June 2: Snow in June

June 2: Snow in June
As you can see in the picture above, it looks like it has been snowing in Moscow. Snow in June???
The white summer snow on the ground is called pukh. It is released each year by the female balsam poplar tree.
My apologies for being off-line for the past week, but I have not been feeling human due to my allergies.
You can read more about the trees over on my other blog by clicking here.

May 19: Ice Cream

May 19: Ice Cream

Russians love ice cream! It sells equally as well year around - Russian eat ice cream in the summer and winter. I took this picture back in February, but never used it as a photo. I thought it would be interesting to show as I posted a picture of Russian fast food yesterday.

The temperature was about -15 C the day I took this photo. The man in the picture had just finished eating his ice cream.

May 18: Russian Fast Food

May 18: Russian Fast Food

This is where people in Moscow eat when they are in a hurry.   These stands are located in all major pedestrian areas and near the entrance / exit of metro stations.   

I have eaten at a couple of kisosk stands - yes, I have an iron stomach. The food is not differant than any other type of fast food restanurant and, at least, you can judge how clean the place is as you can see into the kitchen.

May 17: Wing and a Prayer

May 17:  Wing and a Prayer

Once again, there are so many comments that come to mind with this picture.  It is really difficult to just chose one.
According to an advertisement I saw, are work such as picture above cost just as much if not more than the car itself.
A friend of mine, who works in the auto industry in Russia, told me people apply custom paint to cars to in an effort to prevent theft.   I was skeptical, but now I am a believer.  Who would want to steal a mini-coop with doves painted on the side?  Do you think a thief would be embarrassed to tell us other thief friends about the hot ride he stole?

May 16: Fountain

May 16:  Greek Fountain

This is a fountain located in front of the a theater near the Moskovskaya metro station.

May 15: Lenin Library

May 15: Lenin Library

The Lenin Library is one of the largest libraries in the world.   This library, also know as the Russian State Library (Российская государственная библиотека), is located across the street from the Kremlin and a short walk from Red Square.  

The statue on the front steps of the library in the picture above is of Fyodor Dostoyevsky.  He is a famous Russian author and is most note outside of Russia for his novels Crime and Punishment (Преступление и наказание) and The Brothers Karamazov (Братья Карамазовыand).   

May 14: Shoe Shopping

May 14: Shoe Shopping

This kiosk does not sell shoes, but everything for your shoes. The words in red letters at the top of the kiosk translates as "Everything for Shoes"; the words in white letters on the side of kiosk translates as "Shoe Repair".

The little shops are usually busy as Russia is a pedestrian country, the pavement is uneven / rough causing a lot of wear / tear on shoes , and women wear high-heels daily here.