The mysterious poles taking aback every Moscow visitor from abroad merged so strongly with the city view that even sophisticated Moscowlogues don’t notice them. Once I was asked by a John (or Ivan in russianlike speech) from Adelaide: “Wow! What is this?”

It’s time to explain , these are the ashtrays!

Here’s the ordinary Moscow street. The ashtray every two meters. It’s very convenient! Come to it and throw stub in a hole. Voilà!

How many ashtrays are in Moscow? Even the government doesn’t know. But Moscow is famous for its ashtrays, for sure.

PS. I hope I made myself clear to John?