Visitors line up to enter the Lenin Mausoleum in Red Square, Kremlin, Moscow, 1988 (photo)

Visitors line up to enter the Lenin Mausoleum in Red Square, Kremlin, Moscow. Some come the night before and sleep in the park; some arrive in the pre-dawn. By 6AM, the Alexander Garden by the north wall is packed with people. Vendors sell ice cream and circular bread (boublik), sleepy children line the park benches while family members hold a place in line. Police shout orders about checking bags, proper dress, staying in twos, keeping silent. About 8:30, a policeman at the front slowly moves the line up the hill into Red Square. Moments before 9, the guard changes and the line is allowed to enter the Mausoleum. Inside it is dark. The line moves down guard lined steps into a cool underground chamber. the guards inspect the crowd and indicate what needs changing. Lenin, wax like, lies in a well lit casket and the surrounding chamber is bathed in dark red light. Guards dressed in brown move the line along. Another guard dressed in forest green is changing in the space near the coffin. The line continues through the morning and finally finishes around 1:PM. The Lenin Mausoleum was built of wood in 1924, and rebuilt of red and black granite in 1930. Photo by Cary Sol Wolinsky