Retrospections...

Cathedral of Intercession of Theotokos on the Moat (commonly known as St Basil's Cathedral, or The Building I'd Most Like To Eat, If I Could), Moscow, Russian Federation

For what's left of 2010, I'll be looking back over the last few years and picking out some shots that represent everything I love about traveling, seeing new things and taking photos of said things.

This is, as the caption describes, St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. I have been to Moscow many times, but not often have I found myself there as a tourist. I worked on Sakhalin Island (just off the east coast of the immense country), and passed through Moscow en route to/from work. It was on this particular trip that I decided to buy my first dSLR and where better to give it a test run in Russia than in Red Square?! Seeing this building in its wooden-framed (yeah, I know!), red-brick and ornamental glory is quite the treat. Amidst the madness that is Moscow, this building, once the tallest building in the city, stands out like a beautifully-decorated sore thumb.

People sometimes ask me what I've thought of spending time in Russia. Having spent 3 years working in the country, I've can relay that I found it to be equal parts welcoming, intimidating and intoxicating (and yes, in the alcoholic sense!). I did find, though, that even attempting to speak the language works so much in favour of the outsider. Wide eyes and open mouths greet the expat who attempts to speak some Русский.

Back to the photo, though. I was extremely lucky to stroll into Red Square on a beautiful September afternoon. While not really sure how my camera worked, I set it up (i.e. Auto mode, hehe!) and pointed it at the cathedral. A pretty simple process, but it worked!