"Mental Moscow" Moscow by littlebush

I've now been Moscow 9 times.
The first time i visited Moscow for 5 days in October 2007. I was there for the England v Russia football match but wanted to tag on a few extra days after the game to explore the city because I'd always wanted to go there.
The first few days were a little uneasy, as there had been some trouble with the football supporters, and it took time to understand the metro and navigating the city.
After that though I loved it, mainly because of the nightlife.
I was with my brother and a friend and we met us with some other lads, and after we'd seen the main sights didnt do too much in the day, but we partied hard at night, and this place really does not sleep, it puts London to shame. We could find a bar or club open at time and we could even have a meal at 2am, which you'd never get at home.

My second visit was December 2007 and i loved it again. Winter is an intersting time to go as its so cold! although i was lucky, it was only minus 4, whereas as i write this now in early January, its minus 20!
It still had a few feet of snow!
I loved the nightlife again and the fact that the city stays open ALL night!

My third visit was February 2008, i rented an apartment in a pretty crap suburb and didnt enjoy it so much, i went for something to eat in a cool restaurant which i cant remember the name of!

The fourth time was October 2008, i stayed for 3 nights and stayed centrally at Godzillas hostel. Had a great time and met some great russians!

My fifth time was in April 2010 and this time i escaped the city to go to Suzdal, the old capital which was beautiful and so quiet, a million miles from the fast pace of moscow but i also spent 4 nights in moscow, stayin the suburbs for 2 nights to see how people really live and 2 nights in 2 different hostels in the city centre.

6th time i visited a Dacha, a country house outside of Moscow

7th time just chilled out with girlfriend as it was a heatwave, almost 40 degrees!

8th time, went to Sergiev Posad for the day, nothing great but a nice monastary.

9th time was Xmas 2010 (thats UK Xmas not Russian, which is 7th Jan) - didnt do too much as was so cold and icy, just the usual, a few bars and restaurants.

it really is a difficult city to understand but each time i go i feel i understand it more - it can be a rewarding city but then sometimes a frustrating and annoying city but that just adds to the whole experience. having russian contacts there certainly helps!

My third visit was in Feb 2008, luckily the weather was ok, only just about freezing, i seem to just miss the minus 19 as it was a few days earlier.
This time i again rented an apartment, and ate out, but didnt do too much.
Stayed in a poorer area away from the city and realised how different it is from uk.