"Greetings from Mother Russia!" a Moscow Travel Page by saccharinicity

"Anyone who dares to try to tame Moscow...will take a shot to the head."

MADNESS IN MOSCOW: THE MOVIE


Magnificent Moscow. The words I try to type here to express my amazement and thanks to this city seem dull in comparison to how magical I really found it. It was more than I ever could have hoped for and far exceeded my expectations. The beautiful and majestic buildings, the Russian hospitality, the young, serious soldiers patroling the streets in their big boots, long fitted coats and fur hats - it was an amazing world. Moscow is definitely not for everyone...but it was certainly for me.

Russia has been on my "list" for years now. It turned into my 30th birthday goal and present. Growing up during the Cold War, I think, left an impression of me. When I was little, there was not a more "terrifying", "intimidating" and "evil" place in the world. This always intruigued me and I wanted to see it for myself as I am well past the age of learning not to always trust your government as the word of god.

Russia. My friends and family could not imagine it. Even in my own mind I always somehow felt that it was too intimidating, too huge. This was my ultimate trip, and now that I have done it, I want to go back and explore even more.

My dream: To set foot on Russian soil, to stand in the Red Square and set my own eyes onto St. Basil's Cathedral. This experience seemed too unreal...
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Moscow affected me greatly. It is a strong, gritty and abrasive city, but well-deserved compared to many North American cities I have been in. The beauty I found in both the old, majestic buildings and cathdrals, and in the people who call this city home.

Coming from America, and being a first-timer in Russia, I was amazed at everything I saw, but the most beautiful impression came from the people. I will forever remember a ride on the metro. A man with his sleeping child in his arms, begging for help, almost in tears. One by one, people lined up to give this man what they had, and the first person in line was a young male teen who came from the opposite end of the train.

I watched as old women in the metro stations stood silently in the corner and young men in their 20's walked up with a handful of rubles and whispered something into their ears. The first time I saw this I was pleasantly surprised, the second time I saw this made me think and the third time, well, the third time just made me realize how caring these people are. I thought back to home, where people for the most part pretend not to see those who are hungry and begging. People divert their eyes on the subway when someone asks for money, even though we have more than enough to share. Here they share with all, no matter how little they have.

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I thought back to home. I thought about how much consumerism is such a part of our lives. How ads assault you everywhere you go, how flashing our new shiny gadgets and always having the best is almost a way of life. I didn't even fully realize the differences until I was going back home. Getting back on board the plane, I was surrounded by people with their personal DVD players, their ipods, their Gameboys. Teens smacking their gum and shouting for attention. I wanted to stay in Moscow.

The people and city of Moscow seemed to be tough and abrasive on the surface, but an obvious underlying connection binds them. They are not a spoiled people, but they are proud and strong, and rightfully so. I found it to be a beautiful city, simply for that reason.

I think we can learn a lot from them. I cannot wait to return.
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