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Published: November 30th -0001
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Today (Friday) I mapped out a route to pretty much the only area of the central core that I had not yet visited: the extreme southwest. I head south from the hospital, passing a statue to Pushkin on Kolomenskaya St. As you probably know, Pushkin has a status in Russia similar to that of Shakespeare in English; it's not an exaggeration to say that he and his works are revered by the Russian people. Continuing south then west, I pass a large yellow building, square with a dome, that is a museum devoted to the Arctic and Antarctic. A block further and I encounter a church with the mouthful name of Vladimirskaya Icon of Our Lady. It's another gem in pastel yellow and white with beautiful cupolas and a bell tower in the rear. Across the street from the church an informal market is in full swing. Clearly, the ladies are selling fresh produce from their own gardens, including tomatoes, zucchini, various squashes, lettuce and other greens. Just down the street from the church is a statue commemorating the great Russian writer Dostoevsky.
I head south, then west and cross the Fontaskaya to a beautiful square dedicated to the memory
of Lomonsov, who I vaguely remember was an important Russian scientist. There is a statue and a museum here. I continue west along the north bank of the Fontanskaya quite a distance. I cross back over the river at another pedestrian bridge. Halfway across I am struck by the beautiful vista up the canal on either side. To the west, the illusive sun has managed to sneak low enough on the horizon that it under the dreary clouds and its rays are backlighting the top cupola of the St. Nicholas Cathedral I saw yesterday. Continuing my walk along the other side of the river, I eventually see the back side of the second Yusopovky Palace I saw yesterday from the far end of the park that stretches out from the palace's front. It is unimpressive from the rear, though.
I head south now, then east homeward. On the way I notice a beautiful old building in the St. Petersburg style that has gone practically to ruin. It's all boarded up and its ornate cornices and lentils are crumbling. But it looks like preparations are being made to fix it up. It reminds me of the tremendous effort it must
take to keep all these historic buildings in such good shape. I also pass the massive Votevsky station, the city's second most important train station. As I'm crossing a street, I witness an electric tram lose its connection to its wires. There is a shower of sparks and the tram comes to a halt. But within five minutes the conductor has climbed up the back and reconnected the antennas with the help of guide wires.
Just before I reach the clinic, I spy a book store specializing in technical books and I browse inside. It's fun to see familiar computer topics addressed in Russian; in fact, several books I own are there in Russian translation. I toy with the idea of buying a book to give to my staff back home, but decide it's too expensive a joke.
I've had a brilliant idea on my walk. I've already taken some pictures of interesting signage in Russian that one would never have seen in soviet days. I decide to expand on these and eventually construct a picture gallery of Russian signs that would give Lenin fits.
The medical news continues to be promising. The doctor is optimistic that he can discharge Violet next Tuesday. However, he wants a layover of at least a day on the way to give her leg a chance to rest.
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