Hello All,
On Sunday 27 August, Nina and I decided to go to Red Square and the Kremlin via the famous Moscow Metro. We caught a bus near the hotel for a 20 minute ride to the Metro station. I have never seen so many people in a hurry to go somewhere in all my life, if you don't move with the crowd you either get pushed out of the way or run over. Nina got into line to buy tokens and I was amazed at what I was seeing. Two windows were open selling tokens and both had long lines. People were constantly going to the head of the line and butting in or giving someone near the head of the line money to buy the tokens. No one in the line seemed to mind, they stood and waited as other people cut in front of them. We got the tokens and proceeded through the gate to an escalator that seemed to be at about a 50 degree angle going down with no end in sight. It turns out, this station is about 20 meters underground.
When we arrived on the train platform, there was a train waiting to go in our direction and everyone was running toward the open doors. Nina took off and jumped on the train just as the doors closed leaving me on the platform with no idea where the train was going and no map. Talk about a lost puppy, I was it! I hoped she would get off the train and come back to the station to find me.
I waited almost 3 hours at the station. She finally returned, worried to death about what has happened to me. I was very relieved. We got on the next train and headed for Red Square. It constantly amazes me how the people rush around to catch the trains, they run about every 3 minutes and I am not sure how a minute or two can be so important in the scheme of things. I was told much later "that is the way people in Moscow are, always in a hurry."
Moscow is such a massive city of imposing buildings, it is just impossible to describe. The Kremlin is one of the most beautiful groups of buildings I have ever seen, pictures do not do it justice. Red Square was covered with tourists and local people out for a Sunday afternoon outing. It was a beautiful day and there were people everywhere. Opposite the Kremlin across the street is a shopping center in buildings as old as the Kremlin, selling just about anything you can imagine, including the best ice cream in the world for only 1200 rubles for a cone full of the delicious stuff. During the day I ate at least 4 ice cream cones. We stopped at a food stand and ordered a pizza and I think without a doubt, it was the worst pizza I have ever eaten. There is a MacDonald's in town somewhere and I will try to find it.
We found the Metro station and returned to the hotel for a good night's rest.
Monday it was off to find an Internet server, which was a lost cause. They were unable to get my modem to hook up to the net. Oh well, not to worry, my contact with MCIMail here in Moscow was good, so I could get all of my messages.
Nina must leave early Tuesday morning for a three day train ride on the Trans-Siberian Railway back to Krasnoyarsk to be in school for the start of school on September 1. I shall miss her smiling face and help with all the problems in finding my way and with the Police check points. Her help has been a real plus on this part of the trip.
Everyone take care of yourselves and do the right thing.
As Always,
Bubba and Roger
MODERATOR'S NOTE: October 6, 1995 -- Roger has had a very bad cold and hasn't felt well for the past couple of weeks. He will catch up with his travel reports soon. He is now in Ukraine. From Ukraine he plans to travel to Romania, Bulgaria, and then to Greece. (Remember, the travel reports arrive after Roger has left the area. They are often two to three weeks behind his actual location.)
Most of the schools in Russia resumed on September 4 and until now his reports have not covered that time. He has visited schools in Tutaev, St. Petersburg, and Moscow. He will tell us about them soon.
Roger also reports that he and Bubba are very tired. He has been traveling for the past 21 months. Bubba is badly in need of some major repairs. He will need to stop his travels soon to rest and repair Bubba. He hopes that he can answer all of your questions at that time. Please understand and be patient.
Roger had his Birthday on October 3. We all wish him a very Happy Birthday and that this coming year will be as exciting as this last year has been.
--- Lorna Pasos, project coordinator