I've been a happy camper all week. Temperatures have plummeted, and there has been plenty of snow. It truly feels like winter, I finally need to wear a proper winter coat, hat, and mittens or gloves.
On Wednesday evening I went out to a spot called Rechnoy Vokzal, which has had renovations finished in the past year or so. It has been on my list of places to go in Moscow, and stays on the list even after this visit. I had planned to wait until summer, or at least late spring to visit, but then I saw a photo showing holiday lights in the surrounding park.
I enjoyed the lights, and due to the cold there weren't many other people out walking around. I didn't have to wait long for people to get out of my photos, yay. I wonder if there are lights in this park every year, or if this is just a special year.
The weekend did not go the way I originally planned. Not at all. I had train tickets booked to go out of town, and a booking for accomodation as well, but when Friday evening rolled around I just didn't want to go. I cancelled both, and stayed in Moscow all weekend instead.
Unlike last year, this winter in Moscow has actually been cold. This weekend the temperatures stayed around -18C/0F, with one day of wind and snow and one day of blue skies. I'm a huge fan of winter, so I was generally thrilled.
On both days it took me too long to get dressed and walk out of my flat, but that's normal for me. My first sight on both days was a statue of Lenin. There are so many in this city, I wonder if I'll ever see all of them. I think a few are behind fences and closed gates, so probably not.
By the time I got to my second sight on Saturday evening, it was after dark, but that was the plan. Every year an area in Moscow called VDNKh builds a giant ice skating track/rink. I had no real desire to get out on the ice, particularly with the wind and continuing snow, but there were plenty of folks out there having a grand ol' time.
There is a bridge built over the middle of the track, giving a great view of the entire territory. This is where I wanted to be, as it gave me a slightly elevated view of all the holiday lights. Very pretty. I took a few phtos, then started walking back to the metro because my fingers were SO COLD.
On Sunday, I walked to Lenin, then walked to my second sight as well. The temperatures on Sunday were colder (-21C/-6F) and the sky was blue. While walking in the sun I wasn't cold, but as soon as I had to walk in the shade I got chilly very quickly, particularly my fingers and toes.
The second sight on Sunday was a park I've visited before, but not in winter. Park Dubky is beautiful in fall, as there are plenty of trees with heaps of brightly coloured leaves. I wanted to see the seasonal contrast. Everything felt crisp and clean, if that makes sense.
It was wonderful to walk around and take photos, right up until my phone froze, and I realized I didn't know how to get to the closest metro station. Whoops. I walked out of the park and was fortunate to see a supermarket almost straightaway. I walked in without intention of buying anything, but with the intention of warming up. It worked, woo hoo.
