My first impression: COLD! When I landed, it was about -27°C/-16°F, and yet the city was gorgeously decorated with Christmas trees, New Year’s decorations, and cheerful people everywhere.
Cold day in Red Square.
The following day, I met my Russian friend who’s originally from St. Petersburg and we went to the Christmas market on the Red Square. Then, we toured a recently declassified Soviet underground bunker, which was impressive!
To the bunker.
Despite the frost, I enjoyed Moscow’s many parks!For example, Zaryadye, Kolomenskoe. . . but Gorky Park was my favorite. I visited it 3 times. It’s so iconic!
The Tsar’s Palace in Kolomenskoye Park.
Briefly about how I got to Moscow: I left the United States on January 2 and arrived in Moscow on January 4. There were long layovers in Canada, Germany and Turkey. Since our cards (credit and debit) don’t work in Russia, I took US dollars and then exchanged them for rubles. I paid for the hotel on the spot. In total I spent about $1,000.
I would love to return to Moscow, preferably when it’s warm! Plus, exploring the Urals would be exciting.
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