Trip to Russia. The Last Day in Moscow and Departure

Trip to Russia. The Last Day in Moscow and Departure

Our last day. We visited my mom and my brother. This has been their place for the last ten years. Maybe because mom and I have lived apart for so long I still do not completely accept her relocation. It feels like she is still 

Trip to Russia. Day 8. Along the Golden Ring through Pereslavl-Zalesski to the train from Moscow to Saint Petersburg

Trip to Russia. Day 8. Along the Golden Ring through Pereslavl-Zalesski to the train from Moscow to Saint Petersburg

Our last morning of the Golden Ring trip was in Pereslavl-Zalessky, an old Russian city about 140 km, 87 miles, northeast of Moscow. It was founded by the same prince, Yuri Dolgoruky, and at the same time, as Moscow. In 1374, an important congress of 

Trip to Russia. Day 7. Back to the Golden Ring — Yaroslavl, Rostov the Great

Trip to Russia. Day 7. Back to the Golden Ring — Yaroslavl, Rostov the Great

Leaving the Myshkin house, with its overgrown garden was not easy. In the morning, we walked around quite a bit taking pictures. It was sad knowing that most likely we will never come back here again. The world is big and time is scarce. Final 

Trip to Russia. Day 5. Motley Crew Hits the Road. The Golden Ring  Fragments — Sergiev Posad, Kalyazin, Uglich,  Myshkin

Trip to Russia. Day 5. Motley Crew Hits the Road. The Golden Ring Fragments — Sergiev Posad, Kalyazin, Uglich, Myshkin

The business of renting a car in Moscow is not for the faint at heart. Last night, we tried so many different places, even Charlotte without much Russian found a few numbers to call. It seemed like car rental offices in Moscow did not have 

Trip to Russia. Day 3. Moscow. Up North to the Soviet showcase. Back to the Boulevard Ring

Trip to Russia. Day 3. Moscow. Up North to the Soviet showcase. Back to the Boulevard Ring

When someone asks me about my roots, it feels odd to say I am from Russia. I am Russian but from the Soviet Union. To me, Russia before the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union, and Russia after the Soviet Union are three completely different countries. 

Trip to Russia. Departure Day — Arrival Day. From Ridgewood to Moscow

Trip to Russia. Departure Day — Arrival Day. From Ridgewood to Moscow

Our firm plan was to fly a red-eye. Direct. JFK to Moscow. Nine hours and some. We did get a few sympathetic words from friends about night flight hardships. The plane was scheduled to take off after midnight NY time and land in Sheremetyevo early evening. The 

O Lar — A Tight Spot in Piermont

O Lar — A Tight Spot in Piermont

After a hike in the Tallman Mountain Park, it seemed like a good idea to try O Lar, a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant on the main drag in Piermont with the focus on Mediterranean food. Many recommended this place and reviews were promising. It was Saturday 

Bridges of Dutchess County

Bridges of Dutchess County

The original plan for the weekend was Jersey Shore but the weather was not cooperating. Over Central Jersey, the radar loop was showing solid green band with occasional yellow-red spots. Since the skies up north looked better, we decided to cross another trip off our 

A Man on a Train

A Man on a Train

7:10 PM on a Saturday night. Getting on an uptown Q at Broadway & Spring. Doors open. No one’s by the door to get off and I’m about to step in. Here one of those, you know, “oh-look-this-stop-is-ours” slow pokes and a girlfriend who for 

Fame & Fortune vs Dignity & Honesty

Fame & Fortune vs Dignity & Honesty

Lately, random thoughts keep bringing me back to my NYU days. Is it a sign to go back to school? Tony Robbins is in the news now for dissing the #metoo movement. Regardless of the movement, I’ve never felt partial to the guy to say