Woke up to snow and freezing cold winds. Was a good day to be on the bus tour. Was picked up at the Bolshoy Theatre and then went to Red Square, St Basil's Cathederal, Tretiakov Gallery, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Gorky Park, Sparrow Hills, Moscow State University, Victory Park, New Maiden Convent and Cemetery, Arbat Ulista, White House and then back to the Kremlin. Dodged the snow showers and freezing cold wind. Went for lunch and then a tour of the Metro. Not for the faint hearted but managed to find the only 'looney tune' on the metro station. Definitely a sandwich short of a picnic! Cost me 100 roubles to get rid of him. Got to the post office, climbed to the second floor as per instructions and was told they didn't sell stamps there!! I had to go out of this part of the building and around the corner. The first part was really, really run down and smelt like a public toilet in places. Around the corner where I got my stamps was wonderful! Very modern, lots of displays - part of the philately exhibition. Guess where the post box was? Yep, you got it - around the corner where I started! Got back on the metro and looked at some of the stations. Quite stunning but my camera did not do them justice. Plus there were too many people.
I then went to the GUM store for a much needed cup of tea. I had spotted a lovely cup and saucer to add to my "tea cups from around the world" collection. I asked the price - 23000 roubles - about 600 Euros! Forget it! Finally went for dinner in a lovely restaurant. Never had food from Kyrgyzstan before - was very much like middle - eastern food. I guess there are heavy Persian influences. I had "wedding feast pilaf" and jolly yummy it was too! Bolshoy tonight for a first night performance of Der Rosencavalier. It was a great experience and although I would have preferred to have seen a ballet, it was thrilling!
