As expected, the boat trip was much longer than published. We walked with a group of eight people from the complex and headed to the Metro at about seven pm to make sure we were there for the eight twenty departure. The Metro was packed; I have never seen it that crowded. Everyone was coming from or going to a party to celebrate Victory Day. It was a lovely opportunity to see a wide range of drunks. There were the young drunks, some wrapped in the Russian flag, all with glazed eyes and open cans of beer and every other one about to puke. There were the 30 something drunks, much better dressed and carrying open cans of much better beer, and then there were the older drunks, who seemed to have reverted back to their youth since they looked and acted more like the young drunks.
We managed our connections and got to the station that serves Gorky Park, which was filled with people waiting for fireworks. We had to walk a bit, cross under a bridge and then walk some more to the area where the boat would dock. We got there in plenty of time and had a chance to talk with other AAS folks while waiting. There was a huge boat docked next to ours and it was decorated with hundreds of balloons that spelled out Happy Fifth Birthday Jika. What the heck are they going to do for this kid’s sixth birthday? The boat was only about a quarter filled when it took off. Perhaps it was making another stop but it sure looked like they didn’t need that big a vessel.
We finally boarded our boat and everyone staked out spots on the upper deck, except the Russian employees who all took over the lower deck. It was as if there were two separate parties going on. Since the food was on the lower deck the Russians had first crack, but there was plenty to go around. I had carried three cartons of wine with me so that we would be able to share with those that forgot or those that drank more than they thought they would. The wine was very much appreciated by the above.
We pulled away from the dock at 8:10, much to the consternation of a couple from AAS who had just arrived at the dock as the boat pushed away. Several folks went to the captain to get him to turn back but the die was cast and our castaways missed the boat. It was very sad seeing them on the shore-waving goodbye to us. According to the captain, there was another boat that needed the dock so he left early, which to me is garbage. It was just another example of Russian arrogance and disregard for schedules. It was more convenient for him to ignore the schedule so, as with all Russians, he did what was most convenient. Sadly, we actually came back near the dock some twenty minutes later and they were still standing there waving at us.
The boat just cruised up and down the river killing time until the fireworks were to start. There were nine places along the Moscow River where they were going to be setting off fireworks and our boat positioned itself near the State University of Moscow. Here is a nice link to the route we took and some commentary. This link actually shows you our boat.
The fireworks were fabulous and we were so close that the concussive explosion of air from the detonated fireworks could be felt on the boat. Cindy took some good photos but of course you needed to be there to get the full effect. The pyrotechnic display lasted for a full fifteen minutes and you could see bits and glimpses of the other fireworks up and down the river. When it was over we thought we were heading back to the dock but instead we blew past our mooring and went back up the river to places we had already seen, TWICE. We were told that there was no room at the dock but it sure looked empty to me when we passed it.
By the time we got off the boat, walked to the Metro, connected to the other line and walked from the station home, it was five minutes to midnight and poor Cindy was exhausted, as were all the other AAS folks who needed to be at work bright and early. 5:55 came all too suddenly and I made Cindy an extra cup of coffee to take with her to work since I knew she would need a quick jolt. Tonight will be a very early evening in a desperate attempt to catch up. It doesn’t seem fair that the three-day weekend had to end so very late and that instead of returning to work well rested all the teachers were dragging.
There was a celebration in Victory Park for all the veterans of WWII. They are all in their late 80’s and 90’s but as this photo shows, they are Russians ‘til the end.
Best to all, Cindy and Wm.
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