A trip to the Moscow Zoo!

A friend of mine from the summer courses in Vilnius a few years ago happened to be in Moscow for a couple days last week. We managed to catch up before his train to Vilnius (where he promised to have a "cepelinas" for me!), and I suggested the zoo! It's in the middle of the city, and it was a hot and crowded day. The treatment of the animals isn't entirely up to our standards, but you get the sense that the Russians are trying. There were, at least, a lot of signs reminding people to PLEASE, avoid feeding the animals. Most of the animals were sleeping in the little caves in the cages. I took some videos, so once I can upload them, you can see a bit more what it was like. There is a new area of the zoo that's more updated. That's where the stars are: white tigers and polar bears (also called white bears, in Russian). Once capitalism became accepted, private business and individuals have started sponsoring certain animals. I was tempted by the children's zoo, and since full price entry is only $5, I may just go back!

Gates to the zoo (new area)

A giraffe!

Another statue by Tsereteli

Here the sign says "Dear Guests, the statue by Zurab Tsereteli is not an attraction and it is dangerous to climb on it.

A view of one of the "Stalin Skyscrapers" from the zoo

After the zoo, my friend Misha and I wandered over the US embassy to take a look at the Michael Jackson memorial that had popped up:

I would have taken more pictures, but "technically" you're not allowed to take pictures of foreign embassies. (You're also not allowed to take pictures in the metro -- a true shame!! -- or of aerial views from tall buildings).