First we left our luggage in the station, changed some money, and were shown the toilets (if thats what you can call them, I passed thanks). Then our tour guide shepherded us onto a coach where we fought the morning traffic to get out of the city and see some sights. The first place we went was a bit strange. Some building where officials made the decision to abandon Moscow to Napoleon and his army back when. If I were a history buff, I might have been interested, but in reality it was just a small house. After that we went to the War Museum/Memorial, where there was lots of symbolism, according to the tour guide. I believe of course, but there was also a strong icy wind in a big open space, brrrr. Anyway, it was quite imposing, here's a picture...
After that we headed back toward the centre where we attempted to get onto the red square before having a tour of the kremlin. As it happens, it was all closed off for rehearsals of the victory day parade (happening tomorrow in fact). We still got to look at the fantastic church though (from the outside at least). St basil's I think it's called.
After that we walked around the outside of the kremlin walls before getting to go inside, where we had a different and very informative guide to show us around. Within the Kremlin there are some interesting buildings (including the presidential offices) but most notable is the church square, with four different churches. In one, all the tsars of Russia were christened, in another all were, erm, crowned?, and the other all buried. Ok, so my knowledge of Russian history/politics/society is pretty bad. But my love for Sergey Lazarev surely makes up for that? Anyway, these churches were really beautiful. Especially inside, where unlike in Finland where the Lutheran style means hardly any decoration, nearly every inch of the insides of these churches had been covered in biblical paintings. Quite a sight. Unfortunately photography was banned, so you'll have to make do with a picture of the outside...
After that I went with a friend to meet with her Russian friend who then took us to Gum (rym), the world-famous (apparently) shopping centre right next to the red square. Actually, it was one of the poshest shopping centre's I have ever been in. They had a beautiful fountain in the middle, which at the time was decorated with blossom trees.
Then she took us to a church nearby with a strange history. It had been built, and then had its downfall predicted by a nun, then had its downfall, was turned into a swimming pool, and then that was destroyed, and finally the country donated money to have it rebuilt as a church. Maybe its sad past was the reason for such tight security to enter, or is common to pass through a metal detector and have a bag search on the way into every church in Russia? By the way, I could be wrong about parts of the history, but I think thats what the guide said... It was something like that anyway...
After that we walked along Arbat, another famous street, or something, where we had some nice chocolate cake thingys, I saw a sketch of Filip Kirkorov, and we had a picture with a man/woman dressed in a cow costume. He/she was dressed like that because they were advertising the Muu Muu cafe that we had just eaten in. Very nice.
Erm, then it was back to the Kremlin to meet with the tour guide again. This time we were doing a tour of the metro. Which I thought sounded a bit silly. I mean, no one gives guided tours of the London Underground. But then the London underground isn't decorated like this...
Finally, after the metro tour, we headed up to Sparrows Hill (or Stalin's hill, before it was renamed). From here there was a great view of the Moscow skyline all lit up.
Unfortunately that was all we had time for before having to head back to spend a second night on a train. Next stop, St Petersburg.
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