Moscow, part 1

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18
IMG_3595.JPG
The Russian adventure begins with the nightmare of a Visa, which takes me 2 1/2 weeks to procure and $200 to purchase!
IMG_1823.JPG
On the way to Moscow, the plane flies over Greenland's stunning islands!
IMG_1824.JPG
From my hostel window is a typical view of Moscow.
IMG_0045
Bizarrely, you must get a registration stamp from each hotel you stay at for every three days you are in Russia. Failure to get stamps (or losing the card) can lead to detention in the country!
IMG_0060
The intellectural forefather of Communism: Karl Marx!
IMG_0061
I guess it means "Proletarians of the World, Unite!"
IMG_3622.JPG
A view at Revolution Plaza... You pass through Resurrection Gate to get to Red Square.
IMG_3620.JPG
Weddings are an obsession in Russia. Newlyweds are photographed at "tourist" attractions all day after the ceremony.
IMG_0086
Red Square with St. Basil's Cathedral!
IMG_0064
Sadly, the Central Lenin Museum has been closed since 1993. (I am 13 years too late!)
IMG_0085
The ultimate of Commie pilgrammages is still Lenin's Mausoleum--where the great leader's mummified body is still on display!
IMG_0574
Lenin's guards are obviously bored. I suppose not many people are trying to steal Lenin's body.
IMG_0075
The commie-to-capitalist GUM (State Department Store) is quite striking...
IMG_0090
...as are these shoppers sitting on a teacup!
IMG_0092
The 19th century architecture makes the mall a destination in itself.
IMG_3608.JPG
This Russian store mocks American "anti-Communist" paranoia.
IMG_3609.JPG
It is my favorite store....;)
IMG_3610.JPG
During Communist times, customers would pay a cashier who gave them a receipt. When the customer picked up their items at a different place, the new cashier would invalidate the receipt by ripping it. (People still rip the receipts though.)
IMG_0070
Just off Red Square is this incredible dome that depicts a beautiful map of the Northern Hemisphere.
IMG_3611.JPG
Walking around, I discover it is an underground shopping mall. This is the dome's map from underneath....
IMG_3616.JPG
...and the grandiose fountain beneath it.
IMG_0098
A corner of the mighty Kremlin with the tomb of the unknown soldier in the distance.
IMG_0178
In this touristy area, I find the classic/cliche matryoshky dolls and loads of (reproduced) Soviet memorabilia.
IMG_0180
A rare instance where I find a Russian wearing a USSR t-shirt.
IMG_0184
The McDonald's off Red Square is the only free bathroom around.
IMG_0188
Not everyone is just interested in the toilet.
IMG_0095
Across from the McD's is the tomb of the unknown soldier.
IMG_0097
Each block has a city that paid serious dues during the War: this one is Stalingrad (now called Volgograd).
IMG_0105
The soldiers begin the changing of the guard (at Smolensk).
IMG_0109
They pay homage to the eternal flame.
IMG_0112
And change out the ranks.
IMG_0116
This strange obelisk from the early USSR era has Marx's name engraved at the top.
IMG_0117
But I'm sure no one was drinking beer on it before Perestroika.
IMG_0563
Next, I pay a visit to St. Basil's Cathedral.
IMG_0137
The inevitable wedding party poses for photos...
IMG_0158
...beneath the colorful onion domes.
IMG_0517
People pay homage to the beautiful icon.
IMG_0544
These singers' voices bring many people to tears.
IMG_0547
I like the more spare look...
IMG_0556
...and pose for a photo op!