Shopping in Moscow's Tourist District

We went on a shopping/sightseeing trip where all the tour groups come with their souvenir buying Americans. There were 18 inch tall Russian stacking dolls that held over 20 little ones inside in some of the shops. People dressed in costume on the walkways were encouraging tourists to come into their store and offering 30% off coupons. Street performers, either soloists or small groups, were out entertaining with their instruments and with a cap or can or open instrument case ready to take all tips the tourists would offer.

It was over 90 degrees which is very hot for Moscow and the people were enjoying playing in the fountain near the mall just to cool off a little. This mall (behind Scott's head to his left) is a mile walk over the river from the tourist street. It has 7 floors and each floor is at least twice the size of the Layton mall. There is an ice skating rink on the top floor and plenty of eating establishments and at least one movie theater. We have never seen so much retail therapy going on in one place in our lives! We both loved it, Scott the lunch and Geri the shopping.