Yesterday, we pounded the pavement for 16 straight hours. It all started around 11am and we didn't get home until after 2am. I swear we must of walked at 12 miles during that time. The big sights of the day included the Hermitage ( one of the largest art museum in the world), Church of the Blood (amazing mosaic interior) St. Issac's Church (babushka with a pretty hat), and then we ended the night watching the draw bridges rise at 1:25am. We learned the Russians have annoying tourist entrance fees. One price for Russian and one price for foreigners (which is always double).
The White night phenomenon here is pretty amazing. We walked out of dinner at 11:45 pm and it was still completely light out. Your mind and body can not compute time anymore. About 2am it become twilight and then sun is back up by 4am. We have gotten little sleep the past few days.
Overall, St. Petersburg is a very european city with large grand buildings and canals. But the the architecture still feels quite heavy. The building are solid and you definitely get the feeling you could be easily crushed. Everything is still just big and for no good reason. You should see the size of the rain gutter drains, uselessly gigantic. The Soviets loved there concrete and I'm excited to see all of the hideous structures in Moscow.
Today we toured Peterhof (summer palace and Russian attempt to up stage the France's Versailles) and tonight we are off to the Russian ballet. Then it's the midnight train to Moscow.
1 comments:
Girls, the extra price you have to pay for tourist is like going to Disneyland and getting a discount just for living in CA. Have fun, love you, Lori
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