Brides on parade

As some of you know, I am in Moscow to record examples of Russian urban legends, but I'm game for pretty much anything folklorique. So imagine my delight yesterday, when visiting our old neighborhood, to get a blast of modern wedding ritual. The bridge over the canal near the Tretyakov gallery has become the place for brides to come and be photographed. Possibly because it is beautiful with lots of water fountains, but also because there is a non-through road on which one can easily leave a Hummer limo. There is also a park with inviting spots for brides to be photographed cradling live doves. I kid you not. Anyway since I was last here the bridge has sprouted a tree of "locks of eternity". This is a tradition I am not familiar with. Basically the happy couple brings a padlock with their names and wedding date etched and locks it to the tree. I have pictures but no way to upload so you'll have to use your imagination for now.

Dinner Moscow Style

Last night I met up with some friends for dinner. We sat on the patio of a Georgian place on the Arbat - all very charming until that (inevitable) Russian moment of drunken youth vomiting en passant. He never slowed so left a trail 15 feet long for all to enjoy mid dinner. Ah Moscow. We then got to watch the passing hordes squeal and avoid or tromp obliviously through the man's last supper.
Liz gets back this afternoon from her mountaineering expedition. She called last night to say that she had fainted from altitude sickness and had to be carried off the mountain. Looking forward to all the stories over a nice dinner this evening.