Moscow welcomes you

After having spend quiet a few hours in the plane, Moscow was finally there to welcome the Bosaster expedition. Going through the customs procedures I was welcomed by Nikita, the custom lady that never smiles. Straight out of a James Bond movie, just for my pleasure. She took a very close look at my face and I showed her my Colgate smile, which could have been fun however she was lacking her fun muscle...

Having survived this, picking up the bagage was next, no problems there, next phase, transport to one of the 7 Sisters ( the residance building for the expedition) a almost brand new Lada was ready. Only one suitcase could fit in the trunk, the rest on the back seat, no problem. When the car finally started in the relatively cold and snowy airport, the petrol smell tickled my noise. As for the rest of the 40 minutes trip my brain was trying to fight the smell and my eyes were slowly being cleaned by a petrol treatment Russian style. On the road the number of Lada's was obviously quiet impressive and even more the fact that they still being produced in the same cubique style. But strangely enough the billboards on the road are only for cars that must cost a fortune, there vision must be to inspire people to work towards this luxury product, or something like that.

Arrived at the really nice residance, looking out on the impressive Kremlin, I was quickly reminded that this is a country of high security, when the door bell rang.
Two armed policemen asking for passports and the code word... When you arrive you need to call a specific number and give your details, which was forgotten and that has activated the alarm. I am sure that it will be a safe stay here, even so with the office of the KGB on the top floor.

I am very curious what the next days will bring because the city is massive and so different from what we are used to. I have two weapons with me, a digital camera and a REAL camera to capture it all. OrangeEmpire is reporting live from Moscow...