Red Square closed for Events

Imagine you have flown half-way around-the-world to see a very important touristy site and when you arrive, it is closed. We are not talking about any touristy site but the famous Red Square in Moscow. To be specific – St. Basil`s Cathedral. Imagine you only had one or two days and chances are zero that you will be returning.

It is enough to make you cry. In fact, I have seen people close to tears. I have been in a similar situation back in 2004 when I visited Florence to see the famous David Statue. David was not available because repairs were being done to his gorgeous body. We couldn`t even get a glimpse of him. I wanted to cry. I really did.

We were flying out of Moscow back to Argentina and had two more days to explore the city. It is only natural that we went back to Red Square and say a proper goodbye to Moscow. I am always very excited to be going there. It is one of those places that you can never get tired of.

Closed – Really?

We dashed through the Resurrection Gates and then we saw it – Huge steel construction! We went closer to St.Basil`s Cathedral but we were cordoned off.

Disappointed faces were everywhere. I heard a woman saying they were in Moscow only for 1 day. Why did it have to happen today?

I felt sorry for her. Even if you can see the Cathedral and take photos it is not the same. You have to go up close, walk underneath it, admire it`s beauty from nearby. From what I could understand  they were preparing for an event in Red Square and it was closed for a week. People also couldn`t visit the Mausoleum of Lenin or walk around parts of Red Square. It was very sad and I felt fortunate to have seen it on various occasions.

I guess some people felt like they were cheated. I know I certainly felt like that with David. Then again, there is not much that you do about it, is there?

Where: Moscow,Russian Federation

When: 11 August 2012