Sunday in Moscow

After breakfast at the hotel, we strolled to Red Square. This morning it was cordoned off so walking was restricted to its edges. We watched a bell ringer in a church on the square using his muscle to beckon parishioners and tourists to worship. [Blog construction note: This photo is part of a video clip. When it can be snipped from the video as a still, it will appear here. Don't hold your breath...it's not a great photo anyway but it illustrates the bell ringer's perch.]


On the way back to the hotel we walked through a festival market just off Red Square. It appeared to be a celebration of Armenian culture.





The aromas of the street food were wonderful.






We were particularly taken by two women cooking bread in a tandoori-type oven.
One rolled out and shaped the dough. The baker spread it on a molded board that she used to slap it onto the interior of the oven. In a short time she removed it. Customers snatched this fresh bread as quickly as she could bake it!




Yesterday, this stage was the scene for very lively Armenian dancers.

















Near our hotel this department store had a huge children’s section, complete with a carrousel. We think this is Detsky Mir (Children's World) store. We had stopped in here to pick up bath towels that we may need on the train to Novosibirsk.



Ellen and Jan left this afternoon for their return to Minneapolis via London. We will miss them!