Today was pretty fun. We got to do the initial visit of the Gorbachev museum and we got to see his personal archives. Didn't get to meet him yet, but hopefully in one of the next two visits.
I haven't really done much tonight except go for some coffee and cheese cake at a cafe. It was really good and fun to practice our Russian. Now we are just sitting at home watching movies on our computers... on a friday night. lame, I know, but not our choice.
We received an email from the State Dept. today telling us not to go near the center of the city (Red square, Kremlin, etc.) after 3 pm tonight, saturday night, and sunday night. I'm not sure if you heard of the December 11 movement, but essentially it's a group of people who want to ethnically cleanse Russia of any representatives of the Caucasus region or Central Asia and who use the motto "Russia for Russians" (Russification anyone?). We were also told to stay out of the metro system after 3 pm, but I'm not entirely sure why. They are concerned with our own personal safety, both from the demonstrators and the increase in numbers and tension of police officers, as well as the risk as being seen as a representative of the US gov't since we are embassy workers. So yeah, not really much we can do without being able to use the metro. :(
I guess I'll be going to bed early
Please be careful! :)
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