Metropolitan

Yesterday we used the Metro for the first time - it is hard! We were on our way to dinner at Elena's family friends house. The concierge gave us the most detailed instructions she could without taking us down herself. Buying the tickets was no problem - sign language works when words don't. We made it through the turnstiles and were already stuck. No idea where to turn. Once Elena pulled out her oh-so-embarrassing folding map we attracted the attention of a sweet English speaking couple. They led us down the stairs and pointed out our way. I was feeling good until we got to the escalator.





It is so steep! I thought I was going to fall over. My hands were braced on either side and I leaned back to fight gravity's force. It was even scarier on the way up.

After the scary escalator ride it was no easier. We found ourselves in a hallway with a platform on either side. None of the stops matched ours, no matter how many times we walked back and forth. Finally, I slapped on a big smile and asked a little old lady for directions - I pointed to the map and smiled. She saved us! Two stops later we arrived at our destination and i was finally able to appreciate how beautiful the metro is!









Some of this beautiful marble was taken from the churches that Stalin had taken down.

The rest of the evening was a blast (despite the terrible directions we received to find the apartment for our dinner party).

Location:Moscow