As you might know, the name Fazlutdinov is not English or French, it is Russian. I visited my country of origin this winter and the past summer and want to share some pictures.

Have you ever wondered what secret agents’ headquarters look like? Well, the FSB–the Federal Agency of Safety– (formally known as the KGB and even earlier as NKVD) building in Moscow looks like this. Who knows what might be going on inside? Just to the left of this picture, however, is a children’s mall. The building is painted with teddy bears. Inside the stores sell maternity clothes, toys, and entertainment.

McDonalds in Russia looks fairly same as the American McDonalds, but has some different items. Breaded shrimp, different pie flavors and specials. A few months ago there was the Tzar Burger, with rye bread and more meat.

At Revolution Square, a stop on the Moscow Metro station (almost all stations relate to our history), statues line platform inside the columns. If you find this dog, rub its nose, and make a wish – it will come true! This tradition was started by students about seventy years ago who believed that the dog would bring them luck on the exam. Now thousands of Metro passengers rub the nose every day for good luck.

This picture shows two soldiers of the Red Square Honor Guard who are protecting the Eternal Fire that is lit in honor of the Fallen from WWII. The soldiers change every hour in the summer and every half an hour in the winter. Watching the men march in unison at shift changes to disappear into their secret passage in the wall is mesmerizing.

This is Stalin’s grave in Red Square, located right behind Lenin’s Mausoleum.

Lenin’s Mausoleum. You can actually go inside on certain days and see Lenin himself (deceased, obviously). He was never buried, but mummified instead.

And the last part of the Red Square, the National History Museum. Right now it focuses mainly on Napoleonic Wars, and contains items from those times including the Russian General Kutuzov’s personal items (pipe, sword, clothes, and my favorite, his eyepatch). Kutuzov is a Russian general who fought against Napolean. He’s like our George Washington.

A statue dedicated to World War Two soldiers, with an American soldier second from the right. WWII is a huge thing in Russia. We have several holidays dedicated to it. The statue recognizes the united efforts of the war–the anti-Hitler collaboration.

View from the Central Children Mall in Moscow. Can you see Red Square poking up on the right? All this in the midst of golden domed churches, an old car dealership, and an expansive view.

Russian Orthodox church with a golden dome. Traditionally, these churches are decorated with icons of holy figures from the inside and always smell of candles.

Architects having fun with skyscrapers in the area known as Moskva City Moscow! Very confusing.

Just a typical day in the Moscow metro after rush hour. Metro stations in Moscow are very elegant, and are decorated with statues, banners, columns, and marble walls.

This is Moscow, and it is only the tip of the iceberg. The city’s beauty that dates back centuries constantly has something more added to it, be it a church, an aquarium, or a park. I recommend visiting Moscow to see the gorgeous city for yourself!