After VDNKh, I remembered there is another abbreviated station name, CSKA, which is short for some Russian words meaning “sports complex.”

I noticed it was a bit cooler in my room. A check of the weather, 56F. OK, I might need my jacket, but screw it. I know that it is just a ruse and it will jump 30 degrees in an hour.

Also, it was wet outside, it must have rained a bit. Maybe it will rain later.

The Metro exit takes you right to the entrance to the park. Apparently, there seems to be a old persons race starting soon. I don’t know the rules specify an age, but everyone wearing the race vests is on the backside of 60.

They have a water fountain where the water shoots up from lots of holes, sometimes in patterns. It was too cold for any kids to be playing in it and the wind was blowing mist towards me, making me colder.

It is not a park you go to to enjoy the scenery or to sit around. It is a sports park. There are running paths, exercise equipment, and even a rope castle for the kids (but not me <frown>).

I walked to the top of a hill, big mistake, the wind had nothing to slow it down now. I noticed there are 3 types of paths, concrete brick, shredded rubber (in different colors), and gravel. I wonder if they have different uses, like this is for running, this is for bikes, etc.

They had a duck pond, with someone’s dog lapping at the edge.

Honestly, this is not the park for me, I’m already in perfect shape.

I check the map, there’s Leningradsky Park, near by. Don’t ask why that’s in Moscow and not the former Leningrad.

One thing Russian cities have if green space. I have to walk down a very narrow park to get to the next park.

Leningradsky is nice enough, but nothing to see.

Another map check, there is something I have marked, the Experimentanium. I think it is a children’s science museum, but even though I found the building, there is no sign as to the entrance.

Getting hungry, I enter a “French” bakery and choose a black bread sandwich. You know what they say, “Once you go black bread…”

This was actually the first thing I’ve eaten that did not have cucumber or dill sprigs on it. But it wasn’t cut all the way through, so the back half had very little filling.

After eating, I jumped on the subway and headed to see the “animal” house. This is a building with exaggerated animal shapes covering it, but guess what, it is surrounded by scaffolding. Under repair or just being repainted.

As I walk about, I see a green, yellow, and blue flag. A quick search says it is the flag of Gabon. There is no writing or signs on the building, but perhaps it is the embassy of Gabon. I do occasionally see guard huts next to gates, with mirrored glass, so you can’t see them.

Yesterday, I saw the Mexican embassy and Italy’s. This is the nation’s capital, so there should be lots of them.

Seeing the Gabon flag search, reminded me that Texas has an embassy in London, yes still. Somehow I missed seeing it on our trip. Strange that I had not thought of it for 8 years.

Later I see the building for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Yes, please, sign me up).

I was right, it has gone up to 73F. Take that you dumb jacket.