Trip to the Tourist Market & Red Square

The Tourist Market

Saturday 18th October we ventured further than our unit and THQ. I had finished my assignments for the semester so I had no exuse not to play tourist for the day. We hopped a train, changed from the pink line to the blue line (that means nothing to you I know) and ended up on the other side of the city at the tourist market. This is the place where you are supposed to find all those treasures that you take home and add to you dust specimens. It was an interesting place. It is built in a style that gives the impression it is old when it is not. On the lower level are all the tourist things - Russian dolls, fur hats with big red stars on them. As if I didn't stand out all ready, I was not buying one them even if they were reasonably priced. There were plenty of paintings and other arty things. I'm not cultured so there was no temptation there. I had heard that they sold belalikas here and that was of some interest. Here was a disappointment, sure they had them but they were ornamental, not what I was after.

Upstairs it was just like a trash and treasure stall. Some of the things looked like they had just been dug up from the tip and put on the floor. You could almost see the sign, "rare treasure, one owner, in the ground a hundred years". I guess with a bit of perserverence you may be able to find something. As I continued through the stalls I noticed a lot of military memorbilia, helmets, amunition, even an old machine gun. I could see the smile on the customs officer face now!!! In reality this market had everything and I mean in some stalls by themselves and yes overall as well. You will see a picture posted that is representative of a lot of the stalls. They really were a place where a bargain could be found and many things they sold could only be bought at this place.

In the afternoon we travelled on the train to Red Square. I guess you can't say that you have not been to Russia unless you have your picture taken in front of St.Basil's Cathedral. It is quite spectacular. No matter what time of the day or night you go there the place is busy. It is also popular with newly weds, who want to get that special picture. The brides always look spectacular in there flowing gowns. The wedding cars always seem to be a stretch something or other. I saw a stretched pink cadillac, and a stretched hummer. Flowers are the other thing that people seem to spend a lot of money on.

Red Square is one of those places, a bit like federation square in Melbourne, in that you never know what is going to be happening there when you visit. The day we visited the military were rehearsing for something or other. They had erected a big marque type building and had roped off a large section of the public area. The soldiers looked like they were getting final instructions on where to stand. Then without warning out trots a mounted soldiers and he starts to parade on his horse inside the barricaded area.

There is so much to see around this area. We spent an enjoyable afternoon walking around the wall, visiting the war memorial. We still didn't see everything. There are areas where you need to pay money, we will save that up until we have visitors. I think it will be more fun with others than just ourselves. We thought we would have a refreshment stop at the golden arches (yes they have that here too) but it was so busy we just couldn't get excited about waiting in line for that long. We had a quick look through one of the shopping malls, refused to pay 20rb for the use of the toilet, so we hopped on a train and went home.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog. If you do, leave your comments, who knows I might write another page some time. For now, all the best and say good'ay to a stranger. Look forward to connecting with you in blog land.

MoscowRon