Adventures, Adventures

Wow what a day! We attended classes as usual, but then decided, not quite consciously, that the rest of the day would be devoted to adventures. Well, as we all know, the best way to experience a culture or a city, is to go out, experiment, and expose yourselves to adventure.

First, two of us decided to test out a famous Mowcow salon chain. But since E.B. is in charge of photos, I will let her reveal the result of this adventure. (Be sure to ask her about which color is called "Affair in Red Square.")

Our second venture was to the Bolshoi Theater, where we hoped to get student rush tickets to Swan Lake. After dressing up in our dresses and tights, carrying our indoor heels in our bag, we arrived at the Bolshoi and stood in line. But not five minutes after arrival, a man in a loud voice told all students to go home, as there were only two free tickets. It took us a few minutes to process the fact that our efforts had been in vain, but deciding that our night was not yet wasted, we proceeded to walk to GUM, the famous shopping center by the red square.

This third adventure was my favorite of the night, for there is absolutely nothing like wandering around the Red Square during a light snow. E.B.'s photos will reveal this sensation. (BTW, it was actually only 6 pm at this point, but since it gets dark very early, it might as well have been night.) When we started to freeze, we went inside GUM for some coffee or hot chocolate which we ordered from an awkward waiter. I think he, and maybe many other of our Russian waiters and waitresses, must think we are crazy, for we are inclined to sit around tables for very very long periods of time, talking about our collective experiences and laughing incessantly.

The fourth adventure consisted of dinner in a boat, which was really a Georgian restaurant on the Arbatskaya Ulitsa. Though the boat-theme reminded us of the Pirates of the Caribbean, the restaurant served what seemed like every important business man (dressed in suits) in the city. Apparently, it serves celebrities as well, for the photos that lined the wall included Will Smith, Condi Rice and Mike Tyson. This was an adventure, as we were seated next to an indoor stream in which lived a very large fish and even a sleeping dirty turtle. We all ordered Georgian soup, khachapuri and Georgian lemonade, and listened to live Georgian music (which contains some nice harmonies!). We were sure to take a "prom" photo on the nearby bridge, and you will know what this means soon.

Our final plan was to end the day at Cafe Bilingua, which is an artsy book store with live music and a restaurant. After a trip on the metro and a stroll through a rather desolate neighborhood, we saw first-hand the effects the economy has had on Moscow (this Cafe is listed in the most recent Lonely Planet Guide, but sadly, it is now closed.)

But our adventures were not finished, even with the decision to return to the dorms, for we are ending the night with some more laughter, a bottle of shampanskoe, and...oh yeah, we can't forget the homework!

Do zaftra!

(until tomorrow)

-- Aisling (Ася)