Christine in Moscow, Russia

What do you think of when you think Moscow?  The Red Square.  And what's in the Red Square?  St. Basil's Church, which is beautiful.  There is no other way to describe it.  And the Red Square is huge, and you can kinda feel the history there.  The Russians also have a Tomb of the Unknown Solider right outside of the Red Square.  However, the Russian military does not guard it at night.

St. Basil's

The Red Square

I toured the Kremlin.  The Kremlin is 2 floors, though it looks like more.  Well, I toured the churches at the Kremlin.  I was a bit disappointed about that.  I thought we would actually go into the Kremlin.  But no.  Kremlin means fortress.  On the grounds, the Russians have the largest cannon (that was never shot) and the largest bell (that was never hung).  These were tour highlights.  

Or maybe you think of the KGB (building):

As far as I could tell, no one followed me around.  But they would have been bored if they did.  All I did was walk a lot.  Take tons of pictures.  And spend money.  

Some people protesting for communism:

Approximately 15 million people live in Moscow.  About 3.5 million of them have cars.  Can you say traffic jam?  I think 9 million ride the Metro.  

Mosaic of Lenin in the Metro 

The Russians prepared for the Cold War.  Up until a few years ago, the distance underground to their world famous Metro was a state secret.  All of the escalators worked (DC Metro-please take note of this and maybe bring a couple mechanics over for 6 months, bet the Russians could have everything fixed by then).  The escalators run faster in Russia.  I liked that, though I still walked them.  Who can just stand there?  If the US launched a war, the Russian people would have went down into the Metro to take cover.  Hmmm, the US Government didn't have that plan.  They were going to have the kids hide under their desks.  Or in the halls.  Perhaps we should be taking notes...  I toured a couple Metro stops; after all 182 exist.  The Metro uses chandeliers for lighting.  And each stop has a different chandelier.  And beautiful artwork.  Some include mosaics, others use statues.  We spent 2 hours touring the subway.  A token costs 28 rubles ($1 = 33 Rubles) and you can ride as long as you want, so long as you don't leave.  

I'm good on subway tours.  

After the October Revolution of 1917 (which happened in November with the western calender), the Communist Government tour down many churches.  However, the Russian people saved the blueprints and after the wall fell, the government rebuilt the churches.  Many young people attended religious ceremonies.  Different from the states.  Also, the Russian Orthodox churches do not have seats.  Yep, they stand for up to 2 hours.  Lucky people.

Rebuilt in 1994-2000.  Lot was turned into a swimming pool after the Soviets tore the original church down.

I toured many Orthodox churches.  Moscow has 800 of them.  And saw tons of Icon Walls.  You can tell what saint the church is for by reviewing the 2nd icon from the alter door.  I will show you more of this in the next post.

Number 1 souvenir:

View from the highest point in Moscow, Sparrow Hill:

After the Communists took over, they gave everyone their apartments.  What happens when you don't pay homeowner fees:

Took the midnight train...

Next up:  St. Petersburg
Christine