Moscow Musings: Damp Socks and Unexpected Kindness
okay, so. moscow. right? i wasn't expecting…this. i’m a touring session drummer, you know? I’ve played in dive bars in Reykjavik, packed stadiums in Tokyo, but moscow…it’s got a thing. a certain…grey. not depressing, just…present.
I just checked and it’s drizzling, a persistent, clinging kind of drizzle that soaks through your boots and makes your socks feel like little sponges. delightful. the temperature’s hovering around 1.73 degrees celsius, feels like -1.13. pressure’s 1017, humidity’s a swampy 95%. basically, pack layers. seriously.
I’m here scouting gigs, obviously. the scene’s…interesting. a lot of traditional stuff, which is cool, but I’m hoping to find some places that want a little bit of…chaos. you know? something with a pulse. I’ve been wandering around, mostly just getting lost, which is my preferred method of exploration. I stumbled upon this amazing little bakery near *Sparrow Hills. Seriously, the pirozhki? Forget about it. I’m pretty sure they’re powered by magic.
I overheard some babushka gossiping about a new jazz club opening up in Tverskoy Boulevard. Apparently, the owner is a former KGB agent with a penchant for bebop. That sounds promising. I’m definitely checking that out. You can find some reviews on TripAdvisor, though I wouldn’t take them too seriously. Someone told me that the cocktails are “surprisingly strong” which, in moscow, probably means lethal. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g298463-Moscow.html
I’ve been staying in a tiny apartment near VDNKh. It’s…cozy. Let’s go with cozy. The building itself is a bit drab, but the neighborhood has this weird, retro vibe. If you get bored, Kazan and St. Petersburg are just a short train ride away. I’m thinking of hopping over to St. Pete’s for a day trip.
Speaking of locals, I had a really lovely interaction with a woman selling flowers near Red Square. I was trying to navigate with my terrible russian (basically just pointing and smiling), and she patiently helped me find my way. She even gave me a sunflower. It’s currently wilting in my apartment, but it was a really sweet gesture. It’s moments like that that make traveling worthwhile, you know?
I also heard that the metro is absolutely stunning. Apparently, some of the stations are like underground palaces. I need to dedicate a whole afternoon to exploring that. Check out this local forum for some tips: https://www.moscow-guide.com/
My gear list so far:
My trusty Tama Starclassic Maple drums (obviously)
Noise-canceling headphones (essential for moscow traffic)
A ridiculously oversized scarf (for the dampness)
A phrasebook (that I rarely use)
A portable charger (because my phone dies constantly)
* A small notebook for jotting down gig leads and pirozhki recommendations
Pro-tip: learn a few basic russian phrases. Even just “hello” and “thank you” go a long way. And be prepared for a lot of staring. People here are…observant.
I’m off to find some more pirozhki. And maybe a dry pair of socks. Wish me luck. You can also check out Yelp for some restaurant reviews: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants&find_loc=Moscow,+Russia
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