Quiet Day In Moscow
Trip Start
Aug 01, 2006
1
4
14
Trip End
Aug 13, 2006
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Moscow,
Russia
Friday, August 4, 2006
Moscow, Russia
Midnight
My alarm goes off at 8:00am, and I drag out of bed even though I think I could have slept longer. I promised my clients I would meet them for breakfast at 9:00am, so I gulp some coffee, shower and get out the door. The breakfast buffet at the hotel is great, including an omelet station where you can get one made to order, plus many all-important fibrous cereals and fruits.
My clients have arranged to go sightseeing today with a local man who is a friend of a friend, so they head out to see the city at 11:00am. I go to the second floor and do a cursory workout in the small gym, then talk with the sales staff for food and beverage service. I arrange for a welcome cocktail party from 6:30pm until 8:00pm tomorrow night, with canapés and an open bar with soft drinks, wine, beer, and martinis. At least I won't have to rent a conference room. They are willing to have the event in the open reception area of the second floor conference facility since the hotel's bar isn't really suitable for such a gathering. It's going to be very expensive!
I hang in the room for most of the day, greeting clients as they arrive. An attempt at a nap just doesn't work, as there is too much on my mind. Our night guide, Roman, arrives at 7:00pm. We all chat in the hotel's bar for a while waiting for one more person to show up, but it seems he has been delayed, so we start out for dinner at 8pm.
Roman takes us by metro to a very fashionable neighborhood that is close to the few gay bars in Moscow. We have dinner at a beautiful restaurant called Pushkin Café. I try the cranberry water for my drink, and it screams CRANBERRY in a way that makes your face pucker. I have a great mixed green salad with homemade cheese, followed by Russian Dumplings stuffed with salmon (imagine big raviolis). Of course it comes with a big tureen of sour cream to slather on top, but I exercise restraint and only dip a couple of bites. Another lovely meal, but US$60 each by the time we all pay for Roman's dinner. Ouch!
A gentle rain is falling as we leave the café, and Roman leads us to our first gay bar in Moscow. There is a very young crowd, and quite a few Americans who are living and working in Moscow. We hang out for one round of drinks, and head back to the hotel via the metro. It is in situations like this where Roman is absolutely essential, because the subway system is labyrinthine and not being able to read the signs (and not a hint of English translations anywhere) would make it impossible for the unguided foreigner to navigate.
Returning to the hotel we pay Roman for his night's work, then say goodnight. I phone our guide, Eva, who arrived at the hotel about 10:00pm. It is too late for us to meet tonight, and we agree to meet for breakfast at 9:30 tomorrow morning.
It has been a good day. I've gotten a lot done. There is news that several guys coming in tomorrow have been delayed, so it will be a challenge to sort out their airport transfer tomorrow, but it can wait until then. Sorry, but no photos with this entry. I didn't take my camera anywhere with me today. I promise to do better tomorrow.
Goodnight!
Dan
