St Petersburg, Russia July 16th

After a fun show called SHOUT! music from the 60s and 70s we headed
for the sack to get some sleep so we would be fresh for our first day in
Russia. Any tiredness we felt was overwhelmed by the excitement of
being here!
We had chosen a double decker tour of St Petersburg for today. Turned
out to be a terrific choice, although the day was very very HOT. Our
tourguide Ksenia tried to hold our patience with a couple of rude travelers
while escorting us throughout the beautiful city. (WE were not among
the rude.. of course).
Our first official stop was St. Isaac's Cathedral. Beautiful with its gold
onion domes and Orthodox crosses. We witnessed the magnificent
architecture of the buildings throughout St Petersburg along with
the pastel facade of each. It is a city of many bridges and canals, much like
Paris, indicating the city is built on a series of islands.
After a city tour on the bus we let loose and stretched our legs right next
to the Cathedral on the Spilled Blood. Magnificent mosaics throughout.
We also had an authentic Russian lunch of mashed potatoes and Beef
Stroganoff, a salad we couldn't recognize, and a complimentary desert
of an apple crepe with vanilla sauce. Then the excitement came.
BALUGA!
Epic giftshopping. Get ready for them fam!
Then to the Hermitage, a little sweaty. No airconditioning?!
But rich in history and beauty. Rembrandt, Picasso, Van Gogh,
Michelangelo, da Vinci, Cezanne, Monet, etc. + Catherine the Great's
collection. *Unanimous favorite! Bronze, gold-leafed Peacock Clock.
(Spreads its feathers 5 o'clock every Wednesday)
Started downpouring again.. but we were already on the bus on our
way back to the airtight Russian Passport Control. Didn't wanna mess
with those boys.

FUN FACT(s)! "Bistro" is Russian for "hurry" Who knew?!
St Petersburg is named for St Peter, not Peter the Great as
many may think. Also, formerly named Leningrad, then Petrograd,
THEN back to St Petersburg.

Question remains.......... is anyone reading this?!