It has been a long time since I posted to this blog. Saw this news article earlier and could not resist posting this photo!

This daredevil sought to prove that skydiving and heavy drinking can go together as part of a dangerous stunt in a vertical wind tunnel.

The tunnels replicate the conditions of an actual skydive by blasting powerful jets of air directly upwards, causing anyone inside the chamber to "float".

They are used to train divers for proper free falls, but this man decided to combine the experience with some alcoholic refreshment.

He is shown visibly struggling to open his lips against the force of the gust, but eventually manages to bring the bottle to his mouth and take a sip.

While you might think that vodka would be the natural choice of the daredevil Russian skydiver, the stuntman was actually drinking from a bottle of samogon, a moonshine that was illegal in the country until recently.

Samogan is ususally distilled from sugar, but can also be made from corn, potatoes and even plywood. It was especially popular during the Soviet era when vodka supplies could be unstable.

Posted by Justin Hall at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm not good at saying goodbye's but recently I have had lots of practice. My time in Moscow ends in 24 hours. What started as a few month project turned into an unforgettable year life experience. The people, the places, the experiences, the culture, the lessons... have all made saying goodbye difficult. I'm not ready to leave. What a year! What a great year! The last couple of days have seen the final skaladrome time, the final outing (paintball), the final restaurant outing (at my less than favorite Molly's)... more "finals" then I wish to remember right now. But I'll be back! This "place" is magical and I know I will return.

I spent a recent flight going through my 2,500+ Russia photographs. My top 80 got tagged and sorted and are displayed in the gallery below. You must see these pictures! They wholeheartedly recap 1 year in Russia. Looking at the gallery, you can count on one hand pictures without people/friends/colleagues in them. Russia is a vast and beautiful landscape with spectacular, world-renowned sites. However, the pictures I best like include people. I want to remember Russia not for what it looks like but who it is.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my RU friends who made 1 year in Moscow simply amazing. Thanks to you for reading the blog.

Signing off from Moscow, RU, for now.

Must See Top 80 Images from 1 Year in Russia

Posted by Justin Hall at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Played tourist today. Saw The State Tretyakov Gallery - The National Museum of Russian Fine Art and the Moscow Zoo.

Also check out this gallery for an amazing Metro shot at the end!

Tretyakov Gallery and the Moscow Zoo

Posted by Justin Hall at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Found out about a secret bunker recently that one can tour. I caught a glimpse of what secret military life was like for about 2000 people during the 40's and 50's.

Website with more information in English

Secured Command Post Taganskiy

Posted by Justin Hall at 04:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One last hurrah. Several friends of mine and I went paintballing today. This was my final outing in Moscow - a great way to end a great year in Moscow - with great friends!

Paintballing in Moscow with Friends

Continue reading "Paintball!" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 11:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Spent the last week in L'viv, Ukraine and Horodok, Ukraine, and the Carpathian Mountains, Ukraine. Photo set is included below (password required!). More writeup to come later.

Ukraine 2008 with CBC

Posted by Justin Hall at 08:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 2008 marks the 1 year anniversary of ClaimCenter's go-live at RGS. We all went to the forest and celebrated.

GURU Anniversary Favorite Images

Posted by Justin Hall at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Near the Christy Prudy metro was this underwater photo exhibit.

RU.Moscow.UnderwaterPhotoExhibit

Posted by Justin Hall at 07:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Traveled down to the Zarechny orphanage today. Take a look at the photos - it was graduation day!

RU.Region.Zarechny.orphanage

Posted by Justin Hall at 11:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

William J. Burns served as the U.S. ambassador to Russia from 2005 to 2008. He recently wrote an editorial piece for the Moscow News. It is a recommended read.

Continue reading "Reflections of a U.S. Ambassador" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 04:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)