Sunday with Natalia

Today I had an even more interesting day as Natalia offered to take me to the All Russian Exhibition Centre near VDNKH. It is a shadow of its former self, but Natalia went a lot as a child and could tell me so much about the buildings. At the back is a series of pavilions, each build by a different industry. Free to enter, they were a source of education in a hands on way. There was the weather pavilion, electricity and gas. Natalia's favourites were the working farm and animals. The exhibits were constantly changing so there was always something new to see. The buildings are still there, but most are empty, vandalised after Peristroyka. For a long time it was left to moulder, but some effort is being made to use of some of the space. We went in the Honey pavilion and gardening pavilion. I think the cosmos pavilion is still in use, and there are still plenty of statues and models outside.

Outside the electricity pavilion.

Gas pavilion I think.

Honey pavilion

A Soyeuz rocket.

Near the front gate are the republic pavilions. At the centre is the Soviet Federation building.

This is the main entrance.

This is a decorated panel at the back.

This is the ceramic entrance to the Belarus building. Lovely food on sale here, but long queues.

Natalia then took me inside the Kerala pavilion. Here they sell locally made handicrafts, mostly tapestry and pine furniture. The prices were so reasonable and the wood felt like silk. I could have spent a fortune on cushion covers if I used cushions!!

Finally she took me to the Armenian pavilion for Armenian coffee and a tiny snack. Though black and almost like syrup and so, so sweet, the coffee was delicious. There were all sorts of Armenian foods to buy too, but we refrained - a treat for another  time I think. I want to go back when the fountains are on in May - perhaps when Peter and Philippa are here.

It is sad that such a treasure has been so neglected. Companies are taking over some of the spaces as display places for merchandising, but the educational places are gone. A shame.

By now we were hungry and tired so we headed home.