Must-Go Moscow

My trip to Russia, for both business and pleasure, has been on the cards for a while.   I originally meant to go in the summer, but we’ve been so busy welcoming new students to the UK to study English, not to mention enjoying the beaches and Bournemouth nightlife myself.

So off I go, just before the winter snow and below freezing temperatures kicked in. 

Russia!  For a country that seems so exotic and so different to the UK, it’s fabulous that the flight time is only three and a half hours – it takes me longer than that to drive to Norfolk sometimes.  A quick hop in a taxi and in under an hour I’m in Moscow.

We might have been enjoying a bit of late sunshine in England, but I didn’t want to take any chances, so I’d armed myself with a new pair of fur-lined water-resistant, super heat-supplying Uggs and enough cashmere to make Dr Zhivago blush.

But Moscow has thrown me a curveball – we're enjoying 12 degrees and some sunshine to boot!  Perfect sight-seeing weather.  I dash straight down to Red Square.  I’m a day late to see the ceremonial Olympic flame being delivered into the hands of President Putin, but the evidence of the stadium reception covered the entire area for several days.  The Russians don’t do anything by halves!

I don’t use the word ‘Awesome’ a lot, but I'll treat myself to it now.   It doesn’t matter how many pictures you’ve seen, nothing prepares you for the reality.  The entire area - Red Square itself, the stunning St. Basil's Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, the Kremlin walls – it’s all astonishing.  In the crisp autumn air, lit up to show off the fairy-tale colours and shapes, the mixture of old and new, and the sheer scale and weight of the history is breathtaking.

As for the GUM shopping mall - I'm going to have to say it most reminds me of Harrods in London. 

I was lucky to be there from daylight to nightfall, and to see the magnificent lights switched on.

There are so many shops and cafes to choose from.  Lucky for me, I’m with a lovely friend whom I met In Madrid whilst we were studying Spanish at International House.  She and her mother knew the place to go, Cafe Bosco, fronting the Square.  We chose various delicate salads, graciously served with all the flair and accoutrements of a front line café restaurant, followed by tea, coffee, and a three tiered plate of various mouth sized cakes – although I have to say, even my mouth was fairly stretched to capacity.  It seems to be famous for more than its fine fare, judging by how many tourists took photos of us while we sat scoffing an array of delicacies on the terrace. 

All the while.....of course I was thinking about work! 

Getting a taxi isn't quite as simple as I'm used to in London but the driver certainly made up for that!  He spoke English, better than I speak Russian anyway.  Having said that, I'm sure my translator only gave me the edited highlights.  Believe me, this taxi driver could have written a book on his exploits!

You know me, I can't let a day go by without doing some work.  Not that I'm going to tell you how much work exactly.  Unfortunately I couldn’t go out alone because….yes you guessed it, I don't speak the language.  I feel like a baby, totally reliant and dependant on my friend whose English is perfect, having spent a year abroad honing it. 

The offices and school of Liden and Denz have a great central location.  The main train station is conveniently nearby.  The departures board reads like a bucket list of popular destinations, both internal and international.   

With the Ministry of Foreign Affairs next door don't be put off by the security gate on entering the complex.  At least you know you are going to be learning amongst some dedicated professionals. 

If you’re considering studying here, the classrooms are modern with all the facilities you’ll need whilst you’re here. There’s the usual array of iPads for student use, wi-fi, library and refreshments.  With opening hours from 8am, through to 11pm it’s easy to find a time slot that suits your schedule.

We met a group of youngsters taking their leaving party photos.  They'd just taken a 4 day closed group course and spent the rest of the week sightseeing, which seems like a great combination.  The centre director Anastasia told us that courses for adults can also be specifically tailored to suit.

It's a shame we didn't have time to try it out......maybe next time!