The US-Russia Botanical Exchange Program began in 1972 to create a new level of scientific cooperation between the two nations, as well as a forum for addressing mutual environmental protection concerns. Through more than 40 years of cooperation, the program has facilitated more than 50 exchange trips between the US and Russia. The resulting transfer of publications, information, and plant material has aided in the conservation efforts employed by both countries.
The US team, Andrew Wyatt, Jim Cocos, and Becky Sucher, arrived safely in Moscow on Sunday evening, October 4th. There we no major delays or hiccups in any of our flights, and no luggage lost! Nikita met us at the airport and took us to our hotel to check in, where Igor was waiting for us. We dropped off our stuff and then piled in Nikita's car and drove to the nearest metro station about 5 minutes away. One of the longest and deepest metros in the world, it was very busy for a Sunday evening. We jumped on a train and headed to Red Square. It was obviously dark at this point, but Nikita said the city was particularly beautiful at night, and he was right! Not only are the beautiful historic buildings lit up in a variety of ways, but the Bolshoi Theatre and St. Basil's Cathedral had sophisticated light projections that were really amazing to watch. I can't explain this well enough to do it justice, so check out this video on Youtube if you're interested! If my video below doesn't work, here's a random video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rY5KJ2QQVw
St. Basil's Cathedral
GUM department store in Red Square
The Kremlin with Lenin's tomb
After Red Square, we walked across the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge which crosses the Moskva River. From the bridge, you get an amazing view of the Kremlin complex, the palace and cathedrals inside, along with some more modern skyscrapers in Moscow.
We walked another 15 minutes or so until we found a spot for dinner, a Ukranian restaurant. Nikita and Igor ordered a sampling of several dishes, and along with the food Jim, Andrew, and I ordered, we had more than enough to fill us up for the evening and beyond! We had salad with pickled everything, some kind of pork fat spread, delicious breads including one stuffed with potatoes and mushrooms, chicken kiev, sausages, salmon, some kind of gelled chicken, soups, and of course, Borshch! It was delicous!
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to get some much-needed sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day of tours, both botanical and cultural in nature.
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