My New Home!

The move is complete...we are happily ensconced in Dubai and I am busily setting up a new blog. Clearly, I had to change the name! The new spot is, predictably:

www.canadiangirlindubai.blogspot.com

See you there I hope!

-Danielle

Begovaya Station, Moscow metro

We have now got the official word: we are to leave Moscow for good December 20th. I'm certainly sad to go, but there will be things none of us will miss, the current weather being one. It's been gloomy for days, right around freezing, dark, windy, wet...not pretty. The city becomes very gray at this time of year, especially if there's no snow, like now. The green of trees and grass is gone, the streets and cars get very dirty from slush, the skies are dark, the days are short. It actually makes it a bit easier to go! I will miss my dear friends, and miss the always-interesting days here. I am now reminding myself to regard my 7 months here as a wonderful, paid vacation (and not be too heartbroken about leaving).

In a misguided attempt to save some indoor activities for the cold winter months, I've missed some important Moscow things: I never made it to a ballet, and now that we are leaving, there is nothing playing that I want to see. I did make it to an opera, thanks to my friend Kimberly. I haven't seen the Armory Museum inside the Kremlin, but may still manage to fit that in. I haven't been to the famous Tretyakov Art Gallery, but did make it to the Pushkin and the New Tretyakov, along with myriad tiny history, art, and craft museums. I was lucky enough to spend time in St Petersburg, and will go to a banya (Russian steam bath) on Monday with friends. I also had a wonderful summer filled with tours to areas outside Moscow, where I was able to see a traditional pottery factory, monasteries, summer homes of famous authors. I have had some great city and park walks with Phoebe Taplin (see one of her articles in the Moscow News weekly: http://www.mnweekly.ru/local/20081127/55359002.html), where I'm pretty sure I saw parts of Moscow that most Russians will never see, and most foreigners would never guess exist. As a tourist for a week or two, you would never have time to delve into all the wacky and weird parts of Moscow. During all these times, I met some genuinely lovely people from all over the world. I've made some enduring friends who I will certainly keep in touch with, and hopefully see again some day.

We're currently not sure what our next step will be, but I'll keep everyone posted. And I guess I'll have to change the name of this blog! Look for the new link...