{"id":2073,"date":"2011-05-18T08:00:12","date_gmt":"2011-05-18T08:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=2073"},"modified":"2014-07-17T14:49:03","modified_gmt":"2014-07-17T14:49:03","slug":"moscow-again-or-what-is-it-that-flows-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/moscow-again-or-what-is-it-that-flows-together\/","title":{"rendered":"Moscow, Again, or What Is It That Flows Together?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n

Alexandr Pushkin, that most famous of the Russian poets, wrote<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u041c\u043e\u0441\u043a\u0432\u0430<\/span>… \u043a\u0430\u043a \u043c\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0433\u043e \u0432 \u044d<\/span>\u0442\u043e\u043c \u0437\u0432\u0443<\/span>\u043a\u0435<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u0414\u043b\u044f \u0441\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0434\u0446\u0430 \u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e \u0441\u043b\u0438\u043b\u043e<\/span>\u0441\u044c!\u00bb<\/strong><\/p>\n

[Moscow\u2026 how much there is in that sound<\/p>\n

That flows together for the heart of the Russian!]<\/p>\n

If we approach the problem from a strictly \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u043e\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0434\u0445\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u00bb<\/strong> [quantitative approach], there are \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0442\u0438<\/span> <\/strong>\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u0432\u044f\u0442\u044c <\/strong>\u043c\u0438\u043b\u043b\u0438\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u043e\u0432\u00bb<\/strong> [almost 9 million] search results on Google for this phrase.<\/p>\n

But what interests me most is not \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u043e\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [quantity], but \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [quality]. In other words what exactly \u201cflows together\u201d for the hearts of Russians and foreigners alike at the mention of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0434\u0446\u0435 <\/strong>\u0420\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u0438\u043d\u044b <\/strong>\u043c\u043e\u0435<\/span>\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [the heart of my Motherland].<\/p>\n

I must admit, my experiences of Moscow are mostly second-hand, through history textbooks, literature, conversations, etc. I spent a total of about 7 days in Moscow in my whole entire life, in 1996 and again ten years later, in 2006.<\/p>\n

Thus I decided to do some arm-chair travelling with the help of you, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for all your awesome responses<\/a> to the question on our Facebook page. \u00a0Once again, I\u2019m blown away and deeply grateful!<\/p>\n

There were a lot of mentions of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u0443\u0437\u0435<\/span>\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [museums], \u00ab<\/strong>\u041a\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u043d\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u043f\u043b\u043e<\/span>\u0449\u0430\u0434\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [the Red Square], \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u0430\u0432\u0437\u043e\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u0439 <\/strong>\u041b\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u043d\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [Lenin\u2019s mausoleum] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0421\u043e\u0431\u043e<\/span>\u0440 <\/strong>\u0412\u0430\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u043b\u0438\u044f <\/strong>\u0411\u043b\u0430\u0436\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u043d\u043e\u0433\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [St. Basil\u2019s Cathedral]. All are must-see when one\u2019s in Moscow, for sure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another must-see is \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u043e\u0441\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u043c\u0435\u0442\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [Moscow subway], that boasts some of the most beautifully decorated subway stations in the world. At least, it is true for the old stations. The new ones are either plain or plain weird, like \u00ab<\/strong>\u0414\u043e\u0441\u0442\u043e\u0435<\/span>\u0432\u0441\u043a\u0430\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [Dostoyevsky station] with mosaics depicting key characters and scenes from the \u201cCrime and Punishment\u201d and \u201cBrothers Karamasov\u201d. Not the most \u00ab<\/strong>\u0436\u0438\u0437\u043d\u0435\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043e\u0441\u0442\u043d\u044b\u0435\u00bb <\/strong>[cheerful] or \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u043f\u0442\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0441\u0442\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [upbeat] choices, especially for an underground space. But if there is going to be a macabre tour of Moscow, this station must be on it along with \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u0430\u0432\u0437\u043e\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [the mausoleum] and possibly \u00ab<\/strong>\u041f\u0430\u0442\u0440\u0438\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u0448\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0443\u0434\u044b<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [Patriarshiye, or Patriarch\u2019s, Ponds] from \u201cMaster and Margarita\u201d.<\/p>\n

Several mentions were about unfriendly, unsmiling people and the general hustle and bustle. I guess the latter is unavoidable in any large city. Besides, life is hard for Moscovites, what with \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0431\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [traffic jams], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u043e\u043b\u0447\u0435\u044f<\/span> <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u043c\u0435\u0442\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [crowded subway], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0433\u043e\u0432\u0438<\/span>\u0437\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0436\u0438<\/span>\u0437\u043d\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [expensive living] and freaky weather extremes.<\/p>\n

Seriously though, many of my American friends note this outward somberness, lack of joy on the faces of Russians. To which I say – just get to know them better! Yes, Russians are \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043a\u0443<\/span>\u043f\u044b <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0443\u043b\u044b<\/span>\u0431\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [thrifty with their smiles] with strangers. But once the initial barriers are broken, it\u2019ll be hard to find a more \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u0442\u0437\u044b<\/span>\u0432\u0447\u0438\u0432\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0438 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u043b\u0438\u0432\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0434\u0440\u0443\u0433\u00bb<\/strong> [understanding and companionable friend] and a more \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0435\u043f\u0440\u0438\u0438<\/span>\u043c\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0445\u043e\u0437\u044f<\/span>\u0438\u043d\u00bb<\/strong> [welcoming host].<\/p>\n

Many of you mentioned delicious food, from \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0447\u0438\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [blintzes] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0436\u043a\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [small pies] to \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u043e\u0440\u0449\u00bb<\/strong> [borsht] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u043e\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0436\u0435\u043d\u043e\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [ice cream]. In my opinion, if there were only three things you could try while in Moscow, I would make it \u00ab<\/strong>\u0447\u0451<\/span>\u0440\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0445\u043b\u0435\u0431\u00bb<\/strong> [dark bread], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u043b\u044f<\/span>\u0448\u00bb<\/strong> [small round pie with meat filling], but only if it\u2019s \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441 <\/strong>\u043f\u044b<\/span>\u043b\u0443 <\/strong>\u0441 <\/strong>\u0436\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u0443\u00bb<\/strong> [so fresh, it\u2019s still hot] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u043e\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0436\u0435\u043d\u043e\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [ice cream]. Oh, and just for my American friends, I\u2019ll add \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0440\u044f<\/span>\u0447\u0438\u0439 <\/strong>\u0448\u043e\u043a\u043e\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u00bb<\/strong> [hot chocolate] to my list.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not sure \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0430\u043a <\/strong>\u043e\u0431\u0441\u0442\u043e\u044f<\/span>\u0442 <\/strong>\u0434\u0435\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [how things are] with hot chocolate in other countries, but here in the States it\u2019s just hot water with some cocoa powder mixed in. In Russia this drink is called \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0430\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [cocoa]. That\u2019s for kids. But \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0440\u044f<\/span>\u0447\u0438\u0439 <\/strong>\u0448\u043e\u043a\u043e\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u00bb<\/strong> I had in cafes in Moscow, boy, it was served with small spoons – that\u2019s how thick it was.<\/p>\n

And since I\u2019m no this hot chocolate detour, here\u2019s the recipe<\/a> I found that best approximates the hot chocolate I had at various cafes in Moscow and St. Petersburg:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Start with 100 grams of high-quality dark chocolate. Break it into pieces and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0440\u0430\u0441\u0442\u043e\u043f\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [melt] it \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0432\u043e\u0434\u044f\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0439 <\/strong>\u0431\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [in a double-boiler].<\/li>\n
  2. Add 1 table spoon of water and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0440\u0430\u0437\u043c\u0435\u0448\u0430<\/span>\u0439\u0442\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [stir].<\/li>\n
  3. In a separate \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0430\u0441\u0442\u0440\u044e<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [small pot], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u043e\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u0435 <\/strong>\u0434\u043e <\/strong>\u043a\u0438\u043f\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f\u00bb <\/strong>[bring to boil] 250 milliliters of milk or light cream.<\/li>\n
  4. Slowly pour milk into chocolate, \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0440\u044b<\/span>\u0432\u043d\u043e <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u043c\u0435<\/span>\u0448\u0438\u0432\u0430\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [constantly stirring].<\/li>\n
  5. \u00ab<\/strong>\u0412\u0437\u0431\u0435<\/span>\u0439\u0442\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [whisk] hot chocolate for a few minutes. Optionally, add sugar to taste and\/or fold in some whipped cream.<\/li>\n
  6. Pour the real hot chocolate into cups and forget about cocoa powder for the rest of your life.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The tough part about travelling to Moscow is how expensive it is, especially for a foreign tourist. So here\u2019s my question for you – if you only had an overnight stay in Moscow, what would you like to see or do? \u00ab<\/strong>\u041c\u043e\u0441\u043a\u0432\u0438\u0447\u0438<\/span>, \u043f\u043e\u0441\u043e\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0443\u0439\u0442\u0435 \u043d\u0430\u043c, \u0433\u043e\u0441\u0442\u044f<\/span>\u043c \u0441\u0442\u043e\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0446\u044b!\u00bb <\/strong>[Moscovites, do offer your advice to us, the guests of the capital!]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

    Alexandr Pushkin, that most famous of the Russian poets, wrote \u00ab\u041c\u043e\u0441\u043a\u0432\u0430… \u043a\u0430\u043a \u043c\u043d\u043e\u0433\u043e \u0432 \u044d\u0442\u043e\u043c \u0437\u0432\u0443\u043a\u0435 \u0414\u043b\u044f \u0441\u0435\u0440\u0434\u0446\u0430 \u0440\u0443\u0441\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e \u0441\u043b\u0438\u043b\u043e\u0441\u044c!\u00bb [Moscow\u2026 how much there is in that sound That flows together for the heart of the Russian!] If we approach the problem from a strictly \u00ab\u043a\u043e\u043b\u0438\u0447\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0445\u043e\u0434\u00bb [quantitative approach], there are \u00ab\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0442\u0438 \u0434\u0435\u0432\u044f\u0442\u044c \u043c\u0438\u043b\u043b\u0438\u043e\u043d\u043e\u0432\u00bb [almost…<\/p>\n

    Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":2076,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[3,7827,7826],"tags":[1156,58241,1211,12961,385636,1371],"class_list":["post-2073","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-russian-life","category-when-in-russia","tag-moscow","tag-moscow-sights","tag-russia","tag-russian-emotions","tag-russian-food","tag-travel-in-russia"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2073"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2073\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6319,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2073\/revisions\/6319"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}