Chapter 5. Place of mine.
Hi there.
Today I'd like to fulfil the promise I gave in my first message and tell a little bit about my native town, Nizhiy Novgogrod. As I said, it's situated in the middle part of european Russia, at a junction of rivers Volga and Oka. It was founded in 1221 AD by grand russain duke Yury Dolgoruky as a fortress on a high bank of river Volga. Initially its purpose was to defend young russian state against an invasion of Eastern herds.
With years, the rivers became a great trade way rather than a natural hurdle for enemies. Due to lacky position of crossing several trade tracks, our town formed to a big trade center. One of the most famous trade event of those times known as 'Nizhegorodskaya Yarmarka' took place in our town in 18th - 19th centuries. Lots of plants and institutes were build here during Soviet period. Nizniy Novgorod became also a big industrial center. During The World War Two the town helped a lot in struggle with fascism providing Soviet Army with significant amount of weapon.
Nowadays, despite some common processes of depravation and stagnation, the town still remains a big trade and cultural center.
We still have a couple of museums and several theatres left. In contrast, the number of new restaurants and nightclubs has been increasing. Actually, it seems strange taking into acount the fact that average standard of living is steadily decreasing. Nevertheless the arhitecture of the town is getting pretty more vivid. The cubical style of Soviet architectural heritage is being replaced with nice new forms of just-build or reconstructed churhes and other buildings.
I think our habitat could even be named a city, but still there are few signs of a city. We've got no skyscrapers, lots of open soil in our downtown, neither for a car nor for a pedestrian road system. On the other hand our town is rather quiet and cozy. And still has some touch with civilization. Believe it or not, we also have 'holes in the wall' and usually don't have to queue up in the bank. :)
Comments
Hi Alex, I really enjoy your entries so far. I try to imagine what your home town is like as you described. It inspire me to go to your country someday. keep on telling interesting about your country. By the way, I'm very pleased to read some comments from Anita of Slovakia. Honestly, I missed her entries during his September period, but I still enjoy her entry yesterday. To Anita, please keep on joining in this blog, let me feel your existence and participation.
Hi Alex! It's nice to know about your hometown.. I love travelling very much but I have never been to Europe before..I like your town,simply because it gives me a peace of mind.I want to tell you that here in Hong Kong,place is so crowded that you can hardly ride a bicycle on the streets!Everyone here is always so busy and leads a hustle and bustle life...And i am one of them ,of course,despite the fact that I am still a student...Therefore I am impressed by your photos ... anyway..thanks for your sharing and nice to meet you!
HI, how are you today? This is the first time that i came here and, this is likewise the first time to come UK for me!i like your atical, because of wonderful view and nice English! By the way,i want to do introduction about myself. i am a chinese and do a Master in the University of Manchester! I have trouble studying in Master duo to the barriers of English! it is nice to know you! so long.
It's sound an interesting place.
I'd like to know your city, but it's far from here. Who know we can to tolk about our hometowns!
Hi Alex, it is nice to read your blog, thank you for sharing your beautiful picture with us, I really admire your living enviroment which bring us quiet and in peace.
Hello Alex! I would like to comment 'holes in the wall'. My town is a small one. The population is about 15 000 , but we have many holes. In my opinion,it is an deceitful sign of civilization. Most people have only one plastic card, which even is not a credit but debit card.They often wait the day for transferring their salaries into the card.After paying the bills and doing some shopping the card is empty and people need to borrow money in order to live until next transfer. Actually, the problem of managing with finance is a common one for human being, but people here are poor.In situation when the life standard is steadily decreasing 'holes in the wall' are more than ridiculous.Far from capital many people in the countryside are struggling to survive. Now about the pictures.The imposing building in the first and the second picture make me think that it is a military historical museum, isn't it? I live in a town on the river Danube. During the automns river valley seems the same way.But in summers the sights are splendid.I am sure you can find in your album photos with more sun rays in them, can't you? By the way,your posts are very interesting and helpful for me. I find every day useful phrases and words to learn. Best wishes! Diema
Hi Alex! Your town is really wonderful! The view of the river in the first picture is something capturing. But I was impressed by the artist living in your town, I don't exactly know where he lives, but his works are very unusual. He makes his pictures of last year's leaves and they look like paintings. Also he makes models of churches of watermelon stones, they are great.
Hello everybody, my name is Erick Lucero, I’m Mexican and I’m a student of political science, I finished my studies three years ago , and I´d like to study a phd in the united states, specially in UCSD or Georgetown, I know that it sounds like a dream but I think that big objectives need big dreams… I am a GRE student and my teacher recommends me this site, I visited and then I found the blog where I met Alex, I hope to read more about your country I saw some pictures and i think that is a very cold place to live.
Hihi,I really fond of the scenery of your living place!
Your town is almost as beautiful as my country. You have my compliments on a fine town. The scenery is absolutly fablulous!
Hi, Alex! I did not expect to see you - my fellow-townsman - on this blog! I'm glad to see you and the scenery my hometown on the pages of Learning English by BBC(C).
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