A Russian Launching
Trip Start
Aug 01, 2006
1
5
14
Trip End
Aug 13, 2006
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Moscow,
Russia
Saturday, August 5, 2006
Moscow, Russia
Midnight
Today is a bit nerve-wracking as clients are arriving throughout the day, and I never know if the airport pick-ups will go as planned. Last night Jonathan notified me that four guys coming out of Chicago were delayed so long they would miss their connection in Frankfurt, so I am keeping my fingers crossed and holding my breath.
Our tour manager, Eva, meets me for breakfast and we have a happy reunion. It has been a couple of years since she and I have traveled together, even though she has led other Toto Tours in the meantime. We decide to spend part of the day looking at restaurant possibilities for
Group dinners on free evenings, and to organize the one included dinner that I have added to the program
01 TASS News Headquarters
.The first restaurant we visit is Godunov, right by Red Square. It is a bit touristy, but we think it will be great fun to come here by metro and be able to see the Square illuminated at night. It's a keeper for Saturday night.
Next we go to a pedestrian street in the upscale neighborhood where we ate last night. Eva recommends a place called Les Artistes, and the staff is very friendly and obviously 99.9% gay. It is a natural, and we book a set price menu for the entire group on our last night in Moscow, before boarding the train to St. Petersburg.
Finally, we go to a place called Margarita's-so named because of a character in a famous Russian novel that is set at Patriarskiy Pond, which is just across the street. (The book is "The Master and Margarita" by Bulgakov.) The restaurant is a delight, and very bohemian. We'd love to bring the entire group but it is much too small to accommodate us all. We decide to save it for an occasion when just a few people want to go out together.
We are tired, but pleased with ourselves for having organized a lot in a short time
02 At Patriarskiy Pond
. We return to the hotel, and I find that several people did not connect with their ride at the airport and they had to come in by taxi. They all took it in good stride, however, and nobody complained. The welcome cocktail party is very well received, and we spend a few minutes going around the circle introducing ourselves. Then Eva and I talk about the program to come, and introduce our guide for the Moscow portion of the tour. Her name is Natalia (or Natalie), and she looks oh so very Russian-old school, matronly. Her English Language skills are flawless, however, and that is more than half the battle when dealing with guides in far-flung countries. The tour program has already been rearranged several times, and we explain a few more changes that have just occurred, and I give the standard spiel about the Toto Spirit, and just going with the flow.
The group is really marvelous, and very diverse. Everyone is getting acquainted beautifully, and just before we leave for the Welcome Dinner the last two that are expected to arrive today appear. I am hugely relieved!
The welcome dinner is at Razgulyai Restaurant, somewhat across town, and the trip gives us a chance to do some sightseeing by the coach on the way
03 Heroic Statuary
. I am immediately impressed with Natalia's knowledge and her ability to communicate. I can feel a warm smile spreading on my face as I gain confidence that everything is going to be great.The dinner was cold boiled pork and salad for appetizer, a hot mushroom dish with sour cream (yum), and grilled pork with French fries, topped off with ice cream and fruit, coffee or tea. Clients also had a choice of vodka or wine with the meal.
We return to the hotel, and Roman (the night guide) introduces himself to the entire group and offers to take people out to one of the major clubs in Moscow. Lots have the desire to go, but no one has the energy. It is 11:30pm at this point. Several promise to go out with him the following night, and he agrees to be at the hotel at 10:00pm to collect them.
I'm rushing to bed, as tomorrow I actually have to get up early for touring! A viewing of the body of Lenin! How exciting! Doesn't exactly sound like the ideal way to "liven" up the tour!
Hugs,
Dan
