May 18 and 19, 2013

These last two days have been unreal. To be in Russia and in St. Petersburg (aka Leningrad) has been unreal. This old capital of Russia is so full of history and opulence. It has a history like no other and there will never be another period in Russian history like the 17th and 18th century. The churches, cathedrals, palaces and museums exude how rampant the leaders during this time period spent and exhibited their wealth and power and fully explains why they had a revolution. It is hard to describe the show of wealth the leaders displayed.
In the last two days we have seen The Peter and Paul Fortress on an island in the middle of St. Petersburg, gone on a hydrofoil ride to Peterhof Palace in SW ST. Petersburg, went to Catherine's Palace in SE ST. Petersburg, took a subway ride 1000 ft. below the city, visited the Hermitage which was a winter palace for Catherine before becoming a palace and museum, visited St. Isaac's cathedral, the palace of Yupusov (home of Nicholas and Alexandria) and where Rasputin was killed, took a canal ride and visited The Church of Spilled Blood. Whew!
They were all HUGE, decorated either in classical or baroque style and guilded with gold or mosaics. I don't even know how many rooms we visited (we saw 20 in Catherine's Palace alone) each room more elaborate and gaudier than the last but every room had a WOW factor. I made 750 pictures in 2 days.
Personal observations were while they have these antiquities that literally blow your mind, the city is mile after mile of long multi-storied buildings whose facades were for the most part are very interesting. Each floor's window headers were of a different design. St. Petersburg was built on a marshy area and has a river and canals much like Venice except much more spread out. Marble, granite and gold EVERYWHERE!
There are 7 bridges, each one beautifully made of cast iron with elaborate designs. They also have quite a few large beautiful parks.
Our guide Maria was a tiny little brunette with an unbelievable knowledge of the history and lives of the rulers of St. Petersburg. There wasn't a question she couldn't answer. She was unmarried 30 yrs. old with a 17 month old son. She spoke English, French and Spanish fluently. Our driver Sergei was very stoic, polite and always a gentleman.
Our lunches were bland to say the least. A watery vegetable soup, beef, potatoes and excellent rolls the first day. Meat and fruit pies the second day.
I am exhausted and know I have not done the last two days justice. It was the highlight of this trip.
Tomorrow we arrive in Helsinki, Finland. We get back an hour tonight and boy do we need it. The time difference while in Russia was 9 hrs. We see Fox & Friends at 4 PM everyday.
We will be glad to get home and hear what everyone has been doing.


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Location:St. Petersburg, Russia