shouldn't start to complain! Here is a decision - a hamburger with a potato in the open dining room.
It is possible to have dinner at the central restaurant and at restaurant on a beach. But I’ve already wrote about it, so I pass to snacks.
I understood that I adore Gözleme - a savoury traditional Turkish handmade and hand-rolled (right behind you) pastry. Fresh pastry is rolled out, filled and sealed, then cooked over a griddle.
The name derives from the Turkish word göz meaning eye. Traditionally, this is done on a sac. Gözleme varieties in this hotel include: spinach, minced meat, cheese, potatoes and sugar. And from drinks ayran best of all approaches with it. Ayran or laban is a cold beverage of yogurt mixed with cold water and sometimes salt.
The next snack before a dinner - a doner kebab or shawarma, as my host called it. Shawarma is a meat preparation, where lamb, chicken, beef or mixed meats are placed on a spit (commonly a vertical spit), and may be grilled for as long as a day. Shavings are cut off the block of meat for serving, and the remainder of the block of meat is kept heated on the rotating spit.
Hurrah, the dinner began! In time, because I just got hungry!
Let’s go in the central restaurant!
There is usually an entertaining show for children near a bar in the evening. I am not the big fan of such shows but what prevents me to have a bite of candyfloss?
It’s absolutely dark already therefore we go on a reception to drink cocktail. What a beautiful place! And how it is possible not to give tip to such a charming waiter? Have a good night!
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Posted Sep 16, 2012, 8:14 am
Hi mom, now here is 14:53. I want to show you another part photos, in the museum.
We went to another exhibition hall:
This part is stone ware, it is 7300 years ago, here people use.
This is the pottery part, about 4000-2000 years ago.
Bronze ware:
Chinese ancient weapon:
Chinese art of the Tang Dynasty, about 1500 years ago.
Grandma hug me, we enjoy these different periods in ancient Chinese bronze mirrors, it has beautiful patterns and words.
These pottery, at least 2000 years ago.
These are porcelains, about 500 years ago.
These are Chinese ancient jewelry, it is jade . Now the Chinese people still like wearing this kind traditional jewelry, grandma and hostmom all wear it today.
See you tomorrow. Mom.
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Posted Sep 19, 2012, 3:02 pm
Now here is 22:03
Now....here is the very bad weather. Now here is very heavy rain and wind!!!! Very terrible sound, I think the billboard and the window glass must be broken! Very terrible!!!!There are many BIG thunder, we dare not to open the window!!!!!!
We are at home today, I try to learn some simple Chinese cooking!
Grandma and me to watch the China food magazine together.
Various spices.
Hostmom like Jamie Oliver recipes and TV programs! haha
Chinese tea ceremony.
Hostmom said, after will show some Chinese tea ceremony, to me. I am looking forward to it!
Love you, MOM!
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Posted Sep 20, 2012, 2:45 pm
These photos in the lake and park, I have a nice day.
I try to drive a patrol car. haha.
Chinese ancient architectural style of the trash bin. haha
I and hostmom in the giant Chinese chess.
Hostmom said, I should call you, from China to Austria!
Grandma and me!
Oh, mom. Love you!
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Posted Sep 21, 2012, 2:15 pm
Tonight, I and my host family together in the walking. In China, most subdistrict community has own playground. When after dinner, people like to walk around.
I like the grass
Also has a sand area, many children like play in here.
There are also some people are playing basketball.
We just take a walk.
Grandma bought ice cream for us, cranberry and chocolate flavors! I like it.
I'm happy! Love you, mom!
Posted Sep 23, 2012, 10:50 pm
Today I want to tell you about the most amazing part of our hotel, that I like most of all. But firstly, let me remember you, where we are.
It is obvious that this sign is created in order that everybody will take photo. Hardly imagine that you wake up in the morning and can't remember, where you are; then go to walk, see this sign and tell yourself: wow, I’m in Megasaray!
Here is a hotel plan. As you can see, there is the central multistoried building and many small bungalows. We live in the central building; there is a very convenient road from there to a beach.
Plus, so lovely pictures are hanged on walls. Aren’t they sweet?
But I distracted. The most beautiful things in our hotel are pools! You saw on the plan, there are a lot of them and they are absolutely different!
The first and the biggest one - central. It consists of several parts. It is possible to swim here quietly. We came at sunrise, when there are no people and I can swim for a while on a rubber circle with my pleasure. So peaceful, I like to dream...
The water park with three tubes is in other part. It is dangerously to float here – you should look, that somebody could fell down on you the head!
And long connecting channels. Children adore floating here - much more interesting, than to move forward and back on the common pool. And the bridges standing on these channels are so beautiful!
I can see one hundred plank beds near the pool. Perhaps, someone would like to lie on a grass near the pool instead of lying on sand near the sea. And it’s closer to the restaurant and the bar. But I definitely prefer a beach!
If you love outdoor activities near the pool, it is possible to play ping-pong. it is necessary to dive into water for catching a ball, but for the rest - it is excellent idea!
The second pool - the small round pool with a star. It’s smaller, isn't intended for active swimming. But it is possible to play with a ball here, to teach your child to swim.
The third pool is even smaller. There is no entrance for children, it is impossible to run and play noisy games. Only for adults, tired people who want silence and peace. Look, the remarkable umbrellas protect from the sun much better than the beach ones.
The fourth pool is for children. Here everything is clear. If you have a baby, it will have a lot of fun in this place. The main thing - you will be bored to death.
And the last, but not on value - the covered pool. Probably, sometimes there are rains in Turkey, and it is necessary to sit under a roof. Or you are afraid of an infection in more visited open pools. Or you want to swim absolutely alone. Honestly speaking, I don't see any "normal" reason to swim in this pool. And don't forget about the sea! Who swims in the pool, when there is a sea?
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Posted Sep 24, 2012, 2:11 pm
This is the last part of the lake and Park Photos, I like it.
This is a mobile police office, in the park.
Mom, hope you like it!
Love you!
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Posted Sep 27, 2012, 12:17 pm
Today I and grandma went to the supermarket to buy vegetables and fruits, but not too many photos. Because the camera forget to charge it, haha.
In recent days, hostmom work is very busy. She for her a friend: Meng, edit music.Meng is a teacher, her university need hold a ceremony. She is responsible for the dance part, ask hostmom help her, music part.
Hostmom a long time to the computer, she is not feeling well. I stayed with her, let her relax.
Love you, mom!
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Posted Sep 28, 2012, 2:24 pm
Today we pass by a square, took some pictures. I like flowers and plants.
Grandma bought me a traditional snack, white sesame pancake. It is sweet, the middle is empty, very light. I think I can eat...all!
Love you, mom.
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Posted Oct 2, 2012, 3:04 pm
Today (Chinese lunar calendar August 15th) is a Chinese traditional festival: Mid-Autumn Festival. Everyone will watch the moon, on that day the moon is round. The Chinese people think it means: reunion. Each family will eat mooncakes, recently hosthome received a lot of gifts and mooncakes.
Mom, do you know mooncakes? Please see this: mooncake
But it was too sweet and too much oil, not health. So, we just symbolic eating a little bit. Hostmom take it as tea-cake, and green tea collocation together. Today we tasted the Matcha mooncakes. It's delicious, later I will try taste other flavors mooncakes.
In China, the packaging of mooncakes are usually a box of 6-8, the price usually￥200-800, or even higher.
Mid Autumn Festival: some close relatives need party and dinner at home, so I meet hosthome about 10 several relatives today. So, mom, you can see the Chinese traditional atmosphere.
Begin from September, Chinese people began to enjoy the chrysanthemum at home and planted or buy it. This is also China's traditional. Host home has white, red and yellow three kinds of chrysanthemum.
On this day, Hostmom's aunt and uncle will prepare a lot of food, the kitchen's operating table food is always full. These are all they need to do, this is the traditional custom. Hostmom and her young relatives mission: to chat and play, haha. So, I also play Ipad game with hostmom.
At dinner, a very important food, Chinese called it: Jiaozi 餃子. Hostmom's family called it: Bianshi 扁食 or Yueshi 月食. Mom, please see this: Jiaozi
I feel the magic, but it is really delicious.
Hostmom's some relatives in the making: Jiaozi.
Oh, mom. I have a happy and nice day! Feelings of the Chinese tradition holiday and diet.
P.S. In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival statutory holiday 8 days. This is really a good news!!! haha..
Love you, mom!
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Posted Oct 6, 2012, 1:37 pm
You know, the Mid-Autumn Festival and national day, legal holiday 8 days, until the October 7th. So hostmom home, always a lot of Party and celebration dinner. There are a lot of relatives or friends, really very busy.
We walking in the vicinity.
In the fall, for Chinese people is the most important to enjoy, planting and buy of chrysanthemum. They drink chrysanthemum wine, eat chrysanthemum cakes. This is traditional.
The neighbor's tree of a persimmon, fruit began to turn red. We just enjoy it, because host home never eat persimmon.
Chinese people must eat food: all kinds of crabs, in the fall. This also is the tradition, so, recently we eat crabs every day.
Mom! I tried a new food: Lime-preserved egg! But hostmom said that it is not healthy, so, host home eat only 1-2 times every year. But many Chinese people like to eat it!
Peppers and special spices made beef, very delicious.
I also met new friends, this is hostmom 's niece. She is 4 years old, she always like in hostmom's bedroom drawing.
She love me!
This is another friend, she is 7 years old.
These photos not very much? Oh, mom, I have a happy Chinese holiday!
Love you!
Posted Oct 6, 2012, 3:28 pm
Today I will finally describe you our hotel. The thing that impresses me so much is global gardening of that place. Can you imagine that each small stalk here is planted manually and is fed with water from tubes specially carried out underground! Palm trees, pines, bushes, flowers... It is impossible to present, how much work is made to transform this stony beach into the small paradise garden suitable for a relaxation.
Walls are twisted with ivy here; all paths are surrounded with bushes. If someone wants to walk in the evenings, instead of to sit in a bar, walking paths are fantastic!
Also I see a set of fruit-trees. Eh, it is a pity that now pomegranates and oranges aregreen. In late autumn, I think, it would be possible to walk and take a couple!
And this beautiful stone pine that is native to the Mediterranean region. Do you know that stone pines have been used and cultivated for their edible pine nuts since prehistoric times? They are widespread in horticultural cultivation as ornamental trees, planted in gardens and parks around the world. The tree in height is about 20-30 meters, lives till 500 years.
Certainly, there should be palm trees on the seashore! Small ones and bigger ones and huge ones - they are absolutely everywhere. Also don't forget about figs!
To diversify the nature, a set of bright flowers grow here. On fences...
on bushes…
or simple on beds. Let's be photographed!
Here is our hotel. All buildings were grouped in the center…
left all other place for beautiful postcard views
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Posted Oct 7, 2012, 2:36 pm
Hostmom introduced me to some Chinese traditional tea set, I like it very much.
You can see a special small table, this is host home for drink tea, customized. An kind expensive wood, host home really likes tea.
Hostmom with me, in hosthouse's tearoom
This special teapot, called "jixü hu." (急須壺
A few years ago, hostmom bought it.
This is the traditional blue and white porcelain teacup, hostmom is the most like this kind Chinese traditional porcelain.
This kind of teacup consists of 3 parts, tea-lid, teacup and tea-tray.
Very interesting.
Love you! mom!
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Posted Oct 10, 2012, 1:17 pm
Host home come to a new friend, he also is from Austria. We have a big hug!
Today, the sky. From host home 3 floor of the attic window.
Today we and grandma try to make "Mantou". This is the northern region traditional staple food, but grandma didn't do a good job, because she is a southerner. Usually host home rarely eat Mantou.
About Mantou, mom please see here: Mantou
1, Grandma put black kerneled rice, grinding by machine. Black becomes dark purple!
2, Take it and flour.
3, Making a dough.
4, Into the steam pot, steamed 25 minutes.
We can eat it, it 's not pretty? haha..
It has natural color and some fragrance.
Love you! Mom!
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Posted Oct 11, 2012, 1:17 pm
Today we and hostmom and grandma, do something.
Near the house. I like these flowers.
In our community, some sign.
On the way back home, we went to a shop. So, I got some snacks.
I got OREO-Ice cream flavor and chocolate.
Grandma cooked crabs for me, again.
Haha, mom! Love you!
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Posted Oct 12, 2012, 10:53 am
I saw a monument, in a square. It commemorates the founder of Esperanto: L.L.Zamenhof.
After coming home, hostmom tried to do a Chinese dish. You can see there are shrimp, and China a special wine, from Shanghai.
Grandma cook a Chinese dish, it is chicken.
I eat chocolate, haha.
We have a drink together "Kumquat Tea", it's from South Korea, handmade. With warm water, then filtering. I like it!
Hostmom says she will get fat! haha!
Love you, mom!
Posted Oct 18, 2012, 7:38 pm
Do you remember tons of different food that I show you in this hotel? Well, can you believe that we want more?
Owners of hotel provided very useful option for people who bothered to eat in the general dining room. You can choose restaurant a la card twice a week! There are a lot of them - a grill, fish, Arab, Japanese... As my host is a vegetarian - we chose Italian one.
Look, a real menu! And linen napkins! And cloths! And the food is carried by the real waiters! I started to forget all this magnificence for a week of a food in buffet! And the best thing - visit of restaurant is included in accommodation cost!
So, what will we take? I suggest beginning with salad with mushrooms. And on snack - toasts with garlic. And do not forget about the most tasty olives!
And the most delicious and popular Italian dish… pasta!
Which one do you prefer? Creamy Pasta with Shrimp (non-vegeterian) or Pasta Arabiata (translated as angry pasta)?
Owners really tried to bring a spirit of Italy in this restaurant! When you think about this country, what best-known photo comes to your mind? Certainly, I Hold the Tower of Pisa! Well... We tried to fix it together... But nothing helps!
Ah-ah-ah! It seems that falling, we broke the well-known Italian amphora! What a pity that wine wasn't in, because that end of day would be ideal!
Anyway, when we went out of doors, it was very dark, therefore illumination was turned on for a fountain. It blinked white, yellow, red, green, blue... Sometimes it is pleasant to simply stand and look at a beautiful view at few minutes... Especially, if your stomach is full of a yum-yum!
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Posted Oct 20, 2012, 10:19 am
This morning, we ate Chinese breakfast. It is a part, mainly rice, eggs. Drink milk or fruit juice.
Hostmom and grandma took me to the post office, send some Chinese postcards to you. I think you will like it.
Love you! Mom!
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Posted Oct 20, 2012, 11:31 am
Go out today, I on the roadside see pomegranate, plants and the Datura.
Today we went to China Mobile Service hall, hostmom have some things, also pay mobile phone fee.
We also went to ICBC. (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China)
Today I eat some mooncake, rose and red bean paste. Very good!
This month, hostfamily received a lot of wedding invitations. It is a typical Chinese traditional style, at the same time, it means hostfamily need to pay a lot of money. In China, if you received wedding invitations, you must give they a lot of money. Money is to give a family wedding gift, it is Chinese the real situation.
Therefore, a lot of young people each month's salary wholly inadequate. Usually a young person 's monthly salary is ￥3000-4000, if one of your good friends get married, you should at least give him ￥1000. If you receive many wedding invitations, means you this month.....No salary!
Hostmom make a Chinese style for me. haha.
Love you! Mom!
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Posted Oct 25, 2012, 12:02 pm
Hostmom took me to a zoo, it was just a park subsidiary part. So, it is very small. Here these animals without a good environment and good care, when hostmom have time, she will buy ticket and some food to feed them. If this small zoo don't have a lot of money, we worry about these animals will die.
We are very sad.
Then we are in the vicinity to eat some food.
Love you, mom!
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Posted Oct 29, 2012, 5:00 am
Today we went to bright square, near it about 15 minutes from hosthome.
This is an electronic display, writing: the Tenth China Arts Festival, in here.(Shandong province). You can see, From the Opening ceremony need 350 days.
In China, three sheep together, is the traditional auspicious patterns and collocation. We call it: 三羊開泰.
Love you, mom!
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Posted Nov 4, 2012, 11:39 am
Today we went to a special place, it is a primary school .19 years ago, hostmom study here. But she is not living this city, in life. So rarely have the opportunity to visit here.
Then, we went to another place: kindergarten. 23 years ago, hostmom study here. There is a big change, but these tree are still the original tree. They become huge, hostmom feel very happy, also feel very sad.
After returning home, grandmother make traditional dish: white radish stewed meat. I use chopsticks.
We buy another traditional snacks: egg rolls. It mainly has: eggs, flour, sugar, peanut, black sesame and so on.
Love you, mom!
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Posted Nov 20, 2012, 2:00 pm
Today we drive out, hostmom don't like. Because the feeling..a bit mess.
We go back home, hosrmom making special sauces dishes, shrimp.
Grandma also making traditional dishes.
Finally, I eat some mooncakes. Haha.
To bask in the sun, in the room
Love you, mom!
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Posted Dec 4, 2012, 1:27 pm
Today I meet some friends, we are together! Happy!
I drink Chinese balck tea and the German fruit flavor tea.
Today is grandma's birthday, so I also got a cranberry Mousse Cake.
Love
903696013@qq.com
Posted Dec 13, 2012, 1:30 pm
Today we went to a nearby supermarket, buy some things. Haha.
Love you, mom!
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Posted Dec 14, 2012, 9:47 am
In the morning, we pass by our community near the playground. I have a good mood.
A police motorcycle.
Hostmom has written some Chinese and English, in my notebook.
Love you, mom!
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Posted Dec 30, 2012, 3:01 pm
Today we arrived Xi'an, living in hotel about a week.
Unfortunately, not a good weather. We just look outside from the window. We hope to have a good weather and a clean sky.
Unfortunately, China has no real Christmas traditions and history.
Merry Christmas!
Love you, mom!
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Posted Dec 30, 2012, 3:21 pm
Today we need go to the bank.
we go out, and pass by a bar.
Pass by a gas station, this is typical of Chinese gas station.
We went to a jadeite decorations store. It is small shop, also have other large shop. Chinese people called: Feicui, are very loved it, everyone has its decorations and jewelry. The price difference is very big: some very cheap, only need to ￥30-50. Some very expensive, even if you work for a lifetime also can not afford. In the south of other city, there are a lot of people "gambling jadeite".
This kind jadeite decorations is a traditional Chinese, host's every family all have it.
We also bought some snacks back.
In a bakery
Love you, mom!
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Posted Jan 2, 2013, 1:17 pm
Today we went to the Xi'an museum, but because hostmom forgot to bring identity card. So, we only can next time go this museum again. It is really a history, is also very beautiful. Is a typical Chinese characteristics.
Then we go to another place.
We went to a restaurant, bought some roast chicken, hamburger and drink.
Finally we by the subway went to the Metro supermarket, buy some vegetables. Xi'an metro station walls is very beautiful, this station is described the Chinese famous Tang Dynasty the emperor and his lover‘s story.
This is the TV Tower, in the Metro supermarket nearby.
Love you, mom!
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Posted Jan 16, 2013, 5:14 am
Today we went to "Huimin Street". This is a very famous place in Xi'an, it is Muslim living place. So there are a lot of Chinese traditional flok art works shop and characteristics food. We often come here, take the Metro from our house just needs two station. There are famous Mosque, many tourists from different countries will came to this street to visit.
First, we came to centre of Xi'an, can see the famous "Bell Tower". It is one of the signs of Xi'an, but recently China has big fog, we don't have a good weather take photos. And, "Bell Tower " now in the maintenance period, all wrapped. At least until February 6th to open again. When it again open, we 'll visit!
About it, please see it: Bell Tower
This is the "Jinhua Square", you can see the Chinese architectural features.
This is Drum Tower of Xi'an. And the bell tower, it is also one of the symbol of Xi'an. There was a very famous history. Of course, it is also in the maintenance period, when the February 6th open again, we will come to visit! About it, please see this: Durm Tower
"Huimin Street", this is a small alley of this street. This looks like a gate's building, we call it: Pailou. Please see this: Pailou
This is the heritage of the Xi'an, it is an old house. In 1871, there is a person in the ancient national exams, get second. So emperor rewarded him with a large house. This house structure is very complex, very beautiful. This time we did not go in, but later we will again.
This old house have a monument, it's address is in this Street No.144.
The gate:
The wall:
A pair of Lions in the gate, which is a traditional Chinese.
This are traditional Chinese folk art works, very interesting! Now as a kind decoration.
These statues, described the some Chinese people 100 years ago's life.
Love you, mom!!!
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Posted Mar 22, 2013, 12:01 pm
I had wonderful time in Xi'an, get a lot of interesting photos. But recently I must follow hostmom and grandma left Xi'an, go back to Shandong. Hostmom was very sad.. But she will write update slowly, for my Xi'an photos.
Before China "transport during the Spring Festival", we have not get appropriate plane ticket. Now we can only take the train, by the Xi'an City to Shandong province. Our ticket are sleeper, but hostmom doesn't like to sleep on the train. So, we sit here all night. Yes, it takes 12 hours to arrive in Shandong province.
Love you, mom!
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Posted Mar 30, 2013, 10:31 am
Today we went to one of the most important Catholic Church in Xi'an, it is the head of Shaanxi province's Catholic Church.
First, we crossed the Xi'an city wall, it is China's largest and most complete city walls. Many foreign tourists have come to visit everyday. About it, please see: City Wall of Xi'an
You can also see the Xi'an taxi, all green.
It built in 1715 by Italy missionary, it is also the Xi'an city "cultural relics protection unit", in China about religious things very complicated. Mainly for political reasons.. But hostmom hope the government can always protect these.
Here can not randomly take pictures, so really beautiful part, especially the altar. We did not take pictures.
Finally, we went to a restaurant, it is typical of Chinese restaurant. Hostmom often came to this restaurant eat for 8 years, dishes with rice is fixed habits of Chinese.
Love you, mom!!!
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Posted Apr 13, 2013, 12:18 pm
Hostmom, I play the piano and other TV in home.
Then we went to Qujiang Ruins/Heritage Park. This is a Tang Dynasty ruins, near it there are a lot of other cultural heritage. In the summer it is very beautiful, you can see a lot of flowers and beautiful Chinese architecture. But now the weather is still cold, no flowers. So, we don't take too many pictures.
Love you, mom!
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Posted May 5, 2013, 3:12 am
Today, hostmom specially to take me to see the landmark building of Xi'an: bell tower and drum tower. It was built in 1384 and 1380. We were there for a long time, get a lot of photos taken at different times. I hope you like.. This is the first time this year to open it, before in the maintenance period closing.
This is Drum Tower, at different angle, different time. Hostmom think it will be worth the wait. About it, please see: Drum Tower
It is the bell tower, also very great history, is also very important! About it, please see: Bell Tower
Now we went to "Huimin Street". This is a very famous place in Xi'an, it is Muslim living place. So there are a lot of Chinese traditional flok art works shop and characteristics food. We often come here, take the Metro from our house just needs two station. There are famous Mosque, many tourists from different countries will came to this street to visit.
This is a small alley of this street. This looks like a gate's building, we call it: Pailou (or Paifang). Please see: Pailou
Have people practice Chinese calligraphy. Very beautiful.
This is the heritage of the Xi'an, it is an old house. In 1871, there is a person in the ancient national exams, get second. So emperor rewarded him with a large house. This house structure is very complex, very beautiful. This time we did not go in, but later we will again.
This old house have a monument, it's address is in this Street No.144. At night, very beautiful.
On the road, you can see these new year decoration.
I love the night xi'an...
Love you, mom!!!
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Posted Aug 29, 2013, 1:37 pm
Today we went to a very famous small wild goose pagoda! It is one of the symbols of Xi'an, about it please see this: Small wild goose pagoda
The small wild goose pagoda and Xi'an Museum is in one place, this is the map.
This is Xi'an Museum:
This is the ancient Chinese sculpture, at least several hundred years of history. In ancient times, people used it to tie the horse.
On the left is the small wild goose pagoda:
These are ancient buildings, at least there are several hundred years of history:
Ancient buildings and ancient bronze bell:
Many people write red wish card hanging in here, in the traditional festival and new year.
There is a Large ancient bell, this is its introduction.
Chinese ancient animal carvings:
Chinese ancient trees：
The distance is the small wild goose pagoda:
The ancient monument, very important. This looks like the turtle? No! In Chinese culture, it is one of the sons of the dragon.
You can see Small Wild Goose Pagoda:
There are shops nearby, sell ancient porcelain and other arts works and crafts.
I have a happy day!
Love you, mom!
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Posted Aug 29, 2013, 3:17 pm
Today we went to the Shaanxi Provincial Art Museum, see "Tanzania -TingaTinga painting exhibition". It's only 5 minutes away from hostmom home, we walked. Hostmom always like to come here, we have a nice day.
Beautiful works.
I love!
At last we came to a Korean restaurant nearby. China has a lot of Korean restaurant, Xi'an also has a lot of Korean students and workers, their cuisine is always very popular.
This is the seafood soup.
This we called it: 紫菜包飯, hostmom most like tuna. Today we still choose it.
A spicy sauted rice cake.
This is bibimbap, we called: Banfan (拌飯
Love you, mom!!
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Posted Oct 6, 2013, 2:08 pm
Today I took my mom went to "Taierzhuang". It belongs to Shandong province, it is not too far. I and my mom take Bus Rapid Transit, we called: BRT, about 1 hours.
About “Taierzhuang”please see: Taierzhuang
There is a very famous scenic spot, called: Taierzhuang ancient town. There is very big! We spent one day in this ancient town, took 600 photos and some videos. I will choose some to you.
In this ancient town, you can see a lot of Chinese traditional ancient Chinese style building. It’s really very big, we walked a long way, very tired.
The gate:
Chinese chess:
Chinese antique porcelain:
This is:”Thean Hou Temple”. It is dedicated to Mazu, it is the goddess. In China, especially in the south, there are a lot of Thean Hou Temple. About Mazu, please see: Mazu
Dragon boat:
There is a very famous river, through Taierzhuang. That river called: Jinghang grand canal, also called: Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.
You can see it's location, about it please see: Jinghang great canal
This is some actors, in the dragon boat, act as Chinese emperors and empress of Qing Dynasty, etc.. You can see their clothing, is typical of the Qing Dynasty court dress.
They act as the Chinese Qing Dynasty "eunuch".
These actor act as the Chinese Qing Dynasty officials.
We came to this town gate again, ready to leave here.
We have a nice day!
Love you, mom!!
903696013@qq.com
Posted Oct 19, 2013, 12:59 pm
Today we went to a very famous place: the small wild goose pagoda.
It is one of the symbols of Xi'an
Here are some Chinese painting：
There are always a lot of people like playing Taiji in various places, this is a cultural relics. Should not...
This is the small wild goose pagoda, there are many foreign tourists will come here.
There are a lot of Chinese ancient carving in the small wild goose pagoda by near, at least several hundred years of history or 1000 years history.
Love you, mom!!!!
903696013@qq.com
Posted Oct 19, 2013, 2:09 pm
In the small wild goose pagoda near, is Xi'an museum.
There are many precious cultural relics of various dynasties in ancient China, the most impressive is Tang Dynasty.
In ancient Changan.
Chang'an also is Xi'an.
Ancient Chinese sculpture:
The Tang Dynasty sculpture, which is typical of the Tang dynasty women dress.
It comes from the Chinese ancient times aristocrat grave.
The Tang Dynasty statues, very beautiful.
Ancient Chinese Buddhist statue.
Finally, we went to a nearby restaurant.
This is typical of real Chinese cuisine, we called: Mapo Doufu/麻婆豆腐. Please see: this,
very good.
This is typical of real Chinese cuisine, we called: Gongbao Jiding/宫保鸡丁. Please see: This.
This is Yuxiang Rousi/鱼香肉丝, the meaning is: Yuxiang shredded pork.
Can be blend with a kind soft pancake, which is mainly made of wheat flour. It is very thin.
We have a nice day!
Love you, mom!!
903696013@qq.com
Posted Mar 15, 2014, 12:40 pm
In the afternoon,grandma, hostmom and me eat Hot pot together. Very delicious and warm!
Then, we came to the plaza, it near famous big wild goose pagoda. About it, please see:
The famous big wild goose pagoda, one of the symbols of Xi'an.
This is Asia's largest indoor "LED sky", very very long. Many people take photos.
The nearby shopping mall:
Love you, mom!
903696013@qq.com
Posted Jan 13, 2015, 1:42 pm
We waiting so long time, 2015 begin. Many things
First, hostmom and family buy a new house in Xi'an. So now we at our new house. Happy~
Miss you~