Since I dealt with pictures have had time to think over things I have heard:
- Alex's kindergarten graduation invitation soon:)
- Katrina (guide) talking about "Kupper Shits" - finally figured out she was noting copper sheets as a way to gild the domes. Used a process with mercury which resulted in the deaths of many long term workers (mercury poisoning)
- Katrina saying driver Alexii would be the expert on "wodka"
- Passing through many metal detectors esp since airport bombing in 2011, security guards all over and in almost every shop, warnings about not giving actual passport to police if asked but give them a copy - there is still much fear.
- The "nyet" - no sign with hand language. One hand upright crossed over the opposite arm - usually to my camera.
- "Tsars don't rush" - hence the beauty and serenity of St. Petersburg
- Banya - Russian version of Finnish sauna - Katrina said soaks birch twigs 15 minutes in boiling water and used as form of massage - saw American girls beating each other with DRY birch twigs with older Russian women watching in wonder - "Why would they do that?"
- "White Nights" in June - only 30 minutes of darkness. ...near to Land of the Midnight Sun" - did notice the days are very long; 11pm last night still light outside and bright at 5:30 am - have to look up sundown time in May.
- Wine menu last night for wines by the glass - 1st page noted 150 ml (5 oz) for 920 rubles was cheapest ($32 for glass) - turned a page and then was 240 rubles for 8 oz (appr $8). I'm sure this got many rubles of tourist money but I discovered it in time - my German frugality.
- Military service in Russia - previous was 20 years compulsory! "went in young and out an old man" - two years ago was 2 years and now is 18 months but can avoid by attending a military academy.
- St. Petersburg was first Petrograd, then Leningrad, now St. Petersburg - what next? -
- During WWII/Hitler there was a 900 day siege of St. Petersburg with 1.1 million killed in air raids
No comments:
Post a Comment