blue and white

blue and white
Originally uploaded by KarenSaraGaches.

Another fabulous building - this one is on 25th October Street, near the Opera House.

Saturday walk church 061

Saturday walk church 061
Originally uploaded by KarenSaraGaches.

Another beautiful church, called Holy Trinity.

The little joys of life

The little joys of life
Originally uploaded by KarenSaraGaches.

We found Baked Beans at the supermarket and they taste just right! Yeah!

Saturday walk fancy a drink 035

Saturday walk fancy a drink 035
Originally uploaded by KarenSaraGaches.

Yes, it's about time I explained this photo.
So, why have I taken a photo of two strangers walking along the side of the River Kama with bottles of half-drunk beer in their hands? Just because of that! It's so common to see people here in the street drinking beer - just about any time of day and any age, male or female. It came as a bit of a shock, given that it's illegal in Mexico and not that common in the UK. I've seen people here with their bottle of beer at 10am. Cultural differences. :-)

First Russian Lesson

I had my first Russian lesson today with Alex. It was excellent and just what I needed - 45 minutes of speaking Russian. I was exhausted!! I actually thought I was going to have to cancel it as it looked like I was going to have to teach but that course doesn't start until Monday. Phew. Lesson 2 on Monday from 10.30 to 12 (and then I really am going to be tired!! but it's so worth it.) Rafa has his first class this afternoon. Fingers crossed it goes well. (He should have had it on Wed but it was cancelled.)

(Also blogged on my weekly blog.)

church

church
Originally uploaded by KarenSaraGaches.

I think you might have gathered that I love Russian architecture! Isn't this just fabulous? To me this could be out of a Russian fairy-tale.

blue

blue
Originally uploaded by KarenSaraGaches.

Yet another beautiful building! The architecture really is one of the things I love about Russia!

opera house

opera house
Originally uploaded by KarenSaraGaches.

Isn't this a magnificent building? It's the ballet / opera house and I have to walk past it to get to work at both branches. I love it and the little park in front (with the statue of Lenin.)

Gorky and Lenin chat

Gorky and Lenin chat
Originally uploaded by KarenSaraGaches.

There are still so many reminders of the Soviet era. No-one really talks about what went on nor all the changes. Modern Russia is looking very prosperous but we're finding it also rather expensive, if you really want to live like the prosperous! In fact, in many ways it's more expensive than Mexico but we're earning a lot less. Not to worry - it's an interesting experience!

late autumn walk

late autumn walk
Originally uploaded by KarenSaraGaches.

The last day of the month has been cooler, verging on cold - just about 8°C. The wind was chilly too. Even so, we had a brief walk out this afternoon to get the blood circulating, though we didn't go very far as we were both feeling a little lazy and the wind was chilly! October started even colder than September ended and it's been a little below freezing over night and only about 5°C in the day. It's quite pleasant though. In the flat it's rather hot as the central heating has been turned on (for the whole building.) We've had the windows open to try to keep it cool rather than warm. Rafa and I seem to like the inside of our buildings a few degrees cooler than the Russians.