Experienced Riding the Metro

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I am sorry I do not have any pictures to post from my day in Moscow, but I did not bring my camera. It was suppose to rain all day today so I left it at home and now wish I would have brought it because it only springled for a very short period of time as well as the Metro stations would have been interesting. Bryant shared with me how each one is different and he is so right. I was not as impressed with them as I thought I was going to be, but for what the rest of the city looks like, they were very nice. The best part, I rode the system and feel much more comfortable getting on it and sort of knowing where I am going. It is going to take some time until I can learn the Russian letters, but I can sort of get around on the Metro now.

I also had a Big Mac combo today for lunch. You would think they would put a number to it to make it easier to order, but no, that would make too much sense. They knew "Big Mac" but had no clue what I wanted french fries to go with it and she kept thinking I wanted a regular Coke. I kept pointing to the picture and finally got what I wanted. This was the first time for having french fries since I got here and they tasted good. The Big Mac was about the same as you would get in the States, but the restaurant was much nicer than any McDonalds I have ever gone to and it was as busy as you see in pictures! It cost me $120 rubles for the meal, which is about $5.

Today was rent day but because I was in the city, they are coming tomorrow for the monthly rent to be paid in rubles! I am starting to get use to carrying cash, but it is still very different.

I also found a great flea market where you can get just about everything, including fur coats so I think I am heading there next weekend as well as much cheaper hotel that looks nice and fairly safe. It is away from city center, but now that I have the Metro (sort of) down, I can use the Metro to get to where I am going but stay at this hotel which is about half what you would pay else where in the city. That is another thing, foreigners pay a different, usually higher, price for hotels and entrance fees. I do not know why, but just something else that is different.

Okay, I am off to bed, but working from the house in the morning since I am going in late to work second shift between my volleyball try out. It really is not a tryout, but we both agreed if I was not a good as I said I was or the communication is too much of a problem, I would not come back.

Take care,
Vince

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Comments

[Margaret]

Moscow salmonella outbreak
No. of victims in Moscow food poisoning rises to 300 17.aug.06 RIA Novosti Russian News and Information Agency http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060817/52753404.html MOSCOW - The Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare, which is investigating the incident, was cited as saying that a total of 301 foreign and Russian construction workers have now been hospitalized in Moscow and its environs with food poisoning. All the patients are suffering similar symptoms: high temperature, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The patients are largely in a satisfactory condition, but some have contracted a severe form of a "food bacterial poisoning," the service said. Earlier reports said the workers could have contracted Salmonella poisoning, a potentially lethal infection that affects the gastrointestinal system. The service said food delivered for the workers was to blame, but added the source of the infection was still to be specified. On Tuesday, when the first patients arrived in hospitals, the workers were served breakfasts and lunches - soft-boiled eggs, meat sandwiches, rice with lamb and carrots, onions and spices, and a salad - cooked by a private firm. The service also said the workers had their meals served in improper sanitary conditions, adding that, "Numerous violations of sanitary rules for cooking have been revealed during the investigation." Be careful! Thanks for the post!

[vkramer515]

Not Surprised
Yes, I heard about this, but did not realized it rose to 300 people. This really does not surprise me and it is very difficult to get the importance of temperature control and sanitation across to everyone.