The Zamoskvorechye ("beyond the river") district of Moscow, the "Island" formed by the Moskva river and the canal. Middle of May 2005. Photos made on a request from someone whose father owned part of a house there before the Bolsheviks.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Sadovnicheskaya ulitsa, looking west. The while eight-story building is the Balchug-Kempinski Hotel. Balchug, the street that crosses Sadovnicheskaya, translates as "swamp". Here Moscow's first pub was established under Ivan the Terrible.   

A family in a standard "v gosti" ("to guests", i.e. out for a social visit) formation. The head of the family is heading the way, a bottle of Moldovan brandy in his shoulder bag,  women and children behind carrying flowers and a fancy cream cake ("tort"). A picture form the 70s in the 2005 Moscow.

(This photo will be used for upcoming "how to blend in" instructions.)  

Dark valley. This one will be used to illustrate Moscow dangers, real or perceived.  

A twisted ankle waiting to happen. This is an example of a real danger. Ten years ago, with open trenches and sharp metal objects sticking up for no reason, you would be on your alert. Presently Moscow streets are deceivingly smooth. Don't let your guards down. I tipped over this one while doing the present series of photos.    

Another trap - a small cement pyramid.

Let me use this occasion to make a note on medical service here. Emergency care is available. Nominally it is free but a small voluntary payment to doctors and nurses will be appreciated. I take an average of one unlucky rider per year to the emergency ward of the Staritsa hospital, and am always impressed with the speed and efficiency. I also ended up in a hospital in Moscow in the summer of 2004 after gorging myself on fried eggplant and washing it down with several liters of Moldovan red wine, and was as pleased as one could be under the circumstances.  

Dumping of garbage
near container
PROHIBITED
FINE
1000 rouble

 

Watch for the
upcoming collection of
NO /  PROHIBITED / OUT OF ORDER
signs.   

Moscow's oldest heat generation plant.

One of the very few Lenins still left in Mosow, with a caption "We'll come to the victory of Communist labour". See www.staritsa.info for a collection of propaganda / collective farm art that can still be found in the countryside.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For sale  /  For rent
Lots of small spaces in this district. Rents are in the $400-1000 per square meter per year area, and property prices are around $1500/m3 (years 2004-2005).

 

Left to right: a modern office, a shopping mall, and a fragment of fortifications from the 17th century. A scene from next door to my apartment.