Driving in Circles

Last night we arrived in Moscow after our two hour flight from Volgograd.  It was pretty easy travel and we came through the smaller airport so customs was also a breeze.  We were picked up by Dimitri the driver then sat in heavy Moscow traffic for over an hour and a half.   Moscow traffic sucks, it always sucks, regardless of the time of day.  There are no lines on the roads, it is set up in giant conscentric circles starting from downtown.

The transit system is the second  largest in the world so you only drive as a last resort.  Most people don't own cars yet the roads are packed.  There are no cabs to hail so you must preplan to hire a driver and they charge a minimum of $70 US regardless of how long you are in the car.  We have been driven for half an hour or several hours and it's always the same.  I have no idea how the tourists manage without a driver service.  There are no signs in English and very few people you might ask for directions speak nor understand it.  Oh and drivers in Russia drive like they are being chased by the devil.  Fast, reckless and loud.  We just get is, shut up, hold on and pray!