If everything else fails I could always make a mean impersonation of Baba Yaga

Putin on top of a bear, with an assault rifle or how to win the award for the most badass merchandising

Love him or hate him, Putin is a household brand name. Judging by the amount of times we encounter his face, he must be pretty popular with a certain type of tourists. Maybe deep down in Kremlin he has the last laugh. Late at night, after a busy day at the office, wearing his favorite badass t-shirt. The one where he rides a bear while sporting an assault rifle and sunglasses. 

Last train to Moscow center

As my trip comes to an end and the days counting down on my visa, I take the last rides on the underground.  

Drinking Monasterian Kvas

Northeast of Moscow and about 70 away is the infamous Golden Ring (Золото́е кольцо́). An area surrounding by old Russian cities full of cultural heritage. You have a selection of sights ranging from the birthplace of Aleksandr Nevsky, UNESCO class monasteries, a white-stone kremlin on top of Lake Nero and old cities founded by Tsars and princes.

At the Zoological Museum of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences

We island-hop our way around St. Petersburg. Passing the Hermitage complex leads you to Dvortsoviy bridge, one of the access points to enter Vasilyevsky island. The Zoological museum is almost hidden in plain sight. We initially miss it, confusing it for its more popular neighbor, the Kunstkamera, who has a throng of people lining up. Soon we manage to find our way entering the Zoological Museum of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences!

Roaming the canals

Hermit Crabs hypothesizing on Hermitages’ heritage

St. Petersburg has a different vibe, it is considered the most “Western” city of Russia. It certainly attracts a lot of tourists, who predictably gather mostly around the historical center, the infamous UNESCO World Heritage curse. You can easily wander around on foot, island-hopping your way around the city filling yourself with beauty. 

Riding a falcon to St. Petersburg

Sapsan (Falcon) is a suiting name for a high-speed train. It takes us only 4 hours to cover the 713km from Moscow to St. Petersburgh. Unlike airplanes, we land in the heart of the city, St.Petersburg-Glavny terminal. A revolutionary mural with Lenin greets us upon arrival. After Moscow, Saint Petersburg seems more manageable. You don’t need half a day to reach the center or descend to the core of the earth to grab a metro. Walking in the city, you barely notice the 4.8M residents (plus the odd extra million tourists give or take). 

Bubbles with no rubles

A simple magic trick involves just a few ingredients, soap, water and a few children. Stir the first two well, and let the children bubbling in the streets.