FINALLY I have come to write the last part of my Russia saga. One of the main things that has set me back on this (besides being busy) is that Russia is now here in America! Yes, Dima has been in the US for almost a month now auditioning and playing some concerts, and it's been fantastic being in the same time zone. He's actually at a concert now- thus I am writing a blog, since I'm bored at work :) Anyways, that's another story...
Where did we leave off? It's been so long...ah, the return to Moscow! Just as quickly as I fell in love with Dima's family, it was time to leave and head back to Moscow. We left on the afternoon of Wednesday, to then arrive 18 hours later in the city on Thursday morning. That gave us two more days in the city, with me leaving early on Saturday morning.
The train ride back almost went as smoothly as the trip to Tolyatti, except for THE EYE!!! Oh, I guess I should explain: this time we only shared our train compartment with one other man, maybe in his 50s. A nice guy, pretty quiet, and had a glass eye. Fine, it's ok. What was a little creepy was when he left his lamp on over his bed when he went to sleep, and though everything else was dark, you could see shining and open-THE EYE! So there I am, trying to change my clothes, thinking that the snoring is a good sign he's asleep, but I can still see his eye!!! So yeah...anyways, I had my eye mask and ear plugs and nevertheless fell asleep quite quickly :)
After we finally made it back and washed ourselves up at Dima's dorm, we hit the town and headed to Red Square, aka "Krásnaya plóshchad". Though it was quite cold, windy and snowy, it was nonetheless beautiful, as the name means ("krasnaya can mean 'red' or in its archaic meaning-'beautiful'). It was really fun to be in a place that I had seen so many pictures of and heard so much about. This square really is the center of Moscow, as it houses the national government, as well as contains the geographical point from which all distances are measured. (Meaning, if you want to see how far Houston is from Moscow, this is the point that is used as the center) Though I didn't do it, at this spot, there is a crowd of people who wait their turn to stand on the square and throw a coin over their head for good luck! I must admit, it really wasn't until after that I returned that I read more about the Red Square, and I found it truly enlightening. Check it out here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Square
After that, we went to grab a coffee and warm up at our new favorite hang out- McCafe! I had heard about McDonald's doing this, but I had never been inside a store that actually had this whole separate section for a cafe, with all sorts of cakes and coffee things. It was here that I finally got a large coffee that was large enough for me! ;)
Our last day we did something that Dima promised me over a year ago: ice skating! It was kind of similar to how we have ice rinks in Texas: pay to get in, pay for your shoes, hot chocolate for sale...Except there's one difference: It was outside and I can guarantee you that they did not have to try to keep the ice frozen! Though it was a lot of fun skating around, (and watching Dima try to be cool, skate fast and fall on his butt) my feet didn't quite last the full hour, so we then went to warm up at a fun cozy restaurant near a public zoo/park. Here we had a great unlimited buffet of a Russian salad bar. Of course this was nothing like American salad bars- no leafy lettuce, cherry tomatoes and cottage cheese. We feasted on crab salad, cucumbers, pickles, mushrooms, holodez, kasha, potatoes...need I say we were full? It was a great last meal, and a wonderful relaxing end to my trip. I miss Russian food!!!
Before I knew it, it was 6:30 am and time to wake up to head to the airport. I unfortunately had to leave Dima before I could even wait in the long check in line, so I was standing there for almost half an hour, watching him watch me, only 20 meters away. Let me just say- it sucked.
Ok, sorry, I'm ok! Life moves on and gives you more fun adventures. I mean, look, Russia has already returned to me and I'm sure I will be writing soon about a Russian's observations of America. :)
Love,
Violamad
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