Nevsky Express

Train Travel

by scubaphoto

"Nevsky Express Train"

What a change from the crazyness of Nevsky Prospect and city life. This is tranquility about as good as its gets in Russia albeit with a price tag.

Welcome aboard the "Nevsky Express" currently the fastest train between St Petersburg and Moscow until the Siemens designed high speed train arrives. This is how train travel should be, maybe it was once like this in Europe but well before I was born. A gleaming train with good security and a smart looking uniformed staff giving a scene of dedication and pride greets the traveller.

Climb aboard and you enter a world of silence, even the air-conditioning whispers away almost unnoticed in the background. I have selected to travel "Coupe" class indeed the only class on this train. This is seating for six, with three facing three. Each coupe contains televisions, individual lighting, coat hangers and a call button to summon the carraige attendant. The coupe is spotless and functional. No chewing to be found on seating or under (yes i did check).

My fellow passengers are business people returning to Moscow after a day in St Petersburg doing what business people do i guess. I feel almost embarrassed at being under dressed in my combats jeans and t-shirt. I am dressed for comfort while my fellow passengers are dressed to impress!

The doors are shut and we depart on time and set off like a long silver snake towards the capital of this vast country just over 600 Km and four and a half hours away. A few minutes later a male attendant passes through the carraige with a tasty looking platter of salmon on brown bread. Later we are served a choice of hot airline style meals at our table and after dinner an order is taken for tea or coffee. A tray of teas appears promptly served in fancy glasses with a slice of lemon. A small china vase adornes our small table with small fresh flowers. I would have to consult my mother to tell you the type of flower, but they looked nice to me!

A visit to the toilet, often an interesting and unpleasent experience in Russia, reveals a spacious, well maintained and spotless interior. Then its back to my coupe and off to sleep and we speed almost sliently towards Moscow with just the gentle rocking of the motion of the train luling me to sleep....

New Year Eve

by multi

New Year is more popular holiday than Christmas here in Russia. Every year, 31 December people is gathered by small companies at the holiday table with very many food. At 12 we watch TV and under the battle of chimes of bells we drink champagne. Until chimes of bells will not stop you should conjecture desire and to drink the glass to the end. The most popular dish is salad Olivie (potatoes, egg, meat, peas, cucumber and mayonnaise). When you are too drunk usually people say that you fall by face into the salad :)
A New-year tree also is the required attribute of the holiday which appointed by all family.
From 2004 year in Russia all people have about 10 free days in the beginning of January (usually it is from 30/12 till 10/01 or something like this)

Rainy weather

by multi

if you decide to go to SPb in a spring or a autumn don't forget to take an umbrella and a raincoat or something like this.. The weather hear can be very different. Also there is chance that rain will be some days without any stops :\

Chizhik Pyzhik for good luck

by sennaya

The small statue of a Siskin bird on the Fontanka River is one of the newer monuments inSt. Petersburg, installed in 1994.
It is said taht if you can drop a coin onto the siskin's perch you will be given your wish or some good luck :)
It must work, because there is often a crowd tossing coins!

Holiday: 4th of July

by sennaya

The national independence day of America is not celebrated in Russia, but some expat groups do participate.

The biggest is a 4th of July celebration put on by the American Chamber of Commerce in St. Petersburg.
They have games, concerts and prizes. In years past it was invitation only, but now open the event to more participants.

The City Bar has a 4th of July special, hotdog, chips and beer for 250 rubles. Not a good deal, but in the spirit.