Soviet-era handwritten sign above a trolley-bus exit: "Our joy from your visit has no end" 

Getting around the rules... Now that vodka can't be publicly advertised, we get this: "Flagman: 'Real Man's Water'" (hint: don't brush your teeth with it...) [2005-04-15] 

Today's specials... Propped-open garbage bins along a downtown street (near where we used to live). When I walked past here two days ago, three "street people" were filling their bags from the bins. 

Whatever... [2005-04-03] 

No parking [2005-04-09] 

Once...upon a time? [2005-04-09]

The ever-vigilant Russian "militzia" (police) [2005-04-03] 

"Beauty Salon" 

Grand Hotel Europe as seen from the second floor in Gostiny Dvor [2005-04-03] 

Spring cleaning: street cleaners take to the riverbank 

Ye olde Russian trolley bus (on Nevsky Prospekt) [2005-04-03] 

"Passage" shopping centre on Nevsky, as viewed from the second floor of Gostiny Dvor [2005-04-03] 

Hanging out on Nevksy Prospekt (in front of Gostiny Dvor) [2005-04-03] 

No garbage can? No problem! Stuff that empty pack under a windowsill! [2005-04-03] 

Kaboom! Someone torched an empty car in front of the mission where our local church meets [2005-04-03] 

"Cooool!" Was this kid's reaction. [2005-04-03] 

The maternity hospital where Deena was born [2003-10-25]