Last Moscow day and cruise departure.

This morning is optional tours. We chose to go back to Moscow Red Square because we saw this as our last opportunity to use the internet and we wanted to be able to let you readers know we were OK and that we would be out of touch during the cruise.At Red Square, a group of mounted soldiers were practicing performance drills--we assumed that they may be participating in the upcoming military band exhibition. We watched them a while, then found an outdoor cafe with wi-fi to get on the internet. We catch up on emails and also write a blog. We can again watch people in the square. Children are especially cute. One three-year-old was riding a scooter--the kind you ride with one foot and push with the other. We were impressed he could manage the scooter so well. 
All too soon, it is time to get on the bus and head to the ship for lunch. We are sailing at 4, and we go to the sun deck to watch the departure. The ship plays loud, rousing  march music to accompany the departure. We watch as we pass other cruise ships and container ship--ships of many kinds. We pass a huge sand and gravel plant along the shore with tall cranes that look like giant insects on skinny legs.
At 6 we go to the meeting room to be greeted by the Captain and introduced to the crew. He makes a brief welcome speech, translated into each of the languages by the guides. Then he announces a life-vest safety drill scheduled for 11 am tomorrow. He makes a toast to a successful cruise and good weather.
Dinner is at 7:30 with fish as the entree. After dinner we go back on top deck to watch people alongthe river-a very popular place. People are fishing or having a cook out, jogging, bicycling, or just walking along the riverbank. We even see someone with a tent.
My I phone shows two attempted calls from Pueblo, where my mom lives. I do not recognize the phone number, so called mom. She said she is OK, but was  working in the yard and fell and needed help to get up, so for the first time, used her lifeline device. Her neighbors were notified and came to help her into the house.No bad effects, thankfully.
We want front row seats for the on-board show tonight, so head up to the meeting room. The show is entertaining--a variety show with a Russian  folk group singing accompanied by an accordian. There was a man and woman who did illusionist tricks--pretty skillful. A pianist played for us and a male singer sang. A young woman peformed some gymnist-like moves using long drapes of fabric suspended from the ceiling. She pulled herself up, wrapped herself with the fabric, and with amazing physical strength, moved her body into different positions. Sorta hard to describe, but impressive and she made it look effortless.
The ship has already started going through locks--the first of many on this cruise, and tho it is time for bed, we watch a while. David takes some Tums as he is feeling some indigestion tonight. As it turns out, the indigestion is not a good omen.