TourMagination’s Waterways of Russia (by invitation only) tour arrived in Moscow yesterday. Members of TourMagination’s Bridge Builders (alumni that have traveled with TM multiple times) received an invitation to join Wilmer & Janet on this cruise on the Volga River from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
Albert & Mary Hildebrand from Paraguay arrived in Moscow 7 hours ahead of the group from the US and Canada. The plane from Toronto was delayed for maintenance.
This morning at breakfast everyone was so excited to be on the River Victoria ship and together as a group. We are a group within the 188 persons on the ship from more than 10 English-speaking countries.
George Burmeister was impressed with the Moscow underground metro system. It is so clean and efficient. We traveled on its 3 levels and at one time were more than 500 feet underground. More than 10 million people travel on it per day.
Lorne Smith commented that Moscow is more modern than he expected. Construction and road development, we were told, is being driven by oil and gas revenue.
Esther Lewis joined the group this evening that went to the Moscow Circus. She said, “We do not need to see any other circus since we saw the best in the world.” She wondered if the lion trainer who put his head in the lion’s mouth for a minute had a special relationship with God like Daniel.
LaVerne Yousey enjoyed the Russkie Uzory (Russian Folklore Orchestra) concert on the River Victoria this evening. The group of 20 performers played 30 musical instruments and sang pieces they wrote, as well as traditional Russian folk songs. Their enthusiasm was uplifting.
Tomorrow… the Kremlin.
~ Wilmer Martin
