Night Cruise on the Moscow River

This is a boat sort of like the one we were riding on.  The part inside was a restaurant and we could not go inside unless we checked our coats and hats.  So then if we wanted to go out and look at something or take pictures, we had to go get our coats from the coat check and then we had passed the thing we wanted to take pictures of.  Boo.  So, we stayed outside for most of the ride and then once we turned around to go back, we went inside.

Since there was no where to sit down, we layed down on a slanty part of the boat.  This was quite distressing to the other guests on the boat.  I'm certain we have all gone sterile.  

This was our launching spot.  It is one of the 7 sisters and is the Radisson hotel.  Directly across the river is the Russian White house.  This is not where Putin lives, it is where most of the government offices are housed.  To the right of the White House and left of the other tall building with a pink stripe down the side, is the US embassy.  You can see it, it is short, with no lights on and half of it is hidden by the right end of the White House.  

This is the Kremlin, the building on the left.  Thi is where Putin works, the other buildings are churches and museums.  People can go in and tour the grounds and churches and even go in parts of the Kremlin.   

St. Basil's

The Kremlin is on the left side of Red Square.  St. Basil's is in Red Square.

The crazy lit up building is the outlining of the GUM (super fancy mall).  They do this in the winter and it looks very festive.  

 

Moscow University, also one of the 7 sisters.

This is a very modern part of Moscow.  It has all you could want all in one spot.  You could live, work, shop, etc. etc... without ever leaving the same building.  Doesn't that sound fun???!!  (The tour of the fire station we went to, was located in Moscow City.)

Pano

 

Красный октябрь (Red October) chocolate factory.  Delicious and beautiful!!

Scout troop 500

Scout troop 500 Moscow, Russia

Originally we had decided to do Lone Scouting with the boys while we were here but, since I have been working, we have had to make some changes on our time restraints.  This was something that we felt like could help us out on freeing up some of our time.  

The meetings take place at the school.

Look at all the things Seth has earned!!  

Optical Illusion Museum

The boys and I had the week off of school, cause why wouldn't we?  So, we tried to go to a mirror maze but, it turns out it is inappropriate for anyone under 18 (and 43 for that matter!  The only entrance was through a store that sold things that I can't even imagine what they are used for...) The clerk pointed me in the direction of the optical illusions, this was a MUCH better choice.  

Nosppej Day 2014

We started out the day at 9:30 on a Friday.  We were all able to get off work and out of school.  Hooray!  Sadly, Fridays are known as "Dacha Day".  This is when everyone leaves the city for the weekend and goes to their dachas (cabins).  I foolishly thought that leaving in the morning would keep us out of dacha traffic.  I was wrong!  What should have taken us 3 1/2 hours ended up taking 9!  So, after 2 hours in the car, and still not out of Moscow yet, we pulled over for some lunch at KFC.  

This is a cool overpass that got us from one side of the street to the other.

I find it funny that they have a no rollerblading, eating, pictures, and beer.  Also, they have a separate sticker for ice cream cause, that is different than eating...  So, with all of these things that we are not allowed to do in this restaurant, I have to ask, what are we allowed to do in there???

And even though there was a sticker telling me not to take any pictures, I did anyway...

Our actual destination is a town named Suzdal.  It is known for all of it's temples/churches and architecture.  

This church came at about hour 7, in the town of Vladimir.  It is the oldest standing, working Russian Orthodox church in Russia.  It is amazingly beautiful and intricate.  It was built in the 11th century.  There is a replica of this church in Washington DC, which we also visited.  

  We finally made it to our destination!  This is the adorable house we stayed in.  A man, his wife, and his daughter rent out most of their house to visitors.  We stayed in two adjoining rooms and in another room, there was a husband, wife, and their grown daughter from Korea.  We all shared the bathroom and the lovely hostess cooked us breakfast in the morning.  

 The house consisted of three pieces of art.  Bwahahahaha!

Our amazing breakfast of blinis and cucumbers!

This is the backyard.  Of course we had to get a tour.  It was amazing as well!!

Hands down, the biggest head of cabbage I have ever seen!!  

This is a working women's monastery.  I had a hard time understanding what it is exactly they do here.  So, of course, we googled what you do when you live at monastery or a convent.  It all boils down to doing good for the community and lots of study of religious stuff and prayer.    

Housing

Abandon building at the monastery.  I couldn't help but wonder who had walked where I was walking and what thier lives were like.  I felt as if I were trespassing.

The ever present Russian koshka (cat). 

Wouldn't you love to hear the stories this lady could tell?!

Wooden Church

In America, people take lots of selfies.  In Russia, people take lots of glamour shots.  I saw a flower and had to have my glamour shot too.

The beauty and sadness and hard work and harshness of this country moves me!  One day, God will make it all as it should be!