Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Moscow
Word of the day: Космополитический (Cosmopolitan)
Highlight: Magical snow flakes
Lowlight: Hostel sleeping
Weather: Snow, 1°C
It's snowed almost every day and it's magical! The entire city is covered thick with it. I've decided the beauty is in the pureness of colour, and the ability to round sharp edges and perfect the blemishes of a concrete city which isn't perfect. Apologies for going on. The way it floats through the air in perfectly formed star shaped snow flakes, just like the ones you made in primary school cutting shapes into folded paper. When they fall everything glitters, and the usual noise of a busy city is hushed. A snow filled city is a wondrous place. Rich says to stop trying to catch the flakes in my mouth though, because the white residue left on my boots is an indication of how clean it really is. Still, it's pretty.
Moscow itself is somewhere I could take up residence, if I could ever afford the most expensive city in the world. There is a buzz in the air that makes you feel alive and vibrant. Everyone is going somewhere and doing something of interest. Beautifully manicured, beautifully dressed and moving through the city with grace, elegance and purpose. They're used to foreigners here and we no longer stick out like sore thumbs. Many are happy to help and happy to interact in English, there have even been a few smiles. It seems my challenge is over. I put it down to big city life being more exposed and open to new people and new things.
Everything in the city is bigger than big. The buildings tower over the massive traffic locked streets, which link together in a maze centred on Red Square and The Kremlin. I'm told the reason everything is oversized is to make its citizens feel small. To encourage its inhabitants to remember they are part of a bigger picture, a soviet city that works together for a common cause. Mission accomplished. You feel smaller than the snow flakes falling to the ground. In saying that, the buildings, monuments, architecture... everything about the city is impressive, especially when its dressed up in Christmas cheer. The newly refurbished Bolshoi Theatre is spectacular, but because it's recently opened the price of tickets to any show would have meant coming home early. Walking to the Kremlin our guide stops to point out the KGB headquarters, and tells us stories of snipers being seen on the roof. It's impossible not to feel the heavy police presence. At the wrought iron gates of the parliament building stands a guard with a machine gun. The path way into Lenin's Tomb consists of metal detectors and two dozen armed guards. Walking around inside the Kremlin is similar, even inside the cathedrals which are stunning… instead of armed police we avoid the wrath of grumpy babushkas, (old women trying to keep order inside their church). Everything is intimidating, but I'm beginning to feel like that's the point.
We have mastered the subway. Richard reads out the upside down inside out excuse for letters and I try and find them on the guide. It's like playing go fish. Do you have a space ship? Yes. Do you have a bulls eye? No.
There's a common theme that keeps popping up around the city. A wishing well at the centre of Red Square; a plaque cemented into the ground said to be the centre of Russia where visitors throw coins over their shoulder and make a wish; touching the nose of a statue of a famous comedian and making a wish, rubbing the nose of a dog monument in the metro, for good luck. It's like they're trying to wish their way out of something, or into something, or away for something. I know life isn't perfect, and Russia hasn't had it easy by any means, and everyone always want something more, or something they can't have - but the continuous focus on wanting something else feels sad.
Moscow is also the end of our Trans Siberian Railway tour. The group has dispersed and we are in the final days of hostel living - and the thought of being able to explode my suitcase onto the floor and sleep without the interruption of at least two snorers and a loud obnoxious French man in the other room at two in the morning is bliss.
- comments
big geek Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday little geek, Happy Birthday to you !!!!!! Have a great birthday luv Kelly, Gary, Chelsea, Rafa and Roxy !!!
Krissy Thankyou!! :)