Moscow, Russia, the land of Putin

[Freeder]

Streets of Moscow were very wide, at least the streets near the Red Square. There is extensive underground walkways as you can see in this video.

 

Macham Blair Witch Project

[Boringchap]

I am sure you have heard of the Red Square.  Somehow, the Square wasn't as big as I had thought.  Well, here are some videos.  Enjoy.

 

Red Square at Night. Lovely.  On a cloudy day, not that nice.

 

Walking to the Red Square from the hotel that I was staying.

 

 

[Tohto]

I am sure you have heard of the Red Square. Somehow, the Square wasn't as big as I had thought. Well, here are some videos. Enjoy.

 

Red Square at Night. Lovely. On a cloudy day, not that nice.

 

Walking to the Red Square from the hotel that I was staying.

Just curious, all your video are using handphone or camera?

You are taking so many video so openly in Russia without being worry someone approach you.

[Count-Bracula]

I see putin, I come in

His younger bro ish Putout?

Just curious, all your video are using handphone or camera?

You are taking so many video so openly in Russia without being worry someone approach you.

Russia is more open, compared to NK?

[Mustank]

His younger bro ish Putout?

 

Russia is more open, compared to NK?

Put in better lah

[RadX]

His younger bro ish Putout?

 

Russia is more open, compared to NK?

 

 

sister is putOUT

[Count-Bracula]

sister is putOUT

don't talk about his sister, his wife is damn chio

Talking about Russia, I ever saw a Lada here in my neighbourhood 20+ years ago. Squarish looking car, like a box with 4 wheels.

[Toothiewabbit]

I am sure you have heard of the Red Square. Somehow, the Square wasn't as big as I had thought. Well, here are some videos. Enjoy.

 

Red Square at Night. Lovely. On a cloudy day, not that nice.

 

Walking to the Red Square from the hotel that I was staying.

http://youtu.be/RBHZFYpQ6nc

 

Old Russian architectures like this somehow reminds of this song one

[Boringchap]

The hotel I stayed in Moscow was called Hotel Metropol.  A rather historic building.  Here is a video of the room.

 

This is the area immediately outside the hotel.

 

The best part about the stay was breakfast.   The venue was gorgeous and even had live music from a professional harpist. 

[Showster]

Now I truly understand the real meaning of Boring.

 

Thanks bro @Boringchap

[Boringchap]

Now I truly understand the real meaning of Boring.

 

Thanks bro @Boringchap

 

LOL!  Thanks for that bro.  Yes, I'm boring.  Just want to do the best for my family, friends, and country.  Great privilege to be born a Singaporean. Just look at what is happening in the world around us.  Life is short.  I thank God for a fulfilling life.  Let's be kinder to others.  We only live once.

 

Meanwhile, back to Russia. Check out these videos of Tsum, a shopping center near the hotel that I was staying in.

 

This floor was all about cosmetics.

 

This was branded children's wear.  I didn't look at the prices.  The sales people were watching me closely.

Edited November 27, 2015 by Boringchap

[Boringchap]

Sand Art on a huge TV screen in Moscow.  I found it fascinating.  Thankfully, by this time, it wasn't too cold and I could stand out and watch this.  

 

In fact, I came back the next day morning to make a video.  My hotel was about a 10 minute walk away.

 

Here are some photos of Moscow streets. In the evenings, it got rather jammed.

 

Near my hotel, there were restaurants, like this Chinese restaurant.  I took a look at a menu, but decided against it.  Chinese food, I can get plenty back home.  The prices were not too prohibitive by Western standards, like maybe 500 Roubles for a plate of Fried Rice. 

Edited November 28, 2015 by Boringchap

[Boringchap]

I went to Moscow, and had a Big Mac meal.  Truly, I live up to my name as Boringchap.

 

Wait a second.  Big Mac meal?  Why?  Do I really like McDonalds?  Well, in Singapore, I hardly eat at Macs.  So what was this all about? 

 

Before I went to Moscow, I told myself I will look for a McDonalds.  I didn't have much luck searching google maps.  I couldn't find any McDonalds near my hotel, perhaps I didn't know how to search properly.  Doesn't matter.  I figured that if there was going to be a McDonalds, it was going to be at some prominent place at a prominent street.  I didn't find one in Gum and Tsum.   But as I walked up on one of their major streets, I found not one, but two. Finally! So I decided to have a meal there.

 

What should I eat?  A Big Mac, of course.  Why?  Why would I want to fly all the way to Moscow just to have a Big Mac? It just felt cool.

 

Growing up, in Singapore, the news was always talking about possible war between the then Soviet Union and America.  President Ronald Reagan called the Soviet Union the 'evil empire'.  I remember he wanted to build 'Star Wars' as a defense against the Soviets.   I remember asking my teacher, if the world went to war, what would happen to Singapore.  The answer was, we would all die together.  That was the first time I was introduced to the concept of mutual assured destruction. I remember studying about the Cuban missile crisis, the facedown between JFK and Khruschev, and how close the world was to nuclear war.

 

So many memories and thoughts came to me as I looked at my Big Mac. I don't think I got emotional, but those memories and the fact that I was staring at this Big Mac before me, certainly left an impact.  

 

So, savour the moment.  Cherish the relative peace we have today.  At least, we are not at the brink of a nuclear war.  Make love, not war.  And share the Big Mac yah?  Here is a video of my experience eating the Big Mac.  I had to take this all down, to tell my kids and grandkids that I had a Big Mac in Moscow, in 2015.  Better still, I paid for my Big Mac meal using VISA, and observed many other locals enjoying their Big Macs and McChickens and other American Fast Food.

 

The cost was 259 Roubles, or about US3.90  A Big Mac Meal in Singapore is officially more expensive than a Big Mac Meal in Moscow. 

[Boringchap]

Just curious, all your video are using handphone or camera?

You are taking so many video so openly in Russia without being worry someone approach you.

 

Mixture.  Bro, I don't know man.  Maybe I was being watched.  Definitely I stick out like a sore thumb, if you see the people walking around.  I don't look Russian.  But later on, I found out that there are more and more Chinese people (from China) in Russia.  China has huge investments in China, and growing.  

 

China has smartly capitalized on the Russian economic crisis to step up on their investments.  With the sharp fall in Rouble (I think fell by 50% from pre-crisis), everything is much cheaper in Russia.  I was told that there are large Chinese investments in oil, gas and natural resources. 

 

The Russians and Chinese are forging an ever closer co-operation.  Russia is supposed to be under sanctions from the West (due to their actions in Ukraine) but Moscow doesn't feel like a place under sanctions. Lots of activity going on.

 

I believe many of the people on the streets think that I am a Chinese from China.  Some Russians in shops tried to speak to me in Mandarin, to get me to buy their goods.  Mandarin is getting more useful.   

 

China is going to become a superpower.  Speaking Mandarin helps man. 

Edited November 29, 2015 by Boringchap

[Boringchap]

This is the most interesting vehicle I saw while in Moscow.  I don't think there is any such vehicle in Singapore.  A limo of sorts.

 

 

On a completely separate topic, this was the scene outside the window. Fortunately, I was indoors.  It didn't look fun to be outside at all.

Edited November 29, 2015 by Boringchap

[Zxcvb]

There is nothing wrong eating McDonalds overseas, in fact I find it a must to eat there wherever I travel. Why? Just to try out the difference. And chances are they are cheap and conveniently located. If non-halal, will try out the menu that's not available in Singapore.

 

I remembered going Japan the first time to try out their MOS burger and ice milk-tea. Interestingly, Singapore taste better than Japan one!! So yeah, nothing shameful to jiak fast food overseas.

 

 

[Boringchap]

Always a bit emo when I get back to Singapore, especially after a work trip.  The emo-ness would be increased if I get a window seat and I can see our beautiful island, either in the day or at night. 

 

Check this out. 

 

[Boringchap]

Fancy having a Starbucks latte in Moscow?  I did just that.