Days of ice

I can recommend a walk to Patriarshiye Ponds 'Патриаршие пруды' (see link) at this time of year here in Moscow. I sometimes take junior there to play. This year, they have made big efforts with it in an unusual spending splurge in public spirited intention. Maybe its due to the newly 'elected city mayor' although I am not sure 'election' is a word you can really comfortably use in Russia. The pond is frozen with thick ice as it was last year, although this time they have put a large erection in the middle, in the form of a Xmas tree and there are wooden huts at the entrance of the park. I have to be honest, many of the huts are empty of sales people or goods, probably because either the rent was too high or know one knew about it. Russian logic is often behind these things. I use the term 'Russian logic' as it seems to be a way of doing things that defies common sense, we have a similar logic in the UK, its called the British government and the Human Rights Act but I digress dear reader. Last week, it was + in temperature and I half expected to see the Xmas tree sinking in the middle of the pond but the ice must be very thick as its still there leaning to the left, the Xmas tree Viagra has done its job.

There is an ice maze near the playground and an outdoor photo exhibition all around the park. People skate and the atmosphere is very pleasant and there is a community spirit, which is very welcome in a massive impersonal city like Moscow. Kids play and run around the maze and people are happy and almost smiling.

Its strange to see things change here season by season, this is my second winter here. last summer, we were all chocking on thick acrid smoke from the Russian forest fires. I, along with many others, wore breathing masks with our shorts and t-shirts outside. Now the season has changed, people ware warm coats, fur coats, gloves and hats outside at the park. The air is not acrid but fresher.

In the summer, you will see Muscovite's drinking beer from the can, wine from the bottle or Vodka in the park. I am a bit of a snob and old fashioned, I have always considered it unsightly and impolite to drink like that in a park but it seems to be a Russian tradition. In the UK, we have our hoodies (see link) drinking in parks, they fight, attack people and leave beer cans all over the grass. In Moscow, they are not hooded or causing any trouble just drinking outdoors, or at least I have not seen any at the pond.  My attitude may be the old school Brit in me that refuses to leave. Some attitudes don't change but mine may, perhaps I will drink in the park this summer? I'll sit on a bench and sip a strong larger, while watching the girls walk by, while junior plays on the grass. Kids are a great babe magnate, I wish I could have rented one for the day when I was young and single I would have got lucky. Women like to see the tender side in men and a kid in a pram (Stroller) attracts them like bees to honey.