Russia, Day 10

 

 

 

Day Ten 

 

This morning was our second time seeing Jon.  Again, we met him at Pushkin Square, at the same spot as before.  The three of us jumped on Trolley 15 and headed west.  We got a great chance to view the parks and walking paths along the Boulevard Ring.  Jon pointed out a park statue that was recently put up in memory of famous Russian writer.  As we rode alongside the boulevard ring, I noticed a couple of young army guys sitting a few seats in front of us.  One of them threw some paper out the window and I pointed it out to Kade – it was that unusual.  He was sitting a few rows in front of me.  Well, he turned around and started staring at us.  We pretended not to notice, mainly just to make sure we avoided trouble of any kind.  One guy then walked back and started talking to John.  I thought there was going to be problem.  Fortunately, within a couple of minutes, they were talking as if they were best friends.  The guy spoke English and - I can only guess - made out part of my comment about him.  Oops!  Jon talked with him about the army, differences between London and Moscow and what the three of us were doing that day.  Soon, the homesick Army lad got off the trolley and we continued on.  Our destination was the Novodivichy Convent and Cemetery.   

The cemetery is the most famous burial spot in all of Moscow – well, maybe besides the plots near the Kremlin wall.  Novodivichy was very unique.  We walked the grounds on a rainy, dreary day, looking at the convent and religious buildings.  The convent was a spot where the Czars would dump their disgruntled wives and mistresses. We went inside an interesting chapel and saw an Orthodox service.  We then walked outside the walled entrance and through another gate.  We were now at the cemetery.  Without a map or anything, we walked the paved pathways, in-between the most unique and interesting tombstones and grave markers.  It was very common to see busts of the deceased or, at a minimum, an etching of the person’s face on the tombstone.  We located some very famous burial spots:  Krushev’s grave and Stalin’s first wife’s grave are two examples. 

We left the cemetery and started walking.  Jon seemed full of energy as was willing to walk even without a real idea of where we were going.  Perhaps we looking for a bus stop or a quick bite to eat.  We were definitely at his mercy, albeit having a fun time with him.  On the negative side, our legs were extremely sore.  And, at this point in our trip, we were regretting going “all out” the first few days.  We were now feeling the consequences.  If it had been extremely hot this day, we would have been very miserable.  Jon helped us spot a nice Bavarian restaurant.  It was a great, great “food experience” and we ate till we were content.  I will acknowledge that part of me just wanted to sit for hours.  We ate goulash, Bavarian sausages and some ice cream.  I think I even had a latte.  I was very impressed by the hostess, who seemed very alert and attentive to her customers’ needs.  I also noticed very well-dressed younger people having meals together.  They could have fit in anywhere:  New York, Atlanta, etc.. 

After a wonderful meal and good conversation, we got up and went outside in search of a trolley that would take us back to Pushkin Square.  We found what we were looking for.  Again, on the trolley, we took note of the nice views of the city’s parks, walking paths and buildings.  What a break this was from taking the metro.  At Pushkin Square, we got on another trolley with Jon and proceeded to go further north on Tverskaya, Moscow’s main drag.  And, we saw more and more of this wide and long commercial thoroughfare.   

Eventually, following Jon’s advice, we got off the trolley and walked a bit. Then, Jon was going to take us back the same way.  Apparently, though, we had gotten quite far from a trolley stop.  Plus, Jon didn’t know for sure which one to take.  At this time, rain started really coming down and we aching to be back at the room.  After at least an hour of confusion, somehow, someway, we got on a trolley and went back down Tverskaya.  Boy, I wanted to be in my bed!   

We took the metro back to our stop.  For some reason – it must have been a wild hair! – We decided we’d go to the circus near our hostel.  We got tickets at about $25 apiece.  Then, we went over to the bakery/cafe that we had grown to love.  We ate a nice meal and hung around until it was time for the circus. 

The circus was, as you’d expect, very entertaining.  In some ways it was better than the Moscow State Circus.  There were more animal acts.  There were some high-wire acts that truly were breath-taking.  The circus finale was the Tiger show.  Impressive!  When it was over, it was a “short” walk home.