Москва, Россия / Moscow, Russia (11/23/2014 - 11/26/2014)

Russia - a country that evokes strong emotions and even stronger opinions, depending whom you ask. Growing up in the Cold War era, and our family having fled communist rule in another Eastern European country, a certain bias existed of Russia being this far off, inaccessible and harsh place.  At the same time I couldn't deny that Russia was part of my heritage (both cultural and ethnic) and a place I longed to visit. This is one reason I've left this to be my 50th country visited.

Thankfully, the Russia of today is certainly not the Russia (or USSR) of yesteryear and I was surprised at how modern it had become, and how nice the people were - stark contrasts to what we've been told over the years.  I also gained a deeper appreciation for the richness in culture and history of this country, despite considering themselves a 'young' nation at only 800 years old.

I never thought I would be walking unescorted in the Kremlin Armoury, looking at treasures and relics from around the world, in the citadel within a city that the largest country in the world (and still the largest nuclear power) is governed.

I also never expected to have people to visit in Moscow as well, and was delighted to see several good friends, and make some new ones as well. Thank you for showing me around and making me feel welcome.

All in all, I fell in love with this city, and country, and will certainly return again.

There are many photos in this post, so rather than chronological order, I'll present by theme.

Gorky Park:

Red Square / Kremlin:

 Landmarks / Daily Life:

Moscow Metro:

Eating: