Finally we are in Moscow. We got to our hotel early in the morning and fortunately were able to check in and clean up before breakfast. Unfortunately, Audrey S decided to spill some hot coffee on her hand. After an extended discussion among the Russians, which included the conclusion that putting ice on the burn was a bad idea, they sprayed some white foam on her hand. Fortunately, it turned out not to be a bad burn.
 

We went straight from breakfast to the New Eurasia Foundation—through often heavy traffic. The Foundation staff is clearly optimistic about the potential to get things done at the grassroots level. (There is a possibility that the American Home might be able to work with them on one project in particular. It would involve Karen from our group putting on some workshops for elementary school teachers on ways to integrate science in particular into other subject areas.)
 

That night some of the group went to Red Square—under Nadya's careful watch. (No more stolen wallets on the Metro.) Others worked on their blogs. And others crashed.

The group visited the Kremlin today, along with the large WWII museum, and Christ our Savior Cathedral.

The Kremlin Armory was in charge of producing, purchasing and storing weapons, jewelry and various household articles of the tsars. It is one of the oldest museum's of Moscow, a treasure house of applied art.

Carved and gilded tsarist carriage.

An example of one of the Faberge eggs on display in the Armory. Made by Peter Carl Fabergé and his assistants for the Russian Tsars and private collectors between 1885 and 1917, these eggs began as an Easter surprise for the wife of Tsar Alexander III. Production took an entire year. In all fifty-seven eggs were created.

The Kremlin

The Tsar Cannon was meant to impress. It was never fired (The cannon balls are for show; the are too large to be fired.)

WWII museum

The original Christ Our Savior Cathedral was torn down on Stalin's orders. He intended to build a skyscraper glorifying Communism (and himself) in its place. But when it was discovered that the ground couldn't support the necessary foundation for the planned building, the huge hole was turned into a heated swimming pool. (We can only imagine the fear the person felt who had to tell Stalin that he couldn't have his skyscraper. It wasn't healthy to bring him bad news.)

The cathedral was rebuilt in 1990 at a cost of about $250 million—when the Russian economy was still in very bad shape. This generated some criticism at the time. The main complaint now is that the cathedral isn't very attractive.

In the afternoon we went shopping at the huge outdoor tourist and flee market. It has changed a great deal since it first opened about 18 years ago. Among other things, it has gotten to be a lot "fancier"—and there is a lot more security. But that doesn't mean that you are completely safe from thieves.

In any case, this is the best single place to get originals or copies of old propaganda posters, old Communist banners, Lenin and other Communist-era lapel pins and other interesting items for "show and tell."

In the evening we attended the circus. As always, it was very impressive!

The next morning we started loading the bus at 6:30 am, ate breakfast as soon as the hotel buffet opened, and left for the airport. Fortunately, there were no major traffic tie-ups. We immediately got in line for our departing flight. It was a smooth end to the "trip of a lifetime."