Posts Tagged "Moscow Metro"
Dima: Physics PhD Student
MOSCOW: Dima, 24, was quietly playing the harmonica while waiting for a friend, his guitar resting behind him. I asked the physics PhD student how he decided on the natural science. "It just happened that way," he said.
Vika: Dreaming of Moscow Metro Career
MOSCOW: When an accident a year ago in the Moscow underground took the life of many people including a school friend, Vika said she feared entering the metro. To overcome her fright, she began to look for something positive in the underground. That is when, she said, she realized its beauty. A few months after the accident, she began to photograph stations and the activity grew into a favorite hobby. She has already visited half the 196 stations. Ironically, her mom works on new metro construction and Vika recently got the opportunity to visit a major construction site. She said she was blown away by the sheer size of the work...all this has influenced her future plans. The 3rd-year politics major wants to get a second higher education so she can 'participate in Moscow metro construction."
Aslan: From North Ossetia to Moscow
MOSCOW: Aslan was wearing a New York Yankees baseball cap as he waited for the metro with a group of friends. Aslan said he grew up in North Ossetia but has been living in Moscow for many years He studied economics, but when he graduated he realized it wasn't his calling. He says he would like to live ''where the sun shines,'' but can't now can't image living far away from the noise of a megapolis. ''Over the last few years, my life has really changed and, for the most part, I am to blame. I left a lot to chance. By the time I came to my senses, I realized it was too late,'' he said. ''I let a lot of opportunities go by. Now I am trying to get things going, trying to find myself and my calling. But it turns out that it is either very difficult or requires a lot of money, which I don't have.''
Sonya: Future Tattoo Artist
MOSCOW: Sonya, 18, was handing out flyers for an English-language school inside the Moscow metro near the exit on a chilly Sunday spring evening. She said she works about 12 hours a week to have extra pocket money while studying at a polytechnic. Sonya said she loves to draw - something that is a family trait - and showed some photos of her work that she had saved on her phone. She said her mother, grandmother, aunt and sister all draw. Sonya wants to use her drawing skills to earn a living...but not in the typical way. ''I want to become a tattoo master because I really like the concept of body art. Someone will carry on their body your artwork for their entire life.'' Sonya said her mom recently let her get her first tattoo. It was a drawing of a fox on her shoulder.
Ilya: Escaping Russia’s Regions for Moscow
Ilya, in his early 20s, had just finished work at a clothing retail store near the edge of Moscow and was waiting in the metro around 10 pm for his girlfriend to arrive. He said he came from Belgorod in western Russia near the border with Ukraine. Belgorod is considered to be one of Russia's better regions, in part due to its agriculture base. When asked why he moved to Moscow, Ilya said ''it is impossible to live in the [Russian] regions.'' Ilya explained that he earns double what his mom makes, despite her having a much more important job. Ilya said his mom is responsible for water supply to residents in one of Belgorod's towns. Ilya said his girlfriend also moved from the regions to Moscow.
Katya: Future Surgical Pathologist
MOSCOW: Katya, 14, passed me in the metro. She was hard not to notice. She was wearing a multi-colored coat, black stockings with white stripes, black hightops, purple and yellow scarf, green hat and maroon dress. And she was carrying a single orange-colored flower given to her at school by the boys as part of the Woman's Day celebration. Katya had just finished school for the day but was on her way to additional German language classes. Her English was already at a high level. I asked her what she would like to be when she gets older, certain she would say something like 'artist, designer.' She said she wanted to be a surgical pathologist. "It is interesting to know how the human body works and about diseases. I want to help the world to cure deadly diseases. Surgical pathologists know everything about the human body and their diagnosis are always right."
