Aside

Moscow

By on December 18, 2008 in Life in General, People & Places

My stay in Moscow was extended since I didn’t take the trans-Siberian railway.

I’ve decided this was a good thing because the Capital, and Russia as a whole, is such a unique place. I’ll admit it’s probably the most difficult place to be in that I’ve ever visited. I guess that’s all part of the charm.

Through the first few days I managed to see Gorky Park, Red Square, Lenin’s Mausoleum and of course the Kremlin.

Pillar on the gates of Gorky Park

State Historical Museum on Red Square

The Tsar Bell

After burning out on tourist attractions I arranged to meet up with a few Couch Surfers for coffees, lunches and trips to less touristy destinations. Still later in my stay I spent a day inside the flat, tried vodka for breakfast, and ate plain rice because I deemed it too expensive to eat out.

Moscow really was all that I expected. It’s cold, wet-snowy-wet at this time of year, and generally pretty depressing. But that’s just the on the surface. The people I managed to have genuine conversations with were all wonderful people with bright and interesting stories to tell.

As it stands with visa requirements, I won’t be rushing back. On the other hand, if these things change or if I get the opportunity to go out on business, I’ll definitely jump at the chance to visit Moscow again.

  • Kristy

    Hey Dwight,When Rathina and I went to Mosow it was summertime.. July. It was super hot and sunny, the complete opposite of what you’ve described. I was actually really amazed with Moscow, the whole city just seemed to buzz. It would definitely be a different story in the cold.But one thing that was the same – the food was really expensive! I think I paid something stupid like $7 for two apples because I didn’t check the price.. whoops.