January 18, 2009
In most cases its easy to telephone from the telegraph office. Phoning from the telegraph office in Omsh isn’t to be recommended, we spent an unsuccessful afternoon there. We gave up and tried to fax England and were told it was US$20 per page (whereas in Kurgan it had only been US$3 per page). We expected similar problems in Novosibirsk but it proved relatively easy to contact England from the telegraph office (cost US$1.50 for one minute).
Posting parcels can take a long time. Don’t wrap parcels, there is a counter at the post office for wrapping. Moscow is the most difficult place to send parcels from as they can only be sent from the international post office. The process involves firstly buying custom declaration forms, then going to the customs office, then going to the wrapping counter and then going to the weighing and paying counter. In smaller towns there is less bureaucracy.
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Posted by hurricon
December 4, 2008
Of all the mysterious arts of the orient, Kabuki is one of the most difficult to grasp. Totally separate from the western realist tradition, for the first-time viewer it seems to consist of nothing more than a group of men – there are no females allowed – striking poses and being applauded. This laudable workshop, with simultaneous English translation, is an attempt to explain what all the fuss is about and lead you to an appreciation of this most alien of theatrical forms.
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Posted by hurricon
November 25, 2008
The Old Tretyakov Gallery, in combination with a number of German musuems and the Louvre, tackles time this summer. ‘The Birth of Time’ exhibition looks at how the concept of time has been seen in art. Exhibits range from ancient Egyptian water clocks and antique sundials to Russian icons which explain time through Russian Orthodox holidays. Both the Christian view of time as a straight line, and the more Asian view of time as circular, are on view. A special part of the exhibition focuses on Europe’s first observatory founded in 1560.
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Posted by hurricon
November 21, 2008
This is a nifty maritime exhibition for kids of all ages that dwells on the more mysterious side of the world’s oceans. Place yourself in the cockpit of a plane entering the Bermuda Triangle, observe the mummified remains of a mermaid (okay, so it’s a 150-year-old fake, but it’s damned impressive), find out about the ‘Flying Dutchman’ and view remnants of the ‘Marie Celeste’, found adrift with all her passengers and crew missing. Then get your face painted in Neptune’s Kingdom (Sundays only).
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November 16, 2008
The Costes brothers’ latest Jacques Garcia-decorated trend-o-rama has a brilliant location – overlookiong the huge lawn in front of the Invalides which is gorgeously illuminated at night. There’s the usual tongue-in-cheek décor, patronised by a very interesting crowd. The fine food includes standard starters like rocket salad with parmesan shavings, tomato and mozzarella or even onion soup and escargots. Mains are steamed cod with puréed potatoes or grilled chopped steak with a topping of fresh herbs – in other words, just the type of food you might cook for yourself if you had the time to shop and the energy to cook. Don’t miss the Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône at 115F.
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Posted by hurricon
November 14, 2008
The White Horse was one of those famous early houses in Dublin where, at ungodly hours of the day, you’d find taxi drivers and dockers finishing their night shifts or party-goers finishing theirs. Not so now in ‘Celtic Tiger’ Dublin. The White House has been revamped, rebuilt and repackaged as an airy modern bar with bright and friendly staff. Big, light and overlooking the quays, the White Horse is enough off the beaten track to let you esacep the crowds. And while it hasn’t retained any of the soul of its previous incarnation, it is quickly creating some of its own.
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October 31, 2008
Funk, reggae and soul nights at Radost FX have made Tuesdays into virtual weekends, packing the floor of this tripped-out basement dancefloor. It’s currently done up as ‘Don Juan in outer space’ and remains the heart of glam rocking in the city. Radost’s all-night disco, ground-floor lounge and vegetarian café are always attractions as well.
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