Fun ideas for a date

[mendeleyev]

Mrs M commented the other day that it seems like we get more invitations to media events than we could ever handle. I thought for a moment and realized that she was correct (as always). And it isn't like we live boring lives, either. We hike off to our family dacha in Volgograd or our quiet little apartment on the Black Sea in Bulgaria once in a while just to get away from all the hustle and bustle of life in Russia. It seems that our time in the USA is just as busy.

So I responded with a "maybe so" while she was painting and then walked to my office/studio. First thing: check email and IM office channels. Wow, of the first 5 emails, 2 were from friends/associates in the Kazakhstan Union of Journalists with invites to public parties and events. Then came several notices of events around Moscow. Now of course not every event is worth attending. Some on the other hand might be fluff from a content perspective but offer a chance to connect with important contacts.

After a few minutes into finishing off the email list I realized that some of the events were open to anyone and in fact if a guy was visiting a particular city, there are more opportunities for cool date locations than most might realize.

Take Almaty, for example:

Almaty is the former capital of Kazakhstan. It is a beautiful and ancient city near the border of Kyrgyzstan. When approaching Almaty you notice snow capped mountains pretty much year-round and then this beautiful city in the valley along the foothills.

It is very difficult not to stare at the beautiful women who often share both Slavic and Oriental features. Wear a neck brace is a joke often heard among Western men. I think that perhaps Kazakh and Russian men might need neck braces too. Perhaps that is an over statement and you will have to be the judge.





Perhaps you already knew that the Almaty region is home to the original apple. Researchers and scientists travel to Kazakhstan annually to study original genetic lines and to find out why Almaty apples still taste so much better than in most parts of the world. Borat had it wrong: instead of bragging about Kazakhstan's potassium in his drive to "Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" he should have touted the apples.

Almaty has been called the heart of the ancient Silk Road, a trade route for silk and spice traders which was begun around 206 BC. Some say that Almaty, not Iraq, could be the site of the Garden of Eden.

Garden of Eden or not, it is a nice city and if you find yourself there, Almaty is one of the most socially active cities in the FSU, largely because of the high quality educational institutions which attract an active and youthful population. There are over 25 universities in Almaty, several recognized internationally, and the number of English speakers in the general population is higher than you might expect.





Were it not for a lengthy flight, or the 80+ hour train ride from Moscow, I might be tempted to go have some Sushi this upcoming Friday night. If I were already planning to be in Almaty you can bet I'd be at the English Pub on March 1.

As an older and established city you'll find Almaty has a lot to offer for theatre, ballet, concerts, museums, etc. And given the geographic location, opportunities in the great outdoors for skiing, hiking and other outdoor activities are endless. It is a very sophisticated city in many ways while retaining some of the ancient charm you'd expect.





This is a just a costume these days. Rarely unless at a cultural event will you see such national expressions.

However you are very likely to discover something like this:






.....or meet someone like this:






For more things to do in Almaty, check out the Wiki Travel Guide: http://wikitravel.org/en/Almaty

If you're already in Almaty this week go check out the Sushi party at the English pub!

[mendeleyev]

Comments and additional ideas are great!

I am hoping that we can keep this topic with fun and unique places to date and things to do instead of it becoming a thread on why one country is better to visit than another country, etc.

[mendeleyev]

Once in a blue moon I'm asked for suggestions on how to prepare for a trip to the FSU. It may not surprise you that I recommend learning the Cyrillic alphabet and a handful of useful words and another handful of helpful phrases.

However I also recommend brushing up on ballroom dancing skills.

Perhaps my recommendation has something in part to do with a love for that activity. Mrs M appreciates so much my ability to dance, and while no candidate for dancing with the stars, I can manage some cool moves without trampling on her toes.

Russian young people have had a love of 1950s-60s style swing dancing, etc, for well over a decade and no sign of it slowing down. They join dance clubs the way young Americans join softball or volleyball traveling clubs for competition. In the summer any plaza, from Palace Square in Peter to Gorky Park in Moscow is fair game for an evening dance.

For a free event, it is almost high tech. Take Gorky Park for example: large speakers are set up and before long individuals and couples begin to drift in. The next several hours are spent reliving the Big Band, Elvis and Latin Kings eras. The jitterbug, the hustle, etc. As the sun sets the lights from the Bogdam Khmelnitsky bridge began to dance over the waters of the Moscow River, casting a romantic glow over the area. You won't regret such an evening.





At Gorky Park there is usually a dance going on in the park (above) and another popular dancing spot is along the Moscow River embankment (below):





Your lady will not be ashamed by a "date" that includes open-air dancing. In fact, my bet is that she'd be thrilled and surprised as we Western guys don't have a reputation for being willing dancers.

If you don't have a date, don't worry--if you are willing to dance there will be plenty of unattached RW there waiting for your invitation. Lined along a block wall near the water view are always single ladies waiting for you to make your move. Who knows what could happen long term by simply asking a pretty gal to dance? Soon you'll pen a trip report titled "She had me at the first step" or something similar.

[calmissile]

Mendy, thanks for posting the dancing videos.  I also, have been an active dancer most of my adult life.  I can share your joy of dancing.  It's also pretty good exercise.   

Hopefully we can find similar venues to dance while in Kiev and Crimea this summer.  It's nice to see that not all young folks are wrapped up in the Rap culture.

[Ooooops]

Русский с китайцем - братья навек!  (с)      These videos are very mulch like Chinese dance scene, with only difference in age of participants.   

[mendeleyev]

...and height. 

[mendeleyev]

Moscow Municipal Programs has released the summer schedule of dances at Gorky Park. The scene below is from Gorky Park along the Moscow River waterfront.





Schedule for open air FREE dancing at Gorky Park:

From Monday to Thursday -  free style dance, swing, etc.


Friday - Lindy Hop


Sunday - Boogie Woogie style


The dances above all along the Riverfront at the Pushkinskaya embankment.


There are also other organized dances inside the park: Friday/Saturday/Sunday - Irish & freestyle

Most dance times begin around 19-00 or 20-00 hours when the heat decreases and the work day at nearby offices end. During the summer the Friday and Saturday dances last all night and typically dancing ends at dawn.

Group dance instruction, free, is provided for the first hour so that everyone can enjoy the nightly event.

[Lily]

I'd have a question: what are the connotations of the word 'dating'?
 
Why some English speakers believe that it makes it appear too serious?

[mendeleyev]

Lily, I wouldn't know why it could be considered serious at first. A first date for example might be where two people agree to meet at a cafe for some blini and dessert and afterward they walk to Gorky Park to enjoy nature and the evening lights.

Nothing serious about that.

Dating is not the same as traditional courting because the family is not involved in most dating activities.

[Larry1]

I'd have a question: what are the connotations of the word 'dating'?

When most people here use the word dating they mean that two people are in an ongoing relationship, usually one that is monogamous.

Why some English speakers believe that it makes it appear too serious?

Perhaps it's because these people are averse to commitment.

[Anotherkiwi]

I'd have a question: what are the connotations of the word 'dating'?
 
Why some English speakers believe that it makes it appear too serious?

Lily, have you forgotten Bee Farmer already?     "Dating" is done only by the Devil's spawn...

[Ooooops]

Moscow Municipal Programs has released the summer schedule of dances at Gorky Park. The scene below is from Gorky Park along the Moscow River waterfront.

Nice dance outfits...   

[mendeleyev]

The Mendeleyev Journal:

We have told you it was coming--and sure enough special tourist friendly features are being added to make your stay more comfortable and for ease in getting around.

From special English speaking kiosks with guides and free maps to special 3-1 Metro-bus-tram cards. We've reported on the red tourist-only buses that run limited routes around the centre of Moscow too, but now comes the bright red bicycle rentals!





Of course you knew they'd be red. After all, this is home to Red Square, the Red Army, and the revolution which tossed out the Tsars and later became known in some parts of the West as the Red Revolution. Plus, just like a red sports car, a red bicycle is faster--everyone knows that.

The BOSCO bike rental firm  at Gorky Park has been renting bicycles for several years but they're pink and apparently that doesn't count. We want and demand red bikes!

If you'd like to do a bike date around the centre of Moscow and see the most important sights while cycling, here is one of the best bike tour routes I've seen published: http://budgettravelrussia.com/Moscow/Activities/BikeTours.html

[Ooooops]

We've reported on the red tourist-only buses that run limited routes around the centre of Moscow too, but now comes the bright red bicycle rentals!

We have similar rental bikes schemes here in Beijing as well, unfortunately we can't rent it, because you have to have "right personality"  (another Chinglish example     ) - your mass transit card (that's how those bikes are paid for) has to be connected to you China I.D.   How about Moscow?

[mendeleyev]

That is a good question, Oooops. This year the Metro introduced smart cards and riders can of course continue to purchase 1 ticket or more or also a month pass. The monthly pass can be purchased at one of the cashier windows, from the ticket machine next to the cashier office, or you can set it up to automatically deduct from a credit card monthly.

They're just beginning the city managed bicycle rentals now for summer and it is my understanding that they are mainly to encourage tourism. Will they turn away residents from renting? Probably it will be possible however it is not yet clear how it will be managed.

[Ooooops]

The monthly pass can be purchased at one of the cashier windows, from the ticket machine next to the cashier office, or you can set it up to automatically deduct from a credit card monthly.

I guess payment for these bikes rent will be required to be payed with a pass that is connected to CC.   

[mendeleyev]

I"'m with you in that thinking. Otherwise one could get a new bike for 400 rub. and take it home.

[SANDRO43]

Bike sharing was started in Milan some 7 years ago as a municipal service called BikeMi:

As of last April, the service has 180 city stations and 3,170 bicycles, which can be rented on a yearly (€36), weekly (€6) or daily  (€2.5) plan. A user must first register for a subscription - so that users of missing bikes can be traced - which provides a rechargeable card and a user code to be read when picking up a bike. Maximum use: 2 hours/day (€ 2 penalty for excess hour or fraction of hour), first 30' free.

[Ooooops]

Maximum use: 2 hours/day (€ 2 penalty for excess hour or fraction of hour), first 30' free.

That's not much....   I guess they design to be just a mean for commute, not leisure. 

[SANDRO43]

That's not much....I guess they design to be just a means for commuting, not leisure.

Yes, it's meant to encourage an alternative to the use of cars and reduce city air pollution. Leisure cycling is best done in an own bike, here is mine:

BTW, when will you regale us with a glimpse at your more recent photo work ?

[Ooooops]

BTW, when will you regale us with a glimpse at your more recent photo work ?

Don't want to pull blanket too hard...      But here is one that fits bicycle theme.   

[SANDRO43]

Don't want to pull blanket too hard...      But here is one that fits bicycle theme.   

You're too modest, I took the liberty of posting it elsewhere here (http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=16077.msg333990#msg333990) .

[Ooooops]

You're too modest, I took the liberty of posting it elsewhere here (http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=16077.msg333990#msg333990) .

Oh yeah, modesty IS my main virtue!   


Thanks!

[Misha]

Leisure cycling is best done in an own bike, here is mine:

Nice bike Sandro! I bought a new bike precisely for leisure cycling and some commuting last year. Here is a photo taken before I bought it from the store where I bought it:

[Ranetka]

Interesting, all the dancing crowd seems to be really young. Or is it "selective" shooting?


Where I live, in the UK social partners dancing is mostly middle aged hobby; salsa and west coast swing crowd is mostly younger (30-ish and even 20s), modern jive and Argentine tango is considerably older (late 40s, 50s..).