Well, first off, let me start by saying we did actually go to the Starlite Dinner, a little piece of Americana not far from Christ the Savior Cathedral near Red Square. In the diner, decked out in American retro style, we could order burgers, milkshakes, fries, and breakfast at any time. I ordered a grapefruit soda and chicken wrap that were both delicious! Afterwards, Katie McKee and Shelli "stormed" the Kremlin--let's just say they get an A for effort.
On Saturday, a few of us went to Izmailovsky Market, a must-see if you ever are in Moscow. This market is about an hour plus metro ride but was well worth the trip. It's sort of like an American flea market, only classier. There are vendors selling nesting dolls (from the traditional flowery-haired girl to the rulers of Russia all the way back to Peter the Great and pictures of American sports teams), scarves, artwork, ornaments, hats, Soviet-era maps, and amber jewelry--to name a few. Vendors can speak to customers in Russian, English, Italian, German...whatever the situation calls for. Sure, there are a few chintzy souvenir stands geared towards tourists but the deeper you go into it, the more authentic the products became, and the cheaper. The hardest part was that every time I would stop just to admire someone's handiwork, the vendor would come over and want to show me. I don't know how many poor sellers pulled out all 10 pieces of a nesting doll for me just because I happened to pause a little. The craftsmanship on many was truly amazing. It was kind of hard to leave, actually, because there was just so much to see. Luckily, everyone agreed with me and I'm confident we will be going back before our stay is over.
Finally, today Katie McKee and I went to Red Square to attend a Maslentisa festival. The crowds were out in full force and between it and the market, I've seen more Americans in Moscow in the last two days than any other time. A big stage painted with bright yellow suns (the symbol of the holiday) hosted singers, storytellers, and gong-players. There were tables with straw dolls and sunflower wind catchers, drummers on high stands, clowns playing games, and carnival rides. Every other stand was selling blini in one of the many traditional ways to prepare it: with jam, with sweet cream, with jam AND sweet cream, with salmon, with caviar, with meat, with mushrooms, with meat AND mushrooms...you could find blini with just about anything. Gypsies dressed in brightly colored clothes danced, sang, and put on mini shows with characters dressed as bears and warriors. I had no idea what they were doing but it was fun to watch. The crowds were packed so tightly, I don't know how any of the performers managed to do anything! It was quite an experience. I'm confident that I got to see Maslenitsa in its fully glory. Now I'm curious how differently they celebrate the holiday in the provinces.
Oh, and fun fact, we saw peanut butter again yesterday in Moscow--for a paltry sum of $16 a jar. Oh, the things you take for granted, huh?
пока!
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