A beautiful beginning

You probably have noticed that I have already changed my layout's background. I'm ready for fall. Are you? 

The temperature has been low for the past few days. Mornings and evenings have been much chillier. 

Outside Kremlin & Musa Jalil's monument

Early fall is the best time to take a stroll. It has a different atmosphere. It is the time when I  get to enjoy "evenings" the way I used to know. I define "evening" as the part of the day when the day meets night, when the sun sets to the west, when everyone heads home to rest.

One of Kremlin's tower

When I came to Russia, everything has changed. They call it "evening" after lunch. They call it "night" when in Philippines we say it's dawn. In winter the sunset I expect to  see at 6pm happens at 3pm and in summer it sets only at 10pm. So only at early fall a very short period in spring I find something "familiar". 

Entrance to Kremlin from Kremlovskaya street

Fall is a very relaxing time, it's when everything seem to slow down and settle like a leaf as it touches the ground. I like this feeling of "journey to quiet". 

Kremlovskaya street & the National museum

Today though wasn't really quiet. It is the "Day of Knowledge" as they call it here. Schoolers go back to school and everybody has a feeling of being productive, doing something, achieving something, etc. There is a sensation of a "new beginning". 

Inside Kremlin towards the gate to Kremlovskaya street

Since I have freed our evenings (from work), we now can enjoy a stroll, attend theaters or concerts more often maybe. 

The president's palace inside Kremlin

I never can get tired of admiring and enjoying something beautiful especially nature. Wherever I am, whenever and whatever I'm doing, I  always take time to notice the sky even when I'm  on a hurry. It's one thing I  say hi to everyday. And sometimes when it's too beautiful, I'd stop, step aside the road and watch its beauty at least for a minute. That's enough to make my day or to console me. 

Kazan at night.

This shot was taken on the way out of Kremlin through another gate. 

So, it's first of September. I'm starting anew. Except for one small downer today, everything worked out just fine.  :)

How'd you meet the 1st day of September/early fall?

A Day in Spring

I'm sorry for the long absence. I was busy with work, personal stuff and others. Meanwhile I managed to write two more posts in connection with the Victory Day celebration. You may click the links below.

Gratitude to the Veterans

A Day of Joy & Agony

I will still write about Dau Ani's brother's paintings as I've promised but meanwhile I would like to share some recent pictures of spring at our part of the world.

Spring in Russia is relatively short. In few weeks the grass, leaves and flowers appeared.

Fountains are on, people are seen taking a walk in every park and beach.

The streets looks more alive.

A carriage ride around Kremlin in now available for tourists.

The evenings are looking  more dramatic because of  different colors the sunset displays.

It is best to watch the sunset either from Kremlin or along Kazanka river. This time we were at Kremlin.

We were given an extra bonus of beauty as the flock of birds flew over us. I hope it's  visible enough.

And the first reddest sky appreared. 

Sunset behind the symbol of the city - Kazan.

Spring is in the air

Spring is in the town. I was able to breathe from my hectic sched one day. It was last Saturday. The day was fine and sunny in the morning. The later it got the cloudier and colder it became.

My hubs and I went to the Freedom square close to the river. The river has already melted but it was very windy.

I like this part of the city. We often visit the place in spring and in summer but seldom in winter. Although this place is nice in winter as  the colors of houses bring contrast to snow. But I have another favorite site for a winter view. 

The pavement's finally clear from muddy snow. Grass started to appear and also some bulbs which I'm not sure what. 

I'll probably come back to see what is it later next week...hopefully I get a chance.

The streets are no longer icy which is both good and bad. Good because it is no longer dangerous for drivers but dangerous for pedestrians because some drivers started speeding like they are taking off. Ugh I really hate to hear those screeching sound. It makes me scared even if I'm on the sidewalk. There was one passing by while we were crossing on the opposite road. I wish he met the traffic police later. I also saw them on the street busily catching dirty cars. I thought that maybe they ask them to wash since it is already spring :) But I guess it's mainly about the dirt covered plate numbers.

We got caught in the rain and took shelter from a cafe nearby. It was fun running under the rain but it was really cold rain. 

That's  the cafe beside the old building where Lenin used to go for chess games.

The cafe was just across the ballet theater...

... and the main street in the Freedom square.

It was a nice cold day in general. And it was good to breathe spring air. :)

Later I'll tell you what's on at the theater.

Fog Mystery

How often do you complain about fog? I used to dislike waking up on foggy day. I would complain about not seeing the sun and so on... but I learned to find beauty in it. Few days ago I was travelling to work by taxi and it was so foggy. I was worried of course because it was dangerous on the road. My driver was careful but there are so many others out there who're otherwise. There was a melancholic music in the car and it was just perfect for the weather. I was looking out the window and see how cars would appear and disappear.  As we were passing by the bridge over the wide river, I couldn't see anything but fog, grey all around. Then slowly I started seeing some treetop then more part of it, them its trunk and later the ground from where it was standing. It's beautiful. It was like a mystery in the dark. Something like you're lost to nowhere and then found somewhere. I liked the feeling.

Here I got some pictures taken later that day at the city centre.

The Lenin Square

The Conservatory, The City Hall

The Ballet Theatre

This isn't the first post I have with fog. I got one which was in nature.

Please check the link if you please. 

http://psychelyn26.blogspot.ru/2010/01/grey-is-beautiful-too.html