Things in the neighborhood

In addition to Moscow's central mosque, the neighborhood where I am staying is also home to CERAGEM. For those of you unfamiliar with this place, google it. Basically some rich South Korean has littered the world with centers of massage beds which you may use for free. THe beds are automatic and have some magic heat and jade rollers -- all designed to heal you of anything that ails you. I dragged Liz there today to see how it compares to our local in Salt Lake. First difference, you have to get past the requisite Soviet style guard man - not difficult, just a card to fill out and flash. You then emerge in one of Russia's run down courtyards not visible from the street. We took a wrong doorway and ended up in some other "fitness" room where there were all sorts of primitive stretch and strength apparatus littered about. Finally found our place which was much bigger than the one in SL (30+ beds). Despite the expected session times as advertised, there were a couple of figures who seemed permanently ensconed. TN|BC

Not knowing the conventions

In the space of under 12 hours I managed to embarrass myself in both a casino and a monastery. And that my friends is the beauty of Moscow. Friday night we were the guests of a friend who runs the biggest casino in town. We had a lovely meal and then thought we'd have a go at a game. Having never strayed beyond slots in Vegas, I was thrilled when friend summoned a croupier to open a roulette table for "a couple of high rollers" (that would be me and Liz). Our total incompetence astounded the manager, croupier and the people playing black jack at the next table. But we did win $30. Beginners luck. The next morning we went with the children to Novospaskii monsastery. It was a last minute decision and we arrived without the requisite head scarves. Never mind. In front of the guard booth there were two laundry baskets of loaners. I picked out a garish number and as I wrestled with it, Liz's husband Vasya handed me a different one. It was bigger and was proving really tricky to get around my head when I realized that everyone was laughing. Turns out it was actually a wrap around skirt to cover my inappopriate trousers.