Moscow's Finest.......

Arrived yesterday into Moscow at 6am on the train. Not a great sleep but enough to get me going. Decided I had lots of time so I was going to walk to the hostel. Thought I had it figured out from what maps I had seen. Got about 2 blocks and it started to pour rain. Got under cover at a Hilton and waited out the storm. Just happened to ask a doorman if I was headed in the right direction and he corrected me a little. Good thing for rain sometimes. Weather was clearing up so I headed out again. Managed to meander my way around. Got a little help on the way and found the hostel by 8am. Couldn't check in until 2pm so I spent the morning chatting with lots of different people. Had a great morning of meeting new people and learning about my

trip to come across Russia. Decided to head down to pick up my Trans Siberian Rail tickets, so I headed to the metro to see if I could find this place. It turned out to be quite easy and I got my tickets. Came back to the hostel and wasted the afternoon getting checked in and chatting with more people. Ended up going for supper with 3 Dutch, 1 German, and an Aussie. What started as dinner ended up as a few beer and an arrival back at the hostel by 2am. What a great day that has left me with optimism for future days. Aussie girl wanted to go to the Kremlin with me so we headed out at 10am to go the Red Square and the Kremlin. Had to wait an hour and half in line for

tickets. Crazy busy with lots of people and a beautiful sunny day. Finally got into the Kremlin and toured the Armory as well as the many churches they have. The Armory had the biggest collection of valuable artifacts that rivals the Vatican. What an amazing breathtaking collection. Started to take pictures but was sternly warned to desist. Spent some time in the Red Square watching a funeral ceremony and military exhibition. Seems to be lots of those. Headed back around 5pm to the hostel. Stopped for a plate of pasta and a beer before arriving back at 7pm. Long day but very satisfying and fun. Have yet to figure out tomorrow but there is still lots to see. Need to do laundry at some point as well.