On a visit in the city of Moscow, Russia in 1990, we strolled through Red Square which is the center of the 800-year old city.  Any view from the outside is breath-taking.  Its multitude of gilded domes , its  pyramidal gate towers and the contrast  of the threatening  boundary wall with the extreme richness and intricacy is striking.  Inside the variety of styles and the lavish decoration give an impression of powerful magnificence. 

At its core was the Lenin Mausoleum and the Kremlin which is a city within a city.  When we lined up to enter the Mausoleum it was quite frightening because of all of the soldiers and talking was not allowed.  As we were walking in my husband spotted something on the walkway and picked it up and ask me to put it in my purse.  I told him that the guard saw him and suggested he keep it.  As we approached the guard, he pointed to my husband’s pocket.  My husband removed what was a granite rock and gave it to the guard.  He examined the rock and then returned it to him and replied something in Russian.  Later the tour guide told us the guard replied, “stupid Americans carrying rocks in their pockets.”  So we have a piece of granite from Red Square. 

As we entered the mausoleum it was very dark with only a spotlight on the glass enclosed casket of Lenin.  The tour guide later explained that it was very expensive to keep the fluid running through his body.  He actually looked like he had just died.  His skin coloring was certainly taken care of and it was explained he had just been given a new suit.  I understand that since our visit that because of the expense of the mausoleum they finally buried Lenin. 

All of the past presidents have a bust at their burial site which is located on the grounds, except Khrushchev, who is buried at another church site, because of his removal from office under unpleasant circumstances.  And, that is another story.  The reason for pointing out this visit is that the news media stated that Venezuela was going to establish a mausoleum for President Chavez where people could view him like Lenin.  It will be interesting to see since the news media stated today that Chavez has requested he wanted to be buried in his home town.

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