Capturing Russia from white to black, north to south, east to west

Posts Tagged "Moscow"

Russia-NYC Series 34

Russia-NYC Series 34

Yura and Murat, 12 years old, were on their way to watch a Russian tennis championship match in Moscow with two other friends. Dressed in a NYC sweater and winter hat, Yura and Murat said they have each been playing tennis for several years, but prefer BMX biking, a sport that seems to have become more popular in Moscow in recent years with the opening of new, outdoor extreme biking grounds.
 

Russia-NYC Series 33

Russia-NYC Series 33

The young man on the left in the NYC shirt and his uncle come from a small village on the shore of Lake Issyk Kul in the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan. The young man said he graduated with a law degree, but as there were no jobs at home, came to Russia. He said he worked 2.5 years on Yamal Peninsual, Russia's main gas producing region, which lines on the Arctic circle. He loved the region's nature, but found it tough to bear -45c. Now he works as a cashier in Moscow and says he is satisfied with the work and pay. He dreams of earning enough to buy a car and build himself a home in is village in Kyrgyzstan. He then showed me a few photos of his village at the foot of Lake Issuk Kul with the Tian Shan Mountains rising in the background. 
 

Russia-NYC Series 32

Russia-NYC Series 32

Alexander was in the metro on his way out on a Friday night when I noticed his ‘Where Brooklyn At’ baseball cap. He said his work actually has him focused on the Asia-Pacific region rather than across the Atlantic. He said he occasionally moonlights as a DJ at small spots in the city. 
 

Russia-NYC Photo Series 26

Russia-NYC Photo Series 26

Karina, a political science major, was walking toward a Moscow park with friends when I saw her in her Brooklyn jacket. This looks very much like a real Brooklyn highschool football, something that Travolta and the gang would have worn in the TV serial "Welcome Back Kotter."

Russia-NYC Photo Series 25

Russia-NYC Photo Series 25

Moscow's population has grown rapidly over the past 50 years, meaning many of its inhabitants have shallow roots. Alexei, wearing a NYC t-shirt, said his family's Moscow roots go back to the time of Ivan the Great in the 16th century.

Mussia-NYC Photo Series 22

Mussia-NYC Photo Series 22

This couple was out for a stroll in a Moscow park as summer neared an end. Sporting NYC and Memphis sweaters, they said they were studying medicine and economics.

Russia-NYC Photo Series 20

Russia-NYC Photo Series 20

Anton, sporting a Brooklyn shirt, was walking with his girlfriend Katya toward Sparrow Hills, which offers one of the best views of Moscow, when I bumped into them. While taking a few photos, Anton suddenly turned toward Katya and kissed her.

Russia-NYC Photo Series 13

Russia-NYC Photo Series 13

He was in the metro station heading home with friends when I noticed the cool Brooklyn hat. He said he plays basketball and bought the hat in Miami. I asked him to step outside the station to take the photo as the light was a bit better. He was a bit reluctant, but agreed. As I got my camera ready, this girl ran over and jumped into the photo, causing him to smile. She then ran off just as fast into the metro. He must have been 6'3" - you can see that she is on her tippy toes and still a few inches shorter than him.
 

Russia-NYC Photo Series 12

Russia-NYC Photo Series 12

Moscow has a reputation of being a cold city both literally and figuratively. I have heard people say on a few occasions something along the lines: 'Moscow is a place for earning money, not living.' But you will see many 'warm' moments that will convince you otherwise if you stroll through the city's parks on nearly any given day. This photo of a young guy in a Brooklyn shirt and his girlfriend was taken at the Moscow 'Color Festival' this summer ... though it may actually be a bit above a 'warm' moment on the temperture scale.

Russia-NYC Photo Series 11

Russia-NYC Photo Series 11

As we exited the metro, I asked Roman if I could take his photo with the Bronx hat and he agreed. On the escalator ride up to the street, I asked him what kind of work he was involved in. He leaned toward my ear and whispered "I'm an artist."

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