July 2005. A trip with Vovchik from Ryazan to Krainka, Tula region, for a nostalgic 10-day stay in Sanatoruim Krainka, famous for its mineral waters.

Decapitated and fixed up Lenin in the Village of Zakharovo, Ryazan region, 35km south-west from Ryazan. In 2003 his head was knocked or sawed off by a group of juvenile delinquents. The local authorities had Lenin restored to his former glory with some welding and a couple of screws. Click to enlarge.

(This image will find its permanent place on the Russian Surreal Experience page, a part of my Misery Tourism concept.) 

The City of Mikhailov, Ryazan region, 60km south-west, on our way to Krainka. The sign says "Welcome" while a WW2 gun points at you.  To be added to my collection of cute absurdities. 

The city of Novomoskovsk, Tula region, 40km east from Tula. Novomoskovsk, founded 70 years ago, took, as its logo, this statue of two naked girls playing ball on horses. 

This one-legged alcoholic will probably end up somewhere among my Misery Tourism pages, for the exquisite enjoyment of the connoisseurs of things sick and perverse. Taken in the village of Voskresenskoye, Tula region, about half-way between Tula and Suvorov.

(Misery Travel --> Drinking Russian style)  

The Mechta (= "dream") Cafe in Suvorov, 10km from the Krainka Sanatorium. Mechta is the best cafe in this town of 30 thousand. Food was especially appreciated after a few days of grotesquely over-processes "sanatorium" food.

The "Culture Palace", an essential component of just about every Russian town. The city of Suvorovo, Tula region. I highly recommend the Mechna ("Dream") cafe located inside this Palace of Culture.   

A small market right under a "No Selling" sign. To be added to my collection of NO / OUT OF ORDER signs. The Krainka Sanatorium, Tula region, summer 2005. 

An example of early 70s public art. Click on the photo to see the whole piece and a few close-ups. Check out the Collective Farm Art page somewhere on www.staritsa.info   

Dining hall

  

Most provincial hotels will have this style toilet, with a shelf so that you can contemplate what you've done.

(Another Russian Misery Tourism detail)

  

Toilets like this, a standard 10 years ago, are now a disappearing species. For my Misery Tourist clients I will find all the filth and dirt and decay you expect.  

Cuban workers who found themselves in Sasovo, Ryazan region, 40-something years ago made this statue of Hemingway. From Vovchik's collection of curiosities. More about Vovchik at www.staritsa.info/ryazan.htm   

The meaning of this plastic plate/spoon/fork set is "closed for lunch".  

An imitation of the Moscow Kremlin in the village of Azeevo, Ryazan region.