My final day in Moscow, and Russia, we decided to take it easy, the action from the previous days having caught up with us. Vanya and I rousted late and had a slow breakfast. We then set out to the market that surrounded the nearby Metro stop, so I could pick up some gifts to bring home (cookies, chocolates, and some vodka. Sounds like a party). We also made one last stop at a bakery run by a couple of guys from Uzbekistan we had been frequenting, to get some of their delicious flat-bread for the next day's breakfast (I have to say..based on the baked goods, Uzbekistan might be worth a shout).
In the afternoon we met up with another Moscow-based friend of Vanya's. Stanislav (or Stas..and yes, same as Vanya's pops) is a highly-ranked practitioner of Wushu, a type of martial art. Built like a brick house, Stas looked a bit like Tom Cruise and dressed like a pimp. We met him at a nearby mall for some conversation over smoothies (very macho, I know). His English was pretty decent, and he was really curious about things in the states, particularly NYC. His girlfriend, a professional ballerina (an interesting cast of characters I collected there in Russia) showed up later on. She couldn't communicate with me, but provided an iPad to show us a sample of her performances, as well as a glimpse of Stas' exploits at competitions.
After parting ways with them we still had a bit of time left in the day. We kicked around the idea of trying to find a good, high location to look over the city, but the experience we had with Sixty dissuaded us. We decided to go back to Sparrow Hills. Our first time there was a bit rushed, and it was a nice evening, anyway. We made our way there and placed ourselves on the wall (the one we are photographed in front of earlier on, with the German dude in the biking gear), at first chatting while looking over Russia's capital city as the sun began to set, and then turning around to partake in some people watching. People were out in force to kick off the start of the weekend, and even a couple of bachelorette parties walked past to liven up the scenes a bit. The trip had taken place at such break-neck speed that I hadn't had a chance to do much people watching. So it was fitting that the final day there I could sit back with my good pal and watch Russian life take its course. Eventually we took a look at the time and figured we better make for the Metro. I had a flight to catch.
So, what to say? Russia is going to go down in Four Corners' lore as a momentous experience. Being with locals-having them show me their cities, experiencing their lives, eating what they eat, witnessing their outlets of entertainment, and watching their interactions with each other-was an entirely new experience for this traveler, and certainly one that I won't forget. I have made a number of attempts to make my thanks known to Vanya, Alice, Nika, Galina (his mother, in case I forgot to mention her name), and Stas, but I still feel it is all inadequate. I think Galina has earned special thanks...her culinary skills made this adventure the best in terms of food. Welcoming me with open arms into her come was about as much as a journeyman like myself can ask for. Their treatment of me and their kindness was a warm reminder of why I do what I do....traverse the globe, constantly in search of new experiences, new insights, and new friends. Without them I don't know if I could have added those pins on my map: Russia does feel like it has some way to come before it is a truly hospitable tourist environment. This of course is the product of language barriers, byzantine bureaucracy, and politics. The people, as the Rymars (geez, I don't know if I ever mentioned Vanya's surname) have shown, are certainly not the issue. Beyond helping me experience their country though, Vanya and co. nearly got me choked with their generosity and hospitality. I hope they know that they have a home, wherever I may find myself.
Look below for one last photo from the trip. Next up is Ireland in September. With luck, the internet situation will be more conducive to nightly updates. I hope to have you along then, but of course, be sure to look in at your leisure for anything else I can conjure up.
In the afternoon we met up with another Moscow-based friend of Vanya's. Stanislav (or Stas..and yes, same as Vanya's pops) is a highly-ranked practitioner of Wushu, a type of martial art. Built like a brick house, Stas looked a bit like Tom Cruise and dressed like a pimp. We met him at a nearby mall for some conversation over smoothies (very macho, I know). His English was pretty decent, and he was really curious about things in the states, particularly NYC. His girlfriend, a professional ballerina (an interesting cast of characters I collected there in Russia) showed up later on. She couldn't communicate with me, but provided an iPad to show us a sample of her performances, as well as a glimpse of Stas' exploits at competitions.
After parting ways with them we still had a bit of time left in the day. We kicked around the idea of trying to find a good, high location to look over the city, but the experience we had with Sixty dissuaded us. We decided to go back to Sparrow Hills. Our first time there was a bit rushed, and it was a nice evening, anyway. We made our way there and placed ourselves on the wall (the one we are photographed in front of earlier on, with the German dude in the biking gear), at first chatting while looking over Russia's capital city as the sun began to set, and then turning around to partake in some people watching. People were out in force to kick off the start of the weekend, and even a couple of bachelorette parties walked past to liven up the scenes a bit. The trip had taken place at such break-neck speed that I hadn't had a chance to do much people watching. So it was fitting that the final day there I could sit back with my good pal and watch Russian life take its course. Eventually we took a look at the time and figured we better make for the Metro. I had a flight to catch.
So, what to say? Russia is going to go down in Four Corners' lore as a momentous experience. Being with locals-having them show me their cities, experiencing their lives, eating what they eat, witnessing their outlets of entertainment, and watching their interactions with each other-was an entirely new experience for this traveler, and certainly one that I won't forget. I have made a number of attempts to make my thanks known to Vanya, Alice, Nika, Galina (his mother, in case I forgot to mention her name), and Stas, but I still feel it is all inadequate. I think Galina has earned special thanks...her culinary skills made this adventure the best in terms of food. Welcoming me with open arms into her come was about as much as a journeyman like myself can ask for. Their treatment of me and their kindness was a warm reminder of why I do what I do....traverse the globe, constantly in search of new experiences, new insights, and new friends. Without them I don't know if I could have added those pins on my map: Russia does feel like it has some way to come before it is a truly hospitable tourist environment. This of course is the product of language barriers, byzantine bureaucracy, and politics. The people, as the Rymars (geez, I don't know if I ever mentioned Vanya's surname) have shown, are certainly not the issue. Beyond helping me experience their country though, Vanya and co. nearly got me choked with their generosity and hospitality. I hope they know that they have a home, wherever I may find myself.
Look below for one last photo from the trip. Next up is Ireland in September. With luck, the internet situation will be more conducive to nightly updates. I hope to have you along then, but of course, be sure to look in at your leisure for anything else I can conjure up.
The sun sets on Moscow, and another adventure.
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