We completed our overnight train to Moscow arriving extremely early in the morning. After checking into our hotel and a consult with the local tour representative we decided to maximize our free day by running into the Red Square 
district and having a look around. Red Square was bustling with activity from people walking around with blow horns blaring what I imagine was solicitation for tours, to a group walking around with
old USSR flags having a demonstration, to a guy in a Homer Simpson costume offering photo opportunities for money. We lucked into an opportunity to visit Lenin's mausoleum during one of the few blocks of time it was open. I have to say he looked pretty plastic and tiny but nevertheless it was quite a cool experience to be able to actually see a historically significant person. St.Basil's Cathedral was absolutely picturesque from the outside! However, we were told that the inside was nothing special so we got a few pictures and bolted.
Next stop was to visit Sculpture Park which was filled with various artists sculptures. I was excited about visiting this because I remember seeing it on the Amazing Race. It actually had a few heads of Stalin and Lenin that were torn off of statues torn down after the fall of communism. I loved it and wished my father who is an artist was here.
The evening of our first night was saved for a visit to the Moscow Ballet to witness Swan Lake. After 4 long days of sight seeing, some left over jet lag, and the fact that it was . .well .. ballet, mor
e then a few of us spent a portion of this catching up on some much needed shuteye. I am pretty sure I was the only one that stayed awake the entire time.
The second day we went on a guided tour of the Kremlin. The Kremlin is a fortress in the center of Moscow and is currently used as the official residence for the Russian President. We saw many different churches, historical buildings, and got a tonne of background on The Kremlin. The highlight was certainly the armory which now serves as a museum housing many different
jewels, artifacts, weapons, clothing, and even carriages. Stunning!!
The rest of the day was spent wandering down Arbat Road where we had the opportunity to shop for souveniers and artwork followed by some shopping for snacks for tomorrows train and an early turn in. Tomorrow is the start of 30 hours on the train enroute to Ekaterinburg.
district and having a look around. Red Square was bustling with activity from people walking around with blow horns blaring what I imagine was solicitation for tours, to a group walking around with
old USSR flags having a demonstration, to a guy in a Homer Simpson costume offering photo opportunities for money. We lucked into an opportunity to visit Lenin's mausoleum during one of the few blocks of time it was open. I have to say he looked pretty plastic and tiny but nevertheless it was quite a cool experience to be able to actually see a historically significant person. St.Basil's Cathedral was absolutely picturesque from the outside! However, we were told that the inside was nothing special so we got a few pictures and bolted.
Next stop was to visit Sculpture Park which was filled with various artists sculptures. I was excited about visiting this because I remember seeing it on the Amazing Race. It actually had a few heads of Stalin and Lenin that were torn off of statues torn down after the fall of communism. I loved it and wished my father who is an artist was here.
The evening of our first night was saved for a visit to the Moscow Ballet to witness Swan Lake. After 4 long days of sight seeing, some left over jet lag, and the fact that it was . .well .. ballet, mor
e then a few of us spent a portion of this catching up on some much needed shuteye. I am pretty sure I was the only one that stayed awake the entire time. The second day we went on a guided tour of the Kremlin. The Kremlin is a fortress in the center of Moscow and is currently used as the official residence for the Russian President. We saw many different churches, historical buildings, and got a tonne of background on The Kremlin. The highlight was certainly the armory which now serves as a museum housing many different
jewels, artifacts, weapons, clothing, and even carriages. Stunning!!The rest of the day was spent wandering down Arbat Road where we had the opportunity to shop for souveniers and artwork followed by some shopping for snacks for tomorrows train and an early turn in. Tomorrow is the start of 30 hours on the train enroute to Ekaterinburg.
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Hey remind Michelle when we saw Ho Chi Minh - he also looked pretty plastic, but well preserved.
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