The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow

... stilettos, in an attempt to attract the limited number of male fish in the sea. We have to wonder why they haven't explored more convenient (and less painful) options to be honest!<br>That night also saw us attempt to find one of the only Gay bars in the city. Taking the 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do' approach, Gabby decided to don her own pair of heels, especially as the club apparently had a 'face control' policy. Ouch! Even more painful was the fact that we couldn't find ...

... The<br>emotions are time after time in of mastery and people seek avenues. The<br>weak-minded rip off to drugs as a possible avenue. Continuous turn to<br>account lessens the lifespan. The man is struck I his regularly habits<br>and all big things in entity take secondary positions. The majority<br>feels hugely awkward. The digestion, urine the bounce; all are harmed,<br>and the universe is not what it should have been ...

... streets to a crowded Metro - the plan was for me to be 'shown the ropes' - and then be let loose. Ylia entertained me with historical facts and a journey around the great architectual, and historical sites, and we ended up on the truly breathtaking Red Square, St Basil's shining jewel-like in the rain. <br><br>More of that when I hurl myself at the sights more seriously but meanwhile, terror on the metro. <br><br>I have never been THAT good at ...

... and wonderful picture galleries. The last of these had paintings used as wallpaper completely covering the walls. However, the highlight was The Amber Room. The walls are completely covered in Amber, including intricate decoration in various shades. This has only recently been restored as the whole palace was destroyed by the Germans who used it as a headquarters during the seige of Leningrad during WW2. The Russians have recreated the lost splendour and are still renovating and ...

... thing quite seriously (or at least the military around the place do). A Russian family in front of me was talking as we walked down the stairs into the mausoleum and they got shushed by the guard. Yes! That made me so happy as I had heard they do that but I got to see it with my own eyes. Next thing I know I was down in the mausoleum. It was quite surreal to see him. Hard to believe he's been dead for 80 years. They have some pink lights shining down on him to give Lenin ...

... had this rather ironic look on their face every time I turned up with my sexy hiking boots. It is spring time in Moscow, I mean for real. 20 degrees, smiling faces, flowers, mini-skirts, it's surprisingly pleasant to walk around. And even more shocking, the muscovites I get to meet are extremely helpful and nice to me despite my horrible Russian... The only grumpy faces I get are when I keep my Swiss habits and try to ...

... and sometimes just decide not to open. But anyway! The last day has a serious lack of pictures as you can see. So watch the video of the hotel we stayed in, a testament to the fact that Russians looove glittery things. The day started off with a trip to pay our respects to what is supposedly Lenin. Like I mentioned before, things don't just open here or run like they are supposed to. We were supposed to visit the mausoleum during our first day in ...

... 860 years. Ben was here 15 years ago and it was great to hear the differences and similarities. He noted that it's much cleaner now, and that capitalism and wealth were much more obvious. We passed a Ferrari dealership, a Fendi store, and large mall with a very new and shiny exterior. Cafes are not beckoning the citizen or the traveler to come have a sip and soak in Mockba. There is no fashion parade. Yet, there was still things ...

... communist caricatures - and the hotel was a 4000 room communist relic. Clean, very central (in fact we couldn't have had a better position - 20 metres from St Basils) and quite uninspiring. MORE TO FOLLOW - THIS MAY TAKE SOME TIME TO COMPLETE

... fell forward and passed out on the floor. I shook his shoulder and woke him and tried to give him water. My hands were shaking through fear and shock. Soon the Russian Military Police and a doctor boarded the train to ask questions and take the man from the train. I finally got to go for a walk and found two thick double paned windows smashed with blood everywhere in the smoking area between the carriages. Needless to say, I felt horrible and very very sick! One military policeman ...