Moscow

We were able to visit Red Square on Monday afternoon.  Surely this is the heart of Russia.  Note the lack of snow and ice.  Moscow was having a warm spell, and it felt so good.

There was a skating rink set up in the middle of the square.  This little girl is learning to skate with the help of a "penguin".

St. Basil's Cathedral, built between 1555 and 1561.  The ‘holy fool’ Basil the Blessed, of whom Ivan the Terrible was a big fan and over whose tomb the cathedral is built, is the reason why the church is nicknamed St Basil’s Cathedral. It is as beautiful inside as it is outside.

Changing of the Guard at the Kremlin

They do this every hour.