10 Things I Never Thought I’d See in Russia

All the bookings for our four-day family vacation to Russia were in place. The plan was to spend two days in St. Petersburg and the remaining in Moscow. With two kids in tow, the itinerary was relaxed and consisted mostly of enjoying the slightly chilly weather after the sweltering heat of Delhi. While the usual sights of onion-domed churches, cobbled streets and wedding-cake style buildings soothed our sore eyes, here are things I didn’t quite expect to see to Russia:

1. Street Art

This is not like your graffiti on walls, but actual paintings you would expect to see in a museum. They were scattered around the walls on the street of Moscow. We’d be walking down a normal road and out of nowhere there would be a beauty hanging on the wall. Just like that.

2. The Third Deepest Metro Station in the World

Park Pobedy at 84 metres underground is one of the deepest stations in the world and has the longest escalator, equal to 740 steps. I had heard of Russian metro stations being arty and worth a look, but this was something else altogether!

3. Pram-hostile Infrastructure

Yes, those are the words. There are stairs everywhere; in parks, restaurants and certainly in the metro. And no elevators/escalators most of the time, which means, if you have a pram for the child, it becomes very difficult to carry it up and down. I didn’t find a changing tray either, except at the airport.

4. Pirate Ship in the Middle of the City

For a city like Moscow that prides itself for its imposing architecture and buildings, there is a pirate ship (such a western concept) bang in the middle of the city, and is visible from the Park of the Fallen Monument. Ironically so.

5. Travelling in the Night Train with a 7-month old

I never thought I’d be bold enough to take a night train with a 7-month old. Now, I call myself the ‘Backpacking Mama’ because we have tried to maintain our low budget travel style, even with kids. But considering we stayed in the poshest hotels on this trip, I had to do something to justify being a ‘backpacking mama’, hence the night train!

6. Cocktails On-the-Go

The 80 days of sunshine aka the White Nights are celebrated with parties and concerts that go on till the wee hours of the morning. And that’s when you need cocktails galore. How else would you keep up the energy to rock the open air concerts and parties? It seems Moscow ditched the pub crawl and made it cocktails on the go!

7. Dark Sky on White Night

Thanks to a teething baby and jet lag, I was awake at odd hours during our trip. While the sun doesn’t really set at this time of the year (that’s why they are called White Nights), I happened to witness that moment when the sun dips almost to the horizon and it appears to be dark, but there is a wonderful glow in the sky.

8. Momos

​They would be perfectly well expected in China or Mongolia. But Russia seems so different from these countries, that I hardly thought I’d find Momos with sour cream here! And they tasted yum.

9. Instagram Booth on the Road

Pity I didn’t use it. Yes, it was next to a pretty café and one could take selfies and upload them on Instagram right there!

10. A Family from India, Without a Plan

The first day we stepped out to explore St. Petersburg, we bumped into a couple from Gurgaon. They were there with their 6-year old and 1 and a 1/2 year old. It looked like a last minute trip, since they were wondering what to do and were delighted to have us answer that. But another brave Indian family with young kids, in Russia. I did not see that coming.

Don’t head to Russia without a plan. Get your Russian Vacation ideas here.