Tanya F

I was born here. Not here, as in within the stone walls of the old palace. I was born in a hospital, and then brought home to an apartment building that was built on the old castle grounds. There were a lot of those apartment buildings there. My playground consisted of the cobbled streets and narrow alleys of Icheri Sheher. I only lived there for 5 years, but I still dream about it.

Some of my fondest memories were going here during summertime with my mother and her friends. We stayed in a small rented cottage and went hiking, ate ice cream, walked through the Valley of the Roses, had mineral waters, went to see a waterfall, fed squirrels and shopped at a farmer’s market.

Beyond a doubt, the best place to sink a paycheck

It has been 12 years since my family & I left Moscow to come to the US. My favorite part of it has always been Old Arbat.

I was born in Baku, and the city and country still hold many fond memories for me.