Novogodniy Goluboy Ogonyok – Russian New Year Blue Light 2016 (all night entertainment: music, humor, parody, satire)

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contemporary Russian songs, Новогодний голубой огонек 2016, Hовогодний парад звезд 2015-2016, New Year 2016 in Moscow, Novogodniy Goluboy Ogonyok, Russian culture, Russian entertainment, Russian New Year

Watch Novogodniy Goluboy Ogonyok – Russian New Year Blue Light 2016 (all night New Year entertainment: music, humor, parody, satire, variety). Rus: Новогодний голубой огонек 2016.

This particular show, which I remember since I was a toddler, runs throughout all of New Year’s night – something like 5+ hours of pure entertainment, including stars of various genres and ages. Program is varied and includes classics, pop, Russian folk, dance and songs. There is a lot of parody and humor, usually sprinkled with light self-irony and entertaining current affairs satire. Often, old songs are given a face lift with new and funny lyrics that showcase well-known classic tunes in a humorously updated light.

Russian New Year 2016 Celebrations Continue! ‘Tis the Russian Season to be merry. The celebrations will continue through the next weekend – to celebrate Rozhdestvo (Rus Christmas). Then, we have the Old New Year, which is still celebrated by many as a reflective, nostalgic holiday. Read all about that in:

• Why Russians celebrate the New Year, and not Christmas, with New Year’s Tree? The Origin of ‘Calendar’ and Christmas/New Year’s Forbidden History

I think Goluboy Ogonyok has been around since before I was born. It’s undoubtedly one of the longest running shows on the planet, if not THE longest. But every year it reinvents itself, upping the plank for jolly music, humor, parody and satire. Its audience is far beyond Russia. The best news, those of us who don’t have access to it on TV, can catch it on YT.

Goluboy Ogonyok is just one of the New Year’s lavish and flamboyant entertainment programs to help Russians and the entire Russian World to welcome the New Year in style. There is also First Night, First Day, Second Day, New Year’s Two Stars, New Year’s Star Parade, Song of the Year, KVN, various themed shows and musicals, etc, etc.

Conclusion: Russians stay thoroughly entertained throughout the entire New Year’s season. They need it, poor things! 😉 The official country-wide break it till January 10 when the whole country takes off to celebrate! There are tons of parties and various live events as well.

In short, Russians are really, really spoiled that way. Anywhere in the West you could literally die of boredom throughout Christmas/New Year’s since there is absolutely nothing to do and everything everywhere is closed. Or you pay through the nose – and that’s no guarantee of quality either!

Watch Goluboy Ogonyok Part 1

The traditional opening song is a parody on the classic song ‘Five Minutes’ from the 1956 Russian classic New Year’s musicale comedy film “Carnival Night” – the new lyrics for it is written every year.

Song two is called ‘Happy The New Year’ – ‘S Novim Godom.’

Dont’ miss this one! Song three is a hilarious parody with Angela Merkel’s look-alike, set to a well-known score from the same film “Carnival Night.” Watch at 8:35. The lyrics and acting are poignantly funny. Merkel’s likeness is rather scary. Playing off the fact that she speaks Russian, Angela sings how busy German Chancellor’s year is and that she’s arrived to catch a break in Russia for New Year’s. The boys respond, with usual Russian hospitality, that she is welcome.

Angela is asked whether she’d like a traditional Russian present from Ded Moroz’s sack, or from a Western stocking. She acts demurely, pretending she doesn’t want any and says EU’s goal is to teach Russia real European values. Yes, goes on Angela, I do believe in European values, but I think I’ll take the whole presents’ sack anyway. “La, la, la, la, la, how rich is Russian land,” sing the boys. On second thought, says Angela, I think I want the stocking, too.

Then Angela is asked if she’d like to drink vodka or champagne. She picks champagne because, she says, ‘it contains Russian gas.’ She’s very disappointed when she finds out that champagne contains no Russian oil, gas, nor other natural resources.

How are you doing as a result of anti-Russian sanctions, asks Angela. “We’re paying Russian cash,” reply the boys. “We’re happy to see all our guests and share our joy with all for real, not on credit. La, la, la, la, la, la – not for profit, but for fun.” “This can’t be!” replies Angela. “Believe it or not, it does!” sing the boys.

“Enough boring topics,” says Angela. “I came to Russian because you are much more fun. Let me play this merry tune for you.” Plays balalaika and dances.

“We are singing with Frau Angela,” sing the boys. Angela sings, “The entire Earth dances.” All: “La, la, la, la, la, la, the entire Earth dances.”

Cute number at 23:40 featuring singer Vaenga and famous ballet dancer Tsiskaridze, combining song and a bit of ballet.

Check out all three parts of this all-night show!

Part 1

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Part 2

(skipped this part as the YT post has corrupted sound – may post later if corrected version appears)

Part 3

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Here is also 2015-16 New Year Star Parade (song/dance/variety/light entertainment/humor, satire) –  “Hовогодний парад звезд 2015-2016″ Николай Басков и Филипп Киркоров ведущие

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Related posts: 

How Russians Celebrate New Year: Happy NY 2014!

• Watch Morozko (Father Frost) and Other Favorite Russian New Year’s Fairytales and Songs
• New Year’s Moscow Spectacular!
• How Earth Shift Report Was Born + 2015 Bestseller List
• Why Russians celebrate the New Year, and not Christmas, with New Year’s Tree? The Origin of ‘Calendar’ and Christmas/New Year’s Forbidden History
• Happy Holidays from FuturisTrendcast and Earth Shift Report!

 

The Magic of the Russian Dance: Igor Moiseyev Dance Ensemble

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Igor Moiseev dance ensemble, Igor Moiseyev, Russia, Russian culture, Russian dance

During Soviet times the Moiseyev Dance Ensemble was called “the Russian ambassadors of good will and world friendship.” It is probably the most famous and decorated dance troupe in the world, specializing in Russian and international dance. Created over 75 years ago by the one and only visionary choreographer Igor Moiseyev, it has acquired the life of its own as it continues growing and evolving. The filigree precision and intricacy of the choreography combined with the unsurpassed mastery of the dancers make watching the Moiseyev Dance Ensemble a truly unforgettable and mesmerizing experience. I grew up with their unique compositions. I’m so happy the Moiseyev dancers continue to this date being the good will ambassadors of beauty in motion.

Russian super-dance by the Moiseyev troupe (Russian Summer Dance)

Anniversary concert: Moiseyev Dance Ensemble turned 75 (2/19/2012)

‘The world says to us Happy Birthday.’ The Moiseyev Ensemble is 75. Нас поздравляет мир! Ансамблю Игоря Моисеева 75 лет!

This is also their anniversary performance, which opens with one of their most famous dances: Ukrainian Gopak.

Gala concert of the Moiseyev Dance ensemble. 2012, Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow

Raising Chi Against Hatred: The Suppressed Story of Russian Songs that Unite World Cultures

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1980 Moscow Olympics, Alexandra Pakhmutova, Alla Pugacheva, Bulat Okudzhava, cheburashka, contemporary Russian songs, Farewell of Slavianka, friendship, Katyusha, Lev Leshchenko, Love, Muslim Magomaev, peace, Russia, Russian culture, Russian movies, Sochi 2014 Olympics closing ceremony, Soviet music, Soviet Union, USSR, Viacheslav Tikhonov

Reblogged from FuturisTrendcast

That’s it! I am sick and tired of all the negativity, confusion and fighting going on between people and countries in this world! I declare a CHI-RAISING POSITIVITY DAY!

This is the post that will remind those who have forgotten, and open the eyes for those who have never heard it before. Simply put, below are some Soviet songs that are beautiful and famous in their own right, performed by some of the best voices you’ll ever hear. But there is something else about these songs that catches the eye: by their very existence they UNITE people, cultures and countries. The unique culture I am proud to have been born into had succeeded in performing a miracle no one else had been able to accomplish. At least for a short while we managed to unite different cultures in friendship and cooperation, instead of hatred and war! And that, in my book, IS the highest accomplishment this entire human civilization was ever able to achieve!

Since the Russian realm is such a UNIFYING force in the world, this is exactly why the West/NWO  is itching to destroy it. Don’t believe me? Read and listen below – and judge for yourself! Perhaps those of my readers who are non-English speakers will easily recognize these gems from their childhood. The reason I am also confident my many English-speaking readers won’t know the songs below is because there always was a full-scale blockade of the Russian culture in the West, also referred to as the Iron Curtain. The reason the Iron Curtain was necessary was because the Russian ideas of friendship and cooperation were always too popular for the liking of  the West. If such ideas took hold and people all over the world suddenly stopped fighting, how would they divide and conquer?

Warning, this is NOT American pop – this is live, positive, highly calibrated singing! Note: designation “Song of the Year” was given in the Soviet Union to the best songs written that specific year in the entire Soviet space.

In the Soviet Union, the ugly civil war based on pathological hatred taking place today in Ukraine, or in Nagorny Kharabakh (between Azerbaijan and Armenia), or such as was the 2008 war between South Ossetia/Georgia, or the frozen conflict between Moldova and Pridnestrovie, would have never happened. And if someone tells you that Russians oppressed other nationalities in the USSR, don’t believe such complete and total BS. I was there. It was, in fact, the other way around – Russians promoted every possible and impossible national minority, well before it became politically correct to do so in the US and EU. Sometimes, Russians did it to their own disadvantage.

But don’t believe me – just listen to the songs and watch videos below. Once you do, everything will become ‘crystal clear,’ as they say in Russia.

MEGA PARADE OF POSITIVE RUSSIAN SONGS THAT HAVE THE POWER TO UNITE!

Our Parents’ Home (the beginning of all beginnings) – ‘Родительский дом, начало начал.’ This is one of the lyrical gems from the 1970s. Performed by the famous buttery voice of the Soviet/Russian stage,Lev Leshchenko, originally from Ukraine.

Nightingale Grove – Лев Лещенко, Соловьиная роща. (Nightingale is the national Russian bird). One of the famous songs of the 1970s. Older, but still popular, Lev Leshchenko singing in 2008. Russian lyrics

Echo of Love –  Song of the Year 1977. Эхо любви – Performed by Polish singer Anna German and Russian singer from Ukraine Lev Leshchenko – Анна Герман и Лев Лещенко

Lyrics: “And even in the land of the crawling darkness, beyond the circle of death, I know we won’t part – we are an echo, we are an echo, we are each other’s eternal memory.”

Hope – Надежда, Song of the Year 1975 – Polish singer Anna German, who was equally loved in Russia/USSR, singing the famous Russian song. Анна Герман…

Read full post and listen to lots more awesome Russian songs on FuturisTrendcast!

Visit my Russia pages for more

Famous Soviet songs, Contemporary Russian songs and Russian movies

Best of Sochi Olympics Revisited: Sochi Views and Closing Ceremony

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1980 Moscow Olympics song Goodbye Moscow, Adler, Caucasus Mountains, CNBC fail, Fisht Olympic Stadium, Iceberg Skating rink, Krasnaya Polyana, Mishka the bear sheds a tear, Olympisky Mishka, Russia, Russian art, Russian ballet, Russian culture, Russian literature, Russian music, Sochi, Sochi Adventure Park, Sochi closing ceremony photos, Sochi closing ceremony song, Sochi Mascot Misha the Bear, Sochi mascots, Sochi Olympic Village, Sochi Olympics 2014, Sochi Olympics closing ceremony fireworks, Sochi Olympics coverage by CNBC, Sochi opening ceremony photos

This is part 2 of my “Best of Sochi Olympics” mini-series. Read part 1 here.

Russia won most gold (13) and most silver (11) medals with the highest overall medal count (33). Norway was second and Canada third. USA, with the largest number of athletes in Sochi, was fourth, as judged by the gold medal count. USA was 2nd in overall medal count. Final medal count (source sochi2014.com):

Medal count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Russian Fed.	13	11	9	33
2	Norway	11	5	10	26
3	Canada	10	10	5	25
4	United States	9	7	12	28
5	Netherlands	8	7	9	24
6	Germany	8	6	5	19
7	Switzerland	6	3	2	11
8	Belarus	5	0	1	6
9	Austria	4	8	5	17
10	France	4	4	7	15

In addition, Sochi Paralympic Games have just ended. Russia finished with an overwhelming win: 30 gold, 80 overall medals. Congratulations to all winners!

I thought the Sochi Olympics were very well organized and spectacularly presented. The observers noted the impeccable quality of skating, skiing and other facilities. And of course, the Opening Ceremony, but to me, especially the Closing Ceremony, were simply spectacular and mesmerizing. More about the Closing Ceremony below!

Beautiful Russian Compilation of Random Acts of Kindness that Won’t Leave Anyone Untouched

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car, hero, inspirational video, kindness to animals, love in action, making the world a better place, pay it forward, Random acts of kindness, random acts of kindness caught on film, real life kindness, Russia, Russian culture, sharing, simple acts of kindness, youtube video

A must watch video! This is a beautiful compilation of random acts of kindness towards people and animals by total strangers in various Russian towns. Love in action, pure and simple!

As you all know, I am originally from Russia, although I presently live in the US, and I recognize some of the Russian towns in this video. Russians always help each other; it’s embedded in the culture.

Many thanks to: Paulette Mahurin @ PersecutionofMildredDunlap blog who reblogged it; Kindnessblog.com who found it on Youtube

A million thanks to Carlosanchez.co Youtube Channel, for posting this on YT

The drivers in Russia all carry dashcams in their cars to record any potential police irregularities and any car accidents for insurance purposes. But as a result, such beautiful and inspiring moments also get caught on film. It’s so wonderful to know that there is so much kindness still alive in the world!

Notice that all this has been recorded in 2012. Blessing to all!

I’ll Be Donating Profits From My Book Sales to No-Kill Shelter and Animal Rescue in USA and Russia

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Speaking Russian From the Heart: Хлеб-соль ешь, а правду-матку режь. – Honesty is the best policy

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Gold Train (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure), Kazan, Lada Ray, River Volga, Russia, Russian culture, Russian Empire, Russian Empire Gold Reserve, Russian language, Tatarstan, World Travel

Speaking Russian from the heart! Great blog: LIFE IN RUSSIA (the bridge between two countries) by an American expat living in Kazan, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Tatarstan on River Volga. ***Those who’ve read my thriller, GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure), will recall that Kazan is mentioned in the book. The Bank of Kazan served as storage for the huge Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire. This is where GOLD TRAIN’s intrigue begins as the Russian Gold Reserve vanishes during the 1918 Civil War. About GOLD TRAIN and my books. *** Anyone interested in truth, Russian culture, expat living, world travel and beautiful spots from all over the world should visit Life in Russia!

Life in Russia

Хлеб-соль ешь, а правду-матку режь.

Literal:

Eat bread and salt, cut the mother truth

–

Honesty is the best policy

visit: http://wp.me/p2ROdc-13N

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A Slice of Real Russia: Eyewitness Video Journey 1

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Bashkortostan, Chelyabinsk region, Everyday life in Russia, Moscow, Russia, Russian communal apartments, Russian culture, Russian leisure, Russian Meteor Shower Videos, Russian parks, Russian public transport, Russian trams & trolleybuses, Saint Petersburg, Soviet Union, Ufa, Ural Mountains

Real Russia Video Blog has been launched in 2012 by “Sergey x 2” as they are called – Sergey Baklykov and Sergey Pichugin – the two enterprising young men from the city of Ufa, the capital of Russia’s autonomous Republic of Bashkortostan.

Feeling tremendous dissatisfaction with the misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Russia in the West, they decided to start a Youtube channel entitled REAL RUSSIA, in which they endeavored to document the true Russian life as is, without any propaganda, embellishments or editing.

Being in complete agreement with Sergey x 2, I also do my best to dispel such misconceptions and enlighten my readers. Read my various articles about Russia on this blog. I also write truthfully and extensively about Russian turbulent history and its ever-changing present in my books GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure) and my new release, THE EARTH SHIFTER. Both books can be purchased on Amazon by clicking on above title links.

Back in 2012, I promised my friends at the Real Russia Channel to share their entertaining and educational videos with my friends and followers. However, with all the other events and timely topics, this idea has since been on hold. I’m now taking this opportunity to deliver on my promise.

A word about Russia and Bashkortostan: The Russian Federation is the most multicultural country in the world, consisting of approximately 100 different nationalities and ethnic groups – widely different, large and small! Because of that, there is a number of autonomous regions and small republics, which form part of the federation.

Bashkortostan is one of them. It is located in the Ural Mountains, about 1000 km east of Moscow. The Ural Mountains serve as a perfect vertical divider between Europe and Asia, and this is visible in the composition of the population of that region. As you’ll see from the videos, the population is very mixed, about 50% Russian/Slavic and 50% Bashkir, an Asian ethnicity speaking Bashkir language, which together with Mongolian, Tibetan and Tatar is part of the Turkic family of languages (not to be confused with Turkish language).

A Bashkir woman in traditional costume

Bashkortostan is known for its oil deposits. There are two dominant religions: Russian Orthodox (Christian) and Muslim (Bashkir). The autonomous republic has its own flag, anthem and government. The signs in the republic are in both Russian and Bashkir, as these are the two state languages. The everyday language is primarily Russian, although Bashkir is studied in schools alongside Russian.

One of the things that strike me while watching these real life vids, is how well the two very different ethnicities and religions get along in Bashkortostan! They tend to intermarry, embracing both cultures as their own. This tends to be the way of life in most such Russian regions, where the Russian culture is embraced as the national culture, yet local roots are celebrated equally. If only the rest of the world learned to live like that!

As you see, this small and remote republic is somewhat different from the heart of Russia, and from the image many in the West have of this country, but according to Sergei x 2 team, this is the true Russia!

I will certainly agree with our dynamic duo. The Russian culture spiced up with a distinctive multicultural mix, the typical everyday living, common history, and the new and exciting developments, all make Ufa into a charming and fascinating destination.

By the way, remember the recent meteor incident in Russia? Guess what, the City of Ufa and the Republic of Bashkortostan neighbor directly the Chelyabinsk region, where the meteor shower took place, as seen on the map of Russia above. Watch eyewitness vids: The Earth Shifter Plot Playing Out in Real Time: Massive Meteor Rocks Russia.

On map: Chelyabinskaya Oblast (Chelyabinsk region) located to the east of Bashkortostan, in the westernmost part of Siberia.

The vids below show Russian life as is, without smoothing out any rough spots. The presenter speaks pretty decent English and the vids are entertaining, as well as educational at best. This is post one of my new Real Russia video series. Below, I’ve included several of the best videos, courtesy Sergey x 2, in which you can experience the everyday life in this Russian province as well as its Soviet past. Presenting: THE REAL RUSSIA!

Episode 1: Welcome to Real Russia! It includes: Sergey Baklykov’s old Soviet clunker; driving on the Ufa roads; Ufa’s lovely city center, including its main artery, the Lenin Street; a look at the both Sergeys apartments (warning: not for the faint of heart, ahem…ahem… ;)).

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Episode 2: Russian Parks. This charming episode is a must watch! Growing up in Russia, I loved the local parks, and watching this vid brings back my most cherished childhood memories. Unlike the trendsetting capitals of Moscow and St.Petersburg, in some ways, Ufa still has one foot in its Soviet past, although the new sprouts are visible everywhere.

Note: in the 1990s, most streets, parks and other locations with Soviet names in such large, trendsetting cities as Moscow, St. Petersburg & Odessa have been given back their old historic names. In St. Petersburg’s case, the whole city was renamed from Leningrad back to its original Saint Petersburg. Unlike most large central cities possessing their own old and rich history, Ufa is a relatively young place, built up during Soviet times. Hence, their preservation of the Soviet names, as in Lenin Street & Communist Street. They certainly made peace with their history. The new and the old blended together as one – works for me!

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Episode 5: Russian Public Transport. The Russian public transportation system is very well structured, comprehensive and well-oiled. Ufa, where the guys are from, doesn’t have the famous Russian Metro, which is a preferred method of getting around major cities like Moscow & St. Petersburg. For more on the Russian Metro, complete with awesome pics, see my post, Amazing Russian Metro. 

This is an excellent episode in which we can experience the old-world charm of the very affordable Russian trams, trolleybuses and buses, as well as the shared taxi service called “Gazelle” – live! Also, something that’s very traditional in Russia and other former Soviet states, but inconceivable elsewhere: a tram/bus conductor carrying around bagfulls of cash, and amazingly, it doesn’t occur to anyone to steal all that money!

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More about the Russian public transport and its history: Gold Train May Day Interview and The World of Russian Trains and My Childhood Memories.

Episode 18: Traditional Soviet Communal Apartment. A communal apartment is a purely Soviet phenomenon, born of housing shortage and a well-intentioned, but misguided, drive to equalize the living standards of the rich and poor by making everyone’s life miserable. Now a relic of the past, it was a shared apartment, where a family occupied one, two or three rooms privately, while sharing all other areas. Typically, there was one shared entrance, kitchen (usually with multiple stoves and tables), bathroom and corridor.

It is ironic and fascinating that communal apartments were only possible on the posh and fashionable streets of the richest and most popular cities, such as Moscow, St. Petersburg and Odessa.  Incidentally, I describe in detail the history and realities of the Moscow communal apartment living in my new fantasy/thriller THE EARTH SHIFTER. Check it out!

As Sergey x 2 have discovered, there really were no communal apartments in Ufa, since it wasn’t in the category of the most desirable and fashionable cities. Therefore, they had to get creative. They found a way to demonstrate the communal living realities via an episode from the recent Russian musical movie, Stilyagi (1998), which describes the communal life in a 1940s Moscow blue collar apartment.

I’ve never lived in a communal apartment, but some of my friends and relatives did, and I must say, this episode is super-entertaining (a great song too), but generally, communal life I’d observed was much more civilized than shown (of course, I’ve only been to the 1970s-80s communal apartments occupied by intelligentsia). In most cases, there were no more than 2 or 3 families sharing such a place. Oftentimes, these apartments were lavishly decorated and well maintained, with tall ceilings, beautiful details and extra-large rooms and kitchens. So, the view here is sensationalized; still, this is a rather fascinating slice of the Soviet life circa 1940s/WWII and a mesmerizing movie scene, which I highly recommend!

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Check out my new release

 THE EARTH SHIFTER

Fascinating, colorful, poetic, shocking and unforgettable episodes from Russian and Siberian history + NWO conspiracy, remote viewing, psychic spies and more! Both ebook and paperback are available @ Amazon,  B&N,  Smash,  Kobo, Sony, Apple. Where to buy THE EARTH SHIFTER + blurb, excerpts, fave themes and characters, more…

Also read/watch: A Slice of Real Russia 2: Real Moscow

Beautiful Russia 1: The Golden Ring of Russia

Beautiful Russia 3: Moscow’s many faces

 

RUSSIAN TREASURES

Tags

action adventure, Bolshoi Theatre, Gold Reserve, Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire, Gold Train, Jade Snow, Jade Snow International Adventure Series, Moscow, mystery, romantic suspense, Russia, Russian culture, Russian Empire, Saint Petersburg, thriller

Welcome to today’s stop along the GOLD TRAIN BLOG TOUR – not your usual blog tour! Check out other awesome stops and giveaways here.

My new mystery thriller set in Russia, GOLD TRAIN, is about a missing treasure: the entire Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire, which vanished during the 1918 Civil War. But it’s about to resurface… and it’s about to be used to shift the global balance of power.

The exciting and rip-roaring race for gold is set against the magnificent backdrop of historic Moscow and Saint Petersburg, where our heroine, Jade Snow, travels to reconnect with the country of her ancestors and to investigate tantalizing mystery of the Gold Train.

However, Jade gets much more than she bargained for, and amongst palaces and golden domes of Russia she finds not only the non-stop thrill ride, intrigue and deception, but also her fair share of the world’s most important treasures – not just the planet’s largest pile of gold and friendship, but also otherworldly love.

In this post I wanted to share the treasures of Russia, the country I love. Its riches are many. And I am not just talking about its gold reserve and Imperial jewels, although granted, these are quite impressive. Through its long and turbulent history the country produced lots of other equally magnificent treasures, be it in the area of art, science, literature, sport or architecture. I realize that today I can only scratch the surface of what is Russian culture and heritage. But even if I just succeed in giving you the flavor of Russia’s Treasures, I’ve already accomplished a lot.

Today, I’ll share a compilation of beautiful photos representing various facets of the Russian culture.

Without further ado,

RUSSIAN TREASURES

Enjoy the ride!

The Great Russian Imperial Crown

The Minor Russian Imperial Crown

The Russian Imperial Orb

Moscow: Bolshoi Theatre at night

Above and below: legendary Bolshoi Ballet

Monument to the Russian writer, Alexander Pushkin, Tverskaya Street, Moscow

Krasnaya Ploshad – Red Square  (In Russian “krasnaya” means both the color and “beautiful”)

Another view of Red Square

Manezhnaya Square, Moscow

Above and below: The golden domed Kremlin cathedrals

Alexander Gardens by the Kremlin Wall. In the pond are sculptures of characters from the Russian fairy tales

Russian Tsars’ crowns, hats and scepters. With precious jewels, gold and rare sobel furs. The Kremlin exhibit.

The Savior Cathedral, Moscow. Seat of the Russian Patriarch.

Above and below: Magnificent Novodevichy Convent, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Above and below: images of the sumptuous Moscow Metro

Above and below: Famous bronze sculptures, Moscow Metro

Above: Russian porcelain exhibit in Moscow Metro

Moscow University, main building. One of the famous Stalin’s Seven Sisters – seven buildings constructed at strategic points throughout the city, and forming a ring around the Kremlin

Winter Palace, former residence of the Russian Tsars. Now The Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg

The Throne Room, The Hermitage

Beautiful Saint Petersburg

Neva Embankment, Saint Petersburg

“The Bronze Horseman,” Monument to Peter the Great, founder of Saint Petersburg

Magnificent Gold Singing Fountains of Peterhof

Above and below: The newly restored Amber Room, Catherine Palace, located in the town of Pushkin, near Saint Petersburg. Considered by some the Eighth Wonder of the World. The original Amber Room was stolen by the Nazis and had never been found

GOLD TRAIN GIVEAWAY: Please leave a comment to be entered to win a GOLD TRAIN ebook on 5/6, including the *required info! What is the required info? See here!

In conclusion:

Enjoy the post I wrote for World Adventurers Blog by author M.G. Edwards with more beautiful photos of Moscow and Saint Petersburg! I am inviting you to explore it here as well! See original post here.

RUSSIA and I

Guest post by Lada Ray

The Ancient Greeks would have you believe that one cannot step into the same river twice. Me — I dedicated my whole life to proving this dusty philosophical maxim.

When I was leaving Russia — very reluctantly — in 1991, the country was still called the Soviet Union, and if anyone at that time told me that the USSR’s days were numbered, I would’ve laughed in his face.

Above: St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin. The entire Kremlin/Red Square complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Below: Victory Day Parade, May 9, Red Square.

By the end of 1991, the Soviet Union broke up, quietly and amicably. I watched in disbelief from afar as, for the second time in a single century, Russia went through a revolution; thankfully, this time peacefully.

Next time I visited Russia during the turbulent 1990s, it was a completely different country, where safety nets and societal structures so solidly built and proudly maintained during Soviet times crumbled and ceased to exist. The new world emerged in birthing pains, while those who couldn’t adjust were mercilessly swept along the wayside. Crime was rampant and fortunes were built overnight, many by openly illegal means. A new class of Russian oligarchs emerged, while the needs of simple people were neglected.

It was an eye-opening and very sad visit. The country I remembered, the country where I spent some of the happiest days of my life, and the one so many took for granted, was gone. And I was hardly the only one who felt this way.

Above: Novodevichy Convent, Moscow. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Although people in the West (due to biased media coverage and stereotypes they grew up with) would probably never understand this, many of us have fond memories growing up in the Soviet Union. Since the space in this post is limited, I won’t go into details (well, may be some other time). Suffice it to say that fond memories don’t happen out of the blue. They usually happen for a good reason, especially if such memories are shared by entire generations.

Food for thought…

But the situation in Russia started changing dramatically once Vladimir Putin came to power in the year 2000. The Russian economy, which was almost obliterated during the 1990s, came back strongly and has been growing by leaps and bounds for the past decade. The ongoing economic, financial, political, legal, military, police and social reforms completely changed Russia’s landscape.

Above: Fireworks on Red Square, Moscow.

A couple years back, I stumbled upon a documentary about the Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire, which vanished during the 1918 Russian Civil War. I immediately knew it was my book to write. But it took me two years to actually sit down and put the story on paper. I started writing GOLD TRAIN in July 2011. By August, I had a desperate urge to go and visit Russia.

So off I went. I spent three glorious weeks in Russia, stepping again into a completely different country and proving once more that the Ancient Greeks knew their philosophy.

Russia has changed, but at the same time managed to preserve its heritage. The new and the old learned to co-exist and complemented each other. Starbucks and McDonalds, Gucci and Armani, Mercedes and BMWs shared streets with the long-standing Russian tradition.

The new Russia clearly emerged, molded out of past suffering and lessons learned. And although there is still plenty that needs to be done, one definitely gets the feeling that there is stability, that the country is on the right track and looking forward to its future.

I was so inspired by my trip that the story of GOLD TRAIN and Jade Snow’s Russian Adventure materialized on my computer as if by magic. I hope that I was able to convey in my book the complex feelings and impressions about Russia’s past, present…and future.

GOLD TRAIN was released as an eBook on December 19, 2011. The print version is scheduled for release on April 25, 2012. This year I will also release my new fantasy thriller, THE EARTH SHIFTER, which takes place in Moscow and Siberia.

During my research trip, I concentrated on Russia’s two capitals, Moscow and Saint Petersburg, which are part of GOLD TRAIN‘s spectacular setting.

Below are some of the images and impressions from my trip.

Moscow:

Above: The Friendship Fountain at the All Russia Exhibit, Moscow. This is a huge and rather picturesque park with pavilions housing various exhibits, which I loved to visit as a child (during Soviet times called VDNKh).

Above: The famed Bolshoi Theatre just re-opened after a massive renovation.

Above: The iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral, one of the most photographed buildings in the world. Lenin’s Mausoleum (right) on Red Square — featured in GOLD TRAIN.

Above: Arbat, Moscow’s historic pedestrian artist district — featured in GOLD TRAIN (notice the Starbucks on the corner).

Above: Alexander Gardens, named after the Russian Emperor Alexander I.

Above: Dancing in Alexander Gardens by the Kremlin Wall.

Above: Art on display on Arbat.

Above: On Moscow Street.

Above: Modern Moscow echoing the look and feel of the Kremlin and historic Russian architecture.

Above: Moskva City (Moscow City) under construction.

Above: The giant main building of The Moscow University. One of the so-called Seven Sisters, seven similar buildings, form a ring around the Kremlin and were built during Stalin’s time. It will be featured in THE EARTH SHIFTER.

Above and below: Some of the stations of the spectacular Moscow Metro resembling underground palaces. The Moscow Metro is the second busiest in the world after Tokyo’s. And it carries 7-8 million passengers a day in grand style.

Below: One Moscow’s historic metro stations: Komsomolskaya Station.

Above: The Kremlin Guards.

Above: A golden-domed Kremlin cathedral.

Above: High-speed train Sapsan between Moscow and Saint Petersburg — featured in GOLD TRAIN.

Saint Petersburg:

Above: Bank Bridge, one of Saint Petersburg’s spectacular pedestrian bridges.

Above: The Hermitage and the Neva River — featured in GOLD TRAIN. The entire historic center of Saint Petersburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Above: The Hermitage, Grand Stairs.

Above: Peterhof, Peter the Great’s summer residence with its famous golden singing fountains. One of the most spectacular sights in Saint Petersburg, UNESCO World Heritage Site…and my personal favorite.

Above: Anichkov Bridge on Nevsky Prospekt with its famous horse tamers’ statues.

Above: Catherine Palace, summer residence of Catherine the Great — UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Above: The gorgeous Amber Room (Yantarnaya Komnata), Catherine Palace. Considered by some to be the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World,’ it was stolen by the Nazis during World War II. Starting in the 1970s, it was painstakingly recreated from the original drawings and reopened to the public several years ago.

Above: One of the famous Imperial Faberge eggs at Catherine Palace.

Above: Monument to the Russian writer, Alexander Pushkin (little birdies like him).

Saint Pete Metro is the fifth busiest underground transportation system in the world, carrying 3.5 million passengers a day, and the world’s deepest. Above: one of the many palatial Saint Pete Metro stations, rivaling the beautiful Moscow Metro.

Above: Saint Pete Metro. Sportivnaya Station with its Ancient Greek Olympics theme — featured in GOLD TRAIN.

Above: Forward-looking Saint Petersburg. The new giant Gazprom Tower project, conceptual design.

For more about Moscow, Saint Petersburg and the beautiful Russian Metro, read my posts:

GOLD TRAIN Magical Setting: Moscow, Russia

Tsars, Oligarchs and Imperial Treasure: ST.PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

GOLD TRAIN: Amazing Russian Metro

The World of Russian Trains and My Childhood Memories

Born in Russia, Lada Ray is a writer, internationally certified feng shui master practitioner, world traveler, linguist, investor, nature/animal lover and spirituality and metaphysics researcher.

She is the author of the Jade Snow International Adventure Series, includingGOLD TRAIN, a mystery thriller, set in Russia and based on true historic events; Stepford USA, a psychological mystery thriller; Green Desert, a Jade Snow novella. The upcoming books include Dragon Gate, the next Jade Snow adventure, set in Asia, and The Earth Shifter, exciting YA fantasy thriller.

Visit Lada’s website: http://www.LadaRay.com

Bookstore: http://www.ladaray.com/book-store.html

Copyright 2012 Lada Ray. All rights reserved.

GOLD TRAIN GIVEAWAY: Please leave a comment to be entered to win a GOLD TRAIN ebook on 5/6, including the *required info! What is the required info? See here!

Tsars, Oligarchs and Imperial Treasure: ST.PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

Tags

Accidental Spy Russia Adventure, Anichkov Bridge, Bronze Horseman, Catherine Palace, Fontanka River, Gold Train by author Lada Ray, Hermitage, Neva River, Peter the Great, Russia, Russian culture, Russian History, Saint Petersburg, St Petersburg, World Heritage Site

Above: Bankovsky Bridge

Below: The famous singing gold fountains of Peterhof

Year 1703. During the Northern War with Sweden, Peter the Great stands on the wind-swept bank of the Neva River, amid mosquito infested swamps and desolate landscape of the north, and declares that he’ll build a city of unrivaled splendor, to become Russia’s first sea port and maritime window to Europe.

Years later, his vision became a reality – and then some! Above: Medniy Vsadnik (Bronze Horseman). Monument to Peter, the city’s founder. The inscription reads: To Peter – the First, from Catherine – the Second.

Presenting St. Petersburg, Russia‘s second capital, unique cultural phenomenon, UNESCO World Heritage site and the most beautiful city on planet Earth!

The entire center of “Peter,” as it’s affectionately called by the Russians, or St. Pete, as it’s called by the expats, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The unbelievable beauty of its many exquisite buildings, bridges, palaces and statues can awe even the most seasoned world traveler. Despite its harsh northern climate, it can be incredibly romantic and it always is unforgettable.

Some of the most important episodes in GOLD TRAIN take place in St. Petersburg. The GOLD TRAIN heroine, international journalist Jade Snow, stays at the Duchess Vera’s house in the very heart of the historic center, not far from Nevsky Prospekt and the Hermitage.

Above: Romantic couple by the Anichkov Bridge. One of Nevsky Prospekt‘s most popular sights, Anichkov Bridge across the Fontanka River is particularly famous for the four equestrian statues, “The Horse Tamers,” which stand at each corner of the bridge. 

Try visiting St. Petersburg in the summer, during The White Nights, a unique phenomenon occurring when the Northern Lights illuminate the sky, making a night almost as bright as day.

The mood during the White Nights in indescribable! No one in this city of 5 million sleeps and scores of people wander the streets, marveling at its monuments and watching the drawing of its amazing system of draw bridges.

Above: St. Pete’s bridges being drawn during the White Nights. Notice, how bright the skies are even after midnight!

Above: Dvortsovy Bridge (Palace Bridge) next to the Winter Palace – The Hermitage

All St. Pete’s bridges are incredibly beautiful and unique. Above: Probably the most famous of its pedestrian bridges, Bankovsky Bridge – Bank Bridge, which is just a few meters down the Griboedov Canal from Kazan Cathedral, owes its reputation to its four beautiful golden-winged griffons.

The Lion Bridge, another gorgeous bridge along the system of St Pete‘s canals

Above: Trinity Bridge

Below: Winter Palace, former residence of the Russian Tsars, the most magnificent palace in the world. Now, the Hermitage Museum.

Inside The Hermitage Museum:

The Throne Room

The Grand Stairs

Tsar’s Gold Coach

Above and below, The Hermitage Galleries

Below: The Winter Palace Ballroom. When I wrote the Menshikov Mansion ballroom scene in GOLD TRAIN, I imagined something like this! Well, minus tourists in jeans.

Some of the most dramatic scenes in GOLD TRAIN take place at the Menshikov Mansion. Prince Menshikov (Duke Menshikov in GOLD TRAIN) was a real historic figure. As Peter the Great’s first lieutenant, originally a commoner, the Prince rose to prominence during Peter’s reign. Peter relied on him for reform ideas, staunch support and execution of his grand plans to re-shape Russia for the modern age.

In GOLD TRAIN, I thought it was especially fitting – and ironic – that the Menshikov Mansion would be owned by the infamous Russian oligarch, a nouveau riche and prince-wannabe, Yury Gurevich, who would be instrumental in plunging the country into darkness as a result of the conspiracy… But… I don’t want to spoil your reading experience, so let’s not reveal the plot. 😉

Of course, the real Menshikov Palace is now a museum and is owned by the state.

Below: The Menshikov Palace, now Menshikov Museum

More beautiful views of St. Pete:

Below: Peterhof, Peter’s Summer residence and its magnificent gardens, complete with the system of gold singing fountains. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and my personal favorite.

The Grand Cascade

Above: Famous gold mythological fountains in Peterhof’s gardens

In GOLD TRAIN, Jade is supposed to visit the town of Pushkin near St. Petersburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its connection to the Russian writer Pushkin as well as for the magnificent Catherine the Great’s Palace.

Above: Monument to Pushkin, who lived in St. Petersburg and went to school in Pushkin, originally called Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar’s Village)

Below: Catherine Palace and gardens

The Amber Room (Yantarnaya Komnata) at Catherine Palace – considered by some the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The Amber Room had been carved from top to bottom out of precious Baltic amber and presented to Peter the Great by the Prussian king Friedrich, who went bankrupt to make it happen. The room was later expanded and perfected by the Russian craftsmen.

According to the historic accounts, Catherine could sit in the Amber Room for hours, meditating. Those who’d been in the original Amber Room described the feeling as being entranced and transported to another dimension. Catherine would forget about everything, including pressing state affairs, when she was in that state.

Unfortunately, the original Amber Room was stolen by the Nazi Germany during WWII. It was dismantled and taken to Prussia, where it had vanished without a trace. Its whereabouts are not known to this day.

Starting in 1979, the new Amber Room had been painstakingly re-created from the origianl photos and drawings. It took many years to complete the project and several years ago, the Amber Room reopened for the public.

Below: Re-creating The Amber Room

Below: The magnificent Amber Room

Below: Another room at Catherine Palace, with Empress’ images

And now, back to the city center.

The grand St. Pete Metro stations, much like Moscow’s, resemble underground palaces.

Below: One of such palacial stations

One of the most dramatic scenes in GOLD TRAIN takes place at the Sportivnaya Metro Station. Below: The incredibly deep metro escalator, much like the one, Jade took in GOLD TRAIN.

Below: Sportivnaya Metro Station with its Ancient Greek Olympics theme

For more about stately St. Petersburg Metro and Sportivnaya Station, check out my post  GOLD TRAIN: Amazing Russian Metro

Above: The famous Church of Savior on Spilled Blood, featured on the GOLD TRAIN cover. The name of this church is highly symbolic, as those who read the book would recognize.

Buy GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure) ebook & paperback!

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More about Books by Lada Ray

 

Read companion posts:

GOLD TRAIN Magical Setting: Moscow, Russia

 

GOLD TRAIN: the World of Russian Trains and My Childhood Memories

 

GOLD TRAIN: Meet Jade Snow, heroine of the Accidental Spy Series

 

GOLD TRAIN: Who is this mysterious Alexei?

 

GOLD TRAIN Magical Setting: Moscow, Russia

Tags

Accidental Spy Series, Arbat, Author Lada Ray, Bolshoi Theater, Gold Train, KGB, Lenin's Mausoleum, Moscow, Moscow Kremlin, Moscow Metro, Red Square, Russian culture, Saint Basil's Cathedral, St Basil's Cathedral, Tverskaya Street

“Want to talk about Russian history? Got a Millennium?” – Anthony Bordain, TV show host: No Reservations.

Russia‘s history is overflowing with revolutions, wars, change, as well as incredible achievements in science, technology, art, sport and literature. And its capital, Moscow, has always been at the forefront of it all.

I was born in Moscow, but my parents moved a lot for work and so, I spent part of my childhood in Kishinev (Chisinau), Moldova, and Odessa, Ukraine. However, I always maintained close ties with Moscow.

My aunt lived on famous Tverskaya Ulitsa (Tverskaya Street), Moscow’s principal street starting at the Kremlin Wall and Red Square and stretching all the way to the outskirts, where it would become the highway to St. Petersburg. Lined with posh hotels, restaurants and homes of the rich, it was the street used by the Russian Tsars and dignitaries on their visits to Moscow. More about Tverskaya here.

In GOLD TRAIN, Jade Snow walks along the “always noisy Tverskaya Street,” until she makes a sudden turn onto a quiet alley, leading to the fateful encounter with a mysterious and handsome stranger which would forever change her life.

Upon arrival, Jade and her Russian journalist friend Svetlana take a tour of Moscow, including the Red Square, complete with Lenin’s Mausoleum (above).

Above: The iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square. The most photographed building in the world.

Above: One of the Golden-domed Kremlin cathedrals.

Above: Russian Tsars’ crowns and scepters adorned with priceless furs, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. From the Kremlin’s Armory exhibit.

Above: Alexander Gardens by the Kremlin Wall, named after Russia’s Emperor Alexander.

Above: Spasskaya Tower with its famous clock. Kremlin’s main tower.

Above: New Year’s on Red Square.

Above: British Buckingham Palace Guards marching in the Victory Day Parade, May 9th, Red Square.

Below: For the winter months, part of the Red Square turns into the giant skating rink. Here you can skate to your heart’s desire, while enjoying some of the most dramatic and magnificent views in the world.

Together with Svetlana, Jade also visits Moscow’s pedestrian artists’ district, called Arbat.

It is here, on Arbat, that Jade hears the strange and disturbing predictions of the clairvoyant Gypsy, Rada. These predictions will set the wheels of Gold Train’s fast-paced action into motion.

Above: historic pedestrian street Arbat.

Alone in the unfamiliar country, Jade unwittingly finds herself embroiled in the net of lies, glamour, intrigue and alien ideals. In fact, she becomes so popular that it may be hazardous to her health. And Jade deals with this unwanted and dangerous popularity in the way that is guaranteed to surprise even the most seasoned reader!

Above, the FSB Building (former KGB), the infamous Lubyanka, which plays no small part in the book.

Later, Jade and Alexei take a stroll in the ancient city’s new attraction, the Sculpture Park, where scores of Soviet statues, monuments and plaques, complete with the statue of the KGB’s infamous first boss, Felix Dzerzhinsky, have found their final resting place.

In Gold Train, Jade says: “Moscow was indeed the city of contrasts. Noisy and quiet, in your face and retrospective, old and new – all at the same time.”

More views of Moscow – old and new, noisy and quiet – all at the same time:

Above and below: Modern Moscow.

Below: Beautiful Novodevichy Convent, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Below: Moskva River.

Below: The famous main building of Moscow University.

Below: The Friendship Fountain, The historic All-Russia Exibition Center, formerly VDNKH (USSR).

Famous Bolshoi Theater, which just re-opened after a major renovation.

Bolshoi Ballet.

Dancing in Alexander Gardens

Moscow has so many facets and attractions, that all I can do here is barely scratch the surface. But I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope it will come handy when you decide to visit Moscow. 🙂

Companion posts:

GOLD TRAIN: Amazing Russian Metro

GOLD TRAIN: the World of Russian Trains and My Childhood Memories

GOLD TRAIN: Meet Jade Snow, heroine of the Accidental Spy Series

GOLD TRAIN: Who is this mysterious Alexei?

Buy GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure) ebook & paperback!

Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Smashwords

More about Books by Lada Ray

GOLD TRAIN: Amazing Russian Metro

Tags

Accidental Spy Series, action adventure, Author Lada Ray, Gold Train, Jade Snow Russia Adventure, Moscow, Moscow Metro, mystery thriller, New York City, Russian culture, Russian Metro, Saint Petersburg Metro, Soviet art, Soviet Union, St Petersburg

Above: Komsomolskaya Metro Station, Moscow

If you are used to the gloomy, dungeon-like New York Subway (sorry, dear New Yorkers,) as I am, absolutely nothing can prepare you for the gorgeous Russian Metro! Don’t get me wrong – I love New York, and it is my second home, but the City’s unbelievably ugly and outdated subway is a different story all together.

When I complain about it, my husband – a consummate New Yorker – just shrugs his shoulders: “It gets you from point A to point B!”

Yeah, right… Point A to point B. But what about beauty? Style? Aesthetics?

Well, in all truth, even if you come from Paris, London, or Vienna, with their much nicer underground transportation systems, you’ll still be amazed at the Russian Metro!

One of Moscow’s most popular tours is “A Day in the Moscow Metro.” I am not kidding! They actually take you on a day-long tour to ride from station to station, during which time they tell you all about the history and art featured in each. And the day, spent doing that, is likely to become one of the major highlights of your Russian trip!

Can you imagine doing something like this in New York? Ouch! Not a chance! The best I can do, if I have absolutely no choice but to take subway, is to try and get in and out as soon as possible. And I’d gladly ride it with my eyes closed, if it wasn’t too risky to walk up and down the stairs without looking.

In GOLD TRAIN, Jade Snow also samples the sumptuous Moscow Metro on the day of her arrival. But it is the St. Petersburg Metro that has special significance in the book.

Without further ado, presenting The Magnificent Russian Metro! 

Moscow Metro (Moskovsky Metropoliten) first opened in 1935. It is the second busiest metro system in the world after Tokyo’s Twin Cities subway. Length, 305 kilometers, 185 stations. Moscow Metro carries 7 million people per day!

Are you listening, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York Mayor and City Council?! Not only they get 7 million people from point A to point B each and every day, but also do it on time, in style and much more affordably, than New Yorkers could ever dream of! How do they do it? And why can’t you?

Above: Arbatskaya Metro Station, Moscow. As on this picture, tourists happily snap pictures of beautiful statures, chandeliers, frescoes and paintings.

Above: Kievskaya Metro Station, Moscow. One of the original stations, built in the 1930s. As in this mosaic, exquisitely performed Soviet art dominates some of the historic stations.

One of the absolutely amazing facts about the Russian Metro is that during WWII, it doubled as a giant bomb shelter – by far the most luxurious, comfortable and spacious bomb shelter in the world.

Above: Another historic Moscow Metro Station, complete with beautiful marble paneling and bronze statues. Take a look on the right! See the famous statue of the “good luck dog?” Notice his nose? It’s almost white. That’s because everyone who passes by this dog, rubs his nose for good luck. 🙂

More magnificent classic stations:

Below: several newer Moscow Metro Stations.

Below: One of the Museum Metro cars, complete with art decking its walls. No cattle car here!

And now, the beautiful St. Petersburg Metro!

Rivaling Moscow Metro in its splendor, and mainly built in the 1950s, it’s the 5th busiest metro system in the world. In addition, it is also the deepest underground system in the world, with some stations placed well beneath the Neva River bed.

Above: Pushkinskaya Station, St. Petersburg. Monument to the Russian writer, Alexander Pushkin.

Above and below: more palacial St. Petersburg Metro Stations.

One of GOLD TRAIN’s most dramatic and crucial episodes takes place at  Sportivnaya Station. “Sportivnaya” translates as “Sports,” and the theme is that of the Ancient Greek Olympic Games.

I chose Sportivnaya Station for a reason. I don’t want to give away the plot for those, who haven’t read the book yet, so I’ll just remind everyone that by law, all wars stopped during the Greek Olympic Games. This fact has a special significance in the book.

Below: Sportivnaya Station with its Ancient Greek theme.

More Sportivnaya Station mosaics.

  The incredibly deep Metro escalator reaching all the way under the Neva River bed, much like the one Jade Snow boarded in GOLD TRAIN.

One of the St. Petersburg Metro entrances, much like in the dramatic GOLD TRAIN episode.

Companion posts:

GOLD TRAIN Magical Setting: Moscow, Russia

GOLD TRAIN: the World of Russian Trains and My Childhood Memories

GOLD TRAIN: Meet Jade Snow, heroine of the Accidental Spy Series

GOLD TRAIN: Who is this mysterious Alexei?

Amazon & Kindle bestseller!

Buy GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure) ebook & paperback:

Amazon US  UK  CA  DE (available on all intl. Amazon sites)

Barnes & Noble     Smashwords

Jason Bourne & Outlander fusion with a vodka twist… 

Begin your secret love affair with Russia! GOLD TRAIN is a fast-paced romantic mystery/thriller based on true historical events!

Experience Moscow and St. Petersburg like you’ve never imagined them before; travel through Russia’s turbulent history and ever-changing present; immerse yourself in a world filled with oligarchs, hidden treasure, ultimate royal glamour, state secrets and FSB spies. It’s the world guided by destiny’s hand and spiced up with passionate love affair that could only happen where stakes are deadly and every day may be your last!

1918 Civil War: the entire Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire vanishes without a trace. But what if it’s about to resurface?

Today: flaming hair, striking blue-green eyes, relentless optimism & burning desire to uncover the truth… Jade Snow, sexy international journalist turned stay-at-home mom, turned spy extraordinaire, thinks she has seen it all – until she gets a fateful call from Russia. Jade travels to Moscow to investigate tantalizing mystery of the Gold Train and reconnect with the land of her ancestors; instead, she lands in the middle of a high-stakes international conspiracy threatening to change the fate of one of the world’s most powerful nations. Refusing to be a pawn in the game of forces beyond her control, Jade must choose between her worst friends and best enemies…and the future just might depend on her choice!

 

For readers 16+ due to a couple of very steamy (but tasteful) romantic scenes. Spectacular setting and tons of invaluable information about history & Russia.

Top rated!

The Earth Shifter is a rich and prophetic 5-star metaphysical thriller set on Sacred Lake Baikal in Siberia, Moscow & New York. It is filled with a stand-out cast of characters, punctuated with dramatic action, and wrapped in a fabric of profound revelations. Recommended for most ages, early teen through adult.

Buy ebook & paperback:  

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GOLD TRAIN: the World of Russian Trains and My Childhood Memories

Tags

Accidental Spy Series, action adventure, Author Lada Ray, Gold Train, high speed train Sapsan, Jade Snow, Moscow, Moscow-St. Petersburg express, mystery thriller, Odessa Ukraine, Russian culture, Russian Empire, Russian Railways, Russian trains, St Petersburg

Trains and travels are in my blood. I was born in Moscow, and my parents both worked for Russian Railways. When I was barely two, they were transferred first to Kishinev (now, Chisinau) Moldova, and later, to Odessa, the beautiful city on the Black Sea, now part of the Ukraine. As part of my parents’ job benefits, I always had free railroad tickets, the privilege, I enthusiastically abused for years.

There is a huge train-centric culture in Europe in general, and in Russia in particular. Something, that is probably very difficult to understand in the US, with its car dependent culture. There is always something romantic and breathtaking about a train journey through the night, when everyone’s asleep and the rythmic song and sway of the rails makes you think about far away lands and the fascinating discoveries awaiting you at tomorrow’s destination.

Trains have always had a soothing effect on me and when I was little, I loved sleeping on a train. In GOLD TRAIN, Jade rides on a sleeper express from Moscow to St. Petersburg, sharing a compartment with a retired Russian teacher. This scene resonates deeply with my childhood memories.

The idea for the Gold Train took root, when I first heard the story of the lost Russian Imperial Treasure. I knew right away that it was my book to write.

It starts in 1918, during the Russian Civil War, as the special steam engine train, carrying the Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire by Lenin’s personal decree, is attacked, and the treasure disappears into the night.

Then, the action fast forwards to present day New York, as international journalist, Jade Snow, prepares for her unexpected and exotic assignment to Russia, to investigate the mystery of the Gold Train.

Action steams full speed ahead, as Jade arrives to Moscow and finds herself a pawn in a deadly game – the game, she is forced to play.

Various trains play a big role in the story, including the high-speed train Sapsan, the Moscow-St. Petersburg sleeper express, as well as the luxurious, one-of-a-kind Russian Metro. I’ll have a separate post for the Russian Metro, with beautiful pics and videos – well worth watching – in  a couple of days.

But today, let’s talk about the fascinating world of Russian trains!

Russia is a relative new-comer to the high-speed train market. Its new high-speed train is called Sapsan (Moscow-St. Petersburg-Moscow.) The name was chosen well, as “Sapsan” is a variety of hawk, considered to be the fastest bird in the world.

Sapsan, the first Russian bullet train, currently shares tracks with regular train traffic and because of that, “only” achieves speed of 250 km/hr. It is also larger, than its European counterparts. New tracks, being built now, will allow it to travel at its optimal speed of 360-380 km/hr. More high-speed lines are porjected to be built in the next several years.

It takes 3 hrs 45 min to get on Sapsan from Moscow to St. Petersburg, while an overnight express takes 7-8 hrs.

Check out these cool videos:

Sapsan at High Speed http://www.youtube.com/user/LadaRay?feature=mhee#p/f/83/MqtWZZDxqes

Another video ‘The Fastest Trains of Russia’ starring the cutest kitty 🙂  http://www.youtube.com/user/LadaRay?feature=mhee#p/f/82/9eURuvwG3Lo

Moscow – St. Petersburg trains:

Nikolayevsky Express

Red Arrow Express

First Class compartment, much like the one in which Jade traveled from Moscow to St. Petersburg

 Russian express train corridor

Companion Posts:

GOLD TRAIN Magical Setting: Moscow, Russia

GOLD TRAIN: Amazing Russian Metro

GOLD TRAIN: Meet Jade Snow, heroine of the Jade Snow International Adventure Series

GOLD TRAIN: Who is Alexei?

Check out GOLD TRAIN ebook on:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble Nook

Smashwords

GOLD TRAIN paperback is coming on April 25, 2012. More: https://ladaray.wordpress.com/blog-tours/

For descriptions/excerpts/trailers from GOLD TRAIN and other Lada Ray’s books: LadaRay.com

If you liked my posts, please comment, RT, share and follow Lada Ray Blog!

Till next time,

Cheers!

Lada Ray

GOLD TRAIN: Meet Jade Snow, heroine of the Accidental Spy Series

Tags

5 star thriller, Accidental Spy Asia Adventure, Accidental Spy Russia Adventure, Accidental Spy Series, Author Lada Ray, Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire, Gold Train, Green Desert, Iraq, Jade Snow, Moscow, mystery thriller, Russian culture, Russian Empire, Stepford USA

The JADE SNOW INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURE SERIES idea was born several years ago, when I was flying through Dubai to Asia. In Dubai I met American journalists, returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, who told me stories of their adventures. As I was leaving Dubai, the picture of Jade Snow, a young, beautiful and spirited international journalist, who’d worked in Iraq and Afghanistan, appeared before my eyes. It occured to me that she would make a great heroine for an international mystery/thriller series.

A beautiful and witty red-head with unusual blue-green eyes, budding psychic powers and rare talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Jade Snow is the protagonist of the Jade Snow International Adventure Series and of GOLD TRAIN, the gripping mystery/thriller, set in Russia and based on true historic events. When she gets married, this international journalist gives up her promising career to raise her little daughter, Lara.

But as the unexpected and exotic assignment drops in her lap, she jumps at the chance to restart her career and reconnect with her Russian roots. She gets much more than she’d ever bargained for!

When Jade travels to Russia, amid the magical settings of St. Petersburg and Moscow, she must uncover a dangerous conspiracy, find the world’s largest treasure and experience forbidden passion, defying time and space.

As she finds herself a pawn in a struggle between forces beyond her control, she also meets the man, who’ll change her life forever.

Click to watch GOLD TRAIN Book Trailer!

Companion posts:

GOLD TRAIN Magical Setting: Moscow, Russia

GOLD TRAIN: Amazing Russian Metro

GOLD TRAIN: the World of Russian Trains and My Childhood Memories

GOLD TRAIN: Who is This Mysterious Alexei?

Check out GOLD TRAIN ebook on:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble Nook

Smashwords

GOLD TRAIN paperback is coming on April 25, 2012. More: https://ladaray.wordpress.com/blog-tours/

For descriptions/excerpts/trailers from GOLD TRAIN and other Lada Ray’s books: LadaRay.com

If you liked my posts, please comment, RT, share and follow Lada Ray Blog!

Till next time,

Cheers!

Lada Ray