After a restful sleep on the train from St. Petersburg, I woke up to the Moscow skyline at around 6.30AM at Leningradskiy Railway Station. As the train came to a complete stop, I gathered my belongings, including a suitcase and a backpack, intending to deposit the suitcase at the luggage storage, just like I did on my way to St. Petersburg. While making my way to the storage room, I noticed something that left a profound impression on me. Some people had relatives, siblings, partners, or loved ones waiting to pick them up at the train station. The faces of those reunited were filled with genuine happiness. It struck me how rare it is to see Russians smiling, but in those moments, their joy was evident. This small but significant observation during my trip reaffirmed the importance of cherishing and expressing our love to those close to us so that we can avoid regrets later on. 🙂

After that, I took my luggage to the underground station, just like I did on the day I went to St. Petersburg, so I could travel around freely. Today, I had a plan to explore Moscow before heading back to Thailand. Once I deposited my luggage, I freshened up and attended to personal matters. But before I set out on my mission, I remembered the most important thing: “An army marches on its stomach“. So, I made sure to find some breakfast to fuel myself inside the train station. There were 2-3 mini-marts where I could easily pick up some light and easy-to-eat food to satisfy my hunger. When my stomach was full, I was ready to go. It was almost eight in the morning, and the sky was starting to brighten up. I immediately set off, and my first destination was Moscow University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Russia, established in 1755. The standout feature of the university is the imposing Stalin Building with its soaring spire.

My journey to Moscow University from Leningradskaya railway station was easily accomplished by taking the metro Line 1 (Red Line) from Komsomolskaya station. The ride consisted of 11 straight stops until I reached Universitet station (Университет). Once I stepped out of the station, I found myself at a crossroad, and there, right in front of me, stood the university’s imposing fence. I followed the fence for about 500 meters and found the main entrance of Moscow University. As I walked about 200 meters in, I encountered the grand Stalin Building on my left. Interestingly, this iconic building can be found at various points throughout Moscow. There are a total of seven of these buildings because during Stalin’s reign, he wanted to demonstrate the might of the Soviet Union after their recent victory in the war. Fearing embarrassment compared to other capital cities with tall buildings, he ordered the construction of these imposing structures to showcase their prowess.

Inside Moscow University, it was serene and adorned with beautiful corners, each exuding a sense of grandeur that I could touch and immerse myself in. (I even felt like I had stepped into Balamb Garden from the Final Fantasy 8 game, it was that surreal!) The university’s atmosphere was so tranquil, and there were many hidden spots to explore and appreciate.

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I didn’t spend much time here, even though the campus was vast and beautiful. However, my heart was set on some souvenir shopping, a desire for some retail therapy. After bidding farewell to Moscow University around 9.30AM, I headed to explore the gift shops. Many had recommended Izmailovsky Market as the most reasonable place to buy souvenirs from all around the world, just like our flea markets back home. To get to Izmailovsky Market, I took the metro from Universitet, right in front of Moscow University, Line 1 (Red Line), and traveled back 7 stations to change at OKHOTNY RYAD (the same station as Red Square). There, I switched to Line 3 (Blue Line) and rode 5 more stations until I reached Partizanskaya (Партизанская) station, which only had one exit – the head of the train. As I exited, I found a cluster of buildings and shops in front of the station. After crossing the street and walking through that area, about 500 meters away, I finally reached Izmailovsky Market, with its roof resembling something out of a fairytale castle in an amusement park. 😛

Izmailovsky Market, similar to Thailand’s Chatuchak Market, is located in the northeastern part of Moscow. It opens every day from 9AM to 6PM but gets bustling on Saturdays and Sundays when almost all the shops are fully open. On regular days, it’s relatively quiet and peaceful. From the outside, the market resembles an amusement park, with its roof resembling something out of a fairytale castle, giving it a unique and enchanting vibe. Inside, it’s divided into two main zones. The first zone is where tourists flock to buy souvenirs, as the prices here are often cheaper than in other tourist spots, and bargaining is possible. The second zone is like a flea market or a treasure trove, where people sell second-hand items and antiques, such as home decorations, various tools, and ancient artifacts. Izmailovsky Market is, therefore, another popular shopping destination for travelers seeking affordable and interesting items they shouldn’t miss.

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Today, my main goal was to explore the vintage zone of the market to see what unique treasures I could find. However, even with this intention, my adventurous spirit and curiosity as a traveler and explorer were still at work. So, before diving into the designated vintage area, I decided to take a peek at what this place had to offer. And boy, was I not disappointed! It made me exclaim in my heart, “Wow… Russia!” The array of vintage items here was astounding, ranging from household tools to traditional Russian samovars, and even peculiar artifacts like old guns and outdated explosives (yes, you heard me right, actual explosives for grenade launchers were being sold). Walking through this vintage zone felt like diving deep into the essence of Russia’s true identity, and it left me in awe of the country’s rich history and culture.

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After exploring the fascinating world of Russian vintage trade, I made my way back to the intended zone – the souvenir section. And one souvenir I couldn’t possibly miss out on was the iconic Matryoshka, the Russian nesting dolls. These charming dolls symbolize Russia and its culture. Surprisingly, the prices for these Matryoshka dolls at this market were much lower compared to the touristy places I had visited before, almost half the price! If you bought them in bulk, you could even negotiate or get some extra gifts. The best part was that every vendor here spoke English, making it a breeze to communicate. This market was the first and only place during my visit to Russia where I encountered no language barrier. And for those who adore Vladimir Putin personally, there were various collections of souvenirs featuring the president to choose from. As for me, I indulged in buying several souvenirs because the prices were definitely better than elsewhere. It’s safe to say that I had a lot of fun and went a little overboard with my shopping spree!

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After spending a satisfying three hours shopping (well, it was bound to be fulfilling; I was here for quite a while!), I decided to keep my promise from earlier and visit St. Basil’s Cathedral and the famous GUM Department Store. Before leaving Moscow for Saint Petersburg. Unfortunately, on that day, St. Basil’s Cathedral was closed, and I didn’t have enough time to explore GUM. Not one to linger, I hurriedly made my way to Partizanskaya metro station. However, as I arrived, I spotted a Subway restaurant nearby, triggering that familiar feeling – hunger! So, I grabbed a sandwich and coffee to recharge before continuing my adventure. This time, I hopped on the blue line (Line 3) and went back five stations to Ploshchad Revolyutsii, then emerged at the OKHOTNY RYAD exit, ready to resurface at Red Square.

After arriving at Red Square, I couldn’t contain my excitement to visit St. Basil’s Cathedral immediately. Waiting to admire its beauty from the outside was just too much to bear. St. Basil’s Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Terrible, was commissioned by Tsar Ivan IV, also known as “Ivan The Terrible,” in 1555 to commemorate the victory over the Mongols in the war of 1552. The cathedral was intended as a symbol of unity. It was designed and constructed by the architect Postnik Yakovlev, adhering to the Orthodox beliefs. The cathedral has a unique design, featuring nine domes in total, with one large central dome surrounded by eight smaller ones, creating an octagonal shape. When the construction was completed, Tsar Ivan IV was so delighted with its beauty that he rewarded the architect by ordering to have his eyes gouged out, so that he could never create something as magnificent again. This cruel act became the origin of the nickname “Ivan the Terrible” for the Tsar.

St. Basil’s Cathedral was open for tourists to marvel at the beauty of its architecture every day from 11AM to 5PM. The admission ticket cost 350 rubles (approximately 6 USD) per person.

Inside St. Basil’s Cathedral, I discovered the utmost beauty of architecture, making it one of the most exquisite places in the world, with its stunning frescoes painted on walls and ceilings, as well as various ornate decorations throughout the cathedral. Moreover, from the upper levels of the cathedral, I was treated to breathtaking views of the Red Square. It was an experience not to be missed, especially since we often see Moscow from the outside of the Red Square, but getting to explore the interior of this globally renowned landmark was truly something exclusive and extraordinary. The iconic sights that people all over the world recognize suddenly became a personal and intimate encounter for me. Strolling through the historic halls, I felt a sense of connection with the past, as if I had traveled back in time to witness the grandeur and artistic mastery of a bygone era. It was a moment of pure awe and wonder that left an indelible mark on my journey through Moscow.

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After admiring the beauty of the cathedral, it was around 3PM, and I decided to explore something more modern, like the Gum Department Store, which was nearby. While walking from St. Basil’s Cathedral to Gum, I encountered a peculiar circular fountain with stairs leading up to an upper platform. Curiosity got the better of me, and I climbed up to see what it was all about, feeling like a local discovering a trendy spot. To my surprise, inside the circular fountain, there was a single stone pedestal, surrounded by scattered coins both on the edge and around it. I noticed some people attempting to toss coins into the center of the pedestal, perhaps for good luck or to make a wish (well, that’s my guess, but it probably involves something along those lines). It was an intriguing sight that added another element of uniqueness to this trip. I couldn’t resist capturing this bizarre moment and took a photo to remember it by.

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After that, I decided to venture inside Gum Department Store to see what it was like (I had passed by it several times but hadn’t gone in yet). Gum Department Store is the oldest and most iconic shopping center in Moscow, dating back to the Soviet Union era. It sits right in the heart of Red Square and focuses on selling well-known branded products that everyone is familiar with. The building itself, both inside and out, is beautifully designed, and even if I wasn’t particularly interested in buying high-end brand-name items (since the prices weren’t that different from Thailand), I recommend stepping inside just to admire the outstanding architecture that has stood the test of time. It has a certain liveliness and charm that makes it an experience in itself. Gum Department Store is open every day from 10AM to 10PM.

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This ice-cream in GUM was 50 ruble (1 USD)

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After wandering around the department store until evening, it was almost 5PM, which meant it was time for me to say goodbye to Russia and head back to Thailand. My flight back home was scheduled for 9PM. I had been in Moscow for several days, and even though the time flew by, it was time to wrap up the journey. I had a responsibility to fulfill back home, and I needed to face it. So, with a heavy heart, I bid farewell to Gum Department Store and made my way to Leningradskiy railway station to retrieve my luggage from the storage. From there, I took the brown line of the Moscow Metro for four stations to reach Belorusskaya station (Белорусская) to catch the Aeroexpress train to Sheremetyevo Airport (this was why I had to leave the city almost four hours before my flight). Once at the airport, I exchanged the remaining rubles back into dollars (I made sure to keep a few rubles as souvenirs). I then proceeded to check-in and went through the necessary immigration procedures by submitting the departure card (given on my arrival) and the Visa Register form, following the security regulations.

Suddenly, I realized I hadn’t eaten for a while, but it had much choices to find anything to eat after passing through immigration. Perhaps I had gotten bored of Russian cuisine, or maybe everything just seemed less appealing at that moment. While waiting to board the plane, I reminisced about all the things I had encountered during this trip. Traveling alone allowed me to spend time with myself, to see the majestic beauty of the dreamlike Red Square and to understand the way of life of the Russian people. It opened my eyes, my mind, and my heart to the vast and ever-ready world waiting to be explored. I felt proud that I had kept my promise to myself. This trip was incredibly fulfilling and reinvigorated me for the battles that lay ahead in life because I firmly believe that “Moving is living” 🙂

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Written by : SHIPY SIWARIT TIASUWATTISETH

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