Tuesday in Moscow
Our second (and last) full day in Moscow provided better weather, which was a plus. Plenty chilly with a high in the mid 40s and generally rain free.
After our breakfast, we headed to the Tretyakov Gallery to take in some Russian art. Nice museum, quite old. Saw everything from religious icons to impressionists to more modern art and some sculptures. Wandered around that part of town, along the river, took in lunch, then walked to Red Square again to take in a less rainy view. We checked out the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, pretty small place, before heading back to see Red Square lit up at night. It was full of scaffolding for some upcoming event, so no great pics were to be taken, but it was still nice to see it all lit up. After dinner on the square, it was back to our hotel.
I seem to suck at getting us decent directions on where we're going, because with maybe one or two exceptions, it always took us way longer to find our way anywhere. Hopefully Saint Petersburg will work out better.
Wednesday is a travel day -- breakfast, check-out, train to Saint Petersburg (4.5 hours), then check in and grab supper. I'm finishing this on the high speed Sapsan train, which means we managed to find our way to the station in a reasonable manner.
After our breakfast, we headed to the Tretyakov Gallery to take in some Russian art. Nice museum, quite old. Saw everything from religious icons to impressionists to more modern art and some sculptures. Wandered around that part of town, along the river, took in lunch, then walked to Red Square again to take in a less rainy view. We checked out the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, pretty small place, before heading back to see Red Square lit up at night. It was full of scaffolding for some upcoming event, so no great pics were to be taken, but it was still nice to see it all lit up. After dinner on the square, it was back to our hotel.
I seem to suck at getting us decent directions on where we're going, because with maybe one or two exceptions, it always took us way longer to find our way anywhere. Hopefully Saint Petersburg will work out better.
Wednesday is a travel day -- breakfast, check-out, train to Saint Petersburg (4.5 hours), then check in and grab supper. I'm finishing this on the high speed Sapsan train, which means we managed to find our way to the station in a reasonable manner.
Random observations:
* Russians love to smoke. I think if a Muscovite were rescued from a deserted island, and given the choice between food, water, and a cigarette, he'd light up a smoke to contemplate the question.
* Not as many English speakers as I'd hoped for here. And hardly any English signage. Thank god for Tisha's Russian lessons.
* Very authoritarian vibe to this place. Many places have metal detectors manned by. A police office at them. Lots of requiring to show my passport. Imagine if you had to show your papers every time you wanted to travel somewhere. Oh… wait. Well, imagine if they suspected you of not being a citizen, they could stop you and make you show your papers to prove you're allowed to be there. Okay, well, it's colder than Arizona here, so I guess it's got that going on.
* I'd like to see this place in better weather. I think it can be very pretty.
* I'm having a hell of a time getting adjusted to the time. I keep waking up between 5 and 6. That better come to and end, since we'll be gaining time back as we travel west. Right now we're nine hours ahead of Chicago time. In Helsinki we'll be 8 ahead, then 7 in Stockholm. I certainly don't want to be waking up at 3 next week.
Alright, time to enjoy the train ride. Until tomorrow.
