Does Russia Have Wal-Mart? No, but I went to the next best thing. 021306

4 Metro Passes - 60 Rubles
Ismailovsky Market Fee - 10 Rubles
Exploring Moscow for 12 hours in Sub-zero weather - Priceless

So, today I finally pried myself from my hotel room and went out into the city. I got up early this morning to leave. I literally donned 7 layers of clothing in anticipation of the morbid cold and with the memories of my limbs going numb last time. As I entered the Metro this morning, I noticed two things that I found very interesting. First, outside, it was completely quiet. The trams were running, but there were no people. Inside the Metro however, it sounded like an aviary gone berserk. It makes sense though. Hey, if I were a bird in Moscow, I would definitely find my way into the Metro station. The Metros are heated. The birds aren't stupid… well, maybe they are for not migrating south. Dummies! But on that note, while I heard the birds this morning, I saw no bird droppings in the stations, nor did I hear them at all later in the day, once other people joined me on the metro. Secondly, whoever thought that marble for all of the Metro stairs and halls should be executed, if he hasn't been sent to Siberia already. There is nothing more slippery than worn marble when you add snow and dirt. I thought it was bad in the morning, but once the throngs of people joined me on the subway, it was more dangerous than Delaware driving in a Nor'easter. I will note though that the people were very cognizant not to knock over the babushkas carefully navigating the stairs.

Destination 1: Church. I had perused the internet last night and found the address and time. I also looked for any kind of directions. Some other expat had surely posted them in hopes of helping someone in the future, right? Wrong! I did however, know which Metro station. I had to change trains 2 times and then when I finally arrived at Metro Sokolniki, the street that I was looking for was nowhere to be found. Thankfully, after asking the fifth person I was pointed in the right direction. I walked for about 15 minutes. Finally, I asked another person, and there it was Strominski Pereulok! Yea! So, I walk down the street looking at the number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… okay, there is 6, where is the church sign?! I figure maybe it is on the other side. So, I walk all around the building. Great! Now, I am late. Finally, I go in the building. I ask the attended where is the Mormonski Tsirkov. Other side of the building, the brown door had a small gold plaque. I was late, but I was there.

So, I enter, change (heck, if I was wearing a skirt around in the cold), and sit next to a family that looked like they could have been from my ward in SB. I looked around and with a few exceptions, everyone was American, and it was packed. This could've been any branch in the US. The speaker was great. She was obviously very Utah. Her husband spoke next. Very nice people. Afterwards, I spoke with some of the people. I was amazed to learn that the majority did not speak Russian, even though they had lived in Russia for quite some time. Some had tried to learn but without much success.

Sunday school started. The teacher started into a DETAILED lineage of Noah. At this point, it was definitely time for destination 2- Ismailovsky Market. I snuck out and got changed. I hucked it back up to the subway. On the way there, I passed a park. Every Russian in Moscow must take their dogs to love this park. It looked like the Eukanuba Cup. I saw big dogs that looked like they should be in Russia--Saint Bernards, Bernese Mountain Dogs, etc, small dogs with sweaters, and then I saw it… a Rhodesian Ridgeback and before I knew it… I exclaimed, "Aa.. Eta Rhodesian Ridgeback." The lady was seriously surprised that I knew what it was. He was handsome. I wanted to slap the lady though… Dummy, that dog is from Africa. Get him a sweater. He's shivering!

So, I get on the next train. I'm on my way for some serious shopping. I'm looking for Ismailovsky Park… not Ismailovskaya which is the one after Ismailovsky Park. So, I'm watching my map and tracing my route, one of the subway stations is closed for renovations, so I get thrown off. Next thing I know I hear over the speaker in Russian, the next stop is Ismailovskaya. What?! They didn't say Ismailovsky Park when they just stopped. So, I talk to the lady next to me. She lectures me for using my map instead of listening. Apparently, they realized the confusion that two stations with the same name caused and changed the name of Ismailovsky Park to Partisanskaya. Great! Apparently, the makers of the Metro maps didn't get the notice. Anyway, I arrive at Ismailovskaya… It was different. I was definitely in the boondocks. Kind of scary. I won't go into detail. I figure it out and get to the market.

My dad was asking me the other night about where Russians shop. Well, welcome to the Russian equivalent of Wal-mart--Ismailovsky Market. It is an outdoor market. There are tons and tons of stands. They sell everything necessary for Russian life: coats, shoes, tea kettle covers, samovars, carpets, paintings, dish towels, nesting dolls, lacquer boxes, shoe inserts… I check everything out, bargain and get some cool stuff. I found a new section of the market this time that is all painters. It is great. I bought two paintings. Looking at them now, I should have foregone the oil and bought two of the watercolors. I walked around the market for hours. Finally, I give in and get some shashlick, hleb and applesinovski sok (kebabs, bread and orange juice) from the vendors in the market. (Note: I save some of my chicken and bread for the birds and the wild dogs that I see around Moscow.) Thankfully, they have a little dining room upstairs as it is becoming unbearably frigid. There I meet Louise and Sarah from Essex, UK.

Sarah is here on business (strangely she works for Chevron as well did the Branch President this morning… small world!). Louise has taken the chance to visit her friend in Russia. Neither speak Russian and are happy to have me to navigate. I am happy to have someone with which to speak English. They are also going on a subway tour so I join them. The subways of Moscow are amazing! They are known as the "Underground Palaces." They incorporate mosaics, stained glass, paintings, inlay work, stone work, etc. I will post pictures when I get my stupid camera cord. For now, I will add some examples to blog. We have a great time subway hopping (Destinations 3-7).

Finally, we hit a café (Destination 8) and chill for awhile. They have to catch a plane back to the UK. We bid adieu, and I meander over to Red Square (Destination 9). On my way over there I see that absolutely no progress has been made on Bolshoi Theatre since I was there in August. Can't rush the Russians! I see some neat ice sculptures near the entrance to Red Square. People have stuck ruble coins all over them… maybe this is a tribute to the artist?

Red Square is the same… just fewer international tourists and a lot more snow. (I chose a picture at night, no snow in this one though.) I attract some interesting looks as I go all around Red Square taking pictures with a paper doll. One Russian guy gives me a particularly hard look and drags his kid away. I try to explain in Russian.. It's for a school project… for kids! He gives me another hard looks and says, "I don't understand you" in Russian then starts cursing. Ahhh… Americans, we are hated everywhere. Apparently, kids don't have school projects in Russia. ;-)

Finally, I tire of this and make may way home (Final Destination-- 10) via the good ole Metro. I almost fall a few times and I've seen a few people who have. I'm happy to be home. I take a bath, talk to Claron and get ready for another fun filled day in Moscow.
After effects:
-My boots are destroyed. They are covered in gunk and since they are suede… too bad. My feet don't hurt though. =-)
-My abductors are killing. Who knew you use your abductors so much when trying not to kill yourself on slippery marble?
-I still have my half bread and chicken. Magically, I saw no more wild dogs or birds once I had food to offer! Weird.
-Half of my clothes are dirty as I wore them today!
-I'm exhausted!
'Night,
Amanda