Hi from Moscow

The bartender at a club in Irkutsk told us that Moscow is "like a foreign country, not really Russia" & in a lot of ways I'd agree! With a population of 13 million, Moscow is very big & very modern. At times it feels like the roads are race tracks with cars & motorbikes flying about. The Red Square is awing & St. Basil's Cathedral gorgeous. Legend has it the architects who built it were blinded afterwards so that they could never again create something so beautiful. Sounds like the work of Ivan the Terrible, doesn't it? The Metro, easily recognizable with their red, 'Mighty Mouse' M's, is uber cheap (although it feels akin to that insane boat ride in Willy Wonka's factory) & feels very WWII. I read online that Moscow was recently voted the world's most expensive city (not counting rent) but it also does seem to have something for everyone. Depending on where you go your meal could be a few dollars or a hundred. Such an interesting place!

Oh yes, & I did manage to survive the 3 day/3 night train ride. In fact, I was surprised to find it was quite pleasant. We happened to get a nice, clean, new car. Our train attendants were good. The dining car was expensive but very tasty. I even got to take a shower on day 2 when I got particularly nasty & for $4. Excellent! We unloaded in Vladimir & headed to Suzdal, a small Russian 'city' (more of a village) for a night. Did I mention our hotel rooms there were amazing? Too bad we weren't there for longer. After sightseeing & drinking the local mead (honey beer) we bussed it to Moscow & here I am. Tomorrow night we catch the midnight train to St. Peterburg. As for tonight some of us are going to check out a Moscow bar. We gotta check out the local scene here too!

I'll try to post a few pics if I can get them loaded up. Next time you hear from me will probably be from St. Petersburg...