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Crazy Russia!
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Arrived at Moscow. Was glad to get away from the kid on the train who wore squiky shoes, that made dog toy sounds with every foot step! Absolutely zoned out from being on a train for 4 days. Couldn't focus on any object because my eyes were used to things moving all the time. I showered for the first time in 4 days and changed into fresh clothes for the first time in 4 days. I also shaved for the first time since Beijing, ending my plans to grow a massive beard. "In the USA" i said. Eddie, Ed and Mike also all broke and shaved as well, ending a somewhat unspoken pact.
Moscow is crazy. More stupidly beautiful girls. Every train station was made centuries before i was born and all seem to have massive chandeliers and countless scary statues. The trains are from the 50's and there is people in uniform on every street. There are also metal detectors in lots of buildings and Sushi in every restaurant.
My eyes became thirsty for something to read because every word was uninterpretable with backwards 3's and upside down a's. Getting out of the subway I had to congratulate myself on getting to the right station, as the only way i could do it was to follow the coloured lines and count the stops. Also if you dont get on or off in time the 50 year old doors slam shut on you, quite scary when you get wedged in doors, my closet phobia, and the train from the 50's goes faster than any train you have been on in your life. I got yelled at by another old lady who didnt get off the train in time because of me.
The only thing bad Ive noticed in Russia, is the service. It has been more often than not shite!. Average wait in some places of like over an hour after you order. Then the meal comes, then 40 minutes later the rice comes for the meal. There have been some good places. Usually the ones from the lonely planet where westerners usually frequent. But so many times i have walked up to a counter and people just look at u, or go and do there own thing. No smiles or anything. You are waiting there at the counter for about 10 minutes and no one serves you then a russian willl walk up in front of you and order. People always push in front in the lines. I guess its just how its done. The firm Russian way! Wheres the smiles!!!
On the brighter side to Moscow, theres flash cars everywhere and coold soviet symbols still hanging around everywhere. Mike, Dave and I went to a somewhat big market, loaded with Russian Dolls and old Soviet stuff. Russian dolls ranged from Stalin to Britney spears to Harry Potter. I chased by a big rat, but i managed to buy a ton of soviet memorabilia. Including soviet hip flasks, hat, and a authentic KGB BADGE!! and cuff links Im just waiting for the next dress up party! Trying to barter with the shop owners is almost impossible when its a good russian doll. I was once again abused by a BABOOSHKA!. In Moscow i completed a somewhat newfound lifelong dream. That is to see every stuffed communist leader in the world. I completed this dream when i saw lennin. There was a 3 hour wait to see him, but i was given a lesson in the Russian way when we walked past everyone and up to the guards and paid 200 Rubels each (10 oz) to get in instantly. We saw the great man, yet more plastic. But now i can put on my tombstone ive seen Ho Chi Minh, Mao and Lennin.
P.S> Forget to mention i finally got to sing karoake in Lake Baikal. I sung Hot Stuff which was terrible and Kokomo demonstrating my ability to sing all beach boys voices at once!! Earning myself the same knickname "Kokomo" hahaa. More thumbnails ...
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