Dust storm

April 26th was very strange evening in Moscow. At first it was dust storm:
After that the city is stuck in traffic jams, rain began..

"Yubileiny"

Town Yubileiny - a tiny formation consisting of several streets, located in the town Korolyov, which is just 6 km from Moscow. No more words, next just about 40 photos of town "Yubileiny":

Found here: http://www.ridus.ru/news/29408/

And again.. Parking.

© drugoi

Bikes in Moscow

While I was in Berlin this winter, I was amazed by the conditions created for cyclists. Bicycle in Berlin is a very good alternative to car, and most people use it. Bike lanes almost on every street, bike parkings and rent of bikes. To overcome a large distance, bike can be transported by public transport: there is special space in U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains and elevators almost on every station.

The situation in Moscow is quite different. Bike lanes is rare in Moscow. Where there are bike lanes, they are ignored by drivers and pedestrians.

Police car parked on the bike lane

Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobianin on the opening of bike lane in the park

Little remark: Sergey Sobianin never used a bicycle to trevel to his office. In contrast of London mayor Boris Johnson:

Mayor of London Boris Johnson

There is no conditions to use bike as a primary transport in Moscow. Also it is very difficult to use bike even for fun and health. Bike lanes opened in parks are used by pedestrians, runners or even parents with prams what makes it hard to pass with a bike.

A Short Walk

Creapy picture on the playgroung

Abandoned church

Police

professionalism of russian police...

Zero tolerance speedcameras

Meanwhile in Russia

Photo from protest action in December 2011, but this image of "Russian Protest" is still actual. My favorite.

Russian Style

Roads & Fools

Roads and fools is a general problem of Russia indeed. But I believe that first problem is a consequence of second. Just a few examples below:

New technologies in road construction

Source:  http://www.ridus.ru/news/28612/ 

Even sighted person will have problem to cross this road

At least no one parked here

Advertising business

How to start advertising business in Moscow?
It is very easy!

1. Buy old, broken van (about $3000-$6000)
2. Construct the billboard on it (free, if you are handy)
3. Park this junk next to some busy road (free, or just a few fine)
Find a customer
4. ?????
5. Profit! ($2000-$5000 per month before taxes (that you never gonna pay))

Culture

This picture I made yesterday's evening next to entrance door to the local food store.

The spot near this food store is occupied by local alcoholics, that spend all their evening time and money for cheap beer and pointless talk.

April five. Winter

Just another few photos of Moscow's winter spring. It is really looks like some kind of curse.

The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire

Fire in "Federation tower", the part of "Moscow-City" business center.

Khrushchyovkas: announcement

Some day I'm gonna make a post about "Khrushchyovkas", poky, cheap housing, which a lot was build in Soviet Union. This housing is still exists in Moscow, and for now it is not very cheap.

Red Square is closed due to protest actions

photo by Vladimir Varfolomeev found in Twitter

Today Red Square is closed. And it is not an April 1st joke. Protest actions planned on Red Square forced police to restrict access to entire square. Action moved to the nearest square Manezhnaya, where about 30 people was arrested.

Red Square is restricted area.

People on the Manezhnaya Square

White ribbon, the symbol of opposition protest in Russia, with label "For Russia without Putin", on the closed gates to the Red Square. Photo by Vladimir Varfolomeev found in Twitter.