How to Get Lost

Staying “home” yesterday afternoon and resting/reading/knitting/watching my video reel so far was probably the best thing I could have done. While the Hermitage left me nearly in tears at lunchtime, shortly after dinner, I was ready to hit the town again.

Geoff, Nick and I went out to get some sushi for dinner. I know, not exactly Russian. But there’s a Japanese restaurant on nearly every other streetcorner here in St. Petersburg! It’s an epidemic I’ll gladly say “Da!” to.

Anyhow, I’m hoping Geoff blogged about it more, but the sushi was pretty good, and even Nick the Newbie loved it!

On our way, though, we stopped by the Church on Spilled Blood to snap some photos in the great afternoon/evening light.

I love how this one turned out. I didn’t have my film camera with me, for once, which is a shame. I’m sure Geoff has some great ones though.

After dinner, we headed back to the hostel to pick up our tripods and night equipment to get some shots of the monuments, buildings, and bridges illuminated for the night.

I went through a roll and a half of film, and spent a lot of time experimenting with shutter speed, so whether anything will turn out is a bit of a gamble. With any luck, I’ll have one or two great ones!

Of course, the evening didn’t end there. We saw a sign advertising the Tinkhoff Microbrewery and couldn’t resist. Once clearing security and checking our coats (both traditions we’ve already learned from every public building and museum we’ve visited), we grabbed a picnic table in a stylishly decorated old warehouse and sampled some of their beers. I’m not sure whether any were brewed on site in St. Petersburg or not. They have about 10 locations across Russia, including locations in Moscow, Kazan and Yekaterinburg. So, doubtless, we’ll be trying to find another location in a few days. (Their food menu looked fantastic as well!)

Fast forward to this morning, and you’ll find Geoff and I practically running out of the hostel to avoid our new roommate, Helga. (Long story, I might get into it tomorrow. Otherwise, ask me.)

We tried to make the 9:58 train to Pushkin, but were about 20 minutes late, so bought tickets for the 11:58 and then sat in the waiting hall to wait it out. While Geoff wrote a bit, I worked on my current knitted object du jour; this little green mohair wrap sweater. It weighs less than my iPod! (Not really, but it’s close!)

A bit later, we were riding a train with uncomfortable wooden planks for seats. They had backs, but were hardly comfortable as more and more people squeezed on. After 30 minutes, we arrived at Pushkin, site of Catherine the Great’s favorite home.

On the way, we befriended a german couple, and walked to the park as a group. Just the walk to the park was almost enough to wear me out. Check out the size of this place!

I can’t say we really did it justice. We quickly split up, and Geoff and I wandered the area immediately surrounding the Great Palace for some photography, of course.

Here’s a nice view of the courtyard that’s technically the front of the palace, I think. At least, this is where carriages would pull up, back in the day.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t go in. Even though it was open today, we were told tickets wouldn’t be on sale until 4pm, for some reason. Since it was only 2 and we were starving and not looking forward to the nearly $17 entrance fee (each!), we left in search of blini.

Blini are wonderful, as I’ve discovered. They are like crepes, but heartier, and folded into a square pouch. I’ve only had the “buttered” version so far, but would like to try jam, or anything that does NOT involve sour cream! (I know, I know… when in Rome and all that.)

So far I’ve learned a few valuable lessons:

• Down coats are perfect travelling companions – thanks Sandra! They make a great pillow, blanket, or coat, and they smush up into next to nothing in your pack.
• I packed way too much yarn – sending some of it home today.
• Free laundry, free internet, and free international phone calls make a hostel that’s nearly heaven.

Oh yeah, and when Geoff was here 16 years ago…

Ha ha ha ha ha!