Thursday, August 2, 2007

Red Square Parade

Our apartment is centrally located on Tverslayn St leading down to the Kremlin. As we walked down this morning, we passed the statue of Yury Dolgoruky, considered to be the founder of Moscow. The buildings are from a grand era and set the scene for what was to come.

When we reached Manezhnaya Place, the Kremlin and St Basil's was an incredible sight.

First we went into the Kazan Cathredral. It is only tiny and located at the entrance to Red Square. The original was demolished as it impeded the flow of celebratory workers in May Day parades. We saw the 1993 replica.

Red Square is massive. It was closed off for a celebration for the Special Air Borne Forces (Commandoes). We managed to find a retired general (only one star) to talk to. The backdrop was St Basil's Church with its multi coloured "onion" domes. This is the best known landmark in Moscow. The Kremlin is closed each Thursday so we plan to return tomorrow.

When you think of the GUM store, images of queueing workers waiting to buy the scarce products, come to mind. This may have been true once but today it has fashionable shops selling the latest in designer goods. Our purchases? A pistachio ice cream each.

We walked down to the Moscow River and back before returning to the apartment for a very late lunch. We have heavy rain this afternoon so are taking it easy for a few hours.

1 comment:

theotherbear said...

St Basils Church, with onion domes? That sounds like a recipe I know...
And when I think of the GUM store, images of rows and rows of chewing gum come to my mine. I think you must be referring to something else though.