I have just attended an education conference in Moscow. What an experience! The Kremlin and Red Square are absolutely beautiful. Wandering downtown you could be in Vienna or Prague - not at all what I was expecting.
Regardless of the massive tourist sites and visitors, I found it to be one of the most difficult cities to get around in. Navigating the place is daunting. You wave private cars down in the street to serve as taxis, the metro is a labyrinth only for those who can decipher the cryptic alphabet, and good luck asking for directions. There is little or no language support for non-Russian speakers. In the Kremlin, I could not even understand how to buy a ticket. I like to think I am a switched on traveler, but I really found Moscow prohibitive.
Why are there no signs up in English to support travelers? Perhaps this is nationalism preventing the creep of English into their special sites? I suspect this is the case. In addition, I was surprised how little English the average Muscovite knows (even in hotels) - none for the most part. Nowadays, it is rare to have people working in tourist hubs without the basics of the language.
Regardless, it is a brilliant city with loads to see - just bring a tour book in your language as you won't be able to get much help if cannot speak or read Russian!
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