"Moskovskie vechera" Moscow by mikey_e

Moscow Travel Guide: 4,007 reviews and 9,130 photos

Mike at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour - Moscow
Mike at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
An unexpected gift

To be honest, this trip to Moscow came out of left field and was totally and completely unexpected. I had thought I would travel somewhere in April or May, but I had always imagined that I would go somewhere like Barcelona or Vienna or Rome. Somewhere I had been to already, that I enjoyed, that wasn't all that exotic. Then, at the end of March, my supervisor told me that we would be attending a conference in Moscow. Ok! Of course, the trip ended up being rather hectic, not least because it was arranged rather quickly, it had to conform to the needs of the conference and because my supervisor was more concerned about the need for aeroplan points than anything else. Nevertheless, I had about 5 days in Moscow and they were quite a lot of fun. The city is an incredible metropolis like no other place I've ever been to, and all my pre-conceptions about crime, hostility to foreigners or expense were way, way off from the reality of Russia's capital.

Welcoming city
Maybe I blend in a bit... - Moscow

Maybe I blend in a bit...

Perhaps my experience was a bit different from that of the average Western traveller visiting Moscow. I speak Russian (fairly well, I found out, despite my insistence that it was really quite rudimentary), and I found that that helped immensely in dealing with the locals. My travelling partner was another member of the Research Group (management travelled separately) who spoke no Russian. Granted that his people skills are much equivalent to the standard academic touch that drives so many students out of graduate school, he nevertheless demonstrated that, without a word of Russian, you get treated pretty badly by shopkeepers. The opposite was the case with me, and people on the street, in stores, in the metro, just about everywhere, were more than helpful and friendly when I tried out communicating in Russian. All in all, I found Moscovites to be a very warm and hearty people, which helped me come away with a very positive view of the city.

The best of just about everywhere
Nothing like tombs to brighten the day - Moscow

Nothing like tombs to brighten the day

For a city that, up until about 20 years, was the capital of conformity and central planning, Moscow demonstrates and incredible amount of diversity and originality. The centre of the city, of course, has its share of historic buildings of every period and era, and Moscovites are quite fond of putting up plaques explaining the historic or cultural significance of a specific place. The building boom has also transformed the city, and the number of modern buildings, some bizarre and some in harmony with the surrounding structures, is impressive. But the diversity that Moscow offers goes far beyond architecture and cultural offerings. The capital city has an amazing wealth of foreign communities, and it is not uncommon to pass, while walking down the street, people from all the areas of the former Soviet Union, as well as immigrants and ex-pats from everywhere else. Moscow has dozens of wonderful restaurants featuring cuisines you're unlikely to ever try in North America or Western Europe: Georgian, Uzbek, Tatar, Daghestani, Azeri, Moldovan, and, of course, traditional Russian. Moscow can really open your eyes to the wider world!

  • Last visit to Moscow: May 2008
  • Intro Written Jun 6, 2008
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Reviews (34)

Decrepit building in Tverskaya - Moscow Tverskaya Off The Beaten Path (7)

I know, I know, I already have a tip on Tverskaya Street, but I felt that I had to add this extra tip because I was so... more travel advice

The pink pearl of Tverskaya - Moscow Mayor's Residence Things to Do (23)

The Mayor's Residence, a stately pink building with exquisite black and gold gates, was originally built in the late... more travel advice

Yuriy Dolgorukiy - Moscow Monument to Yuriy Dolgorukiy Things to Do (23)

Yuriy Dolgorukiy (Longarms) or George I was a Grand Prince of Kiev during the early part of the 12th century, and he was... more travel advice

Biblioteka imeni Lenina - Moscow Biblioteka imeni Lenina Things to Do (23)

The Russian State Library, or Biblioteka imeni Lenina (Lenin's Library) is a huge tribute to Russia's obsession with... more travel advice

Comments (3)

  • Reply
    Odiseya's Profile Photo
    Nov 25, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    Interested and helpful page. I just looking for inspiration to finish my Moscow page and it could be it. Thank you for sharing your travel experience with us.

  • Reply
    elpariente's Profile Photo
    Apr 30, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Good photos and very interesting tips You got "fuego" on them Gracias """

  • Reply
    jcarolj's Profile Photo
    Apr 24, 2009 at 9:24 PM

    In fact, Chistie prudi means pure ponds. All sorts of esoteric folks think that places around can make you feel depressed or even sick due to its past

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