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Published: February 17th 2008
Better Opening Picture
When I first published this blog, it had the target as the opening picture and I did not think it was appropriate so I found one from a couple of weeks ago during my birthday party. I know it is amazing the "travel frog" actually stay home this weekend, but it is true, sort of. I did go to Moscow on Friday after work did not make Misha's day because he started his vacation on Friday. He found someone else to take me because he needed to be home by 5 PM, which I am not sure how he was going to do that if I just went to Moscow. But I am not complaining, he has been a great driver and glad to have him so that was fine.
I was suppose to be at the Aeroflot ticket office before 7 to straighten out my Venice trip that they charged me twice and told me it was all okay to find it posted twice on my credit card. Well, with this driver, he was Michael's old driver and was fired once, but of course we bring him back and he decides to take his family along on the trip so I got to listen to a screaming kid as well as make a pee break for his son. Needless to say, I was not happy. The traffic was not in our favor and I got
Not appropriate, I apologize
After I posted this, I realized how inappropriate it was as the opening picture and tried to change it, but it is still there.
At 30 meters...
I could not see when I hit the target so I was not sure how to readjust my sites. there at 7:20. I waited until 8 PM when they closed to find out there was nothing they could do and I would have to come back on Monday. It was probably a good thing they did not speak English or I would have let someone have it.
Alex was waiting on me at the metro station near by so I hurried up to meet him. We went to the sports store at the mall so I could take back some ski googles I bought for Freddie, but did not like and found some better ones while I was in London. In Russia you have two weeks to return something or you are stuck with it. You may even return a new car, believe it or not. Well, I made the two week mark but they were items that go directly against the skin so they were not going to take them back. Sort of like underwear, swimsuits, etc. in the States, for sanitary reasons. Alex started talking lawyer terms, since he is a lawyer, and they decided it would not be a problem since they had not been worn, which was true.
After that we headed to
Up Close
But as you can see, the bad guy would not have survied and I did not hit the hostage. I was actually aiming a little more to the left, but I would say that was pretty good for never shooting. Goodman's, a very nice chain steak house, with one located in the mall. Dasha and Michael invited us to join them, but that was around 7 and it was going on 9. The main reason for my trip to Moscow was so we could go to the shooting range he belongs to. We had to go in the evening because they are not as busy and foreigners are not allowed to shoot/carry weapons. This was my first time to any shooting ranges so I did not know what to expect, but it was pretty cool. Once Alex got us in, which cost 1000 rubles for me, nothing for Alex. And before you go there like I did, 1000 rubles was not a bribe, think of it as a surcharge for foreigners. I just had to laugh. I told Alex he could call it what he wanted, but I still think of it as a bribe.
We hung up our coats and proceeded to the counter to "order" one or two of the 50 or more guns. There were around 10 pistols and 45 rifles. Before you worry, this was not an uncontrolled just pick anything. It actually was very
You want how much?
Yes, 3000 rubles per night for this room. The size was not bad and I did have two or three English speaking channels on the TV, but the condition, odor, bed and bathroom were terrible. well organized so we each picked a pistol and one rifle. To be honest, I do not know what they were, but the rifle was pretty powerful looking. Our next step was telling them how many rounds we were going to use and pick a target. They charge you by the round and not the gun so you can actually pick as many guns as you want, but they have a minimum of 10 rounds per gun. For anyone that belongs to a gun club, you can tell me, but we paid about $1 per shot on the pistols and $2 for the rifle.
Our instructor then joined us with the weapons and then we had two choices. We could shot at an interactive video type game (with real bullets) or just your stationary target. We used the video game for our pistols. Alex went first and our instructor went through all of the safety features of the gun and how to hold it, shoot it, etc. They then handed us ear muffs and the one shooting has a special pair with sound in them of the "game". Alex fired his 10 rounds and I do not think hit
What is This?
Don't you love the colors and the condition was even worse! anything (bad guys). I was up with my little pistol I selected. Again, all of the safety and then started. I hit two of the 10 shoots. Alex wanted me to try the pistol he selected. It looked more like a rifle to me, but was considered a pistol. I did not do well with that and did not hit any of the targets.
We then proceeded to the target range. The placed up the target and placed it at 30 meters. Again, they went over all of the safety. I was first on this one and fired my five rounds. I was embarassed that I did not see any hits. I thought I was aiming pretty well, but never saw it hit. We pulled the target back up and I hit all five times. I was a little high and to the right as I was aiming just above his gun and the left and as you can see, all of my were in the middle. At least I did not hit the girl and I would have taken out the "bad guy." Alex went next and again, never hit the target, not once. I think he was
Toilet Design
Without going into too much detail, what were they thinking when they designed these toilets? The first time I saw this design, I honestly thought you were suppose to sit on them backwards but everyone assures me you sit on them forward. I will let you mind fill in the gaps, but what a stupid design if you ask me! a little embarassed as he is the one with the membership. I thought about going to 40 or 50 meters, but I did not want to look like I was bragging so I declined to shoot any more.
It was a lot of fun! With that said, I saw what has happened in the States this past week and please be assured, I do not take shooting or using guns lightly. I was very glad they had an instructor with us at all times and always showed the safety features first before how to even shoot the gun.
We then hopped on the metro and he headed home and I headed to the hotel I booked. I checked the lobby out once before but this was the first time I stayed there. I like it as it right next to the metro and on the red line, which is on my way to/from my normal drop off point when I have a driver take me to Moscow. The check in process was fine and then I got to my room...uggg! I can not believe they get 3000 rubles (~$125) for this thing and believe it or not, that
My Car
In some ways the Lada drove like the Chevy, but I feel much safer with all of this Detroit steel around me than I did in the Lada. is pretty cheap for Moscow hotels. I will go back to my shared bath B&B that is only around $70 per night and almost as close to a metro stop. Just look at the pictures...ugg! If it were not 3000r, it would not have been so bad as it was warm and it is close to the metro, but that price is unreasonable for it!!!
On Saturday I had to work so I was meeting a different driver. We found each other without any problems and afterning making a shopping stop, we headed to the office. Not a bad day at work, but the employees are getting tired of working overtime and Saturdays. Generally speaking, they want to be employeed (I used that work specifically, not work) for 8 hours and go home. We are making some progress with the equipment to get there, but Saturdays will be on the schedule which brings us back to only 20 some hours overtime is allowed per year according to the Russian regulations.
After work, Alexey took Leo and I driving in his Lada. The driving range was pretty bumpy, which I guess does simulate most of the Russian roads...lol Sorry I just had to say it. We drove around in the snow, in and around tires, etc. It was a good time - my first time driving a Lada. I have driven my company car on the property at Elinar but this was the first time for a Lada. After I got done driving, Leo took over. He is still getting the hang up starting with a stick shift. Of course Alexey and I had slightly different approaches to teaching it, both were probably wrong, but there I was the back seat driver with Alexey being the front seat driver and poor Leo not knowing who to listen to. After a few tries, he started to get the feel for it and started off well.
After some more driving, Alexey took me back so I could get things ready for the meeting. I had invited a few friends over that evening for drinks and snacks. After going shopping, I started getting everything ready and people started to arrive around 7:30. There were only 6 or so people and I think everyone had a good time. The last left a little after midnight so it was not a late evening. Today, I have not done much. I watched a movie, ate some leftovers, did some laundry and ironing, and just got caught up on emails.
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Cathedrals
I came across an article on a MSNBC website today about great European Cathedrals and I immediately thought of you. Not sure what your connectivity there is but here's the website: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23170569/ There's a slideshow link about halfway through the article. These are gorgeous and may give you future places to visit!