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Youth: What Freedom! January 30, 2013 daily photo This small scene reminded me of Ilya Repin's painting What Freedom! This painting is one of my all-time favourite. The love, the fervour, the recklessness of youth, the vast open space of the sea (can the icy cold sea cool down the real love?)
This was taken from my hotel window, looking across a highway at a large exhibition and park devoted to Russia's space exploits in the late 1950s. The swooping structure is apparently made of titanium, and you actually have to look fairly closely to see the small rocket at the top. There's also a large promenade, exhibition center, and even a Ferris wheel, which are visible in the next several pictures... The television tower in the background is apparently held upright by roughly 150 specially-made steel wires. There was a serious fire about 10 years ago, and most of the wires were destroyed; people feared that the tower might topple, but it didn't. It took quite a while for the wires to be replaced, and for the first week after the fire, there was no television in Moscow; the local joke is that, just like the aftermath of NYC power failures in 1965 and 1977 and 2003, the birth rate shot up dramatically exactly nine months later... Note: this photo was published in a Moscow Insider's Guide blog titled &quot;Cosmos Hotel Moscow ( http://www.moscow-russia-insiders-guide.com/cosmos-hotel-moscow.html ) .&quot; ********************* These photos were taken during a week-long trip to Russia in September 2008, the last four days of which were spent in Moscow. The first several photos were taken from the window of my hotel room, on the 24th floor of a massive complex known as the &quot;Cosmos&quot; hotel at the northern edge of the city. The others were taken during a 3-hour drive to see various scenic areas of Moscow (some of which, like Red Square, I had already seen and photographed on an earlier trip to Moscow in April 2008)
Moscow Manege Square In Dull Season Here you see the part of Moscow Manege square as viewed from the direction of visitor's entrance to the Kremlin. To the left you see part of the Manege building. It used to be a riding-hall, now it is the fine arts showroom. Then comes the building of the National hotel. In front of you you see two tall buildings of Russia Parliament - State Duma. Also you see heads of bronze horses - this is the fountain Four seasons (four horses symbolize four seasons). And no people at all. Too cold, and wet, and gloomy these days. You can compare activity in the place in warm season, as shown on the photo below. Sources: Winter and Manege square of Moscow City.
Moscow Manege Square In Warm Season Here you see the part of Moscow Manege square in the beginning of autumn. The tourist season is still active. The traffic is tipycal for the warm season of the year. A lot of people like to spend their time at the Manege square just having a rest, fun and... and doing nothing. :-) In front of you is the building of National hotel which was built 100 years ago. To the right you see the ugly concrete and glass building of Russian Parliament. It was built in Soviet time for the needs of the State Planning Agency of the USSR. Compare the level of activity with the photo above. Sources: Autumn and Manege square of Moscow City.
See photo in original gallery.
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