Патриаршие пруды

Dallas and I took a little trip to Patriarch's Ponds on Friday, nicknamed Патрики (Patriki). Ironically there is actually only one pond in the middle of the park, but it still has a plural for a name. These clever Russians. 
The reason we went is because this place is famous as the meeting place of the Master & Margarita in Bulgakov's book - The Master & Margarita. Both Dallas & I have recently read this book and so took the opportunity to see the real thing!

On the bench in the Park, reading the Master & Margarita.

It was a short walk from the Маяковская tube station past some of the more affluent area of Moscow. There was also a gorgeous little bakery and we stopped inside to pick up pastries. The park itself was small in comparison to other parks in capital cities, but was lovely. All the leaves were falling off the trees and there was plenty of wildlife in the pond. As well as a lady walking her pet ferret.......but no judgement here. 

Casually walking her pet ferret..

Friday was also a national holiday here in Russia. It was День народного единства (Unity Day). It is in commemoration of the day that 2 Moscow citizens expelled the Polish from Russia through a popular uprising and ended the 'Time of Troubles' in November 1612. It celebrates the unity of the Russian people without the influence or guidance of Tsar or Patriarch. This basically meant that Moscow was decked out in Moscow flags & Russian flags and the day was spent in celebration. The Russians at my dorm started drinking at 9am and shouting, "раз, два, три.....РОССИЯ!", (1,2,3....RUSSIA!) it was a lovely wake up call! 

Though this was also chosen as the day for a massive demonstration (which was made illegal under the Russian Terrorism Act - technically protesting & demonstrating counts as terrorism against the Russian nation. Hmm.). I also popped into the center of Moscow around lunchtime and was surprised to see a large number of fortified police trucks and portable jail trucks too. The police were on guard. So that put a slightly sour taste in the mouth of such a nice national holiday...