Day tri (3)

Hello all again!

Although we had a "lie in" yesterday, it was still a difficult morning at the history museum reminiscent of those first school periods on a Monday. Our completely fascinating guided tours, which gave us a completely fascinating deeper insight into the February revolution 1917, was the part of this trip most relevant to our course, which was completely fascinating.

Next, was lunch at the manège shopping centre just by Red Square. This was our first real taste of Russian food (well, Russian fast food). 

Next, to the boiling anger of many Russian art enthusiasts, we managed to queue jump around 500 places into warmth of the New Tretyakob art gallery where we examined te changing cultural art that came with the commencement of Communism. Many of the pieces had very inspired titles, such as "woman with red hat" or "a glass of milk".

Dinner at the hotel followed, then a walk around the park of economic achievement. Although morale was low, everyone feeling lethargic, all that was needed was a inspirational speech from the almightey Dr Coke-Woods. Violent fist movements and changing tones of voice added with the soviet rocket were used to spur up the troops reminiscent of Lenin, next he'll be asking to be buried in the Kremlin wall. We salute you sir #cokewoodsarmy #beepbeepbeep. 

Lucas also got the chance for some traditional Russian dancing in the square.

Signing off, See you in St Petersburg, bye!

The Hotel

For those wandering what our accommodation is like, just look down 

And our bedroom views 

Day 2

Hello again,

Busy day yesterday but here are some of the highlights:

Returning to Red Square, all got the opportunity to enter Lenin's Mausoleum, which all thought was spectacular yet creepy. Lying in a glass coffin, at 16 degrees celsius, some questioned whether it was actually his body as he looked quite wax like. Going back onto Red Square, our tour guide, Natasha, told us a bit more about its history, which involved many mass protests, stapling of some testicles to the ground in protest, mass church services and army parades.

The other side of Red Square (opposite the Kremlin), hosted the famous Goom shopping centre, which during the time of the communists was meant to be a symbol of equality but ended up split into the levels of hierarchy of Russia at that time. Sam Grants attempts at buying a hot chocolate failed as he peered over te counter and saw a pot of chocolate sludge in a cup. Whilst Robin Franklin's keen eye spotted a rather fetching and aesthetically questionable Russian hat whilst there, which we thought made him look a bit like some sort of communist dictator.

Next was a trip to the gravestones of the most famous Russian artists, generals, musicians, politicians, clowns, and others. Shown in the pictures are the gravestone of a heart surgeon, with hands holding a red crystal to symbolise his life's work. Also the black and white gravestones shows the different sides to a morally questionable politician (kruschev).

Finally, the circus was probably the most interesting, thrilling, almostwatchingsomeonedyingandtryingnottojumpoutofyourseating experience of the day.

It entailed watching many amazing tricks, and by the end of the show about 8 tigers and 3 lions were on stage (although heavily drugged) doing some pretty awesome stuff. Oh, and the teachers got their faces painted during the interval #cokewoodsarmy.

See you tomorrow!

Day 1

Hi all,
All are waking up lethargic this morning after a late night in the town looking at St Basil's Cathedral, Red Square (or as we have found out in Russian is called "Beautiful square").

Today, we will visit the Lenin mausoleum. There are many unanswered questions about Lenin such as, "Is he still squishy?" and "Will he be wearing any clothes?" - We all hope the answers won't be too horrific.

In the picture, everyone is in front of "St Basil's Cathedral" - where legend goes that the ruler that had it built, was said to be so terrible that he blinded the architect that made it so nothing so beautiful would ever be built again.

The weather here has been disappointingly warm with temperatures around +3 to 4 degrees celsius and going out in t-shirts and coats for most of us.

Drama newsflash: After some worry Gemma Thomas' suitcase which was picked up by the wrong person at the airport has been tracked down and will be collected today for the ease and relief of all involved in this flying fiasco (Gemma's dad, don't worry every things fine now).

New section of the Blog: Russian word of the day: "Prevyet" - Hi (informal) - the word used to greet people that we know.

Ben and Delara signing out, see you tomorrow!

We have arrived!

Signs of snow, but here we are, 4 degrees - practically tropical, hello Russia! #cokewoodsarmy

10 minutes

On our way to the plane, be losing Internet and no updates for while,good bye England!

Valentines day starts early

Romance is young #cokewoodsarmy