Friday, February 9, 2006

OK, the jet lag thing has to go. I woke up this morning at 4:30am and couldn't go back to sleep. Steve of course is out like a light and again, snoring like crazy. I decide to get on the computer and again, update this blog.

We hang around the room for awhile and decide to head out a little later. We got online and saw that the weather for the day is supposed to be -8 F. OK, that's now not celcius! hello! We grab some breakfast in the lobby, get about 10 layers of clothes on and walk down to Red Square. It's not so bad. We walk by a sign that states it's only -11 C. Not as cold as we thought. It's about a mile walk down to Red Square. We are pretty dry and warm as we walk. Moscow has some crazy streets and people just don't cross them so they have undergroud walkways. They are heated so it gives a chance to get some warmth as we walk.

We get down to Red Square and there are some vendors with tables selling stuff. I had told Steve long before we came that he had to get one of those big black fluffy hats. We find a guy selling them and I have Steve try one on. I want him to try this other one and the guys says to me in English, "um, excuse me ma'am, but that is a woman's hat." At this point, I am laughing my ass off. Steve of course just gives me another one of "those looks" but the guy goes back and we find a hat that fits him. He soooo doesn't want me to post this picture. He says it's too big meaning too tall. I have pointed out many other large hats like that. I have to tell you, fur is VERY popular here. All the woman are walking around in full length fur coats and hats. They are very stylish here. Boots are really popular too.

I had read that woman are pretty dressed up but I am impressed especially since it's as cold as it is and to have high heel fashion boots on.

We walk around Red Square and pay our 200 rubles to walk through St. Basil's Cathedral. We come out of there and I tell Steve that I think the building across the street is the GUM. I knew it was shopping but get out of town (salga de la cuidad!). It's the rodeo drive of Moscow. VERY expensive shopping. I walked into a kids store hoping to find some warm clothes and found a little jacket for $160. I turned to Steve and asked where Target was! This place is huge. 3 stories high and 3 isles wide of high priced clothing and other stuff. I walked into a fur shop and was going to just try on a fur coat. Expensive. Tried on a shawl and asked Steve how much 27,000 rubles was. He said about 1000K. I quickly put it down!

We decided it was time to leave and get some lunch. We were both looking for a bathroom and couldn't find one. On our way out, I see the sign. No problem. We have to pay. We get our 16 rubles paid and go in. In the ladies room, you grab the TP before you go into the stall. I am all bundled up and walk into the stall. It's a hole in the ground that flushes. Here is a picture.

This is sort of like peeing in the woods but it won't get on your shoes. well, i guess if you're careful it won't. Kim, do you remember the time in Italy with one of these things and you pee'd on yourself? I must be getting punchy again.

OK, so we start to walk back to find something to eat and decide to walk into the gated part of the Kremlin. We are just in time to watch the changing of the guards in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It's pretty cool. It is starting to snow but it feels as if it has warmed up a bit. We head to Sbarro to get some pizza for lunch. After lunch we head back to the hotel. It is now really snowing and a little windy. I am glad when we get back to the room. I am able to get the kids' medical info typed up and sent off to the doctor and I also slip in a nap. Tomorrow is our last day in Moscow for hopefully another month. I am really missing the kids and just want to take them home with us. It has been a long road here and I just would really like to sprint to the finish line. In all good time. Hopefully the next month will go by quickly.

Here are some photos of Red Square and the GUM: