Day 2 Red Square and Metro

Saturday, May 4, 2013

All travelers are divided into groups by color.  Paul and I became part of the Orange Group whose Program Director was Evgeny Zalberg (think Russian for Eugene, which is what Paul called him).  It is loosely comprised of those making the post-trip. 

Despite severe jet lag, we headed out via bus to the Kremlin and Red Square.  Having grown up in the cold war era when Russia was Enemy No. 1, it was a very other-worldly feeling to be standing there.  If you can imagine yourself standing on the moon, you know what I mean. 

The famous St. Basil's Cathedral on a cold and rainy day.

The Kremlin wall really is red.  However, we learned "red" simply means "beautiful" in Russian and does not have the connotation we Americans have for the word.

Inside the famous Gum (pronounced "Goom") Department Store, which is really a mall where stores are glitzy, high-end and out of my price range!  There was a decent ladies room that was free though.
 

 

The Colonel lives everywhere -- even Russia!

 

 

Russia's famous two-headed eagles -- they symbolize power and protection or east and west, depending on which version you believe.

 

In the metro, deep underground in Moscow, is a whole gallery of art. 

 

My post with Alexander Pushkin & wife on the famous Arbat Street.  After lunch in a local fast-food type restaurant (excellent soup) I had coffee in McDonald's while Paul wandered about.  The coffee tasted the same as home and did help keep me awake.