Landing

To those of you concerned, I didn't get sick on either of my plane rides. My first one was fairly uneventful, aside from sitting next to a guy who slept like a Lady Gaga wannabe, and my second, although being 9 hours long, was alright as well, except for the bad parenting/vegetarian screaming child located behind Shantel and I. I watched 3 movies, and all was well.

Thank God for Bjac and Andrew. When Shantel and I got out of our plane and waited a really long time for our luggage, getting to the hostel was a nightmare, even with help. Bjac and Andrew really helped us get through the metro and helped us carry our luggage through unpaved areas and shortcuts to arrive safely. The man working at our hostel is from Nevada, and this is a wonderful hostel-- free wifi and really clean and safe. And the man moved Andrew and Bjac into our room because we mentioned that we'd be staying here as a larger group tomorrow. When I got here, I was struck with how beautiful the city is. All big cities are dirty to some extent-- but Moscow is so green and colorful. It's unreal.

Money is really strange here because the exchange rate is so low-- I hope I get used to it soon. Today I bought a metro ticket, a peroshki, and a doner kebab. Doner kebab is a wonderful place I used to eat at in Spain, it's like the Beto's of Europe really, and they make gyros and the like. The peroshki I bought from a stand in a metro. Instead of picking out what you want and bringing it to the register here, you tell the attendant what you want and they get it out and bring it to you. It's different, but not horribly so. My peroshki was filled with cooked cabbage and really hit the spot, even though it's so hot here I don't feel like eating, but I am drinking a lot of water.

We walked around a short while, but because all of us are so tired we didn't stay out long.

Checking out a map.

Bolshoi Theater- One of the most historical theaters in Russia. They regularly perform many Russian ballets, like Swan Lake and it's considered to be the birthplace of true Russian ballet. 

Yep, my hero, Regina Spektor, will be here on July 15th. I almost cried when I saw the poster-- She has never come to Utah, and tickets are most likely expensive and I won't be here for her. 

Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Such a beautiful cathedral. We will most likely go back to get pictures when it isn't as overcast. Also, to go inside, because we weren't dressed appropriately enough today. Andrew had to dress like a skank and ruin it for everyone... ;) 

Monument to Peter the Great. 

On the bridge behind the cathedral we saw a bunch of padlocks. People lock them there to symbolize the lastingness of their love. 

I asked these guys to pose and act like they were looking thoughtfully at the cathedral, so they all shut up and actually looked thoughtfully at the cathedral. Reverse psychology?