Moscow

Arrived yesterday evening on an Express train - wow, did not expect it to be so modern - spacious seats, audio entertainment, announcements in English included.  Glad to have taken the fast train but weirdly, it was far more difficult to pass the time than on the sleeper trains - no samovar, that's why... 

Splashed on a taxi to the hostel - the driver told me that his wife is Korean :) he showed me her photo - talked a bit about Korean food - I didn't get much of what he said though.. replied..da,da... 

The hostel is so much better than the one in Pieter - very central, 5 mins to Kremlin, but tucked away from main streets, brillant! and importantly, CLEAN! and no flies!! 

Room mate this time is a lady called Lara, Russian, grew up in Moscow but has been living in Mauritius for the last 20 years; she is considering moving back to Moscow; and finding it hard to come to terms with the changed (and not changed) Moscow. Also met Vladimir, here on business from Samara. Taking care of things here; Daria from Belarus..What an opportunity to practice Russian! Lara and I set out for a walk to see the city at night.
First thing's first; the leading symbol of Russia - St Basil's Cathedral!
Bumped into roommates from Pieter - what big but small world..
A jam-filled blini and kompot before setting off to bed..