Tim's Travelogue
Hello (or Privet, as they say in
Russia!),I am indeed back . .
. after a nice vacation and a really wonderful week in Russia during which, yes,
I did keep up with you on a daily basis. It was extra nice since all other
media over there is in Russian! [Ed: So
this explains the Russian Domains in my SiteMeter.
Duh.]St. Petersburg is a
beautiful city . . . a little rough around the edges from all the years of
neglect and abuse, but still beautiful. Definitely one of the
world’s great cities. I would put it right up with Paris, in fact,
and for anyone who knows my love of Paris, that is really saying
something.Here are a few
shots . . . the weather was not the best, but even with the clouds I think the
beauty comes through.Spas has
got to be one of the world’s most beautiful churches. Built on the
site where one of the Czar’s was attacked (he later died as a result), the
building was used to house potatoes during Soviet
times!
The Hermitage was equally
impressive inside and out. It is a truly remarkable building in its own
right. The fact that it happens to house one of the world’s great
art collections is almost a
bonus.
Catherine’s
Palace was a “summer” residence outside the city. It is home
to the fabled “amber room” . . . a room decorated entirely in amber
(walls and everything). The original was stolen by the Nazi’s in
WWII. It was recently recreated from pictures and re-opened to the
public.
And
the river view is a shot of St. Petersburg’s first official construction,
the Fortress of Peter and Paul. The city is built mostly on water so
bridges and canals are
prominent.
Hope
you and your readers enjoy the little trip. I loved it and am anxious to
return.Tim
Posted: Monday - August 30, 2004 at 10:11 AM
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