3.22.14 Travel Log Moscow, Russia

I am sorry for not writing sooner. I have traveled to seven countries since December with a quick week or two in between visits. This is the first weekend I have “visited” Moscow for three months. I can say I was excited to visit a city I actually live in! All I know is spring is coming. I am not holding it back!

Today was my church visiting day. I think it made up for the fact I haven’t visited many churches along my travels. I passed one not entering the white washed building. I passed another one seeming to be the center of a “revitalization” block. Old buildings speaking of years of living haphazardly leaning this way and that. The church, once grand, stood asking for its revitalization. I entered through the side to see three boys emerging with their foam “swords” ready to “do battle”. I walked towards them to pass when they finally realized I was there. They let me pass. I entered the building to see the budding greenhouse on the stairs leading to the main chamber. Time for the next church.

Before that, I had to enjoy the walk among the Russians who finally felt warmth. People looked towards the sky longing for the sun. People sat on benches talking freely where cold surrounded them in that same place not long before. I walked among their joy with nature. Loved every second of it.

Leading me to Martha and Mary Convent leading me to the Art Nouveau Intercession Church housed within its confines. I have seen so many deep dark depictions within churches but this one beat it with its welcoming feminine touch breathing in nature and calmness. The swirling paintings depicting the sainted nun in ethereal themes warmed the church even more. Peace.

If ever there was the intensity to offset the peace it was the Church of St. Gregory. The bright intense colors called out to me as I moved closer pulling me in even deeper. Intense orange…intense aquamarine…intense swirling. Painted tiles. Swirling patterns.

My hunger beat out the thought of visiting even more churches. The pastry shop offered me the choice of trying a chocolate filled donut. Closing my eyes hoping it would taste like dunkin donuts. NO. I ate it compensating the hunger in my stomach. Tea at the next place helped settle my stomach. The young girl behind the counter proudly practiced her English only to face confusion at which tea I wanted. All of a sudden she smiled, turned, grabbed tea containers, and brought them to the counter. She opened each container for me to smell. This one ok. That one horrible. Finally I found a good one. I settled in for a nice drink and relaxation.

But not for long. I had places to visit. I meandered to the Muzeon sculpture garden. I last visited when in Moscow during 2011. It has changed A LOT since then. Once by itself, it is now part of a larger park. Where I once explored from one lost statute to another, I now saw them arranged in order. I missed the place I visited long ago for this “modern” setting.

On one edge I walked towards a large building. Seeing minivans with balloons and people I paid the $10 fee to enter…only to realize I entered a real estate sales bazaar. I laughed out loud to see I turned into a perspective home owner! Booths with nice building mock-ups intertwined with bankers vying to process loans intertwined with people who didn’t know what they were doing. The walking bumble bee handing out free honey made it even more hilarious. The $10 was worth it! My visit to the museum next door with its quiet atmosphere.

Finally, I walked along the waterway with lots of people. We passed artists selling their wares. We passed the Russian shuttle that never took off. We passed the pond covered with ice melting away. Luckily, I made it home soon thereafter and rest for my feet!

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3.22.14 Travel Log Moscow, Russia

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