Of all the places I...
by calczech
Of all the places I experienced in St Petersburg I would definitely recommend going to 'Petershof' - The Summer Palace of the Tsars. There are several ways to get there, but in my opinion, catching the Hydrofoil right across from the Hermitage - 250 rubles one way - you can cross the Gulf of Finland in about 30 minutes to reach Peterhof. Another way is by train also, which is much more economical, but definitely more complicated. I think the train ride costs about 12-15 rubles. Either way, just make sure your ready for the ride back to St Petersburg by 4:30 or 5pm, unless you savor the experience in staying overnight in a small Russian town! Of all the absolutely beautfiul sights in St. Petersburg, to me, Petershof was unbelievable. It is the summer home of the Tsars. The gardens, palaces, and fountains are just unbelievable. A person could spend days there walking through the gardens, taking a dip in the Gulf of Finland, seeing all the fountains, and the numerous tours and museums. They even have helicopter rides which are very inexpensive by American standards. I will be posting several pictures I took in the near future. My fondest memory? Wow...that is really difficult to do since I have so many. One of the major highlights would be walking through the gardens of Peterhof, a very romantic place, with a Russian lady that is very special to me. Also, St Petersburg is a city consisting of about 45 islands. There are canals, and boat rides available everywhere. Going on a boat ride, seeing much of the city center with the lady you love was probably very close to visiting Peterhof.
Isakievskaya Square
by bugulma
Isakievskaya Square is one the most beautiful squares of the city. The central attention is to Isakievsky Cathedral. There are some other interesting buildings around as well as monument to Russian Emperor Nikolay I. The ensemble was built in the first half of XIX century by Monferrant.
Old Women in Russia – "Babushkas"
by Klod5
The old ladies are very noticeable in Russia, they're called 'Babushkas'.
You can't come to Russia without meeting them, as they seem to spend their days outside. They join together for a chat on the benches in front of their homes, or they walk their dog in the parks. Because they are in every public place, they contribute to making the cities feel safe, even in the evening.
They grew up during the hard times of the war and never miss a chance to remind people about that.
Most of them live still with their children and grandchildren, homes being expensive in big cities. They take care of their grandchildren, and sometimes work also for other families as nannies or home-help.
They get a very low State pension (1500 R =$50 US per month), so they often find small jobs, which will let them earn a bit more. Some Babushkas choose to do government jobs in public places, which let them earn something like twice more than if they were only on their pension. So you will see them keeping the metro, sitting in the museums, cleaning the railways..
And some Babushkas find other ways of making money.
-- For example, they wait for travelers arriving at railway stations in St Pete, and propose them to live at their apartment. Sometimes they are honest nice grannies who let you sleep in their cozy Soviet flat, sometimes they give you a false set of keys and when you get to the flat, it seems to be the wrong door, but the Babushka is already far away with your money..
Get out to a DACHA
by travelingdanna
Most weekends during the summer, there seems to be a mass exodus from the city, with Petersburgians going out to their dachas (summer homes) in the forested areas outside the city to relax, pick mushrooms, go swimming, sunbathe, and most importantly - to breathe fresh air. If you are lucky enough to be invited out to a dacha, you should go, it's a nice break from the city. But remember your bug repellent! The mosquitos can be awful.
Roskolnikov's door -- Dostoevsky character
by sennaya
There are many sites in Saint Petersburg associated with books by Dostoevsky. Here is the door to the apartment where Raskolnikov lived.
Guess what? He is not there anymore. :) Don't go knocking on doors, new people live in the apartments now and they don't appreciate your curiosity. :)
Go see the Dostoevsky museum instead.
Besides, Raskonikov would be at the bar, not at home. You can feel his presence in any small neighborhood alkogolik bar in town.
"Raskolnikov was not used to crowds, and, as we said before, he avoided society of every sort, more especially of late. But now all at once he felt a desire to be with other people. Something new seemed to be taking place within him, and with it he felt a sort of thirst for company. He was so weary after a whole month of concentrated wretchedness and gloomy excitement that he longed to rest, if only for a moment, in some other world, whatever it might be; and, in spite of the filthiness of the surroundings, he was glad now to stay in the tavern."
From Chapter 2 "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoevsky.
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Peter & Paul cathedral.
SPB Metro
Exterior View
The Cathedral
