Хорошая погода - в Москве?!

So we've actually had spectacular weather throughout the week! And (knock on wood) it's only supposed to continue to get better! Kelly tells me that the typically day in Moscow at this time of the year only gets around 4 hrs of sunlight. For the last two days, however, it has been cloudless from morning till night!


Yesterday we went to Red Square again. We went into St. Basil's and heard some gorgeous live choral music.


Then we went into the Kremlin and walked around, looking at all of the beautiful churches inside.


Here's a shot from the so-called "Secret Garden." We decided it's called the "Secret Garden," because it's almost impossible to get to. Basically every way you turn, there's a Russian rent-a-cop blowing his whistle at you and telling you "Nyet! Nyet!" It took us ages to find a path on which we were allowed to walk.


Crockpot (aka the Cyrillic D): just for you, Lindsay!


Moscow in the sun
(Christ the Savior in the center and the Kremlin on the right)

Then today we went to the Tretyakov. Unfortunately you can't take photos in there, but Kelly says this museum was in itself worth the trip to Moscow. I love it.

After that we went to Gorky Park - just for you, Dad!


Surprise! It's somewhat unattractive. My guess: It'll clean up in the summer.

Many St. Olaf students travel abroad in "less developed" countries and then flaunt pictures of themselves with "the natives" in order to seem culturally diverse and philanthropic. ("Oh facebook stalkers, look at me befriending this little African child! I'm the least racist white tourist ever!") Luckily Gorky Park threw me up this opportunity for my very own "ethnic baby" photo:


Russians, like the Germans, reject everything PC.


Gorky Park: Birthplace of Romance.

But truthfully, we thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Gorky Park. Like I said, I'm sure it's nicer in the summer, and I bought ice cream. Plus, the woman who sold me the ice cream was uncommonly friendly: When I tried to look for exact change, instead of yelling at me, she told me, "Take your time." (!!!)


Christ the Savior near sunset


Did I mention I went to the Caribbean?

Oh, and I almost forgot: We met this very strange French guy in our hostel, who apparently found his Russian girlfriend on the internet and is now very surprised that she's only interested in him for his money. He says she's very demanding and sometimes cruelly blunt. One time she gave him back a present he bought her and told him "This is really awful." That really cracks me up. So word to the wise: The WWW might not be the best place to find true love.