A Day in the Life: Moscow, Russia
Moscow, Russia. A city that has been seen in a bad light in recent years here in the US. Not many people venture that far into the country, or at all into Russia for that matter. What people are missing, though, is a beautiful city full of culture, rich history, amazing architecture, and of course fine dining. As I take you through a day in the life of visiting Moscow, Russia, just imagine what exactly you’re missing out on.
Brief History
In 1812, the Patriotic War with Napoleon was taking place. There was a large fire that spread across the city of Moscow. Almost all of the buildings in the beautiful city were destroyed and just a few ancient buildings were kept at a state of being intact. History still really doesn’t know who started it. It’s kind of a toss up between the French and the Russians. Each think that the other started it and is to blame for the catastrophe.
In August of 1991, there was a small revolution that took place in Moscow. The government had been forgoing some change and tanks had moved into the city. This what at a time of change. The Soviet Union was over, and the country had been experiencing it’s first looks at a democratic process. The first democratic election of mayor took place, and people started to get excited for a change.
2006 staked a landmark in the economy of Moscow. It proudly became the most expensive city in the world because of the oil and gas money that had been receiving. The city was always booming, moving, and busy. The price of living was higher than it was in London, even for a very sub par estate on the outskirts of the city. Moscow continues to grow today to become one of the most fast, dynamic, and innovative cities in the world.
What to Do
Finding things to do in Moscow is actually quite easy. The city is full of a ton of activities and sights to be seen. One of the first things to do on your stay would be to visit Gorky Park. This is right outside of the city, close to Chihana. The park is perfect for grabbing an ice cream cone, having a picnic, maybe a few drinks, and walking along the Moscow River. There are also a couple great restaurants close by that serve amazing lamb dishes. Visiting some of the hotspots next to the park include an indoor hooka bar, and a winery that has top notch reds. For children, there are a couple of rides such as roller coasters and Ferris wheels to keep you entertained. Visit this site to learn a little more about this attraction; http://www.moscow.info/parks/gorky-park.aspx . Just walking distance from there is a few pedestrian bridges by the river, giving you some of the best views of the city there is to offer.
Tverskaya Ulitsa, the busiest street in Moscow, has a ton of places to hit up, but one in particular would be the O2 Lounge. Locals make it a point to pronounce it “Oh-Two Lounge” so be cautious of that. The point of the lounge is to make people feel like they’re rich and sexy, which is done by charging intense prices on the finest sushi and champagne that you’ll find. The lounge is located in one of the top floors of the Ritz-Carlton. Having a few shots of fine Russian Vodka and looking out the balcony will complete this trip to the lounge. You will have magical views of the city and a great shot of the Cathedral. Here’s some reviews about this trending hang out spot; http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298484-d1063197-Reviews-O2_Lounge-Moscow_Central_Russia.html .
A last must do while in Moscow is to visit Cafe Pushkin. It’s located on the Bulvar, not far from Pushkin Square. It’s open 24 hours and and its a high end, five-star restaurant made to look like a Russian aristocrats home in 1825. The staff all speaks pre-Sovietized Russian and make it a point to have a reputation as one of the finest dining experiences in Moscow. Getting Russian pancakes with black caviar is a staple here, along with a few spots of vodka, of course. Ending with a delectable dessert will want you coming back for more, but will complete the experience, for now. If you are willing to find a translator, you can visit this site for more information on this awesome place, along with an actual menu; http://www.cafe-pushkin.ru/ .
How to Communicate
There is actually a lot of English used daily in Russia, especially Moscow. Many younger residents, especially in the cosmopolitan areas like Moscow and St Petersburg, have a fluent command of English and several other European languages. When you venture outward, however, its not unlikely to meet business people who have little or no foreign language skills. If you’re traveling, always make sure to check and see if there is interpretation needed in that area. Being in Moscow, there shouldn’t be any trouble.
Communication in Russia is heavily relied on face-to-face contact. The culture sees it as a way of forming a trusting relationship when issues are addressed in person, rather than in a written format. With that being said, asking locals for directions or help in the city is seen as a very normal thing. Be cautious, though, not to assume anything from them. Open ended questions fair well with the people of Moscow.
There tends to be very little visual or verbal feedback while communicating in Russia. People listen silently and with little body language being displayed. This does not, however, mean that the listener is disinterested or does not understand. It’s just cultural characteristic that Russians have attained. Russians will tend to wait and think before responding to a point made to them — do not be impatient. Allowing them to fully take in and engage in the conversation. Speaking English to them might take a while to register in their heads, also.
Fashion in Moscow really isn’t much of a cultural difference compared to here in the US. Street style relies heavily on being comfortable and staying warm of course. Jeans and some sort of heavier jacket (not coat) will have you blending right in with the locals. Casual wear is huge, and you’re not seen dressing up in the streets unless you are a professional of some sort.
As I stated before, people just assume what they are going to find in Moscow, but don’t really know what they are missing out on. With all the amazing experiences that we ventured through today, the history, and really how to get around in the city, I hope that you now have a little bit of an urge to go visit this beautiful place. If not, then at least learn a little bit about the booming Russian culture today.
