From Moscow With Love

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June 4th 2009

Published: June 5th 2009

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charmedgirl

Jumping for joy in Red Square

I am sat writing the first part of this update in the beautiful gardens inside the kremlin still pinching myself to say I'm really here!
I must admit to being a little sad to move on from St. Petes I found it a beautiful relaxing place but I was very excited to be seeing Moscow. I headed to the station very early paranoid I was going to miss the train. Travelling pleskart I was on a bunk you had to pull down. The woman opposite me was grumpy and insisted on making the beds straight away leaving me no option other than to get straight in my bunk. After nearly knocking myself out getting it down (my ear is still swollen where it hit it!) I then had to work out how to get up to it. Let's just say I'm glad I lost a lot of weight before this trip! :-) The journey itself was fairly uneventful but with considerably less sleep than I would've liked.
On arriving in Moscow I managed to negotiate the metro which I'm surprised to say mobiles work on despite the escalators being twice as long as London! Once at my hostel I crashed for

Me with Wanderer Bear in front of St. Basils Cathedral

a few hours before going to get all my train tickets through to ulaanbaatar.
It was then to the city centre to explore and do the tourist bit. I was very surprised to almost immediately find mysef in Red Square and after much squealing and oh my gods grabbed a group of French tourists to take my piccy having to curb the urge to jump up and down!! Then onto Basils Cathedral probably one of the most photographed sites in Moscow with it's distinctive bright colours and golden globes. I then walked all round the Kremlin wall (2.25km) before heading on one of lonely planets recommended walking tours. Deciding that budget needs outweighed other factors had to walk back to the hostel (1 hour) over the 22roubles (50p) metro fare. On the plus note I got to walk past the former KGB building on the way.
Distinct lack of sleep in the hostel on the first night due to awful beds and a woman snoring like a pig it was time to explore. First stop the kremlin definitely worth the 350 roubles entrance fee. In the first cathedral I went in a group of 6 monks (well that's what they

My train to Moscow

looked like) sang a beautiful song. There are several catherals within the kremlin Walls as well as a plethora of other beautiful buildings. Serveral hours and at least 100 photos later it was onto Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. This golden domed beauty dominates the skyline and is as beautiful inside as out. I wandered up the river past Peter the Great - a fascinating huge wooden sculpture towards Gorky Park this turned out to be similar to pleasure beach at Skegness and definitely not worth the walk or the 80 roubles entrance fee!
Heading to Stray Arbat to see the freedom wall I was surprised to find the street full of entertainers and artists. The Freedom Wall is almost entirely covered in graffiti but this almost added to the charm.
Today I've been to Lenins tomb its all very serious no talking no photos etc and to be honest I thought he looked like a wax dummy and I'm probably going to get arrested for that comment! :-) I have then twice watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. To watch the 3 guards goose stepping along the side of the Kremlin wall

Police outside the Kremlin

to change every hour took my breath away! The precision of their movements was amazing it will definitely remain a highlight of this trip. They then stand on the spot for am hour before changing again. I have seen all my must sees and done all my must dos so will probably just take the rest of my time here easy ready to start my Trans Siberian train journey tomorrow (4th June) unfortunately I haven't found anyone else travelling same time as me but hopefully will meet someone on the train. Speak soon and for those of you who have emailed me thanks it is greatly appreciated. Love and miss you all.

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