I can’t believe that these pictures are already a few years old. Moscow – Russia’s capital and certainly one of the most interesting cities! So rich in beautiful architecture, I was completely overwhelmed by the cultural programme I once decided to do and so I thought about sharing these few impressions. It might be completely boring to some, but as I’ve been passed on a certain faible for architectural beauty, I just couldn’t take my eyes off the various buildings I came across over my time. Especially the churches were my absolute favourite. The golden cones and roofs together with a clear love to detail and a deep history – simply breathtaking. There is surely no other place like Moscow that brings so many stereotypes with it but then again convinces with its overwhelming programme of culture, people and mentality. The spirit that surrounded me for the first time is just barely describable and can’t be put in proper words. Yeah, that may be the first time I’m lacking of right description. It seemed as if I was finding myself in another world. A world full of busy people and a powerful influence (and beautiful girls with an unbelievable physiognomy which led me to a daily dose of jealousy and the question “why was I born in Vienna, the most Western point of the East? WHY”as well as the thought “Ok I’m not going to finish this amazing dinner” after seeing the disciplines of the girls at the other table). One of the funniest experiences over there was most probably the moment I got lost and realised that I’m a little nobody without the ability to speak or READ something. You all of a sudden feel completely insecure and like a little child getting lost in the supermarket and accepting the fact of never finding its way back home. Fortunately, I found some really nice people who were actually able to talk in proper English to me (something which is a little rare as I had to discover). Nevertheless, this experience was hilarious and I just can remember a similar event happening to me in Hong Kong three summers ago (yeah whether Mandarin or Cyrillic – I definitely missed out an important language class).

However, and as always, there is also the downside of an impressive and beautiful city. The poverty living next to the absolute richness has never been so clear and shocking to me. Maybe this is something you tend to recognise when you’re getting older but I was often experiencing a really bitter smack while I was about to take some drinks with my parents at the roofbar of the city’s most famous hotel (or alternatively having some super nice dinner at beautiful places) after passing several homeless people who waited near to the flat. And let me tell you that I’m not talking about three.. no, possibly ten or even more. The  guilt that you feel is not pleasant at all and it all of a sudden hits you with the facts of reality. Where there is unbelievable richness and beauty, there will always be the opposite to it. Unfortunately, I was not able to visit another city (Saint Petersburg is something I’m absolutely wanting to see one day) but for the first, Moscow was rich enough in all its facets and differences.

Although there were these moments of downsides, I will definitely be back to this city in summer and I just can hardly wait for it!! :)