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HOT News
February 22, 2007
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Today I have more time to continue the story of the Russian cops (see my previous news), which happened to me and my repeat client from Germany on Red Square on 8th of February. But first I would like to supply you with some useful information about new registration laws in Moscow which came into force from January 15th, 2007.
All foreign citizens arriving in Russia must register their visa within three working days. If you are staying in a hotel, the administration of the hotel should register your visa for the period of your stay. Be sure to specifically request this service. Visa registration at the Moscow AFMS (Administration of Federal Migration Service) usually takes 1 working day or more. A hotel can make it the next day after your arrival as a confirmation of registration you get the lower part of the notification form stamped by the Authorities. Be aware, that because of changing the procedure and using new forms now it takes now more time to make registration. Prior to 2007 hotels or any inviting company could do it in 1 hour).
We had just passed the Resurrection Gates and entered Red Square from the North when we were stopped by two young policemen who asked for our papers. Living in Moscow, where from Soviet times there was always a strict policy towards visitors, I am used to this procedure, but honestly still don't like the process because you don't know how it could all end. . Unfortunately, a lot of Russian cops try not only to "Protect And Serve" but to find any petty irregularity and then give you a "hint" how this "situation" can be solved fast. Because nobody wants to be detained and then escorted to a police department where for the next 3 hours you have to make report and pay fines, the cops know that you will "pay" once they give you the "hint" how much and how to hand over...
Click here to read the full story.
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February 15, 2007
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This morning it was just another heavy snowfall in Moscow and, finally, I was able to make several interesting pictures with real winter landscapes during the day with my current client from Indonesia. During the last couple of days the temperature in Moscow raised to zero and the snow which fell before almost started to melt... I remember that yesterday were a lot of water on the roads and very dirty everywhere... Just imagine how I was impressed this morning when glanced out of my window - all the buildings, cars and trees were covered by very thick layer of snow... and I thought how pity that I have to work today and it could be nice to go out of the city and take some pictures in countryside... But anyway I was lucky today, even the traffic was bad, I found some time to make interesting pictures before meeting with my client and, of course, with him.
This picture I took in the park of Repin (famous Russian artist) on Bolotnaya Embankment. Even behind the nice lamppost you can distinguish the shape of the monument established in this park to this artist. This park is situated on long island opposite the Moscow Kremlin and very close from apartment building where my client at present time rent apartment (tomorrow I have to see him off).
PS: Now is already evening and the temperature lowered to -4..-5 C and forecast tells on news that to the end of this week it will be very cold again (-20..-22 C)...
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February 08, 2007
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I walked today around the Red Square with my repeat client from Germany, Romy Brock. It is her 6th business trip to Moscow and this time she found some spare time between her meetings to walk around the famous Moscow attractions together and take some pictures of our memories (tomorrow I have to see her off again)... I have rare chances as usual to be in photos, in most cases only if my clients ask me to make a photo of us together, or they decide to take picture when I talking about history of Russia during our tours or just occasionally during our conversations, sightseeing tours or some special events... But this time I had the chance to ask Romy to take a picture with me during the tour around the Red Square for my website and friends.
During last several days the weather in Moscow became very cold: last night it was about -22...-24 C and during the day - about - 15 C. I am very happy right now that recently I bought a very good winter coat, made in Finland by special "Valtherm" technology. They are using the best Thermal Insulator inside and Thermo Stretch fabric which all together provide the greatest thermo control, waterproofing and windproof characteristics. This coat is very warm, comfortable to wear, lots of pockets inside and outside, it is not heavy and it is soft to touch. I don't want to advertise these coats (I do not have any business interest here), but I think, that it is an ideal choice for me, who has to drive and walk everyday in spite of the harsh climatic conditions, and hope that my experience can help somebody to make the right choice in finding appropriate clothing for the winter season.
Also, a bit later, I am going to post one photo with Romy on the page "My Dear Clients" with a small extraordinary story which happened with us at the beginning of this tour when we were stopped by couple of cops who asked us to show our papers and registration.. Everything was solved with my help, don't worry, but my client lost her positive convictions about the process of extermination of corruption in Russia...
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December 22, 2006
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I think, that the theme of Christmas and New Year gifts is very actual nowadays and everybody trying to get something special for his relatives, friends and co-workers. Of course, the negatives from these customer's activity is the terrible traffic in big cities, crowds in shops, but be patient - at the beginning of January will be pretty quietly... :-)
It could be pretty complicated to send to all my former clients and new friends from many countries the personal greetings with upcoming Winter Holidays.. Of course, during the next several days, for a while I have several days off, I will try to send as many as possible greetings, but I am afraid now that this task will be pretty hard for me and I have not enought time to accomplish this, as I think, important task. So that, I decided to post these greetings on-line with couple of pictures with wood carved Ded Moroz (Russian Santa Claus) and say everybody who knows me and remember my services in Moscow:
- Have a good time during upcoming Winter Holidays!
- Merry Christmas & Happy New 2007 Year!
- Everything the BEST for you, strong health, happiness in your families and… a lot of money to make all your dreams truth!!!
On the pcitures, which I took inside a huge craft market in the Kremlin of Izmailovo (Art City) and uploaded with my greetings, you can see plenty of best examples of wood carved Ded Morozes, a pretty Snegurochka (Snow-Maid) and even one very handsome Snegovik (Eng: Snow Man). By preserved tradition from Middle Ages, these masterpieces are carved with a hand in wood of lime. The average price for these gifts (if they are hand carved and painted by good artists with the fine details) can vary from $50 to $300 and depends of a size of the subject.
1. Wood Carved Ded Moroz #1
2. Wood Carved Ded Moroz #2
Enjoy!
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December 04, 2006
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During the last two weeks Muscovites are very surprised to witness such warm temperatures at the end of November - beginning of December with average temperatures during a day about 4-5 degrees above zero Centigrade. Of course, the snow, which fell in the middle of November was melted very fast and the weather in Moscow became to be like in Europe, a lot of people talking that we are living now as like in London, mostly cloudy, no sun, a lot of rains and from time to time fog, even several days ago after a small rain I have seen a rainbow nearby my house - it was really impressive to see at this time of winter season!!! The current thaw in Moscow may hit the absolute record for the first winter month.
Talking about the current weather in Moscow, I would like to show you the picture with a view on the famous cathedral in Moscow - The Cathedral of Christ the Savior , which I took recently with my clients from US, David and James - camera crew of Johnny Weir (see my recent news below), right from embankment of Moscow-River, the opposite side from the Moscow Kremlin.
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Moscow, Russia 
Contact Info: Arthur Lookyanov