Saturday, February 21, 2009
When In Doubt, Blog Food
Last Sunday I went to a Chinese Restaurant, Katia. 
Breaded Shrimp.
Pot Stickers.
Breaded Shrimp.
Pot Stickers. I was hungry and didn't get a picture of the entree. I will do better in the future.
The week before we went to Zhivago's, one of the more expensive restaurant in Perm.
I had the seafood pasta. It was excellent.
Fresh made bread and rolls.
Steak.
A Russian dish. Also excellent.
The week before we went to Zhivago's, one of the more expensive restaurant in Perm.
I had the seafood pasta. It was excellent.
Fresh made bread and rolls.
Steak.
A Russian dish. Also excellent.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The T-34 Russian Tank
We stopped this weekend to see the WWII Memorial in Perm.
Parked out front the famous T-34 Russian Tank. I thought that the T-34's were built in Perm during WWII but from my research they were never produced here. This is an early version without the 'hexagonal' turret.
Excellent view of the five large "Road Wheels". The tracks can be removed for high speed travel on roads, a design now being adapted by modern agricultural tractors.
From my research on the history of the T-34:Christie’s Tank still retained large road wheels so that the tracks could be removed for road travel, allowing for greater speed and range. What made this prototype revolutionary was its new "helicoil" suspension system, whereby each wheel had its own spring loaded assembly. This reduced space in the interior of the tank, but (combined with a very light overall weight) allowed for unprecedented high-speed cross-country mobility, albeit at the cost of extremely thin armor. Another interesting feature of the Christie designs was sloped armor in front, which could better deflect projectiles fired against it. The sloped armor helped to compensate for its thinness. The Army purchased several of Christie's tank prototypes for testing purposes.
On April 28, 1930 Christie's company, the U.S. Wheel Track Layer Corporation, agreed to sell two M1931 Christie-designed tanks at a total cost of $60,000 dollars, with the tanks to be delivered not later than four months from date of signing, together with spare parts. Rights were also transferred for the production, sale and use of tanks inside the borders of the U.S.S.R. for a period of ten years. The two Christie tanks, falsely documented as agricultural farm tractors, were sold without prior approval of the U.S. Army or Department of State, and were shipped without turrets to the Soviet Union. Christie even concluded an oral agreement to provide personal technical support services to the U.S.S.R. The Soviets later improved upon the basic Christie tank design, adopting its sloping front armor for its BT Tank Series of infantry tanks. The BT itself was further refined into the famous Soviet T-34 Tank of World War II, retaining the sloping front armor design, now adopted for side armor as well.
On April 28, 1930 Christie's company, the U.S. Wheel Track Layer Corporation, agreed to sell two M1931 Christie-designed tanks at a total cost of $60,000 dollars, with the tanks to be delivered not later than four months from date of signing, together with spare parts. Rights were also transferred for the production, sale and use of tanks inside the borders of the U.S.S.R. for a period of ten years. The two Christie tanks, falsely documented as agricultural farm tractors, were sold without prior approval of the U.S. Army or Department of State, and were shipped without turrets to the Soviet Union. Christie even concluded an oral agreement to provide personal technical support services to the U.S.S.R. The Soviets later improved upon the basic Christie tank design, adopting its sloping front armor for its BT Tank Series of infantry tanks. The BT itself was further refined into the famous Soviet T-34 Tank of World War II, retaining the sloping front armor design, now adopted for side armor as well.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Ice Sculptures? Gorky Park?
I think this says Gorky Park. Maybe I got in the wrong place?
Snow Sculptors at work.
The theme must be 'Love' this year, or maybe it was just Valentines Day.
Here is a happy snow man.
A sculptress putting the final touches on a pair of snails.A little movie of kids having fun, I wonder how long before this is outlawed?
Saturday, February 07, 2009
It Is Getting Cold.
As some of you know, I have been complaining about it snowing every day, I have been in Perm. I said, "I just want to see some sunshine." Today we got sunshine. . . . . and -35 degree (C) weather. Now I am looking forward to the snow. 
The sign on the little Christmas Tree says "Happy New Year" this is called the "Vodka Factory" but they do not make vodka, they mix alcohol and things together to make different alcoholic drinks. They have a company store.
This is a brewery. They make a number of the local and foreign beers. You can see the stacks of bottles in their parking lot. They do not have a company store.
One of Perm's central heating plants off in the distance. The jet engine factory on the left.
This is the refinery we pass on the way back to the hotel every night. It is really huge. I will try to get some close-up pictures in the future.
The sign on the little Christmas Tree says "Happy New Year" this is called the "Vodka Factory" but they do not make vodka, they mix alcohol and things together to make different alcoholic drinks. They have a company store.
This is a brewery. They make a number of the local and foreign beers. You can see the stacks of bottles in their parking lot. They do not have a company store.
One of Perm's central heating plants off in the distance. The jet engine factory on the left.
This is the refinery we pass on the way back to the hotel every night. It is really huge. I will try to get some close-up pictures in the future.Friday, February 06, 2009
Weekly Update Perm
I went to dinner this week to an Azerbaijan Restaurant, In English it was called The Restaurant "Sufra"
Mushrooms stuffed with cheese.
My dinner consisted of a beer, rice and "beef kabob" but they took it off the stick before they served it. It was excellent, I ate it all.
In my continuing adventures around the city, I went into the local ATM to get some money and was going to take pictures and blog the process. I thought people would be interested.
I had just gotten started when the policeman arrived to explain to me in no uncertain terms that it is illegal to take pictures inside an ATM. I think that is what he said. He let me go with my money.
Mushrooms stuffed with cheese.
My dinner consisted of a beer, rice and "beef kabob" but they took it off the stick before they served it. It was excellent, I ate it all.
In my continuing adventures around the city, I went into the local ATM to get some money and was going to take pictures and blog the process. I thought people would be interested.
I had just gotten started when the policeman arrived to explain to me in no uncertain terms that it is illegal to take pictures inside an ATM. I think that is what he said. He let me go with my money.Sunday, February 01, 2009
Ice Sculpures in the Park
Visiting the Ice Park in Downtown Perm.
This is a competition of international artists. 
A dog.
An Indian Chief.
Some sort of modern art. I was told that because of the unusual warm weather in December, the competition is not as good as it has been in previous years. I drove by at night last week, it was all lit up with Christmas lights and quite impressive. I didn't get a picture.