Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/04/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> [What to see and do during a quickie visit to Moscow] Have a close look at the above-ground metro entrances in the inner city, especially near the Kremlin. You'll slowly notice that they are little more than bomb-shelter entrances(!) 1-3m thick steel and concrete domes - very sobering and depressing remnants of the cold war. Especially notice the 2m (yes, _two_ metre!) wide tracks on the floor at the entrances upon which the blast doors swing shut... Catch the metro to Moscow State University - interesting example of Stalinist architecture (and some of the uni students are friendly too). Try to also catch the metro out to the housing estates at the outskirts of the city. Eg. Filovski Park. These 10 storey run-down buildings are way off the tourist beat and so will give you a taste of how the local population really live. If interested, I have a few photos from the trip on my www site at: <http://www.4020.net/eastbloc> As to Arbat Street, I personally found it to be a tourist-trap and avoided it - to each their own. > [Safe to walk around with a M6?] When I was there (1991), I was still Nikon-man, so I cannot comment about Leicas being mugger-bait. I had no problems with my F and F2, although I did make an effort not to prance and wave the cameras about. What I did notice though was that if you intend to wander the streets, then you better dress down. I had a drab, crappy (but warm) jacket and cheap generic jeans. Made me much harder to target, especially in comparison to other european tourists in their bright flouro reds, greens & yellows. Regds, Andrew Nemeth <http://4020.net> -> photos, 360° panoramic vrs, sounds <http://nemeng.com> -> vr java applets, leica faq, tech info