I know that I have been very lax and not keeping up with this blog! But I have been busy and exhausted.
I will try and summarize my last few days in St. Petersburg as I am about to embark on the second leg of my journey, having just returned to Moscow this evening by train.
Just before boarding my train, I was met near Moscovski Station by four of my new friends, Roman, Alexandr, Kolya, and Nadya, to say good bye over coffee and tea. It was very sad saying goodbye....I was really touch by how sincerely friendly and open hearted these people are. The stereotype of Russian people behing hard and cold could not be further from the truth.
Just before leaving for Moscow. Roman, Nadya, Kolya, and Alexandr
Saying goodbye
They gave me this signed banknote (asking me to return)
Olga painted these two watercolours specially for me of places we visited.
Roman gave me a set of Imperial Porcelain, for which St. Petersburg is famous.
I don't know if they realise how much I will treasure these gifts, reminders of my time in St. Petersburg and our friendship.
Here are some of my adventures in this beautiful city:
I went to a most amazing place called Grand Maket (Grand Model). It is an incredibly detailed model of all the regions of Russia. I have never seen anything like it! Everything moves, the human figures are only about a cm tall and so lifelike, the lighting changes from daytime to night...it is absolutely unbelievable. They even have a control room.
This is the control room
Of course I went to the Hermitage, one of the greatest museums in the world. The collections were superlative and the impressionist collection was particularly unbelievable. One hint to anyone planning on visiting is that the impressionist collection is housed in the General Staff building across the square. Rooms and rooms of Monet's, Van Gohs, and Renoirs, and no crowds as the tour groups do not venture here.
Other highlights included getting the first manicure of my life with Ekaterina, complete with having my hands dipped in paraffin! It was a great opportunity to practice my Russian and have a new experience at the same time! Ekaterina made it very clear that all REAL men get manicures.
Post-paraffin
Ekaterina and I
One of my best evenings was seeing an incredible hockey game with Roman, Olga, and Alexandr. The St. Petersburg team is called SKA. The arena was packed and the enthusiasm was electric. Ska won in overtime! I bought a crazy hat and, afterwards, went back for tea at Roman's apartment .
Me with Ivan the Terrible. Don't worry, he was an actor.
Another embarrassing hat, but great fun.
At Roman's apartment
Roman is an excellent guitarist and played a song he composed.
And one of the best times I had was just walking around St. Petersburg at night with friends.
This last photo is for my Russian teacher, Tamara:
Tomorrow: The Moscow Izmailovsky market and the hunt for the best souvenirs!
I will try and summarize my last few days in St. Petersburg as I am about to embark on the second leg of my journey, having just returned to Moscow this evening by train.
Just before boarding my train, I was met near Moscovski Station by four of my new friends, Roman, Alexandr, Kolya, and Nadya, to say good bye over coffee and tea. It was very sad saying goodbye....I was really touch by how sincerely friendly and open hearted these people are. The stereotype of Russian people behing hard and cold could not be further from the truth.
Just before leaving for Moscow. Roman, Nadya, Kolya, and Alexandr
Saying goodbye
They gave me this signed banknote (asking me to return)
Olga painted these two watercolours specially for me of places we visited.
Roman gave me a set of Imperial Porcelain, for which St. Petersburg is famous.
I don't know if they realise how much I will treasure these gifts, reminders of my time in St. Petersburg and our friendship.
Here are some of my adventures in this beautiful city:
I went to a most amazing place called Grand Maket (Grand Model). It is an incredibly detailed model of all the regions of Russia. I have never seen anything like it! Everything moves, the human figures are only about a cm tall and so lifelike, the lighting changes from daytime to night...it is absolutely unbelievable. They even have a control room.
This is the control room
Of course I went to the Hermitage, one of the greatest museums in the world. The collections were superlative and the impressionist collection was particularly unbelievable. One hint to anyone planning on visiting is that the impressionist collection is housed in the General Staff building across the square. Rooms and rooms of Monet's, Van Gohs, and Renoirs, and no crowds as the tour groups do not venture here.
Other highlights included getting the first manicure of my life with Ekaterina, complete with having my hands dipped in paraffin! It was a great opportunity to practice my Russian and have a new experience at the same time! Ekaterina made it very clear that all REAL men get manicures.
Post-paraffin
Ekaterina and I
One of my best evenings was seeing an incredible hockey game with Roman, Olga, and Alexandr. The St. Petersburg team is called SKA. The arena was packed and the enthusiasm was electric. Ska won in overtime! I bought a crazy hat and, afterwards, went back for tea at Roman's apartment .
Me with Ivan the Terrible. Don't worry, he was an actor.
Another embarrassing hat, but great fun.
At Roman's apartment
Roman is an excellent guitarist and played a song he composed.
And one of the best times I had was just walking around St. Petersburg at night with friends.
This last photo is for my Russian teacher, Tamara:
Tomorrow: The Moscow Izmailovsky market and the hunt for the best souvenirs!
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