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Day One:
After a fantastic overnight train journey where we were provided with slippers, toothbrushes and even a breakfast of chicken and mashed potato(?!?) we woke up this morning in the Russian Capital, Moscow!
We got off the train and started about the task of navigating to the hostel on the notorious Moscow Metro. After some initial success on getting on the correct first train, we proceeded to exit the station while looking for a different platform resulting in us having to buy another ticket! This couples with the Cyrillic alphabet and Sarah's fear of escalators (we never knew this existed, but myself and Laura turned around to see her clinging onto the handrail with a look of pure terror on her face - priceless!) made for a very confusing connection to the next train. We eventually managed it with the help of a beret wearing station warden that couldn't speak english but could point incredibly eloquently.
Within a few hours we had penetrated the iron curtain and set foot in Red Square and been dazzled by St Basils Cathedral - as Sarah keeps saying, this country looks like Disneyland with it's beautiful architecture and brightly coloured buildings. We wandered around the temporary arena that has been set up for an international military tattoo and around the walls of the Kremlin. We decided to buy tickets to gain entry inside the massive Kremlin complex and were incredibly glad we did one we got in and started walking around. Cathedral square is a sight to behold; four fantastic cathedrals on one square - all seemingly built to dwarf the last. We were suitably impressed. This coupled with the royal palace and the huge space inside the massive red brick walls made Moscow a fantastic place already.
After this we had a quick bite to eat and then headed over to the Moscow Sculpture Park. It's a very quiet spot in a very loud city which houses lots of contemporary art. However, the real draw are the few remaining Soviet pieces which are on display. Seeing a 20 foot Lenin glaring down at you is a strange feeling, especially in Moscow. There are a number of these pieces which are fascinating to look at and brings home how recently some were made (one was 1982)! We really enjoyed our visit.
Day Two:
We woke up early and decided to go and visit Lenin's mausoleum in Red Square. We were apprehensive about this at first - staring at an embalmed communist is an odd start to anyones day - but it was actually very well done. It's incredibly peaceful considering the location. You descend down a black marble staircase in a darkened corridor (Sarah nearly fell and screamed - bare in mind you aren't allowed to speak inside) past guards on every corner (I was told off for having my hands behind my back after putting them there to keep them out my pockets, which also is not allowed). Once at the bottom you enter a dark room with a balcony where you can walk around the man himself. It's amazing to think he died 86 years ago, but really he doesn't look real anymore, more like something from Madam Tussauds.
After that we went to have a look inside St Basils Cathedral. The cathedral looks very similar to Spilt Blood in St Petersburg, but is on a much more grand scale. The cathedral was built for Ivan the Terrible; legend had it Ivan thought the cathedral was so beautiful that he blinded the architect who built it so he could not build anything comparable. Inside is totally different to Spilt Blood however, Spilt Blood had lots religious murals all over the walls and was one main room; St Basils has lots of little rooms and so many corridors that you could easily get lost! Definitely the most crazy church I've ever been into.
After a very sombre morning we did the only this we could in the afternoon to raise our spirits; we went to a secret military bunker!
This was one of the highlights of the trip so far! After descending 18 floors underground we watched a video which showed hundreds of atomic bombs going off and a Russian voice telling us about the cold war. Next up we passed through some dark tunnels to a room where they showed us how to fire a ballistic missile with the 1950s console which is still working (I just hope there weren't any missiles fired)! From there we entered into the communications room where Laura and Sarah learnt how to run a switchboard and for some reason I had to put on a full nuclear protection suit and gas mask on in under 1:40. I think I survived!
Then the guns came out. We ran around posing for photos and dressing up as Soviet commanders until the guide had had enough. We walked through the tunnels a bit more until they turned off the lights and informed us that Moscow had been destroyed my a nuclear bomb. Most inconvenient. With the only sounds I could hear being a siren blaring, and Laura and Sarah laughing/crying I was confused what to do. I did nothing. Once the lights came back on and the guides reassured us that Moscow was fine we started shooting things. Admittedly we only used air rifles, but I hit the hardest target at the very back at the top (shooting those yogurt pots paid off) which completed the tour and my love of secret nuclear bunkers.
So that's sums up our visit to Moscow. Tomorrow we take a 4 day train journey to Irkutsk where we get to visit Lake Baikal. We have really enjoyed our time in Moscow, it was nothing like we had imagined it would be. The buildings are beautiful and there is so much to see and do. We are constantly learning as there is so much history here.
On a side note, as I write this I am eating caviar and drinking vodka. I'm turning native!
На здоровье!
- comments
Jen and Chris Brilliant! Sounds like you're having an ace time. All dead jealous and dull here, lots of love to you all xxxx
Mum E Brilliant and informative...keep 'em coming! Take care, love to all xxx
Jane I am really enjoying reading about your trip but am very envious. I went to a lecture about lake Baikal last year and it looks really beautiful. Enjoy - but don't fall in!