Tour de Moscow

We were recently joined in Moscow for a week by our friend Tyson who is working in Romania for the summer. It was truly surreal to be hanging out like old times – enjoying lingering meals and watching ‘Lost’ or ‘YouTube’– yet to look out the window and see a Russian flag against a midnight sunset!

Jerel was unfortunately very busy with his real-world obligations so I had the pleasure of touring Moscow with Tyson. The long summer days allowed us to take in many sights - both ‘old’ favourites and new territory. Highlights include:

• Red Square – This must-see site is much more vibrant and beautiful than I had expected; flanked on one side by the Kremlin’s magnificent towers, and home to the fairytalesque St. Basil’s Cathedral as well as Lenin’s Mausoleum (which I have yet to enter).
• GUM – Bordering Red Square, this site has evolved from an informal trading market in the XVth century to the grandest mall I’ve ever seen. Tyson and I took refuge here during one of the many recent thunderstorms.
  
• Novodevichy Convent – This UNESCO World Heritage site provides a glimpse into the life of a Tsar’s discarded wife! The convent is still active (after a long hiatus) and is a peaceful and picturesque place to visit, set on a pond and built in the Baroque style.
  
• Moscow State University – Although we didn’t make it inside the university itself (I was literally stiff-armed at the security check!), we enjoyed strolling the expansive grounds and admiring the majestic main building, which is the tallest of the ‘Seven Sisters’ – a collection of Gothic/Baroque style skyscrapers commissioned by Stalin that are sprinkled around the city).
  
• Tretyakov Art Gallery – This gallery houses the best collection of art from Russian artists and spans the XI –XX centuries. Despite my artistic ignorance I was able to appreciate the artistic evolution and get to know a few Russian masters.
  
• Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts – Tyson and I were blown away by this surprisingly quiet gallery which houses an astounding collection of IX-XX century European art (questionably acquired) and is especially rich in impressionist works including famous pieces by Cezanne, Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse, Picasso and more as well as sculptures from Rodin and others.
  

The list goes on thanks to an action-packed weekend but I’ll save that for another entry as I’m afraid I’ve lost most of my readers with this lengthy one!

Tyson is an avid photographer so feel free to check out his page for an impressive selection of Moscow photos (click here).