summer palace

We walked inside the incredible Kuscovo palace today, constructed from wood in the 1740's but made to look like stone, and were greeted with period classical music. I thought it was coming from a radio, but no- there was a live concert in the middle room. So that was our soundtrack as we explored from room to room, just soaking it all in.

Other highlight: no map, no idea where we were going. We relied on stranger after stranger for directions and help; wild hand waving and pointing and alot of repetition, and in this way mastered transportation via ходить пешком and на автобус. Sort of understanding them and having a reason to connect with all these kind folks; it was my favorite part. I am becoming bolder.