14th to 17th of October, 2022.
Hitchhiking in Russia: Moscow
Outside St Petersburg, I am by a busy road and my hopes are not so high to get a lift soon. Normally, based on my experience hitchhiking outside big cities, it takes a long time for people to. Way more than in small towns or villages. And even though I am going to the capital, I think it can be hard. But I am wrong!
In a matter of only a few minutes, a young man stops. He is going to Moscow. He has a god energy and I like him immediately. We chat all the way, and we find out to have many principles in common. He also tells me myths about Russian people, like the fact that they all drink vodka. When we talk about to which place I am going to in Moscow, out of all the neighborhoods in the huge Moscow city, he lives and is going to the exact same one as I. Coincidence? We arrive to the address my CS host gave me, and of course he knows everything around. Then, he repeats many times that if I need anything, I can just call him. Russian people can be so kind and friendly as anyone else in the world! Let’s stop with our foolish stereotypes, please!
Moscow. What to expect of the capital of the country which is current in war? I have always heard about Moscow, seen it in movies, and even after I decided not to visit capitals anymore, I knew that Moscow it would have to be an exception. So, what do I think of it?
The apartment is huge and fancy! I just cannot get this place. It looks old but in a good and fancy way. The way in which it is decorated… it is like there is a history about it. Was his family living here before? There is something about this place… And the cars outside, wow! Just “pricey” ones. There is some fresh food in the fridge and lots of dry ones to be prepare. I cook some kind of ready bulgur with mushrooms and a sauce, enough for me and my Couchsurfing host, A., in case he comes for dinner. I also make some fresh mushrooms sauté, and also potatoes and carrots on spices. Nice!
A. arrives in the middle of the night and ring the bell. As it happened many times before, when I first sleep in a new place, I wake up without knowing where I am and feeling like I am in a dream. And then I look to his face at the camera and it looks even more like a dream. Was I here before? We talk a few sentences. He looks like a movie character indeed.
Late morning, we catch up for a quick chat. He strikes me as a very interesting person. A young man but with more maturity than many I have met. But still with remains of a 26 years old. He is light and fun but there is something missing on him… someone he used to be but who is not there anymore. His intriguing personality it goes way further than the fact he is Russian.
I take with me 2 boiled eggs and one sandwich for the day.
My plan for Moscow is to spend the day around the city centre today (yeah, yeah, that means the Red Square and abouts) and tomorrow going to a different area to see a bit more of the city. On my way to the centre, I stop by in three different metro stations to check out their art, as Moscow is known for its beautiful metro galleries. And w-o-w! The ones I see first are Park Pobedy, Slavyansky Bulvar, Arbatskaya and Ploshchad Revolyutsii. Dear, Loki! They are precious! You should definitely take the time to see them. It takes only a few minutes between trains anyway, so just get out, look at them for a while, and soon enough there will be another train for you to get in again. It worth it, believe me!
I am in love with The Kremlin! And with the Red Square! It is so beautiful! I don’t know how to explain but everything fits all together so well. It is gorgeous! The combination of extremely gorgeous buildings like State Historical Museum, GUM Gallery, St. Basil Cathedral and The Kremlin it is a gift to the sight! I didn’t want to leave! I could sit and stay there, staring at them forever!
I visited the Bolshoi theatre too and it is OK. I guess the performances talk for themselves, not the building. The famous Nikol’skaya Ulitsa Street, partially covered and illuminated with tiny led lamps, it is cute and worthy. But the thing about Moscow city centre is that, there are so many beautiful historical buildings, at every corner, wherever you look at it, so just look up and enjoy it!
The GUM Gallery is probably just a shadow of what used to be, of course, but still enjoyable. I rather the building from outside. And 200 Rubles to use the “historical toilet”? Laughable but also sad. How lower can we get?
Before coming to Russia, many people have told me I would be alone in the Red Square, only me and The Kremlin. Nope! I wish! Most of people were Russians, tourists to Moscow, but I was definitely not alone. The metros were always crowded. People everywhere!
Walking around The Kremlin is a must! And during the sunset, when the light hits the red walls… wow! What a view! But you can also pay the 1000 Rubles ticket and walk inside the territory if you want. Laugh. As my friend Alyona would say: Na figá?
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absurdly beautiful inside! I have never seen a church like this. It is like walking into a watercolour painting. Please take some time to visit this church, this wonderful building! The way that the walls are built is incredible and the main room is fantastic! I am still unsure if it is allowed or not to take photos inside tough. I did a bit hidden anyway.
On my way back home, I did a quite fun tour through other three metro gallery stations. Fun because I had to change lines a few times in order to see different stations in different zones. I feel quite proud of myself though, for being able to think of that so quickly and correctly. The stations this time were: Komsomolskaya, Novoslobodskaya and Mayakovska. And although some of them were majestic, my favourite one was Novoslobodskaya. The stained glasses on the walls are just fantastic! Just know that if you want a more or less good photo, you will have to be patient and cautious. People, people, people…
Back at Anton’s apartment, no sign of him again. I heat up the left overs of last night dinners and have some coffee. After doing some more travel planning, I watch the next Mission Impossible (give me a break!), Rogue Nation and go to bed very late. The reason? I have decided not to go to Moscow tomorrow again. Why? It is not that I didn’t enjoy my time there today, but it is just that… I had enough. I am exhausted, my feet hurt, and I have to save my last Rubles for when I am leaving Moscow. All adds up and I decide to stay in! So, I can wake up late tomorrow and do lots of my stuff. Hopefully!
I see Anton quickly in the morning when he comes back around 10 o’clock, but soon he goes to sleep. He tells me about the cleaning lady who is coming soon. I leave for a short walk to a nearby hill, Krylatskiy Khom, which has an OK view of Moscow. When I come back, I do lots of travel planning and new decisions.
I see Anton briefly but soon he leaves gain. Busy boy! Most likely I will not see him again with enough time for another chat. I wonder what is going on in his life… I would have so many questions for him if we could just sit with time and talk. Shame.
I have cooked some past and now I think I might watch another movie. Although I better pack first… Tomorrow I leave early. I have one metro and one bus to catch to outside of Moscow. Destination: Nizhniy Novgorod.
10 Years Around the World 