"Let the wild rumpus begin."

We awoke this morning and visited the Kremlin/Red Square.  Unfortunately it was a Monday and non of the museums/attractions were open.  The pictures are as follows::

1&2- Entrance to the Kremlin with the General Zhukov statue.

        Germany got within 15 km of Moscow while holding St. Petersburg under siege for 900 days. Russians valiantly held off the Germans during brutal conditions. Zhukov was extremely popular with the Russians and this concerned Stalin greatly.  After the win over Germany in WWII, General Zhukov  never received recognition for his great accomplishments.  In 1945, Zhukov rode at the head of the parade waving the German battalion Banners in Red Square . Stalin then sent Zhukov to fight Japanese forces in Mongolia and Machuria. In 1960's Zhuki finally received his recognition with this monument.

3- Lenin's Tomb (& yellow parliament building behind)

4- Lenin's Library from inside the square

5- Me and the boys in front of St. Basil's

6- Jack and Dylan with "Ivan the Terrible"

After two very "civilized" days in Moscow, we are at the airport awaiting our night flight to Ulan-Ude, Siberia.  We just checked our luggage to a rude awakening.  Russia allows luggage to be 40 lbs to an international flight, but only 20 lbs for a domestic flight.  The Kipps were over 90 lbs over the limit- 60 of which being Jelly Belly's for the orphanages!  So after paying the equivalent of $366 in fees, we are off.  We will be traveling 5 times zones and arrive to a busy day of tours and meetings immediately in Buryatia.