Crossing the Trinity Bridge to pass through the giant red walls guarding Kremlin

Another day that started early and ended late. The weather in Moscow is warming up, nice for walking around exploring the city, not so great for snowboarding, but since we are currently without a car I prefer the warmer weather. Maybe I can ever start to wear the wool coat I bought here as a winter coat, but quickly realized that my coat was for southern California winters, not Russian. Russian winters require many layers of clothing to stay warm and since I bought my coat originally to wear with evening gowns, many layers just don’t fit comfortably.

Today we journeyed into Kremlin to explore the breath taking cathedrals that date back to 1474. Unfortunately no pictures were aloud to be taken inside of the cathedrals, but I did get so good shots beside The Tsar Bell, 6.6 M in diameter, weighing 200 tones and The Tsar Cannon, 5.34 M long, 40 tons, both are made of bronze! Kremlin is an amazing sight to see, even from the outside with red brick perimeter standing 5 – 19 M tall, some of the current walls have been standing since 1485.

Okay to be honest there are too many wonderful things to see. I actually often feel this way when I visit any museum. Moving through trying to take as much in as possible that I get tired processing the experience. So far every museum that I have explored in Moscow I would much prefer to spend 3 days going through it slowly to have a chance to read each description and the time to stare at each piece taking in every detail.

Inside most of the Cathedrals are mini museums, but after a visit to the armory it is easy to take a quick glance at these items and move on. My favorite was the Assumption Cathedral. “(1475-79) Was the country’s central place of worship, where the Russian Tsars and Emperors were crowned.” Inside the walls and ceilings are covered with paintings of saints in rich colors.

The views are great everywhere, the out perimeter of the Kremlin Wall is 2235 M. The Southern part faces the Moskva River, the eastern part the red square, and the western side is part of the Alexander Garden.

Afterwards we went to the cinema to relax and eat some junk food before heading to the pool. We watched Shutter Island; well I didn’t because a psychological thriller in a foreign language without subtitles sucks. I will see the film at some point but in English. I put in earplugs and slept, a first for me in a theater.

At the pool I had a chance to do a no fins pyramid before it was time to teach. Why are long dynamics so terrible? How did I ever endure such contractions? Really WTF was my motivation? I am sure I am just a little out of practice and I do feel much stronger then when I first got here, but training depth then coming back to the pool is so uncomfortable.