Снег!

That's the Russian word for snow (pronounced 'sneg') and not a reference to an aging icon of American pop. Before anyone fires any emails to me asking what I am talking about, just look at the letters and think long legs and raspy voice. Anyway, the снег has started to fall here in Moscow and it is starting to feel like winter. It has snowed at least a little each of the past seven days, but we really don't have much snow on the ground because we had a nice rain storm on Saturday that melted everything up to that point.

Everyone that we have talked to here in Moscow states that the past two winters have been very mild with very little snow. Interestingly enough, my first trip here was for New Years 2002 and there was more than a little snow during that winter. So much so that our flight to Volgograd, where Olga's relatives live, was cancelled because of 'bad weather'. While we certainly were getting quite a bit of snow here in Moscow that evening we were told that it was crystal clear in Volgograd and planes landed all evening. Nice, especially since we sat in the airport and/or on a plane for 14 hours that day (and that does not include the overnight flight that we took). But I digress. It snowed nearly everyone of the 17 days I was here that first trip and I'm not talking little flurries. We'll see how it goes this winter, but I am fully prepared with my new Ugg boots and Spider ski coat!

Looking out our front window into the parking area/'yard'. Hopefully you can see the снег.

Off To Vienna

We had worn ourselves out in the month of October so we decided to hit the road (actually, the air) and head off to Vienna for a three day excursion. Although it was a short trip it was quite nice to get away. Not because I'm overworked, but because it's nice to see other parts of Europe and it's a double bonus because most places are only a 2-4 hour flight from good old Шереметьево (Sheremetyevo) airport here in Moscow. Below are some pics with brief captions.

While in Vienna we were able to walk around quite a bit of the city thanks to the beautiful weather we had (highs in the mid 60's each day) and see many of the palaces. We ate great food, drank exceptional coffee and even took in an ballet. As for the ballet, yes it was long (nearly 3 hours), no it was not even close to what they put on at the Bolshoi and yes, Olga was happy (the last one is really all that matters).

Olga in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral - yes, we climbed the 343 narrow steps to the top of the tower. Sounded like a good idea at the time.

The Opera House (view from our hotel room).

In front of Schonbrunn palace.

In the gardens of Schonbrunn palace.

In front of the main fountain at Schonbrunn palace.

In the gardens of Belvedere palace (Upper Belvedere in the background).