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Day 1 is now officially over. After a dip in the swimming pool and jacuzzi, and free food and beer at the lounge on our floor, its time to call it a day. As chaos seems to reign in Moscow, the first day was rather full of misadventure and slight misfortune. I was unable to find the football jerseys I wanted, the travel agencies we wanted to go to were closed, we missed the free buffet, and almost found the pool and lounge area closed. The trip in from the airport was longer(and hotter, something I will probably continue to complain about as this goes on) than expected, aboard a city bus from the Stalinist era. Creaking through pockets of traffic we then moved onto the metro, which was the exact opposite in speed and efficiency, and when getting closer to the center, exemplary of beatiful Stalinist design. Continuing, and finishing the theme for the day, was arriving at our hotel itself, across a large square from three of the most important train stations in Moscow, allowing for an additional 10 minute confused walk when exiting from the metro on to this giant, packed square. Finally, the red star atop this iconic skycraper poked its head from behind one of the train stations and indicated which way we should turn, but its enormity falsely made it seem closer than it appeared. And so to start where I began, arriving at the hotel marked the start of a second half of effort among the chaos, on my part, and an oasis among the chaos, for Anna, who stayed behind to enjoy a few hours with the king sized bed.
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