Dirty Grey Town

7th September

Moscow is a dirty grey affair with drab buildings and too many cars. When our sleeper train pulled in this morning, we had a heavy steely sky to match. At that point, I had an inkling that I was going to like the place.

Our hotel is amazing and a world away from our almost subterrainian hostel in STP. The view from the 16th floor is impressive, bringing in train lines, trees and the sprawl of the Northern Moscow suburbs.

The centre too is impressive. There is a real sense of the big city. After the
mandatory Red Sq and St Basils (which wouldn't look out of place in a toy shop), our guide took us down to a river boat cruise. Every building that we asked about seemed to have a history, such as the Theatre that used to house and sometimes be the end of senior communist staff 30 years ago.