Moscow 4.13

Moscow is a big dirty city, like any other city.  The economy is booming and growing and the people are increasingly prosperous.  Its one of the most expensive cities in the world.  The subway is famous as it has works of art -- marble staircases, statues, painted vaulted ceilings with tiled scenes of art.  To cross streets, you need to go through underground passageways which are not so close together.  I was stuck in the famous Moscow traffic one day-so bad, we turned around and didn't reach our offices.  Had a meeting in the hotel instead.

I learned a Russian phrase and repeated it to anyone who would listen to me:

Etta moi estaroi visite Moscow (this is my second visit to Moscow).  I try to learn a phrase every time I travel--people get a kick out of it and seem to appreciate it.  Its an ice-breaker.

I'm not a big ballet person but to see the world famous Bolshoi Ballet, was a dream come true. When I found out the performance was Sparticus, I wondered hhmmmm  how can they make a ballet out of a Roman fighting story.  It was wonderful.  The leaps, choreography of "fight scenes".  Loved it. Loved to see the men in their tight leotards, sit in the velvet red seats, and be one of the Moscow elite beautiful people.

Every big city has its issues with immigrants.  Small town people coming to the big city to be the maids, waiters, garbageman  etc.  I noticed that the maids in the hotel looked Chinese.  They are from Azerberjian, (I think) near China.  when I travel I like to ask locals how they feel about them.  Some say they take away jobs and government aid from home-bred citizens in need, others say they are exploited and need help.  Its an issue everywhere.