Welcome to Russia!

Aaron has been in Moscow for 10 days now! It really is going by fast! Skyping twice a day helps, and it makes me feel like Aaron isn't so far away. It hasn't been much colder in Moscow than in Utah, and it hasn't snowed all that much. Aaron is staying busy working on a large computer client by day, and his BYU Independent Study class by night. Oh yeah, and he has spent a fare share of time touring as well! of. course.

He made it to church on Sunday (thanks to a sweet sister in the branch) and really enjoyed the international branch. He is loving Moscow, but missing me (and Michael).

He sent me a bunch of pictures, so I'll take you on a little tour of Moscow! 

WELCOME TO RUSSIA!

This is Aaron's bedroom (and the desk where he Skypes from!)

The Kitchen

The Living Room

The view from his apartment window - he works in one of those glass buildings!

Aaron's office is in the first TALL building from the left.

The view from his office

Get this - he went to an opera at the famous Bolshoi Theater! It was like 3 hours long with three 15 min. intermissions!

This picture just isn't quite right, it is definitely missing Aaron's gorgeous wife!

 

Red Square is considered the central square of Moscow, and all of Russia. Notice how Aaron is standing on a gold circle? Well, that is THE CENTER of Moscow - and all the major streets radiate out (in circles) from there! It's crazy to see a map of Moscow because it is all circles!

Aaron in front of The Historical Museum in Red Square

In Red Square - a view of St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin

If you look at the wall on the right - that is the Kremlin. A kremlin "is simply a fortress or a fortification" (about.com). 

The tower with the clock (on the right) is the The Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin. It's gate serves as the Kremlin's "main entrance" from Red Square - this was once used for ceremonial processions.

The Kremlin includes four palaces, four cathedrals, the Kremlin wall, and the Kremlin towers. It is also the official residence of the President of Russia. You have to pay to get in, but there seems to be quite a bit to see. "The Grand Kremlin Palace was once the Moscow palace of the Tsars." Enough said.

This is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (like in D.C.), right outside the Kremlin.

"The Tsar Cannon, built at the end of the 16th century, is really just a fancy piece of decoration that seeks to impress." Naturally, we are ALL about impressions. :) 

Aaron outside of Christ the Savior Cathedral. (When you go in, it is just on floor all the way to the domes - cool!)

 Now, back outside to Red Square.

This gorgeous building above is St. Basil's Cathedral. I can't remember if Aaron went inside or not, but he got to go inside a lot of gorgeous cathedrals. The lame part? He couldn't take any pictures. P.S. - "This cathedral marks the geometric center of the city in Red Square."

Saint Basil's Cathedral at night - gorgeous! 

The coolest looking metro ever.

The State Kremlin Palace (where Aaron saw the ballet)

At the ballet in the Kremlin - what a refined husband I have (ballets, operas, etc!)

The ballet was about Aladdin and the Arabian nights - fun!

So yeah, Aaron is pretty much having the time of his life. MINUS all the loneliness that accompanies leaving the country without your wife! However, Aaron has an amazing and very positive wife who is thrilled that her husband gets this wonderful opportunity to network, learn about international business, make money, and have FUN!