Sightseeing (2/2)

Today we took in Red Square (skipping Lenin's mausoleum, as I'd mentioned we might). If Arbat Street ranks low on the list of pedestrian shopping areas, Red Square ranks pretty high in the league table of vast public squares. St. Basil's cathedral, probably Russia's most recognized attraction, is truly impressive from the outside. The interior does not match it, unless one has an academic or spiritual interest in medieval Russian iconography. St. Petersburg (and probably Moscow too, for that matter) has several more impressive cathedral interiors. It was HOT today -- easily 85 or more, and we were drenched by the time we got back to the hotel for Phoebe's nap and this blogging session. We took the Metro back. The Soviets spent a fortune on the Metro, which is decked out in lots of marble. Here are a couple of photos: