Moscow: Pleasant, expensive and pepper spray

After 4 days of a Soviet-era train sans-shower, we finally arrived in Moscow. The city was a pleasant surprise - really beautiful and a nice blend of pre-Soviet architecture with all the modern amenities. But, other than alcohol, its EXPENSIVE:
- a 3km taxi ride is about $25;
- A Hotel Ibis/Red Roof Inn level hotel outside the city-center costs about $200/night.
- a pair of Nike's cost about $180.
- A 2 course dinner at a decent, but by no means extravagant restaurant is about $100 for 2.

Predicting we were going to need a bit of luxury after the train, we stayed at the Sheraton Palace hotel (read: budget breaker) and as a result, didn't spend as much time in the city as we would have liked to.

Architecture
Pre-Soviet era Russian architecture is very unique, in a good way. The buildings that surround the Red Square and Kremlin are beautiful, as are the numerous gold topped churches, baroque-style government buildings, and grand old train stations. We were really surprised to see how many nice buildings there are in Moscow (in stark contrast to Irkutsk). On the other hand, there are plenty of Soviet-era buildings outside the city center, which are as glamourous as their reputation. Lenin's Mausoleum a far from pretty structure, was closed; but frankly, I didn't have much interest.

Pepper Spray
We were heading towards the subway/metro station, when we were innocent by standards of a young lady who shot a LOT of pepper spray at a drunk fellow. In case you were wondering, everything they say in that link (blindness, hard to breathe, burning sensation, etc.) is true, although since neither of us are under the influence of drugs, we were unable to validate that drug users can keep their eyes open. Maybe next time...

Random Thoughts
Apparently a common Russian marriage tradition is to pay your respect at the eternal flame near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Park. We saw lots of newly married couples in their wedding dress/tuxedos lining up and leaving flowers in tribute.

When photographed, Russian tourists love "striking a pose" in front of monuments.

Prostitution appears to be rampant in Moscow (or at least in the public eye more than any other place we've been to, except Bangkok). Even the Moscow Times (equivalent of New York Times) has ads for escorts and "night-clubs".

Kbac (pronounced kvass) is a Russian non-alcoholic beverage made of fermented rye-bread; kinda like their version of coke. My friend/co-worker Stas brought 2 bottles into the office one day (it wasn't received well). But, I must say the ice-cold Kbac in Moscow was pretty good. May have had something to do with being on the train for 4 days...