Moscow – quick impressions so far
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1) It’s so HOT and smokey here! Over 100 degrees Fahrenheit each day. Tomorrow is supposed to be 103. This is unusual and has touched off wildfires that have filled the air with smoke. Some folks have taken to wearing surgical masks to prevent breathing in too much smoke. We actually spent yesterday at the beach (a man-made lake). Who would have thought we would spend a day at the beach in Moscow, but it was a great relief from the heat. At home I said that I couldn’t wait to be rid of the over-air conditioned stores (I hate freezing in the middle of summer at the grocery store), but what I wouldn’t give for some over air conditioning now. Here, even the mall is not air conditioned, places that are, are just somewhat cooler…there is no danger of over-air conditioning for sure!
2) Everyone has been really helpful, especially at the hostel - so far, we really love hostel life. It is casual and there are friendly people from all over the world and kitchen facilities so we can eat when it is convenient and for much less money than eating out. We went in on a BBQ last night, which was a lot of fun. Not exactly what we would have at a BBQ at home, one chicken wing, some grape juice, a hot dog without a bun and some wilted lettuce 
but still great.
3) No one smiles. It’s just part of the culture. I wonder what they think of us when we go around with big smiles and our teeth showing. Several us have tried to smile directly at people to see if they would smile back as in the US – not one has. Only smiles we have seen were people laughing when playing in the water at the lake.
4) Dress – people dress in Moscow as they do in many large cities – in a variety of styles. We’ve noticed a prevalence of see-through clothing (over a tank top, etc), and a lot of floral prints and lots of colors. I wondered out loud to Doug if my shirt and skirt were conservative enough for our arrival – I needn’t have worried!
5) Subway system is fast, clean and efficient - moving tons of people from place to place – constantly busy with lines criss-crossing everywhere and covering the city well. The cost is about 75 cents per ride – less if you buy many rides at once. Buses cover other popular places. We had a subway adventure on the way to the beach – trying to find it and riding several lines in the process.
6) There is a huge shopping mall adjacent to Red Square. Julia Roberts advertises make up or something similar (I forget which) on banners hung up and down the isles. Products from all over the world are available there. It was a department store in the past – open only to Russian Officials and some foreign shoppers, but now it is a mall for all of the people – or all who can afford to shop in that location. Capitalism is alive and well in Russia with advertisements and shops of all sizes everywhere. At first I felt sad that maybe the USA was taking over the culture with so much American business, but then I realized that half the shops are not American business, but those from all over the world that we happen to have in the USA. There are also tons of local businesses.
7) People stay up late - no surprise as that is also the way through most of Europe. We went to the grocery store late morning one day and close to midnight another day. It was about four times as busy close to midnight.
The grocery store – smaller packages of things – the largest size of milk is a liter (about a quart) and everything else is in small packages as well. Except maybe the alcohol. We shop in a medium sized store within walking distance of the hostel. The amount of each type of food is way different than in the US as well. There are two full isles of alcohol and about 4 square feet of cereal. Also an entire isle of cakes and small pastries. Maybe to get through the tough winter, one needs plenty of alcohol and sweets.
Notice that I am not writing about the history, the sites, etc as we haven’t really done a lot of sightseeing yet. It’s been too hot and we’ve been so tired – getting used to carrying packs sometimes, overcoming jet lag and escaping from the heat at the beach yesterday. Today we plan to go to the history museum at Red Square – time for school for the kids. We don’t want to wait until the Fall and be in a rush to get through all the material. Also trying t0 get to Gorky Park at some point.
Posted on: August 5, 2010 | Categories: Fun Facts - Cultures and Countries, Russia, Snacks and Food
Good Morning,
I’ve been thinking about you and your family for days knowing your departure was coming fast. Your info is great above, I’m already thinking what I can do with it in class– shopping differences, culture (no smiles, etc.)–I’m passing your website along to all my family. I’ll be checking in every day, the map is great also.
Great stuff!
Hi Ms. Maillet! It’s great to hear from you. The kids are having a great time. Today we went to the History Museum in Red Square and will post about that soon. We can’t wait to get to St. Petersburg as there is so much there we are looking forward to seeing…not to mention that it is only 87 degrees there! Alex and Bella both say “hello” and have a great rest of your summer.
Did you the 3 am train to St Petersburg. I am sure everyone is adjusting to the time change and sleeping patterns .You are so energetic and amazing,you have done so much you already. Thank you for keeping everyone abreast of all your happenings.