Moscow - Day Nine - Friday

Friday, our last full day in Moscow and so much to do! We got up early and went to the square that was now open to the public...yay!  The spot that we were standing on is said to be the very center of Moscow and as a tradition, you stand on the plate, make a wish and throw a coin over your shoulder.  There was a woman there watching us throw coins and after the first one she went over and picked it up.  When she realized what a small coin it was, she threw it down and scolded Barrett for being so cheap.  Then when Owen tossed the coin, she looked again to see if her scolding resulting in a larger coin, which it didn't.  She threw a look of disgust and then ignored my coin altogether.

We went into the square....it is really impressive. 

Dad and Bear walking down T Street



Owen's wish

Lynne's wish

Entering Red Square

Hamps on the Square

Two years later

Just walking around Red Square!  Wow!

Zhukov Statue (The best General of the War) - At the gate to Red Square

The plan then was for me to go back to the apartment and the boys were going to go back to Moscow City to pick up a knife that Owen wanted and to a suit shop for Greg, but Red Square did not take as much so Barrett suggested that we take the Metro to Tsaritsyno Park.  This is one of Barrett's favorite places on Earth and I can certainly understand why.  I am so glad we went.  It is a beautiful park which is the grounds of a castle that is now an art gallery. 

Elder Hamp on the metro - I just pictured him this way over the last two years

I love tulips!

Once back on the Metro, Bear and I discovered that traveling to their shopping destination would be more efficient if they got off the stop before the stop to get to the apartment, so Barrett gave me instructions and I managed to get off and out the right door of the Metro stop; get to the McDonalds (MakDak), ordered my food, asked for it to go, and paid in rubles; walked back to apartment and got myself passed the four locks on my own...ha ha. 

I took a much needed nap and got ready for dinner.  Dinner at President and Sister S at the mission home.  I was so excited!  I have been so grateful to them....loving Elder Hamp from the first minute they met him; reassuring emails when they thought we might hear some worrisome news from Moscow; so willing to answer any concern over the two years.  The absolute best mission president and mission mom Barrett could ever have!

When the boys came home we quickly got ready and off to the Metro to the end of the line.  President met us at the station and picked us up.  Dinner was wonderful and we had such a nice visit.  What a lovely, gracious couple.

We passed by everyday and it is breathtaking every time

This the museum and the gate into Red Square

Walking to the Metro

One hour Metro Ride

Pres.and Sis. S, Elder Hamp and mom and dad



The ride back

On the way back, since the Red Square is our Metro stop, we went in one last time.  It was late, dark out, and full of people.

 

Then back to the apartment to get ready for our 2:30 a.m. pick up to the airport and the flights back.