Goodbye Moscow (can't wait see you again!)

Gorky Park of Culture & LEISURE

The new / refreshed Gorky Park is quite simply the greatest park / public space I have ever visited in my life.  Cannot explain how awesome it is.  Official Name is Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure.   What a fantastic name.   Culture AND LEISURE.   Never miss it if you visit Moscow- NEVER !!   Such a warm young energetic vibe here, tons of sport activities, bike rentals, dancing groups/lessons, daybeds, rollerblading, river cruising, a huge forest to the side, people watching, incredible restaurants (16 of them), kids areas, museums onsite, ponds, paddle boats, hip bars, good music, white sandy beaches, cafes, etc etc etc etc.  Gorky Park is so incredible that it has its own newspaper.  Oh yeah, and admission is free.  

 

 

Rubik's cube art (mindblowing)

Really innovative, incredible and awe inspiring exhibit was on display over at ARTPLAY last week (in the arts district just east of downtown).  Artplay is a new complex of art, music and interactive exhibit spaces in a former abandoned tea factory.   It's got so much energy.  

Back to the exhibit - it featured dozens and dozens of huge (larger than life) recreations of portraits and pictures of famous people and artwork comprised of Rubik's cubes, from 500 Rubik's cubes for the smaller pieces up to one that featured 10,000 separate Rubik's cubes, with each dialed a certain way to line up the pattern.  So fantastic to see and share with Dasha.   

Check out a small sample of the pieces below (that's right - a Yoda made up from Rubik's cubes was almost too awesome to explain).   It's a must see if this exhibit visits your town.  Here's more info on artplay and the exhibit - here and more info here

Classic russian outfit

Throw back Thursday - shot of dasha last year at her school's international festival (in her russian outfit) 

Dancing on the ceiling

The air over here is crazy in the summer (allows you to do absolutely amazing human tricks).  No wonder that half of the cirque de soleil dancers are from russia (not to mention the strong space program) !!

Russian Slam Dunk

Slam Dunk, flush or Alley-oop, whatever Chick Hearn phrase you want to call it - this is how you throw it down in the USSR !!

Rolling Underground Museum !!

This is probably my 5th post about the Moscow Metro subway, but it is an important (and convenient) part of the daily life here.   After taking over 100 rides, I finally lucked into a ride on the Museum Train earlier today with Darya and Anastasiya.   

Anastasiya's been able to ride it a few times before, so she was immediately excited when the train pulled up as it's visible from the outside (special murals even on the outside of the train cars).   They've removed about half the seats from every car on the museum subway train and placed beautiful scenic and patriotic artwork in their place.  As an engineer, and a fan of russian art - getting to experience some great art while being whisked underground at high speed to our destination was an awesome experience.  

See more details on the Museum Train here (and photos below)

Bike Moscow !!

An incredible transporation transformation is taking place in big moscow - - the sudden popularity of bicycles all around town (as not only a leisure activity, but a serious form of getting around on a daily basis).   The bike rental kiosks that have been popular all over western and northern europe for several years have made their way over now, but those are used by visitors typically.   It's evident the bike movement is more than that, it's locals from 10-50 years old biking around all the time.   

Bike paths have been created on several streets around town, special bike paths in most of the large parks, bike allowed on metro, bike festivals, and the one that blew me away - Bike in Dining at a popular cafe in Gorky Park (you can remain standing on your bike while having your meal, while your bike is locked into a slot underneath you).   Pretty awesome.  here's some pics

anastasiya & dasha - gorky park 2014

papa + dasha ready to roll

dasha on a dedicated two-way bike path

Bike up dining (with dining table above)

Bike rentals near city center

Bike Festival Poster

Moscow mules

I guess this is the modern day 21st century Moscow Mule around town here (standard issue Rolls Coupe and Ferrari for the everyday russian businessman).   Luxury rides literally littered around every street corner!