Back in the USSR, oh how lucky we are
From the very beginning, I thought coming to Russia was a bit of the mistake on our part. After all, the government does not make it easy for tourist to come into the country. From our bad experience with our Russian visa at the Consulate in Israel, I was coming to Moscow with unpleasant ideas in my head. My mind was boggled by the fact that we had to register ourselves to the Government if you stay in a city for more than 3-days. The reason, as I was told, is that they are trying to crack down on illegal immigration from former-USSR countries. It just makes it a pain in the ass for backpackers like us that are on a budget.
Well, it is not all bad. Moscow is quite impressive. One of the main things that I like as a "amateur historian" is that the governments that followed the Communist regime kept all of the glorious architecture of that era. We can still see the big Communist red stars and the hammer and sickle emblem carved on the façade of many buildings around the city. Also, if in the city make sure to check out the Metro station. Firstly, they are huge but most importantly they are a work of art in itself.
M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University
Like other tourists, we visited the main sites. It included the Red Square. It is really a big squrare with the most recognized building of Russia: Saint Basil's Cathedral. Most tourist usually mistake this building as the Kremlin. We did go into the Kremlin which has lots of churches to see, if you are into that. For me, you see 10 of them, you seem them all. A lot of the area of the Kremlin is out of reach to the tourist but I would really recommend that you buy the ticket to The Kremlin Armoury. This museum was quite impressive. They display some of the gifts that other nations gave Russia during its history and the best is that they provide FREE audio guides which helps a lot.
Saint Basil's Cathedral
We visited the Pushkin Museum. During the Communist era it was very expensive to send Art students to other European countries to enjoy their art so they decided to make replicas and put them in this museum to save on money.
Our family and host recommend us that we have to go to see a Russian Ballet. So we did. We enjoyed seeing Don Quixote. They did have some amazing performers. Rebecca loved it and even I didn't fall asleep.
July 2nd, 2009 - 11:57
How long are you in Russia? I had heard it was a challenge to enter the country and hadn’t considered it myself. But, I have also seen some beautiful pictures that would make anyone want to visit. Enjoy!
July 4th, 2009 - 07:18
Hey Jason,
Yes, getting some paperwork was a bit of challenge but it doesn’t have to be. If you get the visa from your native country it probably would of been easier. We couldn’t do that because the visa expires 3 months after you issue it so we had to find an alternative location to do it. They weren’t very nice to us but maybe it was our case.
So far, it has been worth the trouble. We only visited Moscow and St. Petersburg and they are beautiful cities. I bet there is so much more that Russia can offer.
If you have further questions, don’t hesitate in asking.
Cheers.
July 5th, 2009 - 09:37
Hey Gadi — digging the blog. I’m very interested in Russia. My wife and I are planning on taking the Trans-Siberian/Trans-Mongolian railway from Moscow to Ulan Bator and then on to Beijing. I’m very excited to stop along the way. I noticed that you guys have surfed almost a dozen couches. In the near future, could you please share with us some perspective via a blog entry on what that is like as a couple. My wife and I would like to try it, but we are somewhat hesitant and were wondering what the process is like for couples?
July 6th, 2009 - 11:07
Hey Daniel,
We will be adding a post about Courchsurfing very soon.
Cheers.