So it's our last night in Moscow, it's flown past!
In a word, it's been HOT! When we decided to come here I had no idea what to expect and I've been pleasantly surprised at how nice and green Moscow is. It's got the usual crazy traffic and crazy people and yes, as the guide books said, it's a little unfriendly at times... But we've enjoyed quite a few little sit downs in pretty parks and gardens and had a good old people-watch. For fashion in Moscow it seems anything goes, women seem to either look like their stuck in the British 80s or prostitutes (Rich disagrees he thinks they look wonderful!). So far Kaz and I have been sad to note that the attractive genes seem to go entirely to the women, not so many pretty men... not really any... oh well! We'll stick to enjoying looking at their string vests and grandad trousers and mullets and man-bags. It's all good fun, especially if you're wearing sunglasses and can openly stare ;)The above and below pictures are photos of St. Basil's Cathedral, which is in The Red Square.
We survived the midday heat yesterday and went for a look-see. It was beautiful from the outside, kind of like a make-believe princess castle, very bright colours and funky shapes. Inside it was just as colourful (maybe gaudy) but the style of teh paintings which covered every available surface was old and almost child-like. Whilst we were in there, we were treated to a little hymn from an acapella choir. The bass guys voice vibrated the whole room and the accoustics made the sound seriously loud. It was lovely!
After we'd been here we went 'sploring and using all our guidebook deciphering skills and some serious map work we trekked our way across Moscow to find a recommended bar, Art Garbage. It was quite well hidden from the main road and was made up of an indoor bar and dance-floor as well as a large courtyard filled with trees full of fairy lights and a fountain. We had a couple of large beers for about the same price as home, 0.5L for 120R about 2.50. There were icy cold and delivered with an almost smile! Needless to say they went down beautifully in the 35*C heat!
After we'd been here we went 'sploring and using all our guidebook deciphering skills and some serious map work we trekked our way across Moscow to find a recommended bar, Art Garbage. It was quite well hidden from the main road and was made up of an indoor bar and dance-floor as well as a large courtyard filled with trees full of fairy lights and a fountain. We had a couple of large beers for about the same price as home, 0.5L for 120R about 2.50. There were icy cold and delivered with an almost smile! Needless to say they went down beautifully in the 35*C heat!
Goose-stepping, a fountain by a supermarket, a close up of some of St. Basil's...
In other news, Kaz got eaten by two different types of tube equipment. First the barrier tried to chomp her leg off... very scary. She hadn't swiped her card properly. As a result we're now terrified at the exit barriers where you don't swipe but the chompers are clearly visible! Sort of zoom through, flinching! The second time we had a moment of doubt as I stepped onto a tube train, Rich shouted 'no!' I stepped off and said 'yes!' we all went to get on and Kaz at the back lost a flip-flop, put it back on but was delayed enough to get chomped by the doors!! A helpful (but unattractive of course) Russian man had to help her! Poor Redmond, the Russian Metro is her nemesis!
Today we learnt our lesson about staying out in the midday heat and planned an early start with a siesta back at the hostel before hading out again. We got up early, put long shorts on (!) apparently Lenin's corpse does not approve of nekkid legs, and headed out to the Kremlin again, via the Lenin Library tube stop- complete with huge Lenin staue. We had to stow our bags etc. in a locker by the gatehouse for the reasonable sum of 40R about a pound, and queue for about half an hour, luckily this was in the shade, and again we were people watching, so not so bad! After passing through metal detectors with grim faced guards barking orders, we walked around Lenin's Mausoleum. On every corner were very young, very smart, very intimidating guards. All with stern faces and an intolerance for slow walking. Again we appreciated the air-con if not the spooky sight of a dead body. It was all very strange, cold dark marble walls and floors with sharp angles to match the guards sharp faces.After we had a little sit-down with a ice-lol in the park we headed back towards teh Kremlin gatehouse, bought tickets and headed in. Inside the big red walls (which they actually paint!) are the government buildings as well as a small collection of huge, gold topped cathedrals and churches, all clustered together in a square adjacent to a garden area. As with St. Basil's they were stunning and physically impressive from the outside but dissapointing from within. After soaking up some religious calm we walked through the gardens and sat beside a fountain, where we lazily attempted to catch a dragonfly for a pet. We did not suceed, however we had rested up enough to march back through the heat to the hostel. Sweaty...
Here are a couple more photos to peruse. We're off on the train tomorrow so won't be quite so spoilt for internet access for a while. Although we're having a LOVELY time I'm glad to be leaving if only to escape some of the heat. Irkutsk should be a good 5-10*C cooler and theres always the icy lake to plunge into if needs be. Beautiful countryside here we come...
A map of a walk we took around the Kremlin and Red square grounds.
Kaz and me vogue-ing in The Red Sqaure, the reason it looks hazy is the smog caused by the peat-bog fires just outside Moscow, there was also a funny smell! (Not Kaz's armpits I promise!)
One of the beautiful Cathedrals inside the Kremlin.
See! It was freakin HOT!
Another golden topped tower. Used to contain the largest/heaviest bell in the world. Now outside of the Cathedral with a big crack in it.
Blog again soon guys, miss you all, wish you were here! xxx
