I am including two days here because the internet was down yesterday evening (what a surprise!)
Yesterday I had 3 hours of Russian lessons in the morning (a great way to start the day!!!) and then I was off to the gym. The gyms are really no different from U.S. or NZ gyms. Except for the device on the right. It is a coin operated tanning boothe in the men's locker room (1 minute for 20 rubbles.....about 60c). Some guy saw me take these shots and I think he thought I wanted naked photos of him. Enough said!
I had to ask these scarry Russian guys to spot me!
Just thought I would post this photo....manicurists are EVERYWHERE. Here is a kiosk in the middle of the mall which had about twenty manicurists. I have to say that Russian women are incredibly well-dressed and take a real interest in their appearance. To generalise (and, hopefully, not to sound sexist), they are very beautiful.
After a hearty dinner (below), I had cabin fever so I decided to take the metro to the cinema which took about an hour. I was surprised to see a Russian bicycle share program and also saw signs that it was supposed to be a "car free day" in Moscow. However, there seemed to be just as much traffic as usual. En route to the cinema, I passed the building below. It is classic Soviet architecture. I believe there are seven similar building scattered throughout Moscow. It was very imposing at night and very beautiful in its own way.
a treasure trove for souvenirs. They are also famous for their Kababs and I indulged. I also went on a souvenir buying frenzy and hope Arleigh wants to the house decorated in Matryoshka nesting dolls.
Yesterday I had 3 hours of Russian lessons in the morning (a great way to start the day!!!) and then I was off to the gym. The gyms are really no different from U.S. or NZ gyms. Except for the device on the right. It is a coin operated tanning boothe in the men's locker room (1 minute for 20 rubbles.....about 60c). Some guy saw me take these shots and I think he thought I wanted naked photos of him. Enough said!I had to ask these scarry Russian guys to spot me!
After a hearty dinner (below), I had cabin fever so I decided to take the metro to the cinema which took about an hour. I was surprised to see a Russian bicycle share program and also saw signs that it was supposed to be a "car free day" in Moscow. However, there seemed to be just as much traffic as usual. En route to the cinema, I passed the building below. It is classic Soviet architecture. I believe there are seven similar building scattered throughout Moscow. It was very imposing at night and very beautiful in its own way.
I spent
Sunday morning at Izmailovsky market. It was absolutely huge anda treasure trove for souvenirs. They are also famous for their Kababs and I indulged. I also went on a souvenir buying frenzy and hope Arleigh wants to the house decorated in Matryoshka nesting dolls.
Even though it was Sunday, I had a Russian class from 3:30 until 7 in the evening.After my lesson I walked to the Arbatskaya Sqare which is a huge pedestrian mall, filled with people and street entertainers, even at 9 pm on Sunday night. I treated myself to dinner (could not face soup again).
Russian street performer
Then it was home and to bed. Here is a photo of my host family, Nadejda and her son, Andrei.
Tomorrow: Lenin's tomb, Red Square, and St. Basils Catherdral
Please post a complete translation of the street performer's act. I'd like to see if my translation was correct.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered a collection of nesting dolls in every possible permutation? You could have Soviet Leader nesting dolls, US president nesting dolls, Star Wars nesting dolls.... There might be 50 different kinds of nesting dolls to thrill and delight and add to your household decor.
So how sick are you after eating street food? I know you didn't get off scot free after a daring-do like that!
A complete translation may come later!
ReplyDeleteI do not think my wife would appreciate any more nesting dolls, but I was tempted to get several different genres! And you are correct! I DID get sick the morning after! But by evening I recovered....and was able to eat my soup for dinner.