Просмотрев свои Австрийские фотографии я обнаружил, что добрая половина из них тяготеет к красному сектору цветового круга. Не знаю, случайность ли это, субъективизм фотографа или напротив - объективная реальность, но так получилось. А может всему виной австрийский флаг, из трех полос которого две красные?

Reviewing my Austrian photos I discovered that lots of them lean to the red side of the spectrum. It's still mystery for me, why this had happened. Was this my unconscious choice, coincidence or the reality is heavy on red. Or it's the reflection of the Austrian flag colors?

We talked about Georgians with my friends recently. About their inherent artistry and narcissism and how often they can't adapt to everyday life. They are like exotic butterflies or paradise birds, which we have to protect from extinction feeding them and warming them up and providing at least minimum of comfort.

В дружеской компании зашел разговор о грузинах, их артистичности и неприспособленности к обыденным реалиям, о том как красиво они играют в жизнь, как элегантно гарцуют на породистом скакуне, больше правда в своем воображении, о том что грузины - это райские птицы или тропические бабочки, которых надо беречь от вымирания, давая хоть толику комфорта, тепла и света, чтобы они могли петь, порхать и любоваться собой, а мы, скучные и деловые могли бы со стороны любоваться ими.
О том что грузины не приживаются в чужом грунте, нигде ведь нет значительной грузинской диаспоры, грузин выживает только в Грузии.

Finally - New Year trip to Dahab! Не прошло и полгода!

Не хотелось начинать открытие Африки с заезженного Египетского тура. Да, западная Сахара и Тропик Рака! Да - кишащий крокодилами и гноящийся паразитами Нил, да - древний Луксор. Нет - глянцевые всесезонные гостиницы Хургады, чистенькие безобидные казино, переливающиеся неоном, нет полосатые топчаны вдоль парного моря. Это называется Африка? Это называется приключение? Стоит ли разменивать Килиманджаро, Лимпопо, Бантустан, полузабытые слова из детских снов на ширпотребовский трехзвездочный комфорт.

We spent New Year holidays in Dahab, small Arab city on Sinai Peninsula. The city which used to be cheap hippies and psychеdelic Mecca in past is cozy and quiet. Be aware thought that it's quickly evolving into package tourist destination. In couple of years it will look the same as other standard egyptian Mega-resort filled with Scandinavian couples on endless vacations, aging German singles, and to add bit of spices, russian office ladies. Dahab is the great coral diving spot, which was the main reason for the trip.

In XIX century Orthodox monk Filofej from city of Pskov equaled Moscow to the Third Rome. "First and second Rome fell; now Moscow is the Third and the last Rome". I been moving backwards in time. I was (luckily:) born in the third Rome, last November managed to visit the second Rome aka Constantinople aka Istanbul, while the Rome Rome is still on my short list of places to visit. Here I publish selected photos from the three days trip along with my recommendations.

Для тех кто оказался в Стамбуле: обязательная программа
Top 13 things to do for those visiting Istanbul

1. прокатиться по Босфору от Средиземного до Черного моря на теплоходе. можно с туристами, но намного интереснее - на рейсовом
ride passenger ferry along Bosporus

First time I went there when I was 20. Last time I did year ago. That's it, I been visiting Solovki for last 20 years! Twenty years ago the entire White Sea was special restricted travel zone and off limits even to Russians, not to mention foreigners. In order to get there one would need special invitation either to work or visit locals that he or she have to exchange into permission at a police office. First I went there as an assistant to the Solovetskij Monastery restorers, spending summer month cleaning construction debris and paving roads. Professional restorers were absolute zealots, saints who had worked for years on pure enthusiasm and passion. Next winter I was studying history of Solovki and passed exam for Solovki tour guide ran by local museum. This gave me solid reason to come there almost every summer for couple of years in row. Then the restrictions were lifted and these days anybody can simply buy ticket and travel there. I went there again last August after long break. As you shell see, it took me less then a year to organize my photos and put them on the Web :) Given that my slides of 1983 trip are still stuck in closet, isn't it great progress?

Plane landed in Moscow Sheremetyevo International airport around 5:30 pm, customs, luggage, taxi, hotel. Weather is 25 C, everybody in short sleeves.

By 8:15 we are by the Red Square. Lot of people, police cordons. Sounds of music. Got standing tickets from a scalper, walked through security gates and we are on the Red Square!

Paul McCartney gig is about to start!!! Everybody exited, when he appears on stages whole square roars!!!. And then more then three hours non-stop singing! Incredible totally ectatic experience! More later.

At the end of 2001 three former classmates descended onto Taipei and in about one week managed to make complete circle around the island.