Sean Lennon Day 32, Moscow, RUS
Today's events started with a trip to the airport to fly to Moscow. I never thought I'd have a chance to say that. The flight was pretty smooth, we got in relatively on time, we all made it through customs, all was good.
It's a little different over there, and we found out right away. First thing we had to do was bribe a baggage guy to get us 2 carts for all the band gear. There are some international signs for "give me money" after all... We got that all straightened out, so we go through the baggage claim area, proceed out of the terminal, when we're stopped in our tracks by photographers, tv cameras, journalists, etc... Full on, just like what you see on tv. I'm sure my face was broadcast across Russia that night, maybe even live.
So, after a few minutes of that, we make our way out to the vans that are waiting for us, 1 van for people, 1 van for gear. Everyone fit in the people van but 1. I was volunteered to travel with the gear, because of my vast knowledge of the Russian language, which consists of maybe 3 sentences and a handful of words... I had visions of dark cells and goulags. Fortunately, all was good, and our guide/concert promoter gave me a fantastic tour of the city on our way in.
And then we get to the hotel. It was impressive. Apparently it was built specifically to house guests of the communist party back in the day, so it had a rather pompous feel to it. We get checked in, along with a warning to never go out without a passport and proper landing card, because the police have fun shaking down tourists who appear to have improper paperwork. Good times.
Now for the dinner. They had a plan to take us out, and we went to the best restaurant in Moscow (so we're told). And it was fantastic. We were served all kinds of traditional Russian foods, right down to the cow brain pasty puff. Yes, I can now say I've eaten cow brain. In a pastry puff. Everything at the restaurant was great, from the food to the decor to the service. Amazing.
We thought we were done, but a couple people decided they wanted caviar, and we were brought to just the right place. A 24 hour gourmet food market. And it was insane. It was like a romantic era ballroom, incredible architecture, chandeliers, marble floors, name it. Unbelievable. I never thought I'd need to bring a camera to a grocery store. I've never seen anything like it.
After that shopping experience, we finally went back to the hotel to try and get some semblance of sleep after a brutally long, but incredible, day.
It's a little different over there, and we found out right away. First thing we had to do was bribe a baggage guy to get us 2 carts for all the band gear. There are some international signs for "give me money" after all... We got that all straightened out, so we go through the baggage claim area, proceed out of the terminal, when we're stopped in our tracks by photographers, tv cameras, journalists, etc... Full on, just like what you see on tv. I'm sure my face was broadcast across Russia that night, maybe even live.
So, after a few minutes of that, we make our way out to the vans that are waiting for us, 1 van for people, 1 van for gear. Everyone fit in the people van but 1. I was volunteered to travel with the gear, because of my vast knowledge of the Russian language, which consists of maybe 3 sentences and a handful of words... I had visions of dark cells and goulags. Fortunately, all was good, and our guide/concert promoter gave me a fantastic tour of the city on our way in.
And then we get to the hotel. It was impressive. Apparently it was built specifically to house guests of the communist party back in the day, so it had a rather pompous feel to it. We get checked in, along with a warning to never go out without a passport and proper landing card, because the police have fun shaking down tourists who appear to have improper paperwork. Good times.
Now for the dinner. They had a plan to take us out, and we went to the best restaurant in Moscow (so we're told). And it was fantastic. We were served all kinds of traditional Russian foods, right down to the cow brain pasty puff. Yes, I can now say I've eaten cow brain. In a pastry puff. Everything at the restaurant was great, from the food to the decor to the service. Amazing.
We thought we were done, but a couple people decided they wanted caviar, and we were brought to just the right place. A 24 hour gourmet food market. And it was insane. It was like a romantic era ballroom, incredible architecture, chandeliers, marble floors, name it. Unbelievable. I never thought I'd need to bring a camera to a grocery store. I've never seen anything like it.
After that shopping experience, we finally went back to the hotel to try and get some semblance of sleep after a brutally long, but incredible, day.
posted by t. at 4:08 PM
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