What was supposed to be a nice day in Vyborg for me turned into me being a complete bum, and going to watch Doctor Strange (in english with Russian subtitles), all because I had already read the book for my Russian Literature class (We by Zamyatin. I remembered way too much of it. Also, having your notes on the book on your laptop is handy.) And my Russian history was about the Time of Troubles, which, in a moment of madness, I read into a few days prior to receiving the assignment, and just clicked on every connecting wikipedia article.
Oh yes. I am loving this lazy day. Doctor Strange was amazing. I highly recommend it. Oh, and the snow is finally here to stay.
November 3rd, 2016
Oh lordie lord. After a super long day in class, I had to run home, pack, and get all the way to the Moskovsky Train Station in order to take my overnight train to Moscow. It would had been fine if I had prepared early, had everything charged, and knew what I was doing. But of course, I never do, and I just hope for the best. We got on the train and departed near midnight. Also, tagged along is a picture of the back of Smolny, from the garden. Face it, Saint Petersburg gives you the full imperial feel and lets you study in a Palace. (Hint, hint, keep the program, I love it so much. You can do so much, and actually see the pre-soviet culture, and the soviet literary culture)
We acquired a wagon for ourselves, and we got beds in the room! That was quite nice, if it weren't for the fact that the beds were so uncomfortable, and that I was in the need of a shower. Thursdays this semester are my worst days. I remember when I had no classes on Thursdays my freshmen year. Oh, how the good times disappear.
November 4th, 2016
So, after a very tough night of falling asleep (people kept coming in and out), I woke up and looked out the window, seeing the rural part of Moscow. It was quite nice, and after a very (un)appetizing breakfast, we headed out to our hostel, Godzilla, and left our bags in the luggage room.
From there, we headed to cafe Stolle, where they took forever in getting my food to me, and it wasn't that good. And there was no coffee option. What do they think we are? I need my coffee after a long trip! From there, we took the metro all the way down to the Tretyakovskaya Gallery, which is a museum showing ONLY Russian works. So, essentially, I got to see all the paintings show to me in my Russian history course. It was quite interesting, and it was collected by a rich merchant family. The tour guide was super slow, only took us to one picture in a room, and talked for minutes at a time. I decided to break off, explore on my own, and saw the museum in its completion by the time the tour was done. I really dislike tour guides. I want to see the place, NOT HEAR THE WHOLE ENTIRETY OF THE HISTORY OF ONE PAINTING THAT ISN'T IN MY INTEREST. Plus, my favorite tour guides are the ones that know that we want to see the museum quickly, because we're tourists and don't have much time.
On to bigger and better things, like travelling with friends to the Red Square. We weren't even trying to get to the Red Square. We were trying to find Kitai Gorod, since the KGB headquarters was there, and we just stumbled into the Red square by following the Christmas lights of ГУМ. I didn't know where I was until I saw Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin wall, and Lenin's Mausoleum. We didn't spend much time there, since my phone battery died, forcing me TO USE A MAP. I feel like a boy scout now.
November 5th, 2016
So today, we ended up going to the Museum of Contemporary Architecture (Cameras prohibitted, Babushka's watching us very carefully). It was pretty neat to see how Russians lived during the Soviet era, and how it transformed after the death of Stalin.
Afterwards, with my group of friends (I finally have them!), we went to go see one of few private homes built during the USSR, and it was cool, but you have to reserve months in advance to even go inside. This day was meant more for architecture, but we did pass by the US Embassy, which was closed. Also, people can walk so slowly sometimes.
Soon, we went to a Kafe in the middle of a museum, which had a bunch of sculptures. Took pictures of those, and went to get ready for the Circus. I got donuts before hand at Krispy Kreme. I missed Krispy Kreme so much.
At the circus, I didn't know what to expect, and the multitudes of kids who knew what was going on was getting pretty annoying to me. I would like to thank my classmate Sophie for sending me pictures that I wasn't able to get, thanks to having the usher right next to me. This wasn't my lucky day taking pictures at our excursions. I grew a bit more bold in the second half.
Went to bed, but finished Dead Souls before that. Looks like I'm starting The Brothers Karamazov!
November 6th, 2016
On this day, on the final day that I am in Moscow, I decided to ditch my university group, head alone with my friend Nathaniel, and brave the streets of Moscow, to head to the Red Square. After paying for a better breakfas than what we've had the last few days, and being able to drink coffee in the morning, we headed down to Red Square and got in line to go see Lenin's Mausoleum.
Of course, pictures inside were prohibited. There were some huge russian soldiers, so I didn't wanna mess with them, but Lenin looked pretty chill. He just laid there. I was assuming he was going to dance around, saying stop Capitalism and the Bourgeoisie! (Spelled it right on the first try too. Take that Nags! College students can spell!) Behind the mausoleum is a necropolis, where the big shots of the USSR are buried, i.e. Stalin and Yuri Gagarin.
We walked aroung ГУМ for a bit. It's a very pricey mall. One thin jacket that said Russia on it was 600 dollars (34000 Rubles). I nearly cried. But I did find cheap post cards and poker cards that say moscow and have cool pictures on the back.
From there, we went to St. Basil's Cathedral, since it wasn't on our schedule. I don't know why. It was very beautiful, and there was a church service going on downstairs, while a men's trio sang heavenly church music. It was then and there that I knew that I needed an icon ASAP.
We headed to Oxotny Ryad in order to eat at Dunkin Donuts, but since we were short on time, Nathaniel didn't want to, but I needed my last donut and coffee until I returned to Moscow, so we ran to the entrance of the Kremlin, and met up with our group.
The Kremlin was spectacular, but another talkative tour guide took away our ability to see the Arkhangelsky Cathedral, where the Tsar's are buried, so I have to wait until the Spring semester. But We did go to the Uspensky Cathedral which Ivan the Great, (not the Terrible. The Great was a grand prince and the Terrible's grandfather).
We got lost on our way to lunch, but the food ended up being so bad, that I didn't even want to eat it. Plus, the person next to me had a live cockroach on their plate. Talk about loss of appetite. I went into a souvenir shop next door, where the owner accused me of being a spy, and showed my all the antique spy equipment, but as soon as a new customer walked in, I ducked out, since he was being very pushy, and everything was expensive.
I got a St. Nick Icon for my sister and for myself, because why not, and then I met up with my friends! I met them on the red square, since everybody was busy during my earlier free time, and I went to eat dinner with Juniata Students Patrick and Julia. We all got Hachapuri. It is delicious Georgian food. Also, Tea with Ginger and Apples is just amazing. (See, these two programs work wonders, we can visit each other!)
I had to rush back to the hostel, grab my luggage, and run to the train station. I passed onto the tracks, and almost got on the wrong train, since I only looked at the train number and not at the time. Talk about thinking I was late. Thankfully, I called Elena, who told me she was waiting for us in the center of the station, and I got back right on time. We soon departed. Also, when I come back to Moscow, I would go through this station to go to Kazan.
Made it back to SPb. Tired, and so much homework to do before class. And Petersburg is the better city of course~!
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