The sunrise over Red Square was spectacular. At 6:00 a.m. the streets, wet from the daily sprinkling wagons, were practically deserted. In the walking tunnel some homeless were still sleeping on the marble floor. A young couple was huddled together, drawing comfort from each other’s bodies.
Early in the morning there was no crowd in Red Square. The picture taking opportunities around the square kept me and my camera busy. Some women employees were showing their passes to the Kremlin guards and disappearing through the bronze doors into the vast interiors. By the time I had the pictures I wanted, most of the new roll of film was used up.
At the buffet breakfast at the hotel I made a sandwich and along with a couple of hard boiled eggs put it in my fanny pack to be eaten at lunch time. I then walked to Red Square for a few more photos and at a bank converted some traveler’s checks to rubles.
Near Red Square I followed some people through a swinging door and found myself in a large crowded shopping mall three decks high with many fashionable stores. My time was too limited to explore all of it.
My ride to the boat was to be at 4 o’clock but the hotel clerk said I must check out at noon or pay for an extra day. I vacated the room and put my bags in storage with the bell hop. I walked to Red Square to eat my lunch (the left-over breakfast).
My taxi driver couldn’t speak English but knew the way to the boat dock and the name of my floating home for the next few days. The boat was called the Ms Kronstadt. He looked at his paper and said “Kronstadt.” I thought he had my name wrong and said, “No, Schumann.” We laughed at our lack of communication.
My cabin was roomy with two bunks and a window. The air conditioner worked and the bathroom had a toilet, sink, and shower. At the briefing for English-speaking people we were given our schedules by a willowy English girl. I was the only American aboard. The rest were English except for a couple who were Welch.
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