Frozen: close-up

I'm glad you liked my yesterday photo. Here is a closer view of the same window. It all is melting now, and road are extremely slippery. Unfortunately, this is not a real spring yet and we are to have many freezing and snowy days.

Another version on my extension site.

Frozen Window

Weather changes quickly: it was raining last week-end, it was -8C this morning, it's supposed to be 0C tomorrow. But before everything melted I've got fabulous ornaments on my windows.

Another version on my extension site.

Hystorical Museum

Still snowing in Moscow...

Main ice-arena of Russian Country

An ice-arena in Red Square is rather new inventment of Moscow authorities - this is but second or third winter when a public skating place was organized in the very heart of Russia. It's rather expensive entertainment, though, but as you can see there quite a few people wishing to skate by Kremlin walls.

Moscow Metro: sculpture in Revolution Square

Continuing a story of Revolution Square station, I'd like to show you an example of those bronze men. Here is a 'border guard with a dog' - probably, the most popular statue of Moscow metro. There is a belief that rubbing dog's nose brings luck. As you can see, the nose is polished to shine by numerous hands of passers by. I did touch it, too - may be, it'd make me more lucky.

Another stature on my extension site.

Moscow Metro: Ploschad Revolutsii station

Ploschad Revolutsii (Revolution Square) was open in 1938, it's one of the oldest and most popular central stations of Moscow metro. It's famous for a family of bronze statures featuring Soviet people. The station is also decorated with black, white, grey and other sorts of marble.

GUM

GUM is an abbreviation for State Department Store. Located in Red Square, it can be called a main mall of Russian County. This place was a trade center since XVth century but the moderm building was built in 1893. Nowadays this mall presents a number of boutiques and expensive restaurants, there are only a few departments affordable for ordinary people. Anyway, its architecture is beautiful, and I like the way it was decorated for holidays.

After some weeks of snowless weather we had a great snowfall. Outdoor tables of cafes are covered with heavy white carpet, and the air feels warmer.

Another version on my extension site.

Railway station in the night

Save British Council!

Do you still believe that Russia is a nice and friendly country? Well, I have to disappoint you. If you are not aware of situation with Russian offices of British Council, you can read articles here and here.
Last year Russian officials forbade British Council's teaching within the country - representative of English language Motherland may not teach English! Now it's continued by closing offices and pressing employees. What a shame! As you can see, dignity doesn'e stand high with official in Russia, not mentioning politicians. My photos of Moscow might be extremely beautiful but don't be mistaken - there is a mean world behind those objects.

The picture of today's post has nothing to do with the topic.

Coffee-lamp

Coffee-shop

This is a cozy coffee-shop in one of the central streets. I like to stop by once in a while and have a cup of hot chocolate or tea. The picture was taken late in the night so there is no other visitors but usually this cafe is full of people.

I've got a kind of poll to run. Here is a question: what image do you associate with Moscow? Is it Kremlin? or Red Square? Or St.Basil's? Or bears walking along the streets?
Your opinion is invaluable for me.
Thanks.

Night riverside

Sunny

Well, I have no idea what make all those pictures so 'Russian'. I guess, though, that photos from Finland or Poland might look pretty much the same. Anyway, enjoy one more picture of wintry wood and another version on my extension site.

First business week was very short this year, and here is a Saturday again! The temperature outside is just -2C so it's a perfect weather for a walk (if you don't mind grey sky). Enjoy your week-end!

Bridge in the night

Another picture of the city in the night. This is a photo of Bolshoy Kamenniy Most (Grand Stone Bridge), one of the oldest and most beautiful bridges across Moscow river. It was decorated for public holidays with three-colour lights. Behind the bridge you might notice familiar towers - this is the south-west side of Moscow Kremlin.

Frozen Ship

This ship is not a playground but a kind of flower-bed. I took the photo in the neighbourhood. I believe it should be beautiful in the summer-time.

Back to work

Sitting in the office, we can but remember sunny walk in wintry park.
(another photo on my extension site.)

Wintry park

While it freezes outside, our holidays are nearly over. As any vacation come to its end, it alwasys seems so short! However, I've got a number of photos to remind me of this holiday season, and this is one of them.

Another version on my extension site.

Moscow Kremlin in the night

Yesterday I went to a theatre and on my way back I took some photos. The night was very cold and clear, and it cost me some freezing moments to capture this picture but I was rewarded with such a nice view!

And another version on my extension site.

Before my holidays are over I'll bore you with dozens of wintry photos. This one was taken in the nearest park a few days back, too.

When the sky was blue

The temperature outside is -15C. I have no wish to go outdoors so I stayed at home today. Photographs, books, movies and tasty food - there are so many thing here to busy myself! I enjoy my holidays.

This photo was taken dirung my yesterday's walk. Another version on my extension site.

The weather seems to turn more winter-like: it was -13C and sunny today. I agree, it's a bit too cold for outdoors entertainments but still I went for a short walk to the nearest park. This photo was taken over there.

More photos on my extension site.

It was freezy and sunny in Moscow today. Probably, too cold for a walk but still very pleasant to watch. Some people have to work on holidays, though, like this girl who sell pony rides or miliciaman.

Lazy winter days are going on. We sleep, eat, meat our families and exchange gifts. What a blessed time!

Theme day: Best Photo of the Year

The Theme for today's post is Best Photo of the Year. I had to look through the entire blog to choose one and even used help of my husband. It was a hard job, indeed! but I made my decision. Here you go: cherry blossom photographed back in May.

Don't forget to visit other participating cities:Paris, France - London, England - Hyde, UK - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Grenoble, France - Stockholm, Sweden - Riga, Latvia - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Manila, Philippines - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Weston (FL), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - New Orleans (LA), USA - Wichita (KS), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - San Francisco (CA), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Greenville (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Mainz, Germany - Melbourne, Australia - Portland (OR), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Toulouse, France - Naples (FL), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Brussels, Belgium - Stayton (OR), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Toruń, Poland - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Baziège, France - Nashville (TN), USA - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Prescott (AZ), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Moscow, Russia - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Evry, France - Trujillo, Peru - Arlington (VA), USA - Denpasar, Indonesia - American Fork (UT), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Coral Gables (FL), USA - Montpellier, France - Joplin (MO), USA - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Boston (MA), USA - Torun, Poland - New York City (NY), USA - Dunedin (FL), USA - Quincy (MA), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Chateaubriant, France - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Jackson (MS), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Budapest, Hungary - Austin (TX), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Cypress (TX), USA - Bicheno, Australia - Wrocław, Poland - Brookville (OH), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Cheltenham, UK - Wellington, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - London, UK - Haninge, Sweden - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Arradon, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Mumbai, India - Terrell (TX), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - Delta (CO), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Saigon, Vietnam - San Diego (CA), USA - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Belgrade, Serbia - Auckland, New Zealand - Seguin (TX), USA - Inverness (IL), USA - Oslo, Norway - Singapore, Singapore - Las Vegas (NV), USA

As a bonus I a posting another photo which was about to win the prize: the pond in Japanese Garden.