2010 10 31 - On Tour: Arbat

Arbat is one of Moscow's most famous streets. It is the Art Market for the city - Every city has one of these streets where paintings crafts and souvenirs are sold. Arbat is somewhat similar to South Street in Philadelphia only much larger and only open to foot traffic.

We didn't see anything spectacular while walking down Arbat it was still enjoyable to check out. There was stand after stand of sketches and paintings. People were selling all sorts of tourist items including table after table of nesting dolls. The street was busy with tourists and travellers - It was Halloween weekend and there were several college age Muscovites in costume celebrating the holiday.

There were also several buskers along the street - one was playing a Metallica song, another older man was playing a pan-flute - In Russia I think this may be referred to as a Kuvytsi. Further down the street we ran into a duo with guitars that could have been Evelyn and Kris, or John and Dave except that they were singing all their songs in Russian.

Arbat Souvenir Stand (click to enlarge)

The sign pretty much sums it all up "Souvenirs, Vodka, Caviar".

Branding
Arbat is a good area to catch tourists and on the day I spotted 3 baseball caps - 2 Yankees and oddly one Braves - some sort of funky Orange on Purple cap. 


New York Yankees 4
Boston Celtics 1
Elliot Sadler 1
Atlanta Braves 1