Working from home gives you a lot of time to stare out your window, so you want to have a good view. Mine isn't too bad - I can see a couple of 19th Century church towers where upbeat bell melodies are played in the mornings - always a nice way to start the day. I can make out a few of the buildings on Tverskaya and one of the seven sisters stands in the distance. One day I might check a map and work out which one it is. But the view is largely blocked on either side by apartment buildings leaving only a small space that allows a long-distance view. And a small, dingy courtyard below my window is the only place where I can see other people. Luckily, though, this is Moscow and interesting events are provided regardless. In the past six months I have witnessed two fires and the aftermath of a rape and murder from the confines of my room.

» Read More

Gavryusha - diminutive form of old Russian name Gavriil or Gavrila. Nowadays, frankly speaking, it sounds pretty funny, especially after 'Troe iz Prostokvahsino' cult cartoon. Double-Trouble calf was named Gavryusha there...

Aprroximately in 2005 we heard that in Tolmachevo, village in Leningradskaya oblast (St.Petersburg region) a craft named Gavryusha makes trips along the small river Luga. It was a huge surprise - navigation on such small rivers in Russia ceased to exist during 1960-1980.

It turned out that Gavryusha is a project, or even a hobby, of a Cossack who long time ago came to live to Tolmachevo. He built the craft himself and once a week carries people to their villages and dachas along Luga river.

We still haven't managed to ride Gavryusha, but I made some brief trip to take pictures last weekend.

» Read More