“Yeah, whatever,” you say, "Just tell me about the exciting adventures from your last few days in Moscow!”
Very well, I’ll indulge you:
the U of M!
but seriously, the Moscow State University
It’s certainly not pretty in the traditional sense, but it is … hm …looming? intimidating? massive? Also, notice the woman in the bottom left of the photo. I love it.
One of the things I love the most about Moscow is that it has loads and loads of cheap and decent kiosks all over. Here is a caravan of kiosks, with all of the best. From the left: stardogs (not very good, actually, but it’s an anomaly), Kartoshka (potatoes from 40 rubles!), pirozhki (stuffed pastries), Grill XXI (I’m not actually sure what this is), Russian Chill (ice cream – Russians love their ice cream, even in the middle of the winter when it’s subzero), and finally my favorite: Blini!
On Friday we went to Novodevichy, a beautiful Russian monastery.
again
Walking into the monastery was like walking into the eye of a storm. Suddenly everything was calm; no one was yelling at us; the sun was shining; everything was still and gorgeous. I even saw Russians smiling!
Then we went to the zoo. Thank God it was free for students.
I have absolutely no idea.
This is exactly what the zoo looks like. Most of the cages or pens are empty, everything is cement, and it’s in the heart of Moscow (notice the lovely cityscape). Also, there were signs everywhere saying it’s forbidden to feed the animals, but left and right I saw Russians chucking greasy carnival food at the drooling animals.
Then in the evening Khatia (a friend I met last interim in Moscow) met up with us. We went out to eat at an amazing tapas place right near our hostel. Although it wasn't the cheapest place I've eaten at, it was definitely one of the best since coming abroad! Then we went to Red Square in order to see it lit up.
photo of Khatia and me
So if you decide ever to come to Moscow, here are some things to keep in mind:
* Almost certainly someone in your group needs to speak Russian. Muscovites either are unable or refuse to speak English. At the very least, you should be able to read the Russian alphabet.
* Be prepared for the Russians to be insanely rude to you. Kelly says they make the French seem wonderful.
* It's basically a sin not to try some chocolate blini.
* Use the metro. It's beautiful and extremely reliable.
So that’s it. Moscow was a blast – much better in the Spring! – and now I’m back to class. I’ll post photos of Constance in a couple of days.
