Day 42 - Moscow

Moscow is so not what I imagined. For a start, it feels hotter here than it did in any part of Africa we were in. I know it's summer here and it was winter in Africa, but it just feels weird. All the pictures of Moscow that I've ever seen showed it covered in a thick blanket of snow with people walking around decked out in huge fur coats and hats. Now they're walking around in Gucci heels and Prada shades. The women here really go to town on their appearance and it seems that appearance is everything to most of the better-off Russians, although some of the men really should lose their beer-bloated bellies before prising themselves into the latest, skintight Versace combo. It's just not flattering...


When I read the guidbook before coming here, it said things like 'leave the rucksack at home and use a carrier bag and you'll fit in just like a local' as well as giving advice on not carrying cameras and gadgets in crowded areas unless you want to be relieved of them. It's not like that at all now. In fact, if you haven't got the right 'designer' gear on or there isn't an iPhone placed proudly next to your capuccino then you're bound to stand out like a sore thumb. I guess this blatant display of wealth is a big hangover from the 'old days' when very few people had anything.



Maria, our local guide this morning, was telling us that it's mainly the young that think Russia is a much better place now and that there are very many of the older-generation that think things were better in 'the goold old days'. As if to prove a point, shortly after she left us as Red Square, out shuffled a large group of elderly folk carrying red flags and playing old Soviet propaganda songs on an ancient cassette machine. The Stalin and Lenin look-a-likes, that will proudly pose for photos with the tourists for a few Rubles, looked on nonchalantly.





Moscow is, however, a really beautiful place. Some of the architecture is just stunning, especially around Red Square. In fact, Red Square got it's name not from the colour of the buildings, nor the colour of communism, but because Red is a similar sounding word to the Russian word for beautiful - apparently. Maria told me this, too. St Basil's is gawdy, but in the same way as Blackpool Illuminations or Brighton Pier are and I wouldn't change a thing. We saw Lenin, lying in state in his mausoleum earlier today and he was looking quite well - surprisingly! Then again, if I had a weekly brush down and was dipped in wax every couple of months, I would probably look more well preserved than I currently do too! Off to The Kremlin tomorrow before taking our place on the Trans-Siberian Express in the evening.

We've stocked up on cuppa-soups and biscuits; I wonder who we'll be sharing with...