[PoetsOfTheFall]

This is a year in the life of Russia, as seen by its keenest photographers.

[Arkoquisa]

mega

[johnleeknoefler]

That is exactly what I noticed in Russia. I took the train from Moscow south to Rostov Oblast and stayed in Shakhty. All the way were these strange contrasts between beauty and despair. An overcast of sadness with the faint hint of hope to give a bit of relief. It's no wonder some of the most poignant poetry in the world comes from Russia. Russia is home to some of the worlds' greatest writers and the worlds most ruthless despots. A very poor older widowed woman in Shakhty would come and wash my clothes and only asked for a small amount of money which I gladly gave. She invited me over to see her home for what reason I didn't know. She showed me how she built part of it from salvaged bricks she had gathered herself. She showed me her "cellar" where she hid food for the winter. Just a hole under the floor that somehow let in cold air to preserve food. Using my translator she told how she had lost her husband at Chernobyle and moved to Shakhty to be near family. Before I left she had presented me with hand woven socks. Another crippled man made a silk shirt for me. (I paid for the silk) He refused payment since it was a gift. A man who operated the university theator put on a special program just for me. Kids at the local high school swarmed me for autographs. I visited a local church where a youth guarded the door and happily accepted donations. I laughingly pointed out the cap he wore that proudly sported a pot leaf. When I left I looked back and he had the hat turned inside out to hide the leaf. I visited a Mafia owned restaurant that was the equal of any fine restaurant here in USA and then later walked by an abandoned mansion owned by the now dead city prosecuter who supposedly had his throat slashed by his wife and then his wife supposedly killed herself in the same way. One day I visited a mafia drug dealer in his fine newly built home and the next I was sitting in a restaurant with a judge who swore he had no other income than his monthly salary of $300.00 because outside interest would be illegal. Getting papers processed was a simple matter of paying a very small fee of $15.00 and a box of chocolates. Chocolate purchases were always made before a trip to government offices. On a trip back from Rostov we took the bus. But since it didn't stop in Shakhty it dropped us off at a smaller bus stop outside of town by the freeway. Unfortunately the driver dropped us off at the wrong exit. Half an hour hike along the freezing highway to the correct exit and the bus stop was there. Another half hour waiting in the dark and cold and finally a small van arrives to take us to downtown and then a taxi to the home where I was staying. I whole heartedly recommend a trip to Russia for those who can handle adventure. BTW, getting lost in Moscow subways is not for the timid.

[Faline]

Moving pictures

[gatagato]

Spectacular photos, great set!

[Bastet]

Very compelling images, showing the multifaceted everyday reality of one of the world's biggest nations. I especially love the photo of the accordion-playing bride, it's genuinely cheerful and not a bit sugary

[dimitrije]

very nice job, my friend

[Brandjuh]

This photos are perfect! I could do it better, the only thing I know is that I want go to Russia!

[DannyDrama]

Moscow is always an arse-puckering experience.

[bigmikeymike]

some of the kindest people i've met have been russian