Some Snowfall In Tashkent

Tashkent doesn't have much of a winter. Some cold weather, maybe a few snowfalls that leave little dustings. The rare white blanket is a nice change from the dusty norm and a good chance to get out and see some sights.

Icon with snow, the famous Hotel Uzbekistan.

Hard to believe, right downtown, a meandering canal and footbridge creates a bucolic scene within the urban environment. The Monument of Courage with a little white dusting. It's dedicated to victims of the big earthquake in 1966.

The palace for Grand Duke Nicholas Constantinovich, one of the Romanovs. Nice pad, ready for a bitter, period Soviet epic film set.

Another memorial, the weeping mother for the WWII victims from Uzbekistan. Putting the frieze in freeze. The impressive workers scene outside the Mustakillik Maydoni metro station.

Cool pedestrian footbridge and big Ferris wheel. Lovely. For a day, until the melting commences.

Snow Day! In Tashkent

Starting last July, when it was 105º without any rain for months, it was impossible to imagine a blanket of snow in Tashkent. Yesterday, the blanket dropped.

A winter wonderland in the neighborhood.

Keeping ahead of the blanket to keep the shops open. Covering the clothing. Not much traffic.

Hot water piping for radiators, hope they're delivering.

Leave the vehicle option, use the feet instead.

Limb down! Limb down! People avoiding the disaster zone.

Wipers up to avoid freezing. Spoiler alert, it's 45º today and melting. Can't wait for your sweet ride? An optimistic Uzbek gets a jump on washing the car.

Squint and you're in Switzerland. For a day. 

The Grey Days Of The Lithuanian Winter

Forgive us. This winter, we thought we'd get snow like Boston received. Be jealous of us, the biggest snowstorm thus far topped out at maybe four inches. Weather we did get: plenty of flurries, constant grey.

A typical example of our winter. A deep dusting, flurries and grey skies.

Into March, less snow, more grey.

A golf course. Snow-filled sand traps, frozen water hazards, grey sky. Another winter field, green creeping in.

The last signs of winter? We're hoping so.

Grey above, mud below. The only color at this construction site comes from the roofs and barriers.

Winterizing Helsinki

When winter comes to Helsinki (does it ever leave?), you'd better be ready. A person can add a layer, bundle up and put on boots, but what about the poor buildings?

A typical doorway (photo taken about midnight in June). What's that lump on the bottom step?

Hello brush. Hello major, heavy duty, wipe-the-winter-apocalypse-off-your-boots brush. They're everywhere in Helsinki, a regular down and dirty doorman.

Some brushes look like a lonely puppy, waiting patiently to come in.

Maybe balance the brush out with a little flora? Hey, what's up with the down spouts? Who threw trash down them?

Nobody did. Wire didn't wash down from the roof, it was placed in the pipe on purpose. The wires are heated, to act like a defroster so the spouts don't burst from ice buildup. You take one look at this set-up and think, "I don't want to be in Helsinki in the winter, they mean business."

If the pipes and brushes don't force away winter, leave it to these machines.

Savoring Winter Sun In Lithuania

Our winter hasn't been more extreme than that of most US snow belt cities. Not much cold, perhaps less snow. Seeing sun is another matter. Between short days and socked in gray skies, bright sun is rarer than snow falling.

When the sun shows, it seems to glow. Out commuting.

Extended bus and visiting a kiosk.

Looking like a star boarded a bus.

More commuting and temporary winter entrance to a clothing store.

Waiting for buses.

Winter In Lithuania

So many places we've been, so little space on the blog. Not true! Due to an ever-increasing inventory of fabulous blog items, Hello Talalay is going to a Monday-Friday, five-posts-a-week rotation. Enjoy (dread?) the increased onslaught.

We were teased with a few cold snaps and snow dustings, until winter showed up around the first of the year. Finally, Vilnius as a snow-covered winter wonderland. OK, maybe drop wonderland.

Vilnius, wearing her winter coat.

Blowing snow, settling snow.

The main Old Town square, looking wintery.

Nearly empty places.

The ice skating rink is open.

The Skoda Yeti, named for this season. Soon enough, mush to jump through.

Getting a little sledding in.