Moscow holiday diptych

The first photo (12:33pm, Dec 27, 2005) causes one to envision a group of friends swilling Sovetskoe champagne from little plastic cups on the embankment of the Moscow River, their moods buoyed by the early hour, the festive flags on the bridge and the inspiring architecture of the Ukraina Hotel across the river.



The second photo (8:37pm, Dec 28, in the Belorusskaia metro station) reminds one how such festivities can end - with yet another, clearly uncalled for, bottle of Sovetskoe.