Back in Business!

Catching up! May 12 pictures still "in the clouds" but here we go. Dinner our first night at Kvartira 44 - those who know me well understand my research for good food. This is the restaurant on a side street that we needed help to find. The right picture is the door to the restaurant - I thought surely it must be the service door but we tried it anyway. It was delightful inside - dark walls, a former Russian apartment with old books, bookshelves, light fixtures out of tea and saucers - great meal. $50 for both with wine.

Great day yesterday with our Russian guide - first one Russian guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near Red Square (Red means beautiful) - we hear Red Square with thoughts of Communism and fear. There are tulips, lilacs and spring flowers everywhere. Ross sat down on a step near there and one of these guards used his whistle loudly several times and motioned for him to get up - message was clear.

G.U.M. State Department store formerly called "Upper Trading Rows" to move the small markets inside - this is a view of Red Square with GUM on the right - next is the inside of the GUM which is a huge and beautiful mall! We had lunch in the "fast food court".

The famous landmark St. Basil's Cathedral which is not to be believed and pictures do not do it justice. Next is Lenin's tomb - every 18 months his body is treated with chemicals - 83 years now and there is some controversy over whether the cost of this upkeep should continue. Saturday morning we will stand in line to see his body - no metal, no sharp objects/cell phones/cameras etc.

Another building on Red Square. Inside the Kremlin walls a huge cannon - never fired:) ?maybe a scare tactic.

Also in Kremlin - the "Tsar's Bell" 202 tons, largest bell in the world, symbol of Russia's power, cracked and a big piece broke out before it could be rung. Overheard in hotel lobby guest to worker: "I always watch Russian skaters in Olympics" - reply: "They are not very good any more, we have lost a lot". Another church inside Kremlin (which is huge with many buildings); guide says Circle of Life - this church for weddings and coronations, visited another for baptisms, another for burials! One tomb holds a 9 year old heir to the throne whose throat was slit - never sure if accident or murder. We are hearing a lot about "Ivan the Terrible" so need to brush up on Russian history.

Luba (guide) pointed out the Pakistan flag which means the visiting dignitary is here visiting the Kremlin. Mapy of the Kremlin grounds with Luba pointing out places we visited. She's great, well educated, lives in her words in a Moscow "bedroom community" aka suburb!

Have had great food, last night pasta - tried a menu item "Home Made Drink" - asked the server who replied "Fruit compote" - it looked and tasted like iced tea with sugar - of course no ice all beverages room temp or slightly chilled.

No pews in Russian orthodox churches. A Queen of England turned down a proposal of marriage from a Tsar saying "nyet" - NO in Russian. Bought apples at the grocery last night - got up to check out the clerk shook her head no - I had used the weighing machine wrong and my tag said 91 rubles so she had it redone at 41 rubles - saved me money and I thanked her a lot - we have been treated wonderfully. I know I keep repeating that! I am really glad we chose to do this independently with the help of an agency for a ticket and our own guides - much cheaper than a tour group too! Leaving soon for a full day with Luba and a driver.