I know I promised to post more stories. Well lately their simply wasn't enough time to experience something. Starting from the first day when I came back from the Netherlands uncle Erick is demanding the impossible. The beloved villa should be finished now!! No way we will ever make it within the boudaries he is setting. Still we are doing the best we can.
With these circumstances I am really ruining my social life. No msn, no email. I very much regret it. Ignorent as I am I'm still hoping for easier times for the last weeks. I will make up with everybody as soon as I get back.
"I am a slaaaaave, for autocad"
(as innocent britney once told us)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Umbrellas
Already in one of the first weeks here (see also "mighty Russian rivers") I discovered that it is an absolute must-have of the -basic moscow survival kit-, and now as the weather has changed within a day or two from 20-25 degrees sunny days to 24 hour lasting 6 degrees showers the foldable option proves it value untill the last ruble (app. 2,78 Euro ct).
Today I witnessed, experienced and even participated in two events that easily could be executed in the famous Bolshoi theatre or in a MTV must-see video directed by Guy Ritchie.
The first one occured when I arrived at the metrostation for departure to work. As usual all kinds of people were popping out the exit (not rarely with a grumpy face and even more grumpy regarding the present weather conditions), but today it was special because of the double popping; a human one and a foldable one. Literally everbody joined. I don't know exactly why, but it looked super sympathatic and at the same time choreographied (sorry for my butchers english) to the tiniest detail.
The second event looked more dramatic and occured when I was entering another station for the way back home. A surprisingly long queue of them already started on the street and was, with a funeral like pace, moving downwards into the dark underground. No voices, no laughter. Only the constant dripping of water on plastic. With a complete face covering, yet suitable smile I joined the anonymous horde. Not completely anonymous, since sunny ones are quite rare (although I once did see a nice one that was also decorated from the inside) and mine is displaying innocent blue and bright yellow stars.
Not as solid as the Russian the European doesn't take a strong position, inside can be outside, outside can be inside, just what suits the direction of the strongest force. The Russians simply have to push one button and things are rolling while Europe requires more action before things get started.
Hmmm... I seem to be drifting away.
umbrellas are no match for this one
Today I witnessed, experienced and even participated in two events that easily could be executed in the famous Bolshoi theatre or in a MTV must-see video directed by Guy Ritchie.
The first one occured when I arrived at the metrostation for departure to work. As usual all kinds of people were popping out the exit (not rarely with a grumpy face and even more grumpy regarding the present weather conditions), but today it was special because of the double popping; a human one and a foldable one. Literally everbody joined. I don't know exactly why, but it looked super sympathatic and at the same time choreographied (sorry for my butchers english) to the tiniest detail.
The second event looked more dramatic and occured when I was entering another station for the way back home. A surprisingly long queue of them already started on the street and was, with a funeral like pace, moving downwards into the dark underground. No voices, no laughter. Only the constant dripping of water on plastic. With a complete face covering, yet suitable smile I joined the anonymous horde. Not completely anonymous, since sunny ones are quite rare (although I once did see a nice one that was also decorated from the inside) and mine is displaying innocent blue and bright yellow stars.
Not as solid as the Russian the European doesn't take a strong position, inside can be outside, outside can be inside, just what suits the direction of the strongest force. The Russians simply have to push one button and things are rolling while Europe requires more action before things get started.
Hmmm... I seem to be drifting away.
umbrellas are no match for this one
Thursday, September 11, 2008
lost sun will be home (temporary)
one new visa, eleven days in the netherlands
starting from the 15th...
starting from the 15th...
Monday, September 8, 2008
hup holland hup
Hardly seeing any live football games in The Netherlands I have already attended my 3rd one here in Moscow. This time boss Willem joint me to Russia vs. Holland. Orange ice-skating suits, cardboard masks of members of the royal family, painted cheeks and singing André Hazes as loud as possible we scared many Russian hooligans.
Not quite...
Although I was brave enough to cheer (in silence but still) when Robin scored his wonderfull goal.
(Many thanks again to James the English reporter)
Not quite...
Although I was brave enough to cheer (in silence but still) when Robin scored his wonderfull goal.
(Many thanks again to James the English reporter)
DATSJA!!
Important side-activity for people in Russia and especially Moscow is the datsja (exact spelling unknown), a summer holiday house some hours outside Moscow where the air is still clean and the people relaxed.
So there I was in the absolute middle of nowhere sitting with four Russian guys (1 collegue + 3 of his friends) that hardly spoke any English because also for them it was weekend and time to relax. Inside and outside the datsja time has stand still, let's say like a museum but then the real deal. Or even better, I took the timemachine that rides on a rail. Anyway, I was blessed to experience some true Russian adventures:
Bbq-ing + drunk police detective + vodka in the middle of the night,
fishing in the wolga + beer during daytime,
traditional naked swimming in the wolga + vodka in the night,
breakfast + vodka in the afternoon,
learning a backflip from a key in the wolga + beer in the same afternoon,
peeing in a train without toilet + beer on the way back,
sleeping on top of a builiding + beer in the night.
Igor and I were a bit late at work on monday.
the first one doesn't mean necessarily the biggest one
old russian zen-temple along the wolga
"backstreet back allright!"
So there I was in the absolute middle of nowhere sitting with four Russian guys (1 collegue + 3 of his friends) that hardly spoke any English because also for them it was weekend and time to relax. Inside and outside the datsja time has stand still, let's say like a museum but then the real deal. Or even better, I took the timemachine that rides on a rail. Anyway, I was blessed to experience some true Russian adventures:
Bbq-ing + drunk police detective + vodka in the middle of the night,
fishing in the wolga + beer during daytime,
traditional naked swimming in the wolga + vodka in the night,
breakfast + vodka in the afternoon,
learning a backflip from a key in the wolga + beer in the same afternoon,
peeing in a train without toilet + beer on the way back,
sleeping on top of a builiding + beer in the night.
Igor and I were a bit late at work on monday.
the first one doesn't mean necessarily the biggest one
old russian zen-temple along the wolga
"backstreet back allright!"
hello again
Not knowing if people are still reading my blog, ever did or whatever, I decided to pick up the good work again, although without pictures since plugging in a USB on the EEA-network seems impossible when not a administrator.
Please don't hesitate to stimulate my writings and post a response every once in a while. Then I am sure that I am not doing it for nothing...spasieba
Please don't hesitate to stimulate my writings and post a response every once in a while. Then I am sure that I am not doing it for nothing...spasieba
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
one weekend, two matches
My one and only friend outside the office, bus-buddy from the airport James, got as a sports journalist free tickets for Dynamo and Spartak. I was the lucky one to join him on this noble mission.
Singing along with the hooligans, cheering for the wrong team, seeing Dick Advocaat and EC 2008 starplayer Arshavin at work and being amazed by the poor level. It all happened.
What a nice weekend!
Singing along with the hooligans, cheering for the wrong team, seeing Dick Advocaat and EC 2008 starplayer Arshavin at work and being amazed by the poor level. It all happened.
What a nice weekend!
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