That's The Life!

Today was more a day of leisure. We spent a couple of hours touring the GUM (гум) pronounced: "Goom" like "room". What a gorgeous mall! We had visited over 16 years ago, but we don't remember it looking so classy. Dan and I agreed that it was Water Tower Place (for you Chicagoans), on "steroids". Even Moscow itself has received a facelift since we were there last. The economy has definitely improved. Here are a few photos to delight the eyes:

An entrance, above. Below, the entire building. . . Over two city blocks:

Here are some interior photos:

The building has been a shopping mall for the last 150 years, as you can see by the back stairs:

They have functioning "historic" toilets ( their word for restroom):

And the oldest and largest supermarket in Russia:

No, those are not mirrors. The shop actually runs to the end!

A display of goodies in the shop. . . 

A few more photos of Moscow on the way to the GUM:

This painted netting or drape covers buildings that are being repaired. Clever!

Gorgeous building just around the corner from the GUM:

Our hotel for the last two nights: Peter the 1st:

Here is your first Russian lesson: just sound each letter of (H)otel Peter using the above sign.  hint: (ль-L) (П-P) (Р-r)

You are well on your way to mastering the language. I will dedicate an entire post to it soon.

The hotel, although it looks classy, was moderately priced for its type. Here are a couple more photos:

The front desk:

And of course the handsome Peter the 1st himself!

Our driver Andrey, who drove us from the airport and around Vladimir and Kovrov also took us to the docking area for our AMAWaterways river cruise. Here he is with our family:

And here is AMAKaterina, our home for the next 12 days, waiting for us:

And a peek into our lobby from the 3rd floor:

It will be good to be settled for awhile! Tomorrow? A tour of Red Square and the Kremlin. And maybe, just maybe, we we will have the chance to see the VERY well preserved  body of Lenin, beloved by the people of Russia (it's true)! You have to see it to believe it (we did).