I now know why people can fall in love with Russia..
this past weekend, a group from Veronish came down, ( Veronish is a "small" city where a group of ILP teachers are.) All eight of them stayed in our little apartment.. which was interesting, BUT SO FUN! They came around six in the morning on Saturday, after taking a ten hour bus trip over night...and were ready for some Moscow adventures by eight. Areil and Jenny decided to head to another city outside of Moscow to look at some churches, so that left Janelle and I to hang out with the group. (Adam Bishop is in this group! it was nice to see someone from home. :) )
It was such a wonderful day, as we went on some typical Moscow excurssions. We first surfed the Metro, on our way to Red square. When we got there, some of us went to the armory in the Kremlin, and some went on a tour of the Kremlin, and me and Janelle? We stayed behind to hold the head teachers pocket knife. (no worries, we enjoyed watching pigeons and then going to get candy from the under ground mall!)
After everyones single adventures were done, we met up, and prepared to go inot Red Square for our first time. ( I haven't been yet because they were doing some construction.) and ... it was so beautiful! Full of cobble stone road ways, beautiful architexture, and of course, Lennons tomb, and St. Basils Cathedral!
It was so strange to be seeing this world class monumental building in real life, instead of just in pictures! However, sort of like going to Mount Rushmore, you should go to this cathedral knowing that its smaller than you would think it to be. But! it was still grand with all its colours, strange architecture and unique domes! ( i wasn't able to go inside this time, but soon!)
After exploring this beautiful sight, Janelle and I took them to our huge Mcdonalds, which they LOVED! and then we headed off to a Hockey game! This part of the day was rather fun as well. I'm not a big fan of Hockey, but its always fun to enjoy some sports once in a while. Even if you don't know any of the cheers, because their in Russian..haha. But, the wave is universal! So we did start that a couple of times. :)
Perhaps the strangest part of this event though, a part i just can't leave out, is the cheerleaders. It was appalling to say the least. and.. awkward. They just stand up on this platform in high heels, barely any clothing, and some pom pom's, and sway their hips. They don't cheer or anything! ... it was rather bothersome actually. I felt really bad for these women. Is this really what they dreamed about when they were little girls? Flaunting their bodies in front of grimey men? :/ It was disheartening.
But! on a brighter side, after the game our group wasn't ready to call it a night. So after stopping off on the street for some Blini (which is a thin pancake stuffed with nutella and banana!) we decided to head to Red Square again to see it at night.
..and this is where I fell in love with Russia.
As I walked past the Red brick walls, into the center of Red Square, my heart strings were pulled, and I foud myself fighting tears..
It. was. stunning.
It reminded me immediately of temple square at christmas. With the coble stone roads, the white christmas lights and the spot lights on St. Basils Cathedral..it was breath taking. In fact, it was so beautiful I may decide not to post any pictures, because I don't want to ruin your imaginations. Because in this case, like a camera, I know not even your imagination could do this spot justice.
Oh how I wish everyone I love could have been there. in that moment. Its something I will never forget.
there was a point in time, where i placed myself in the center of it all, closed my eyes, and stored that memory in the safest place in my mind. It is now one of my heavens.
So, although Russia is cold, half of its buildings are falling apart, the traffic is death, and the food tastes of concrete, its now worked a soft spot into my heart.
:)
hope all is well!
-Kiri.
