Russia 2019 (24) MOSCOW - Odds and Ends

The population in Moscow is about 13 million, plus an additional 2-3 million undocumented. There are no single-family homes that we saw, like neighborhoods in the USA. Besides the Lenin and Stalin-esque buildings we previously pointed out, most Moscovites live in high-rise multi-unit structures.

I was overwhelmed pondering this lifestyle. There were hundreds of these structures in many styles. People must feel packed like sardines, but I guess it is just what you grow up with. Here are just a few photos.

 

Can you imagine elevator traffic!

New for sale.

  

Glad there are few major earthquakes in this area. I sure could not handle that possibility. Heck, that is one reason we moved from California and we lived in a one-story.

One of the few color buildings.

These people are lucky as they at least have private balconies. Didn't see that often.

 

Saw this bar advertising they have "space." I thought it was a clever concept, as I'm sure people crave it.

There were so many smoke stacks around the city.

Freaked out a little when we saw a number of these nuclear-plant-style stacks right in the middle of the city. But our tour guide said they were all energy-generating plants related to servicing the huge apartment complexes ... not nuclear. Fwew, that was a relief!

Ok, let's talk product. Lots of USA and luxury items.

Looks like a wonderful adopt-a-pet program.

In addition to the citizens of Moscow, they host about 5 million tourists each year.

You are considered an adult at 18 years old. You can get a passport at 14.

Only 1.2% unemployment in Moscow. About 5 percent in the countryside.

Everyone learns some English in primary school.

There is no Chinatown in Moscow.

There are 20+ bridges over the river and canals in Moscow.

We saw some recycle pods (previously shown), but not many public garbage cans or public ashtrays. In spite of that, things were very clean. Not much litter or cigarette butts anywhere.

There is a Hollywood-style movie studio in the middle of Moscow.

At least up til Trump, JFK was Russian people's favorite president.

We drove by the Metropol Hotel (from the novel A Gentleman in Moscow) a few times, but never got a good photo. Bummer. You can google it though.

It takes five years of post-education to be a doctor and a refresher course is taken every five years.

Heard of cat cafes? Well, we heard there was an owl cafe in Moscow. You go in for coffee and get to see owls up close and even pet them. We wanted to go there, but didn't really have enough free time. Check it out here: https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/327071-owl-cafe-moscow

So now we say good-bye to Moscow with Kremlin in the background (brick towers). Me with my ever-in-hand notebook.