Moscow: it's Not a Gray Plain

A travel journal to Moscow by Milao

Before I went to Moscow for the first time a friend described her mental image of what she thought it would be like. Basically, her Moscow was a cross between the lunar surface and some parts of the Bronx. My impression of the city was quite different.

  • 2 reviews

Moscow is quite remarkable for the richness of its past. The Kremlin, the homes of 19th century writers, the churches and even the subway stations (to mention just a few places) are charged with historic importance, but also with remarkable stories.

The city's present, however, may be as interesting as its past. Still caught in a bizarre political and economic crossroad, the Moscovites are still dealing with some of the oddities of the Soviet regime, while having to learn the oddities of the Capitalist one.

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Moscow's subway system is incredible. It is an attraction in itself. It carries daily more people than the subway systems of London and New York put together. Moreover, the lavish decoration of each station might have you thinking you are actually waiting for your train in an old czarist palace. Moscow also has a good (but less cool) bus and tram system that reaches location that the subway skips. Although there are taxis in Moscow, a local habit is to just catch any car. Seriously. You just extend your arm and chances are an old Lada will stop for you. Then you have to negotiate a price with the driver (helps if you know some Russian) and hop in. It's probably not the safest thing in the world, but everyone does it and I, at least, didn't have any problems.

The Satirikon Theater presents one of the most entertaining and interesting theater groups of Moscow. Led by Konstantin Raikin, the son of Arcadi Raikin, the group presents bold interpretations of theater classics from Hamlet to plays by Moliere. If you're staying downtown it takes a little while to get there but the trip is worthwhile. More information (only in Russian unfortunately) at www.satirikon.ru.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Milao on April 16, 2001

Satirikon Theatre of Arkadii Raikin (Satirikon imeni Arkadiia Raikina)
Ulitsa Sheremet'evskaia, 8 Moscow, Russia 129594
(tickets) +7 095 289

About the Writer

Milao
Milao
New York, New York

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