Ideas and Travelling

Military Parade in Moscow, May 9, 2014 Victory Day in Russia has been observed on 9 May since 1945. This day is memorable especially for those who was born in the USSR. The day commemorates the great victory of the Soviet Russia over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War. Millions Soviet soldiers perished during those severe years of war (1941-1945). Russian people feel grateful to their ancestors who did their best to defend the independent future of their country. Traditionally military parades are held in most towns of the country. At the celebration, which unites the whole country, you can see smiling people with St. George ribbons pinned to their jackets. These ribbons serve symbols of the Great Victory. You can notice numerous cars with stickers “Thank you for the victory”. After a wreath-laying ceremony people enjoy watching  concerts in the afternoon and fireworks at night .  The translation: Thank you for the victory! Every family of the f...

         The Burtseva Gora (Burtsev’s Upland, The Earth Bank) is situated in the centre of modern Roslavl on the right bank of the river Stanovka. The height above the river achieves 15-18 metres in the north and it decreases till 10 metres high in the south. The area on the hill is oval; it occupies 160 metres long from north to south and 110-120 metres from east to west. An 8-metre ditch surrounds the upland in the north, west and south. The hill is fortified by a bank of earth which is 6,5 metres high.    In the year of 1137 Knyaz Rostislav Mstislavich Smolensky founded Roslavl (the original name was Rostislavl), the upland served to be the best place for a future fortification where the knyaz had a residence.   As a result, the place became one of the centres of power and money. The Town Earth Bank of XII-XVI centuries represented a boundary fortress of Smolensk princedom; later on it was already a fortress of the R...

Travelling around Central Russia you may unconsciously notice that more and more beautiful orchids are stood out on the windows-sills of Russian dwellers.   Is it a new trend of home horticulture? If it is so, let’s decide whether it is easy enough to be a gardener growing Phalaenopsis at home. After a few lovely long talks with devoted housewives I came to conclusion that “Phals” are ‘easy’ to handle. Just follow a few basic requirements and these gorgeous flowers will reward you with nearly 6 months of blooming. “Easy” WATERING The best time for watering is in the morning. If your orchid is potted in bark, water it once a week. If it is potted in moss, then water it when the top feels dry. However, if it grows in a transparent plastic pot, you can easily immerse it into a bigger bowl with water till the roots become green. It is also should be done weekly. Mind the temperature of the water you use. It should be neither too hot, nor too cold. Right, ...

Do you like travelling and discovering new dishes? Do you have a strong or poor stomach? ;) Tarator... What is it and why is it popular in summer? Tarator is a cold kind of soup that is served in hot summer days in Bulgaria. It is considered to be a first course. You can order it in any local café in Bulgaria or cook it at home. It is quite simple and you don’t need to rush around different supermarkets in the search of exotic ingredients.   For three servings you will need: 3-4 cucumbers (about 350-400 gm); 500 gm plain yoghurt or kefir; 1 garlic clove; 2-3 tablespoons of crushed walnuts (however, it’s optional); 1 bunch dill; salt and pepper according to your taste.     How to cook: 1.     Wash and grate the cucumbers. Put some salt. 2.     Beat the yoghurt until it gets liquid. Add it to the cucumbers. (If you use kefir, you might just add it without beating). ...