"MOSCOW WHAT CAN I SAY??" a Moscow Travel Page by stevemt

What a city. I was suprised. I arrived at Domededevo airport, and got through customs, immigration etc, found my arranged transport, and left for the hotel.

Drove past Nuclear Power plants, highrise apartment blocks at a crazy speed but did get very safely to my destination. (Actually, not once did I have to hand over my vouchers for services is Russia, that kinda threw me.)

After arrival at the hotel, I encounted one of the things I had read about. - no customer service. Not one smile, (and I had traveled for like 19 hours) not very helpfull at all. But the hotel was ok, yes out of Moscow, but 5 mins walk from the metro which was soooo cheap and very frequent. But it was also right next to a huge market, both local stuff and (for a small entrance fee at times) tourist. The best place to get local street food which was so tasty and so cheap. Souviners there that sold at the hotel where far cheaper at the market. eg I bought a russian cookbook for 250 roubles at the market, nearly 600 at the hotel.

As I arrived at night, I went up to my room for a very welcome shower, and then went down to have a equably enjoyable beer at the bar. Again be aware, at the bar 80 roubles for a pint, for a medium bottle at a local store 15 roubles. take your pick.

next morning I got up and went to breakfast. And my eyes bugged out. The buffet was huge. about 15 types of cabbage based salads, cold meats, cheeses, hot meats, other hot dishes, boiled eggs, eggs any other way desired, porridge, blini, toast, rolls, croisants etc. and coffee and tea of course. And then to finish if you have not had enough, eclairs, meraings, cheese cake (yes the sour cherry was fantastic) and more. How the russians stay slim I have no idea.

I then proceded to go back to my room and lie down to digest this feast. I later took the Metro into the city to meet up with a group for a Moscow Bus tour, we saw so much, and the guide was a hoot, and so informitave. Many of the sites he pointed out I went back to privately later.

There is so much to see and do in Moscow. I was hampered by a bad knee which ended up requiring me to lie down on the bed from about 4pm most days so as I could go out the next, but thats life.

See my tips and enjoy. I really hope to get back there someday.