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Moscow

Discussion in 'Trip Reports' started by smslavin, Jan 18, 2019.

  1. Jan 18, 2019 at 5:03 AM
    #1
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    Day 1

    The day had finally come to move Roxy to Moscow. We flew Denver to Munich (9.5 hrs), short layover in Munich (1.5hrs) then onto Moscow (2.5 hrs). Customs was easy and the ladies working the desk were excited to hear that Roxy was going to the Bolshoi.

    Slavin_190114_3144.jpg

    Grabbed a cab from the airport to the Bolshoi. Holy crap. Russian traffic. The youtube videos are valid.

    Security at the Bolshoi does not speak English. Many hand gestures later, Roxy is getting the once over from the Academy doctor then it’s upstairs to find her room. A couple of students grabbed Roxy’s bags and helped her get upstairs.

    The ‘den’ mother for the floor showed us her room then helped us find sheets and a blanket. All in Russian. All business. She was practically running us up and down the hall.

    Roxy has 3 other roommates who are all 15. All three are Russian. Her basic language skills are already being tested. All three are super friendly and whatever couldn’t be translated through pantomiming was cleared up by the magic of the Google.

    The den mother grabbed a couple of older boys to show us down to the cafeteria so Roxy could get some dinner. Pasta. Vegetables. Fruit. Yogurt. In Russian, the cafeteria ladies told Roxy she had to eat all of the vegetables because they thought she was too pale. 20 hours of travel will do that.

    Back upstairs, we figured out what class Roxy was going to be in and one of her roommates helped her track down some of the students in that class. Again, all Russian. Bec and I sensed a theme occurring. More on that later.

    She became instant friends with her classmates. I find it amazing that kids can do that, language barriers and all. Somewhere along the way, we lose that ability which is a shame.

    While Bec helped Roxy get unpacked, I sat down the hall in the common room. Kids of all ages running through the halls. I picked up Russian, English, Spanish and Japanese. A couple of kids from Australia were stretching on the floor in front of me while a little boy was jumping from chair to chair speaking Russian into his phone. Winter break was just ending and the stream of kids with suitcases was nearly never ending.

    Roxy was finally settled so we took off to find the hotel. It was a short, 10-15 min walk from the Academy. Small, quaint, quiet. Definitely not on the tourist track.
     
  2. Jan 18, 2019 at 5:35 AM
    #2
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Wow. Fantastic for Roxy, gotta be super hard on the parents.
     
  3. Jan 18, 2019 at 6:23 AM
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    Broncobroke

    Broncobroke Super White Power

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    What an awesome experience for a young lady! I would think yes, it gotta be super hard on the parents.
     
  4. Jan 18, 2019 at 6:43 AM
    #4
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    Wow, cannot imagine this experience. I am sure she will do well. Hoping the whole family does well.

    Thanks for sharing!
     
  5. Jan 18, 2019 at 6:58 AM
    #5
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    How are the “Moscow Mules” over there?:D
     
  6. Jan 18, 2019 at 7:05 AM
    #6
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Thanks for sharing, Sean.

    More of your awesome pics though of Russia.

    :pccoffee:

    Also, can you run into the middle of the street and scream "Draaagooooo".
     
  7. Jan 18, 2019 at 7:18 AM
    #7
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    "Счастливого пути".
     
  8. Jan 18, 2019 at 7:19 AM
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    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Yes, what she said.
     
  9. Jan 18, 2019 at 7:20 AM
    #9
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    :gossip: pssst. FBI. Look up there ^^^ :spy:
     
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  10. Jan 18, 2019 at 8:22 AM
    #10
    Prostar 190

    Prostar 190 SSEM #9 I would rather be water skiing

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    What a great experience.
     
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  11. Jan 18, 2019 at 8:30 AM
    #11
    Toyokuhl

    Toyokuhl New Member

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    Am I the only one who has no clue who Roxy is or why it is in moscow?
     
  12. Jan 18, 2019 at 8:56 AM
    #12
    Trooper2

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    His daughter, has been invited to study Ballet there.

    In the photography thread there are pics of her. He has also mentioned in other threads.
     
  13. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:05 AM
    #13
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    she's my middle daughter and last summer the bolshoi ballet invited her to came and train full time in moscow. one of a small handful of americans who had been invited. we've been here the past few days getting her settled in.
     
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  14. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:11 AM
    #14
    Black Wolf

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    Super cool experience for Roxy. Great parents!
     
  15. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:12 AM
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    Toyokuhl

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    Wow, not what I expected the answer to be. That is super cool. I now really like this story. Great experience I imagine
     
  16. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:15 AM
    #16
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    Sounds like one hell of a life experience for Roxy Sean! Glad to see that you guys were able to take her over and get her settled, I imagine that made things a lot easier for all of you. How's the weather in Moscow this time of year?
     
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  17. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:15 AM
    #17
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Well, you are also a new member, so it will take some time to get to know our life stories :)
     
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  18. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:16 AM
    #18
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Look at the pic at the beginning of the thread :boink:

    Sup Zach? Long time no see.
     
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  19. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:17 AM
    #19
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    Day 2 - Tuesday 1/15

    This was a day to get shit done.

    Slavin_190115_3151.jpg

    Medium gray daylight happened at 8am. We wandered downstairs for a traditional Russian breakfast spread. I recognized toast, oatmeal and panna cotta. Tried a little bit of everything else minus the meat spread. What I ate was awesome, what I didn’t, looked awesome.

    Slavin_190115_3155.jpg

    We walked back over to the Bolshoi to finish Roxy’s check-in process. On the way over was a lot of seeing and little photographing. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, what color you are or the language you speak. So many basic things are the same.

    Slavin_190115_3166.jpg

    More paperwork plus settling a balance of 20 euros that had been subtracted during the bank transfers. They then sent us to the bank to pay for the extension on Roxy’s visa as well as get 3 copies of every page in her passport. Every. Page. Including the blank ones.

    Slavin_190115_3156.jpg

    A few blocks from the Academy was the local Sberbank branch. State-owned just like telecom, media and oil/gas. Single words and halting English got the visa paid for and one of the tellers helped me find the ‘switch language’ button on the ATM. Visa extension and receipt in hand, we walked across the street to the copy center.

    The copy center was really a do everything photo lab. In one corner was a guy making lattes. In another, a Fuji developing machine. Behind the counter was a single desktop copy machine. The woman next to me in line helped translate and we walked out with our copies to head back to the Academy to turn it all in.

    After dropping the remaining paperwork, it was off to find Roxy some sheets, a towel, a bathrobe and a few other necessities that were too big to pack.

    Down to the Metro.

    Slavin_190115_3172.jpg

    Slavin_190115_3179.jpg

    I’m not sure how to accurately describe the Moscow Metro. Pictures and words may not do it justice. The stations are super organized, clean and architecturally beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like them and each one is different. Some lines have new, modern trains while others are from the 60s. The older ones are much more fun to ride. Nostalgic. History. Lots of history.

    Slavin_190115_3194.jpg

    We headed down to the city center since that’s where the hotel suggested. Tons of shopping just none of it in our price bracket. There’s money here and those that have it, have lots of it. Bec and I were pretty floored at the shopping. Rodeo Drive doesn’t even come close. We needed to find something else but we needed some local knowledge.

    Slavin_190115_3204.jpg

    Slavin_190115_3207.jpg

    Popped into the Marriott to ask their concierge. Over the top helpful. She drew everything out on a map for us and off we went to the mall.

    A short subway ride later, with a line switch, and we emerged in Moscow suburbia. No cookie cutter, pop-up neighborhoods here. Apartment blocks in every direction but right across the street, the mall. Shiny, new, steel and glass. Completely out of place surrounded by the cold war era apartment buildings.

    Slavin_190115_3216.jpg

    Slavin_190115_3217.jpg

    We found the home store in the basement which was like a mini-Ikea. It was even laid out the same. Arrows on the floor and everything. Just no meatballs. Again, everyone was incredibly helpful in helping us get through the language and find what need.

    Back to the subway to make our way back to the hotel.

    Slavin_190115_3219.jpg

    Only a day in and this city was growing on me. So much of it is anachronistic I find it fascinating. Bec finds it a little unnerving but the artist in me can't stop loving it. So many contrasts.

    Last errand to run for Roxy was to get a SIM card for her phone but that could wait until tomorrow.
     
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  20. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:20 AM
    #20
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    it's dark. been snowing off and on every day. temps in the mid to upper 20s F although yesterday was cold, about -5C with wind and snow. it's a damp cold, not dry like denver, so it goes right through you.
     
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  21. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:20 AM
    #21
    TXMiamiFan

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    Awesome pictures as always, Sean. Thanks for sharing this with us :thumbsup:
     
  22. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:24 AM
    #22
    Trooper2

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    Great stuff! Thanks for sharing.
     
  23. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:27 AM
    #23
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    Sounds like the infamous Russian winter is exactly as advertised. You gonna get to do any sightseeing there, like seeing the Kremlin and such?
     
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  24. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:46 AM
    #24
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    i'm a little behind in the write up. yesterday we spent most of the day at red square visiting the state historical museum and lenin's tomb. tomorrow night we have ballet tickets down at the bolshoi theater. sunday we're running around with roxy and monday we head home.
     
  25. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:47 AM
    #25
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    running gallery of images

    http://www.slavin-studios.com/moscow-1

    this has everything, minus the video, that i've shot up until this afternoon. i'll continue to add to it. the images in there are a couple of days ahead of what i'm sharing in this thread.
     
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  26. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:51 AM
    #26
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    Awesome pics!

    Did you visit the Surf / Coffee shop? LOL
     
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  27. Jan 18, 2019 at 10:04 AM
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    TXMiamiFan

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    Monday is gonna come too quick :(
     
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  28. Jan 18, 2019 at 10:17 AM
    #28
    Notachickmagnet

    Notachickmagnet New Member

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    This is so cool !
    What a great opportunity for your daughter!
    Your posts and pictures are great as always!
     
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  29. Jan 19, 2019 at 12:17 AM
    #29
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    Day 3 - Wednesday 1/16

    The waiter in the hotel restaurant brought Bec her coffee, looked at me then went and jumped on his phone. A huge smile crossed his face as he came back with a picture on his phone. ‘Your face. You look like this!’ The picture was of Tsar Nicholas II of the House of Romanov. ‘You just need longer mustache,’ grinning as he said it.

    Bec had been texting with Roxy. While technically, there isn’t a ‘uniform’ for her class, all of the Russian girls wear the same leotard and warm up outfit. She was adamant about having the same ones. She wants to stand out but she also wants to fit in. So, we added finding the Grishko store to our list for the day. First stop, though, was getting her phone turned on.

    Slavin_190116_3226.jpg

    Right around the corner, across the street from the Metro station, was the phone store, Tele2. A little bit of Google Translate and we got her on a month to month pre-paid unlimited plan. Unlimited. Cost? 400 rubles per month. Roughly 6 dollars. Per. Month. AT&T should take some notes.

    Slavin_190116_3225.jpg

    Slavin_190116_3234.jpg

    Off to the Metro and another cruise into suburban Moscow to find Grishko. More Metro stations to gawk over. The art and architecture is really amazing. We changed trains at the Lubyanka station. Just above is the Lubyanka building, home of the KGB and massive amounts of history. A few more stops later and it was back to the surface.

    Slavin_190116_3233.jpg

    Slavin_190116_3235.jpg

    Finding the Grishko store took a little bit of hunting but we finally found it out tucked into the back of a building. With a little math conversion, we took a guess as to Roxy’s European sizing and walked out with two leotards and a warm-up suit.

    Back on the train to city center to find some lunch and wander Red Square a bit.

    Slavin_190116_3241.jpg

    Christmas and New Year’s has just ended here so many of the decorations are still up. On our way up to Resurrection Gate, we got sideswiped by some street performers. We had a few laughs then I noticed the kid with the camera. Total tourist shakedown. I gave them a little bit of money then we walked away as they were still yelling at us for more. Got under my skin a bit but it’s part of traveling.

    Slavin_190116_3249.jpg

    We walked through the Gate and had to stand there for a moment to soak it all in. Pictures and movies do not do it justice. The gray sky, red brick, black cobblestones, the towers of St. Basil’s and the yellow wall of the Kremlin were quite the sight. Taking up almost the entire center of the square was the Christmas Fair and thousands of people.

    Slavin_190116_3261.jpg

    By this time, the daylight was beginning to fade as was the temperature. Bec wasn’t going to last much longer so we called it a day and headed back to the hotel.

    Slavin_190116_3274.jpg
     
  30. Jan 19, 2019 at 1:28 AM
    #30
    smslavin

    smslavin [OP] Behind a lens...

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    Day 4 - Thursday 1/17

    With our errands for Roxy complete, we had a day to ourselves so we headed back down to the city center to wander and see some sights.

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    Getting off the Metro at Okhotny Ryad, we took a walk down Teatral’nyy Proyezd past the State Duma building, where there was a line up of black BMW 5 and 7 series sedans with official plates and blue gumballs on the roof, past the Bolshoi Theater and the Metropol Hotel then into a shopping arcade to try and find some peace from the wind.

    Crossing the street to the arcade, we passed the 4 Seasons which had six Maybachs waiting at the front door. Entering the arcade, we were greeted with a Bentley dealer as well as Ferrari along with several stores featuring very expensive suits in their windows.

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    At the far end of the arcade was the GUM building which borders one side of Red Square. Ultra high end shopping with an interesting history.

    Originally, it had been the State Department Store and after the 1917 Revolution, it had the goal of being a private enterprise along socialist lines. Communism through consumerism. Stalin repurposed the building to house the administration for his Five Year Plan in the late 20s. After his wife’s suicide in the ’32, her body was displayed briefly in GUM.

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    From there we wandered over to the State Historical Museum. Russian history has always fascinated me, much like Japan, and this place has been through so much. The Museum put it all into one place and it was a lot to take in. It was all there. Medieval ages, religious icons, the House of Romanov and even Lenin’s Rolls Royce. On the upper floors was a complete photographic history of Nicholas II and the photographs were incredible. Many looked like they had just been taken yesterday. Truly amazing.

    Several hours later, we wandered across the Square to Lenin’s Tomb. Snow had begun to fall. Once through the security check, we walked along the wall of the Kremlin towards the Tomb. Police outside. Military inside. The inside is all black marble and so quiet. There was a guard at every corner and a near constant stream of people. Several flights of stairs down and you come to the central room where he is enclosed in a glass box surrounded by a glowing red light. Lying there since 1924, completely preserved. The guards gently kept us walking. Outside, behind the Tomb and against the Kremlin wall is the Kremlin Wall Necropolis. Among those interred there are Suslov, Stalin, Kalinin, Brezhnev and Andropov.

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    Snow was falling harder and the temperature was dropping. The cobbles of the square had turned into an ice rink.

    Getting back to the hotel, we decided to try and find local neighborhood place for dinner. A short walk through the wind and driving snow brought us to small, quiet little cafe. The owner could speak a little English and helped us order some traditional Russian dishes. Great place with wonderful food. Partway through dinner, the owner’s wife and son came in. He and his son immediately started up a game of chess.

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    Last edited: Jan 19, 2019

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