more Moscow

After the Kremlin, Jasmin and I walked around Moscow for a few more hours. We explored Red Square a little more, but unfortunately Lenin's tomb was closed to the public. We're not sure if he was having his once-a-decade waxing\rehydration or if the tomb was closed because of the upcoming national holidays. At any rate, I was unable to see the preserved body of either of the communist leaders of countries in my travels. But, I suppose there are worse things - and it's a little creepy anyway!

So, we walked around the Kremlin gardens and Red Square some more. With such a blue sky, the red bricks seemed to glow.

looking back at the gate from just inside Red Square

I believe this is thestatue in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier

The other thing that Jasmin had really wanted to see was the Wall of Peace on Arbat Street. Arbat street is a hippie, tourist street with characature artists and lots of painting and souvenir stands. So, we took the subway and began our search for the wall. Unfortunately, we seemed to have walked right passed it and then before we knew it, the rain began to fall. We had just had some Russian 'fast food' and were in a stall admiring some paintings when the weather suddenly changed. We had dressed inappropriately - both wearing sandals - and we were suddenly freezing in the rain and wind. So, we took off running searching for the subway station at the other end of the 1.3 km street. We did find it rather quickly, but not before we were both damp and quit chilly!

art on Arbat Street

Russian 'fast food'

interesting (and wet) sidewalk art....not the wall of peace

an interesting graffiti wall...but not the wall of peace

everyone scrambling to stay dry as the rain broke

We were deterred from more exploration due to the rain, so we headed back to the hostel. A couple hours later I accompanied Jasmin to the train station. There I saw her off and successfully bought my ticket to St.Petersburg for the next day. (It is always an accomplishment to buy the ticket you were trying for! I even got third class, though I was originally told there were no seats left.) Another successful and crazy day in Russia.