Moscow – The Kremlin
Posted on June 30, 2017
Diplomatic relations between Russia and the Western nations are at a particularly low ebb at present, the worst in many years. It, therefore, comes as no surprise to HX followers that MB has made a recent trip to the heart of the Russia to try to mend some fences. And when one travels to the capital city, one knows that fence-mending doesn’t happen in ornate cathedrals, hotels or fancy metro stations. No Siree. If fence-mending is your game, then there is only one location in Moscow to head for.
The Kremlin.
MB received word prior to travel that Vlad Putin was busy and was unlikely to get a chance to press the flesh with MB. MB took the news on the chin as one would expect, and soldiered on regardless. But in the end, the paths of the two men did indeed cross, as the ‘main man’ emerged from the Kremlin complex one evening in his nuclear bomb-proof car, accompanied by some serious looking dark-glassed 4x4s, as MB was walking past. Needless to say, the Russian President gave MB a thumbs-up as both men made eye-contact. MB responded in kind with an air high-five. Mr Putin smiled. So did MB.
A day or two later, MB found himself not outside the Kremlin walls, but within. Do not ask MB how he manages such magical diplomatic feats, as he is not at liberty to say. Anyway, informing all the Kremlin security staff that he had the personal permission of Mr Putin to photograph at will, MB ran amok with his Canon 7D, and photographed anything that moved. And much that didn’t.
Seriously, a visit to the red-walled Kremlin complex is a huge thrill. The area called Cathedral Square from the outside is stunning, and one can also enter the inside of the churches to see the ornate Orthodox-style religious decoration. If ever HX followers wish to travel in the footsteps of MB, just shoot MB a private message, and he will immediately take the permission of Mr Puttin to get you inside. Guaranteed.
On the occasion of MBs visit, a class of young military cadets were celebrating their graduation, so many family members and guests were in attendance, as can be seen in some of the below photos.
Expect international diplomatic relations to start improving dramatically. Real soon!
Traffic is stopped (1st photo) to allow Mr Putin’s entourage to exit the Kremlin onto the adjoining public street (2nd photo)
The Kremlin Complex:
The Kremlin Palace (event hall):
Cathedral Square, etc
Moscow – Metro
Posted on June 30, 2017
MB was taken on a speed-of-light tour of some Moscow Metro stations last weekend by Russian friend NK. MB had previously heard that the Moscow stations were architecturally impressive. ‘Impressive’, MB can assure followers, does not do justice. Read More
Moscow – Tretyakov Gallery
Posted on June 29, 2017
MB has already given followers a photo post on the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. So he doesn’t intend to discuss it further in text. Just click on the link to get the Wikipedia info on it if you wish to learn more. The stories behind many of the paintings are fascinating. And if you are ever lucky enough to visit Moscow please do not miss it.
Some photos to give you all a flavour:
Moscow – St Basil’s Cathedral
Posted on June 29, 2017
Although it is known by other formal and former names, St Basil’s Cathedral is known as such throughout the world and is the jewel in the crown of Moscow’s Red Square. It was commissioned by the dastardly Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the Russian conquest of Kazan and Astrakhan, and was built between 1555 & 1561. It is not known with 100% certainty who the architects were, but they are commonly considered to have been two in number, named Barma and Postnik. The building is unique in world architecture, with nothing similar in existence. Read More
Moscow – Lenin’s Mausoleum
Posted on June 29, 2017
The embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin lies in a mausoleum in Moscow’s Red Square next to the red brick walls of the Kremlin complex. A decision was recently taken by the Russian Duma (Parliament) that the mausoleum will close at some (near) future date and the body will be buried. The reason for all this is that the embalming process can not maintain the body forever and already signs of skin decay are evident. On reading up a little since his return to Qatar, MB has discovered that skin repairs have already been carried out in recent years. Only on account of Lenin’s body and the extensive efforts to preserve it in more recent times and to understand the particular science to the maximum, has made Russian scientists the foremost world experts in this particular field.
MB visited the mausoleum on Sunday morning last. Photography is forbidden and burly security guards/soldiers are aplenty to ensure that everybody behaves themselves in every way. One descends a set of marble stairs at the entrance down to the lower mausoleum level where the temperature is cooled to help preserve the body. Lenin himself looks very well and at peace with the world. If MB didn’t know better, he would have assumed that Vladimir was merely in a restful sleep.
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The red-brick wall of the Kremlin, with the mausoleum extreme left of photo (appearing under the clock tower)
Two shots of the mausoleum front facade
The area behind the mausoleum has many plaques and monuments dedicated to Russian historical heroes and characters. It was noticeable that the monument dedicated to Stalin had more flowers on it than any of the others. He is still a hero to members of the Communist Party, the second largest party in the country after Putin’s ‘United Russia’, despite his past deeds.
Moscow – Moscow River Cruise
Posted on June 28, 2017
If you want a chilled relaxing evening in Moscow, MB can highly recommend a cruise on the Moscow River. Food, of a very high quality, and alcohol are available in abundance. MB particularly enjoyed a few goblets of damn fine Russian vodka. When in Russia! The tickets can be bought online and one must then arrive at the river pier next to the Radisson Hotel at the appropriate time.
The historical buildings are memorable enough during daylight hours but are truly spectacular under the night lights and golden-hour twilight.
Herewith some of MBs favourites shots from the trip:
Weekly Photo Challenge – Delta (Change)
Posted on June 28, 2017
Transitions/Change/The Passing of time.
It’s either a sign of MB’s personal ignorance of the art world or ignorance within Western countries generally of Russian history and culture (MB is not sure which), that he had never previously heard of the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow until his Moscow visit of a few days back. The gallery houses the largest collection of Russian art in the entire country and was originally donated to the State by an art-collecting merchant called Pavel Tretyakov (in 1892).
Tretyakov’s donation comprised some 2,000 works of art at that time, but the collection has now grown to some 150,000 pieces, including some sculptures. The gallery itself is overwhelming, as are many of the paintings which are huge in physical size. MB got lost a number of times in the gallery such is its extent, and its labyrinth layout. The paintings generally portray famous characters or aristocracy figures from Russian history, famous moments of Russian history, and many religious themed paintings.
MB gives you all one such painting from the gallery, appropriate for this week’s photo challenge from many aspects MB is thinking, which depicts the arrival of Jesus to some of his followers. MB heard the full description of the painting on his gallery audio guide but sadly forgets most of it by now. MB remembers that some of the characters have just emerged from the Jordan River following their baptism by John The Baptist, and four of the future apostles appear on the left side of the photo (in beards & one with red hair).
MB will post a follow-up post on the Tretyakov Gallery in the coming days. Big thanks to Russian friend NK for organising the visit and many others over the weekend. MB Os U!
Moscow – The Bolshoi Theatre
Posted on June 27, 2017
If you fancy a night out at the ballet or opera lads, MB would respectfully suggest that you consider a trip to the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. There is much pirouetting, pointing of toes and lepping about in mesmerising magical movement.
The Bolshoi Theatre (operating since 1776) is perhaps the most famous ballet and opera theatre in the world. The original buildings (there were two) were burnt down in 1805 and in 1812; the latter occasion being the result of a French invasion of Moscow headed by a vertically challenged Frenchman, suffering a severe bout of ‘small man syndrome’; one Napoleone di Buonaparte. In any event, the ballet & opera-loving Ruskies were not to be bested, and the present building reopened again in 1824 under the name of the Bolshoi Petrovsky Theatre. To this day, French nationals are forbidden from buying tickets for performances. Joke!!!
Anyway lads, MB was lucky enough to have a ‘Moscow break’ in recent days and to catch a ballet at the Bolshoi called ‘Lady of the Camellias’ last Saturday evening, based on a book by French writer Alexandre Dumas Jnr. It’s about a courtesan (prostitute) called Marguerite Gautier, who was available for the pleasure of court noblemen. If she was holding a red camellia flower in her hand it meant that she was already taken for the night and one needn’t waste one’s time asking. But if she held a white one, it meant that she was still available. A tragic love story unfolds when a local young lad called Armand Duval falls in love with her, to the great displeasure of his father. MB will just leave it at that, knowing that many HX followers are already booking flights and tickets online as they read.
The performance on Saturday evening included world-famous Bolshoi Prima Ballerina Svetlana Zakharova in the lead female role, considered one of greatest ballerinas of all time. She is some lepper.
Photography is not permitted during a performance, and for the first time in his life, MB complied with such a rule. Taking photos was allowed, however, when the cast took their bow at the end, when those like MB (who know their ballet) shouted “bravo, bravo”!
Weekly Photo Challenge – Transient
Posted on June 21, 2017
Transient/Impermanent.
MB was in his HX homeland last month for ten days or so. One of the events he attended during his trip was the 50th anniversary of the HX Soccer Club, which commenced playing operations in 1967. During the evening, mention was made of many former players who have passed away in the intervening years, and a number of those present on the night actually played with those deceased members back in the flower-power days.
The night reminded many of us of more advanced years that we are all just passing through at the end of the day. In the end, we are all just transients.
MB caught a nice shot of friend, former club player and band member LS on the evening, as he strummed his bass guitar to Lay Down Sally or something similar.
Play it Liam!
Summer Solstice 2017
Posted on June 19, 2017
On the morning of 21 June, two days from now, people will gather at the Grange Stone Circle in MB’s HX homeland to celebrate the arrival of the solstice sunrise. Alas, MB will not be present. But he will be thinking of them and of his previous visits on Solstice morning in recent years.
Good luck to all who will attend. Wishing for a cloudless sky.
Waiting for the sunrise. An MB shot from 21 June 2014:
Weekly Photo Challenge – Focus
Posted on June 17, 2017
All the birds of the air fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin.
MB caught a reasonably sharp focus on Mr Robin some time back in his HX homeland. Mr Robin was, at the time, focused very much on something else, as viewers can see. MB can assure followers that MB’s Robin is not the unfortunate Cock Robin of nursery rhyme fame:
“Who killed Cock Robin?” “I,” said the Sparrow,
“With my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin.”
“Who saw him die?” “I,” said the Fly,
“With my little eye, I saw him die.”
“Who caught his blood?” “I,” said the Fish,
“With my little dish, I caught his blood.”
“Who’ll make the shroud?” “I,” said the Beetle,
“With my thread and needle, I’ll make the shroud.”
“Who’ll dig his grave?” “I,” said the Owl,
“With my pick and shovel, I’ll dig his grave.”
“Who’ll be the parson?” “I,” said the Rook,
“With my little book, I’ll be the parson.”
“Who’ll be the clerk?” “I,” said the Lark,
“If it’s not in the dark, I’ll be the clerk.”
“Who’ll carry the link?” “I,” said the Linnet,
“I’ll fetch it in a minute, I’ll carry the link.”
“Who’ll be chief mourner?” “I,” said the Dove,
“I mourn for my love, I’ll be chief mourner.”
“Who’ll carry the coffin?” “I,” said the Kite,
“If it’s not through the night, I’ll carry the coffin.”
“Who’ll bear the pall? “We,” said the Wren,
“Both the cock and the hen, we’ll bear the pall.”
“Who’ll sing a psalm?” “I,” said the Thrush,
“As she sat on a bush, I’ll sing a psalm.”
“Who’ll toll the bell?” “I,” said the bull,
“Because I can pull, I’ll toll the bell.”
All the birds of the air fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin.
Foto Friday – Irish Scene
Posted on June 9, 2017
The Foto Friday selection this week is an MB shot from his trip home of a few weeks back. And it doesn’t come more Irish than this.
Two guys do a spot of fishing from a boat on Lough Derg lake, to the backdrop of a stone-built Round Tower, and an emerald green hill.
Qatar Blockade – MB’s trying to sort it out!
Posted on June 8, 2017
Followers will, no doubt, already be aware of the ‘Qatar Blockade’, to give the subject matter its Twitter hashtag handle. On Monday morning last, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain broke off diplomatic relations with Qatar, along with some other Islamic power-houses such as Maldives and Libya Eastern Region. All flights between Qatar and ‘The Others’ were cancelled indefinitely on the following day with travel bans imposed on citizens. The land border with Saudi Arabia (the only land border that peninsular Qatar actually has) was closed with some red & white ‘danger’ tape and plastic bollards, like you see on construction sites back in Ireland. ‘Danger – Do Not Enter’ signs suddenly appeared all along the frontline. “WTF?” shouted all the normal (powerless) citizens of the Arabian Gulf who, to a man and woman, hadn’t a clue what was going on.
And there you have it, dear followers. You are all as wise as all the locals on this matter. Tweets from ‘The Donald’ soon revealed that he was in the thick of it, and in all probability had rubber-stamped the whole escapade, which is still unfolding. ‘The Donald’ was in Saudi Arabia a few weeks back and departed with USD 100B in weapons contracts, while Ivanka gladly accepted a USD 100M donation to her ‘Female Entrepreneurs Fund’ from the Saudi King; her without the headscarf. Tramp. Trump.
Anyway……..
While all the expats were scratching their heads and scratching their butts trying to figure it all out, Mr Mohammad & Mrs Fathima Al Qatari made an immediate bee-line for the supermarkets and cleared all the shelves of perishable goods. Generations of dealing with Arab volatility has thought the Qatari lads and lassies a thing or two about dealing with a crisis. Monday and Tuesday saw some of the longest queues in Qatari supermarket history. Fresh milk was gone by Monday evening, leaving only UHT Goats Milk for dim-witted expats like MB, when they finally cottoned on to the fact that shopping is what one does when a crisis strikes. Food shopping. Comfort shopping. Any kind of shopping. Even MB got a little caught up in it all, buying a dozen organic eggs on Tuesday evening, rather than his normal half. How comforted was MB?! Struth!
MB heard only today that there is no chicken available in the shops, him not being the greatest of chicken fans and unaware of that particular chicken fact. The desert sand does not provide much sustenance for your average chuck, so the chicken farms of the Gulf are primarily located in Saudi Arabia where an odd bit of muck and dirt resides; Islamic chickens one and all no doubt. The chicken trucks are therefore presently stacked ten-a-chicken-breast at the blockaded Saudi border, as MB writes this chicken missal.
For the information and ongoing education of HX followers, the Arabic word for chicken is ‘dajaj’ (some word), and MB swears that almost 75% of the items on every restaurant menu in Qatar have the ‘dajaj’ word included somewhere. Dajaj this and dajaj that and dajaj the other. It’s akin to spuds back in Ireland. A must-have dish with every meal, in whatever format suits the moment. More dajaj please. And can I please order some desert dajaj? And a dajaj to go. Shukran.
So is there a threat of invasion MB? Well if there is lads, let’s hope it’s an invasion of chickens, or eggs. But which will come first MB? That’s the proverbial question lads!
Anyway, MB is not fearful of invasion. The HX Blog has numerous followers in Saudi Arabia and UAE, from MB’s sojourns in those regions. So the fact that MB is known to be presently residing in Qatar, means in all probability, that none of the hostile governments (of some 120M population) will risk sending troops across the border of Qatar (of some 2M population). Or if they do, it will only be to meet with MB to negotiate the terms of their surrender.
And that’s the story to date lads. MB will keep you all a(chicken)breast of developments, even before they happen.
Watch this space. Yesterday!
Lulu Supermarket today. Doha, Qatar. UHT Goats Milk. Yuk!
Weekly Photo Challenge – Order
Posted on June 7, 2017
Sort of!
Shot from a Yemeni jewellery market stall at Global Village Souq Dubai, from a few years back.
HX Report 