What a whirlwind day! I woke up around 5, flew from Boston to New York, then New York to Moscow. I had been travelling almost 24 hours before I arrived at my hotel in Moscow! The flights were uneventful, and I even got to watch a Russian movie on my flight to Moscow. I also learned a very important new word: руление (rule-LEN-iy), which means taxi (like an airplane taxiing out to the runway). Now, I can complete the trio "taxi, takeoff, and landing:" "руление, взлет, посадка" (rule-LEN-iy, vzlet, poe-SAD-ka). When I landed in Moscow, I was met at Sheremetyevo airport by a very nice lady named Olga. She did not speak English, so I had the chance to practice my Russian! Olga drove me and another MIT student to our hotel in Moscow. Five MIT students are staying here this evening, then leaving for various cities tomorrow. It is a quite nice hotel, and like a standard hotel in the US. I took a nap, then woke up in time for our evening bus tour of Moscow. Our tour guide was amazing; she spoke very fluent English and had a vast knowledge about the history, culture, and economy of Russia. It was particularly interesting talking with her about differences between modern Russia and the Soviet Union. She mentioned that, while life in the Soviet Union was challenging and humble, many people in older generations miss the simplicity and predictability of life in the Soviet Union. I thought this was interesting, because it contrasts with what I have heard from other Russians. On the tour, we saw many amazing sights, including the Red Square (Kremlin, Saint Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Tomb, and a shopping center), Moscow State University, Sparrow Hill (the tallest point in Moscow), Bolshoi Theater, and the Metropol Hotel. It was already dark outside by 5pm when our tour started, but the city was lit up beautifully, especially with all of the holiday lights and decorations. We returned to our hotel, and a couple students and I grabbed dinner at a nearby restaurant. I had some delicious borsch (beet soup) and vareniki with tvorog (a Russian dumpling filled with cottage cheese). I have some time tomorrow before my flight to Perm, so I would love to try to visit Patriarshy Ponds (the setting of the Russian novel, Master and Margarita, that I read this semester for class), or the Star City museum! It has been so wonderful to revisit the city that first captured my interest in Russian language and culture, more than 5 years ago! Do zavtra (until tomorrow), Piper MIT in Moscow! In front of the beautiful Saint Basil's Cathedral at the Red Square. This building was initially built by Ivan the Terrible, and was one of the few religious memorials to survive the Soviet Union. The Red Square and a well-known shopping center. Even in the cold (about 20 degrees F) it is a popular spot for families and friends to meet and enjoy the holidays! The view of Moscow from Sparrow Hill. The tall buildings on the left are part of the city called "Moscow City," and are recently constructed. The red below the buildings are lights shining on the trees, lining the Moscow River. Normally the river is frozen this time of year, but it has been a warm winter so far! The Red Square and Kremlin are off to the right, out of frame. We even saw a 24-hour flower shop! Giving small gifts, like a bouquet of flowers, is very common and polite when visiting someone in Russia.
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