Russia Part 2

After a relaxing weekend in Voronezh it was time to head back to Moscow for some sightseeing. At Church of Christ the Savior Red Square was closed for a big military band concert while we were in Moscow, we tried every entrance, and all the guards told us there was no way we could get in. We tried begging and pleading in Russian and English - no go - until I tried a different tactic - St. Basil's has a museum inside - the minute I asked if we could go in the museum, we were told we just had to wait for a few minutes until a tour guide came to escort us up there! Success. We were so excited to actually get in to Red Square. At a restaurant in Moscow called the Moo Moo cafe - there was one right by the mission home when I was on my mission. My companion and I got to go to lunch with our mission President and his wife there once for winning a clean apartment contest. :) My first area was right by Tsaritsina park. Queen Elizabeth wanted a palace in the middle of this park, but before it was ever finished she decided she didn't like it and it has just been ruins ever since. We would have picnics and service projects there. In the last few years they have cleaned the park up, installed lighting all over, and finished the palace. It looks like a completely different place! We got to meet up with one of my companions while we were there - it was SO fabulous to see her! Poor Cam, we had an hour trip back to our apartment and she really had to go to the bathroom - so we made her use the porta-potties - she had nightmares about it the rest of the trip!

We met up with another companion at an exhibition center - years ago it was used like a world's fair expo center. Each building was for a different region.

Trip to Russia, Part 1

What can I say about my trip to Russia? I didn't loose anyone and we picked up two boyfriends! Basically it was a success.

But who wants to hear about it when you can see it. So without further ado, my trip to Russia.
On the night train to Voronezh. After staying up all night the night before we left, getting minimal sleep on the plane, and running around Moscow all afternoon we were feeling pretty beat - and Cam looked about 100x better than I did, hence, no picture of me on this leg of the trip. The church building in Voronezh - it used to be a theater. This is in the basement of the church - it is basically a dark and scary labyrinth. One of the couple missionaries gave us a tour. At the Slinkovi's home (basically my Russian family). They were making apple juice and let us try some and take all sorts of pictures. Saying goodbye to the Slinkovi's. My favorite people in Voronezh.