Moscow, Russia ~ Beneath the Poker Face

Moscow, where do I start to tell the story of my experience of you?

You are not even part of my plans in 2017, but somehow a friend managed to convince me to join on this trip. Honestly speaking, from planning stage up to getting the visa, my feeling was not really that super excited, I could not even be bothered to check the things to do in Moscow. I did my preparations and notes of the "dos" & "don'ts" 2 days prior to my flight. So basically, this was one of the trips I was unprepared but somehow managed to enjoy and survive, considering the language barrier, among other things like weather, etc.

From my perspective and personal experience, this part of the world is very interesting.

Why I say so?

First, let’s talk about people. Poker face, that’s how I described Russians. They have this unfriendly, straight and nose up faces. My impression was not good up until this trip. Now I can say, given a chance they can be one of the nicest people on earth. No one took advantage of my/our being a tourist. Directions are in Russian symbols, it’s difficult to know which way to take especially in the metro platforms. You cannot rely solely on maps and guides. So I'd always check and confirm if we are in the right train direction. All the Russians we approached, not counting the police/security, were nice and friendly, despite the struggle in speaking in English, some would go out of their way and take us to our train station. Someone said, my guardian angels are guiding me. Could be true I'd say, or Russians are just being nice maybe. Just like anywhere in the world, it would always be a mixture of good and bad. Russia no different and so is my birthplace and the place where I am currently residing. If I may add, they can also be very passionate and comfortable in public display of affection. So I'd say beneath the poker face lies a nice, sweet, friendly and loving person.

What about the place? Just like in every other place in Europe, architectural structure has its own story to tell. But what really interests me are the metro stations, it makes me feel like I am in a different era. Escalators going to the underground platforms seems endless, which makes me curious how it feels in Arsenalna station in Ukraine. I could enumerate here the list of places to see in Moscow, but I will just let google do the work. If you want to know my personal choices and or if you want my suggestions or recommendations, just message me.

Moscow is a safe place to visit, we'd walk late at night from the train station to the hotel not scared at all. I was told that Russians are very much controlled by their authorities, hence crimes are less. But, of course just like anywhere in the world, you have to be precautious of your surroundings, you'll never know when danger strikes.

Did I try Russian foods, yes I did it. We were served Russian foods on one of our day tour. I liked it. The thing is, I don't eat pork and beef, so I am limited to chicken and fish. I had chicken in a clay pot which tasted like Filipino chicken caldereta without the tomato sauce. Also, I tried the "turo-turo" foods from the supermarket. But the best Russian food on my list from this trip would be the Russian ice cream, despite the cold weather, like 6degrees, its’ one thing I could not resist.

To sum up, I am glad I said yes to this trip.

I am sharing here the flight, accommodation and expense details, for your info should you decide to explore Moscow.

If traveling from Dubai, approx. cost would be AED3,433.00, Including:

3 nights Hilton Inn Garden (4stars) twin sharing, for my review, visit: Hilton Garden Inn Moscow Krasnoselskaya Review on Tripadvisor
Etihad Airways
1 day optional tour with lunch (Golden Ring day tour)
Airport transfers
1 day guided city tour
Visa

Other expenses: Aed 800, that is if you are stingy like me (lol):

Dubai Taxi (to and from Airport, Etihad Dubai Shuttle Station)
Food (Lunch and Dinner)
Souvenirs (magnets, snowball, shirt, sweets and Russian Doll)
2 days big tour bus
Metro train tour (single journey ticket cost 55rubles, and you can ride the train all you can, just make sure not to exit, otherwise you will have to pay again), see train map below