St. Petersburg citizens and visitors alike may now forget taking an umbrella with them at all times - special vending machines are ready to sell an umbrella for mere $3.

      The "zontomats" (from "zont" (Russian for "umbrella") and the ending of an "automat" (here: Russian for "vending machine")) started operating in Russia's northern capital this summer. Currently 20 vending machines stocked with umbrellas serve the brolly-less, and by 2013 the city government plan to add 70 more "zontomats".  

      The assortment is also likely to grow, as presently only black umbrellas are being sold. Despite such limited choice, local citizens and visitors are already very happy.