Celebrate Summer with Baltika Beer

It's that time of year; mowing the lawn, backyard cookouts, washing the car in the driveway, what do they all have in common? There is a good chance that a cold beer is nearby. One of my other hobbies is brewing beer, well consuming it, but the brewing slows that down a bit! But when I want a beer, right now, I like to drink Baltika 7. Living in the DC area, I'm fortunate that many beer and wine stores carry this brand. It reminds me of picnics in Belarus, and a whirlwind vacation that I once took to St. Petersburg with my wife and brother in law.

Hovering around 5.4% ABV, it pours with a nice golden color and holds a head well. Since it comes in the larger 16oz can or bottle, it reduces the trips to the fridge, but I recommend that you sip it slowly in the hot sun, it may sneak up on you!

Peterhof celebrates season of fountains - 7 - English pravda.ru

Not everything in Russia is serious. Most of us grew up with images of a cold, grey country in mind. From experience, one trip to Peterhof will change your mind. If a term comes to mind, it's "Oppulance...they has it" A short ride from St. Petersburg will take you back to the lavish lives of Russia's Tsars. This palace is fantastic from entrance to exit; paintings, statues, fountains, intricate gardens, I was amazed. You can return to the city by taking the Hydofoil boats across the bay, sitting on the sundeck while that beast flew at 50 mph was fantastic!
Peterhof celebrates season of fountains - 7 - English pravda.ru

Russian Marine Corps TV Commercial

As the Russian military is spending the week commemerating the end of WWII in Europe, let's take a look at how the government is getting new recruits. There has been a push to get away from the mandatory draft that most Russian males experience, and become a volunteer, or contract service.

Not exactly the type of Marine Corps commercials that we're used to seeing in the US, but I like how this guy spends his time off! It sure beats hanging around Camp Lejuene, waiting for my laundry to dry.

Victory Day 2011 in Russia

Unfortunately my work took me out of town for a couple of days, and I was unable to post any new material on May 9, Victory Day in Europe. Russia, as well as most countries in the Former Soviet Union, hold this day very sacred. Whether you agree with Soviet or Russian politics, or not, the Russians lost nearly 26 million people during WWII. To this day, May 9 is celebrated as a day of victory and reflection. Much like a July 4th celbration in the US, Russian cities and town decorate, clean up, and put on grand parades and ceremonies. Veterans are revered by the young, and are often awarded additional medals and benefits by the state. It is not uncommon to see 80-90 year old men walking with the left sides of the jackets being pulled down by their war medals. No matter where you are from, it is a humbling experience.

To study WWII and its results will make a stong person's stomach turn. To visit a village that was burned or a memorial marking the location of a mass killing or burial is horrific. I can't imagine the horrors that the usally kind, warm, elderly have suffered. I've posted the link below to the Victory Day Parade that was held in Moscow on Monday, May 9. It comes in two sections, enjoy the show, and don't worry about not understanding Russian. Some thoughts transcend language. http://tv-zvezda.ru/schedule/specialprojects/content/201104271216-k4h3.htm/

Radio Dacha

I'll make this quick, as I'm trying to get out the door. I apologize for not doing this earlier. Many of you, with your interests in the Russian language, have probably spent time listening to streaming radio. Like me, you have come accross broken links, outdated sites, and frankly, some really crummy stations. When you do find one that you like, you listen to about 90% English music, with about one Russian song an hour, frustrating.

I spend my time listening to Radio Dacha www.radiodacha.ru this station plays only Russian pop music. I enjoy it, and hope that you do too.

Imperial Russian Porcelain

In the past week the world watched the British Monarchy in all of its glory. Certainly, at least among the English speaking world, the British crown is the undisputed champion of what "Royal" means.

Many have forgotten, that less than 100 years ago, the Kings and Queens of Europe were related from Britain to Russia. Each war, territorial dispute, and coup was just one big family fued. The Romanov family of Russia was no exception to the grand lifetyles enjoyed by other European ruling families. Nestled in Petersburg Russia, a little further out than their cousins in Western Europe, they epitomized what Imperial living is all about. Unfortunately, a series of bad decsions, world war, and an unhappy working class brought the family to an end.

All we have reamining are some fine monuments, country residences and artifacts of a bygone era. I would encourage anyone interested in the British Royal history to learn more about the Royal history of Russia and how it all ties in with the shaping of modern day Europe. Paying a visit to the Hermitage museum, in St. Petersburg, would be a great start to any historian, but if time and expenses are an issue, I would hope that a visit to The Museum of Russian Art, in Minneapolis, MN would be a good start!

Dinner with the Tsars: Russian Imperial Porcelain

03/31/2011

Russian Beer on the Go

Say it ain't so! One of the relaxing aspects of my vacations in Russia is drinking beer outside, in a consequence free environment! Living in the US, consuming beer outside, in public view, is frowned upon. I love the idea of buying a beer at a kiosk or shop and being able to sip it while sitting in a park, or walking down the sidewalk.

I understand the premise, Russia does have an alcohol problem, but this is another case of punishing all, for the actions of a few. I can imagine that buying beer or wine in Russia will be like it is in the US in a couple of years.

I suppose that I'll have to rely on my memories of fishing on grassy shores, swigging a Yarpivo beer, to get me throught the rest of the day.

Cheap plastic beer bottles to go

22/04/201111:36