6 more days until "Gotcha Day"

We are counting the days down until we can pick up our little guy. Today we are just relaxing around the apartment. The weather has gotten a little cooler, but little rain. Next week has the possibility of some snow and ice. It is partly sunny almost everyday. We did a lot of walking in last couple of days. I do not know how the Russian women walk in high heels all day. We seem to stick to the Italian restaurants. It is our safest bet.


The near by subway (Metro) we ride every day to Red Square it takes about 25min at cost of .65 a ride. Other subway lines were dug so deep so that the German bombers could not affect them. We plan on one day just visiting the Metro stations as some are decorated like museums! The crowds at the subway are orderly and polite. Nothing like New York!


Moscow itself is very pretty city with an ancient history. We have a new and lasting understanding of the history of this beautiful place. The Russian people themselves have been very helpful to these dumb sounding American tourists! The city is very clean, people use trash cans and ash trays (much smoking!.)


The Russian made cars, Lada are not seen to often as Russians prefer American and European made cars. BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Hummer, Cadillac (and Chevrolet! and Fords!) are the cars seen here. Traffic sucks in and around Moscow. The roads out side of Moscow are not very good.

I really have to comment on some of the Russian women here. They are stunning and dress to the nines everyday. The tight pants or form fitting skirts, the make up, hair, shoes and bags. Even the mothers pushing their babies are all decked out. I keep pointing them out to Patrick, thinking he is not noticing, but he is.


One of our highlights this week was the Moscow Kremlin Museum. The Armoury Chamber. I would highly recommend this tour. It was a self guided tour. You could pick up a phone like device in any language you requested and walk around to each display and get a brief description of some of the items on display.


Some of these displays date back to the 12th century. Some of the exhibits were the Faberge Eggs, and Crown of Monomakh which was used in royal coronations until 1682. Catherine the Great Coronation Dress, it was made for her in 1762. I also thought the carriages and sled collection were beautiful and amazing to see up close. They were so massive in size. It must of been something to ride in one so long ago. Some of them were gifts to Catherine the Great.


All the jewels, silver and gold and the place settings used by the Russian princes and tsars over many centuries was something to see. We were in the Museum for a few hours, there was so much history and so much to see. This whole tour was a great interest to me. I am sure I will see nothing like it again! We could not take any pictures inside. But here are a few photos from outside the Kremlin:

The Tomb of the unknown Soldier from Second World War.

War hero