Moscow, Russia: September 22 - 25

In 2015 we traveled to Brian’s dream destination, Algeria. So for our 2017 international trip it was my turn - Россия! We piled all three pets into the car and set off for Phoenix, where they would be staying with their grandparents while we were gone.

Moscow – Москва

We decided on a bit of a shorter trip this time around with a less ambitious schedule and pared our destinations down to the two main cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg. We figured if we ended up enjoying it enough, we could always go back and explore more places off the beaten path.

We ended up finding a fantastic hotel smack dab in the center of Moscow just blocks away from the main sights (Hotel Maroseyka). Aside from it being nice and affordable in a great location, they had a fridge in the room and water cooler in the common area, which made storing and recovering from alcohol a snap! Water is always a chore traveling and it was nice not to have to worry about it here.

Our first night was spent checking out the blocks around the hotel, which were full of bars and restaurants. Our complete lack of Russian was a challenge here and throughout the trip (we meant to learn at least some transactional phrases but ran out of time before it was time to go!), but most restaurant/bar staff knew some English or accommodated our pointing at the menu and nodding like idiots. We ended up getting rip-roarin’ drunk, which was right about on par for us. Aside from the standard vodka that we were expecting we were surprised to see a lot of scotch, champagne, and craft beer. Surprised, but delighted!
Oh, also they gave out gloves with their burgers.

The next day was very touristy (especially for us) and we caroused central Moscow checking our Red Square and its surroundings, Kremlin, walking along the Moscva River, etc. To start the day off though - we needed money. After being scammed in the airport with a bullshit exchange rate (goodbye forever, $30) we headed to a legit bank at the GUM (pronounced goom) shopping mall. It was beautiful.

Initial impression of Red Square was "huh - Saint Basil's Cathedral is smaller than I imagined". Still very impressive, but small.

After some initial wandering it was lunch time. We found an unavoidably touristy spot and had a couple beers and ordered a variety of Russiany food items - herring, a pickled platter, sausage, stuffed rolls (no, we didn't order the bear).

The wandering then continued. As it was Saturday the whole area was PACKED with tourists, the majority of whom appeared to be Russians. We were blessed with beautiful, sunny, and unseasonably warm weather this day and throughout most of the trip.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and surrounding park area.

Along the River.

Approaching Red Square and Saint Basil's from the other side.

I'm a little bit obsessed with all the patterns painted on it.

Heading back to the hotel + some night shots.

Vodka! We ended up at an Irish Pub that night where we experienced the only anti-american sentiment of the whole trip - the waitress laughed at us and was rude after we told her we were from the US. We still tipped like champions so hopefully she reconsidered her behavior.

Russia!

We ended up drinking at various other places and closed out the night wolfing down fast food at 3am. We briefly entertained the idea of going into a hopping club located next to the McDonald's but quickly realized that although we were out extremely late we were still old as hell and should go back to our hotel.

Sunday.

Sunday we had breakfast at a nearby coffee shop and hopped on the very efficient subway and ventured out to the Park Pobedy part of town. We walked around the large park area and checked out the Muzey Pobedy, which is dedicated to Russia’s role in WWII. Oddly enough, this huge museum, full of Russian visitors, wasn’t even in the Lonely Planet guide.

The best photo of my hair ever taken.

The monument outside the museum was pretty incredible.

Not passing up an opportunity for interesting shadows.

The Museum was absolutely beautiful inside and it was fascinating seeing so much propaganda linking the US and the USSR considering what ended up happening to their relationship. It was also (sadly) rad being somewhere that was so unequivocally anti-nazi, unlike where we currently reside.

*screaming* RUSSIA MADE THE LARGEST SACRIFICE BY FAR AND IS MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFEATING HITLER EVEN THOUGH STALIN WAS A FUCK UP

It was also fun to see a different part of town. Obviously, Moscow is vast and sprawling, and we wished we knew some locals who could have pointed us to some places off the usual tourist trail.