This is a short, but important post, about two new people in my life. My next post will cover The Hermitage, my hotel, my Russian haircut adventure, a Russian gym, and brides in the street.
Life is very strange and I marvel at how people separated by great distances, speaking diffenent languages, and from such differing backgrounds and cultures, can become friends.
I met Roman and Olga on a language site on the Internet. Roman was studying English and I Russian. We talked a few times on Skype and communicated through VK.com (equivalent of Facebook in Russia). On my second night in St. Petersburg, Roman called me and met me at on a busy street outside Kazan Cathedral which is near my hotel. It was 10pm. I thought we would just have a cup of coffed. But Roman took me on an incredible nightime tour of the city. It was well past midnight when I returned to the hotel.
Roman with a coffee from an all-night cafe.
It is difficult to describe the beauty of the city at nightime. The river, the architecture, the churches and the cathedrals.
Last night he, I, and Ogla went out for dinner at a beautiful roof top restaurant, and afterwards again toured this wonderful city at night.
They are the friendliest people and I feel so honoured to have met them. He and Olga are fascinating. Three years ago they ventured to St. Petersburg from a small city in southwest Russia to find a new life. Roman is an industrial engineer. Olga is an artist and now teaches art at one of the Universities. She said that she is living her dream.
My friends, Roman and Olga
We again toured the city at night. It was really magical.
Tomorrow we plan a boat trip down the Neva and, next week, a hockey game, a trip to the public baths, and a car trip to Tsarkoya Selo (Tzar's village, home of the Amber room!).
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