Moscow getaway

My sister asks why I am here in the middle of the term. I got invited to a conference and it seemed too good a chance to pass up. My way was paid, I got to attend a two day, quintessentially Russian academic event, and see my dearest friend Liz and family. The only disappointment has been the unseasonably warm weather - it hasn't dipped below freezing at all really. Yesterday Liz's daughter skipped school and we hit the town - galleries, shopping and a sushi lunch. The Tretyakovsky which is my favorite gallery bar none has a whole slew of previously undisplayed paintings up now which was great fun.