Well destination 4, I think. Moscow. It is hard to keep the dates etc in mind when the days do not have specific events to mark them out.
After St Petersburg and the rather secretive meeting under the number 64 I was not sure what to expect of Moscow. An image had formed in my mind of people looking over their shoulders and more dark cars with sunglassed men wearing darks suits. (If they are watching what the hell can they see????)
The good knews is that it is like London but cleaner and less crowded. There is no chewing gum in the streets and people move so silently it is wonderful. People are dressed decently and there are not acres of tatooed flesh hanging out everywhere. The sun has shone constantly from a clear blue sky on beautiful buildings in wide streets. The metro is superbly efficient and some parts of it are exquisitely beautiful, well worth a visit in their own right.
Red Square was wonderful, creating an immense pleasure like my stroll down 5th Avenue in New York. It is one of those famous places you just have to see. You are not hassled or jostled, just left to stroll with your thoughts, bliss! The Kremlin was less impressive for me, but if you are into churches and that kind of decoration, it is beautiful. There were lots of school trips but the children were well behaved. The parks are relaxing and beautiful, unlike the squares in St Petersburg with their glassy eyed drinkers, that felt threatening. Worth visiting are Gorky and the sculpture park, there is even one that was a dumping ground for the space programme, now a theme park, Russian style, lacking all the advertising and hard sell. Just sitting there for you to see at your own pace. There are lots of middle-aged women and men employed to garden and pick up leaves, wearing ugly green overalls. I did wonder if they were doing community service, an alternative Siberian exile? There were ice-cream sellers who also sold cold beer on tap, and hot dogs. Very enterprising I thought.
Our street is a haven for visitors with artists, musicians and stalls. Lets not mention the accommodation, Home from Home, whose home it is based on I am not sure but it works on the commeraderie?????? level, with people from all over the world passing through. This gives us very interesting conversations.
A final thought, maps are hard to follow, brush up on your Russian alphabet! English is very limited, rather like French in England. Tell Chris White!There are one or two enthusiasts but most people seem reluctant or embarrassed, never-the-less they are very friendly and will do their best to communicate with you. A pen and paper are vital and be prepared to act out a lot.
I was expecting 0 degrees in Mongolia on Wednesday but now it says 20 degrees. You never know what to expect.
Love to everyone. xxxx
After St Petersburg and the rather secretive meeting under the number 64 I was not sure what to expect of Moscow. An image had formed in my mind of people looking over their shoulders and more dark cars with sunglassed men wearing darks suits. (If they are watching what the hell can they see????)
The good knews is that it is like London but cleaner and less crowded. There is no chewing gum in the streets and people move so silently it is wonderful. People are dressed decently and there are not acres of tatooed flesh hanging out everywhere. The sun has shone constantly from a clear blue sky on beautiful buildings in wide streets. The metro is superbly efficient and some parts of it are exquisitely beautiful, well worth a visit in their own right.
Red Square was wonderful, creating an immense pleasure like my stroll down 5th Avenue in New York. It is one of those famous places you just have to see. You are not hassled or jostled, just left to stroll with your thoughts, bliss! The Kremlin was less impressive for me, but if you are into churches and that kind of decoration, it is beautiful. There were lots of school trips but the children were well behaved. The parks are relaxing and beautiful, unlike the squares in St Petersburg with their glassy eyed drinkers, that felt threatening. Worth visiting are Gorky and the sculpture park, there is even one that was a dumping ground for the space programme, now a theme park, Russian style, lacking all the advertising and hard sell. Just sitting there for you to see at your own pace. There are lots of middle-aged women and men employed to garden and pick up leaves, wearing ugly green overalls. I did wonder if they were doing community service, an alternative Siberian exile? There were ice-cream sellers who also sold cold beer on tap, and hot dogs. Very enterprising I thought.
Our street is a haven for visitors with artists, musicians and stalls. Lets not mention the accommodation, Home from Home, whose home it is based on I am not sure but it works on the commeraderie?????? level, with people from all over the world passing through. This gives us very interesting conversations.
A final thought, maps are hard to follow, brush up on your Russian alphabet! English is very limited, rather like French in England. Tell Chris White!There are one or two enthusiasts but most people seem reluctant or embarrassed, never-the-less they are very friendly and will do their best to communicate with you. A pen and paper are vital and be prepared to act out a lot.
I was expecting 0 degrees in Mongolia on Wednesday but now it says 20 degrees. You never know what to expect.
Love to everyone. xxxx
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