A few extras in St. Petersburg

Oh hai there. I’m still slogging through Russia and the rest of this particular trip, while summer just zips on by…
In between, I’ve been back home, out to Los Angeles, up to New York and some other places to boot.

Summer is funny that way. The ramp of the roller coaster ticks away and then, BAM. There are hills and loops and curves and banks and so much speed, it’s hard to hold on to the bar.

But alas, I’m well, busy as heck with things, trying to smell the roses, and remiss for not posting more regularly. These three photos? Some outtakes from St. Petersburg on May 24, 2012.I hope to get into July soon!

The State Hermitage

The State Hermitage is one of the oldest museums in the world and a highlight of Saint Petersburg.
We arrived before the doors were open and went through endless rooms until our legs were sore.
I’m guessing we saw a fraction of what was available.

You’ll note in the 48 some odd photos past the cut that I was drawn to the more modern parts
of the galleries. Sometimes you just need a good dose of color.

Take a near endless scroll through the hallways of The Hermitage

Arrival, Saint Petersburg

The first day in Saint Petersburg didn’t contain many photographs, and I won’t lie, a skimpy day was welcome. There was lots to see in this city and we were going to be here a comfortable four days.

First things first? Find a laundromat (we failed) and check into our apartment (success).

Final bits from Moscow

After the Comonautics Museum, we ventured around Moscow and walked across the way to
the All-Russia Exhibition Centre, which was a combination of impressive looking, but cheaply
constructed buildings housing flea market items. I wouldn’t recommend it.

But there were some highlights on the last day in the capital city, with us closing it out
on the Grand Express – likely the finest train between Moscow and St. Petersburg.

More photos from the last day in Moscow

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

A favorite part of Moscow was the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, which sits under the towering
(and beautiful) Monument to the Conquerors of Space (a 360 feet tall titanium rocket shooting into space.)

The museum is filled with artifcats, models, space suits, and ships from the Russian space program through the ages.

One favorite bit (along with all the patches you’ll see after the cut) was an exhibit of space photography that
showcased the equipment and photos from various missions. Old 35mm film cameras that took the most glorious
shots from outside our atmosphere. I can only imagine the stress of getting the shot right and having to wait for results.

If you ever vist Moscow, I’d very much recommend stopping in the museum.

Lots more patches and a few other odds and ends from the museum

Moscow

My original edit of the above photo. WHAT WAS I THINKING?
Lots of red bricks
State Historical Museum

We flew in to Russia for the last leg of our trip. From this moment forth we were on our own (without tour guides.) Russia is a bit pricey you see. So to save a few dollars in Moscow, we stayed at Godzillas Hostel which I must say, was a huge step up from the hostels I remembered from my youth.

Today was mostly about getting our bearings, but we managed to walk down to Red Square in hopes of catching the golden hour. We missed that moment, but made up for it by eating at McDonalds.

More views of St. Basil’s and then some

Kyiv

Kyiv (aka Kiev) would be our last stop in Ukraine.

The capital city helped eliminate some fumes from our travel weary minds.
Mind you, it was still an exaustingly jam packed day.
Everyone was looking forward to sleeping in a real bed after two nights on trains.
But the city is nice, well organized, lots of things to see, and generally had a good vibe about it.

Oh, I found out I can be claustrophobic! This was a new sensation for me, and quite curious.

We were touring underground catacombs to see dead preserved monks and the passages
were quite narrow (especially for tall folk), slow moving, and completely dark.
You had to hold a candle to see the shoulders of the person in front of you and the faint outline
of the tunnel. So there I am, stopped in a cramp space, holding a candle that’s eating up my oxygen
and someone is invading my personal space from behind. (Not a euphemism.)

I had two thoughts: Pass out or scream. I decided to ask our tour guide, is there an exit?
Lucky for me, there was.

A few dozen more photos from Kyiv

Odesa

Odesa Opera and Ballet Theater

You’re probably familiar with the spelling, Odessa. Once Ukraine gained independence
from Russia, they fiddled with the spelling of things to break free from the association.

But the reality is, half the time you see Odesa spelled with one ‘s’, and the other times with two.
It’s really confusing.

This city turned out to be one of the low days of the trip. I attribute this largely to lack
of a good dinner plus an overnight train ride. Couple our grumpiness with a really bad tour guide
and all anybody wanted was to leave, sleep in a bed, and start the next day anew.

Lots and lots more photos from Odesa

Yalta Conference 2.0

This is our group shot for the trip.
After this, standing in front of ruins, a cathedral, or a coastline seemed pointless. Nothing would compare.

A bit of backstory: Other Chris (3rd from right with sword) saw these photobooth vendors set up with clothing racks full of outfits along the Yalta promenade (an outdoor entertainment area and wide walking path along the Black Sea coast). He said we should do it.

I was a vocal hold-out upon seeing the setup, fretting it wouldn’t look cohesive. When they said we’d have to pick up photos the next day, I thought I had an out. Turns out, you could use your own camera and I happened to have my GF-1. The next hurdle? There were only 5 Victorian outfits for guys.

The rest would have to wear dresses (though in hindsight, it’s hard to tell which is which.)

Three of us gave in and the next moments were a flurry of walking sideways so the crowd forming didn’t see my fat hairy backside as we took our places. Did I mention a crowd formed to watch us? Oh and that dress? It’s wide open in the back, held together by a few strained laces. Not pretty.

Anyway, with all these variables: handheld camera at night, outdoor shot (with lights), and the laughing crowd, we managed to keep it together and make this… dare I say? Masterpiece.

I keep staring at this photo and marveling at every expression, pose, and use of props.

I’m going to get it blown up and framed for my house.

The Black Sea, & Winery

Too cold to swim, but perfect weather for sunning on the Black Sea.

After the palaces, it was time for lunch, a stroll down the promenade, and then a winery. Mind you, all this is happening in one day—a ton of stuff getting packed in here.

Lunch was fairly solid this day. The borscht was somewhat flavorful, the setting enjoyable. Outside the restaurant was the Kodak kiosk above. They still sold film, but it was more for phone cards.

The promenade itself was a great way to take in the superfine weather and the Black Sea, which I may have already mentioned, is a beautiful blue.

Aqua sea water
Tons more photos of the promenade and a winery

Vorontsov & Livadia Palaces

Vorontsov Palace was a very pleasant surprise. Located at the foot of the mountains in Alupka on the Black Sea, it was built by a prince for his summer home. It’s surrounded by a 100 acre park which provided a nice stroll leading up to the residence.

It didn’t hurt that the weather was downright perfect.

Crimean Mountains form the backdrop.

Tons more photos, including Livadia Palace