Hello there again!
I am going to be honest, I started writing this post in the end of August, but somehow got extremely busy and lazy (ok, the latter) and did not finish it till now! :-/ However, I see no better chance to finally tell you about my summer adventures than in this cloudy chilly November.
After I came back home from UK in June, I spent almost all the time with my family, friends, basically with everyone I did not see the whole academic year. There was a lot of things on my traveling agenda during the summer, starting with a trip to Russia with my family, Music Festival Colours of Ostrava, trip to Sumava and Croatia with my girls. Anyway let me start from the beginning…
Здравствуйте. It was the 29th of June and me, my dad, sister Emha and Blanka (who is my dad’s wife, I don’t like the expression step mother, so just you know) headed to Russia. We spent 5 marvelous days in Moscow and then another amazing 5 days in Saint Petersburg. This trip was full of Russian adventure, fun, laughter, great time, food, drinks, places, monuments, sightseeing, culture, history, Russian language and confusion as well. I had no idea what to expect from Russia as it all seemed a bit exotic, dangerous and yet exciting for me. So let's get a closer look.
I am going to be honest, I started writing this post in the end of August, but somehow got extremely busy and lazy (ok, the latter) and did not finish it till now! :-/ However, I see no better chance to finally tell you about my summer adventures than in this cloudy chilly November.
After I came back home from UK in June, I spent almost all the time with my family, friends, basically with everyone I did not see the whole academic year. There was a lot of things on my traveling agenda during the summer, starting with a trip to Russia with my family, Music Festival Colours of Ostrava, trip to Sumava and Croatia with my girls. Anyway let me start from the beginning…
Здравствуйте. It was the 29th of June and me, my dad, sister Emha and Blanka (who is my dad’s wife, I don’t like the expression step mother, so just you know) headed to Russia. We spent 5 marvelous days in Moscow and then another amazing 5 days in Saint Petersburg. This trip was full of Russian adventure, fun, laughter, great time, food, drinks, places, monuments, sightseeing, culture, history, Russian language and confusion as well. I had no idea what to expect from Russia as it all seemed a bit exotic, dangerous and yet exciting for me. So let's get a closer look.
MOSCOW
After a relatively quick flight we finally landed in the capital of Russia, Moscow. We were accommodated in the city centre, just 3 minutes away from the nearest metro station and 5 minutes away from one of the main streets (yaay, food within walking distance!). My dad managed to get us an accommodation via airbnb, which was great as we had the whole place rented for us. Except from the sneaky and irritating neighbor, a lady in her sixties, who seemed to have no other job but watch us and make us some troubles (like when we were drinking wine on the balcony and 3 minutes after 10pm she told us we were loud even though we were not at all and threatened us with calling an embassy or whatsoever), but whatever (actually it was funny to listen to our parents argue with her with they elementary school knowledge of Russian language).
The first day was a chill, we got ourselves into the Russian atmosphere and were trying to get in the mood for a proper Russian experience (having Russian caviar and champagne on the balcony during the sunset).
Second day was much more productive and after our breakfast we headed into the city centre and our adventure could begin! First stop: Red Square, which is basically the most famous square in Moscow, where all Kremlin, Lenin Mausoleum, Saint Basil's Cathedral and GUM Shopping centre is situated.
We visited all of the above. First the Department Store, followed by Mausoleum. It was particularly creepy inside. Relatively small all black room, everything made from black marble with hundred of guards on every corner. Moreover, it was extremely cold inside in order to keep Lenin in the right condition. Lenin was displayed in the middle and people were just walking quickly around the display of him. Altogether we were there only for a minute. Secondly, we went to the Saint Basil's Cathedral, which is built in the typical Russian Cathedral style, with colorful little towers and domes. This is a must visit place!
In order to have a full and proper Russian experience, we found a cozy underground typical Russian bistro for lunch and had a great traditional meal and a pint of beer to finish this awesome day off.
Second day in Moscow was a BAD DAY. Bad karma hit us again and the luck was not on our side. It first started when we got lost in the metro as we got a bit confused by the names of the stations. Finally we found the right way and arrived to the desired station. Then we went to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which was back then pulled down by Stalin in 1953. Fun fact: Pussy Riot was arrested here when performing inside the Cathedral whilst naked.
Bad luck again- my father was not allowed inside since wearing shorts.. Hovewer, later on we decided to go on a boat trip. We got out tickets and were all ready to take the trip on Moscow River. Being unlucky again we couldn't go. When the boat arrived, the sales lady rushed back at us and gave us our money back as the boat had been broken. Weeelll.... Already feeling a bit upset we went to the Novodeichy Convent. It was all beautiful, but some parts were under construction, therefore we couldn't visit all the parts of the tour paid for. Moreover, we got lost in the areal when we were looking for the entrances. Nevermind. Feeling a bit tired we then sat down for a while in a park and parents fell asleep for a minute. But no resting allowed! We got back on our feet and continued.
The next stop was the Lomonosov University. An enormous object of buildings, also, one of the seven sisters skyscrapers. Tourist weren't allowed inside so we just continued our tour when it started raining. Bad karma stroke back again haha. The most tiring day ever. Sorry my feet, I love you, don't be mad at me I kept repeating to myself. After we found the desired refreshments we crawled back to the metro station and headed home.
Lastly, on our way back home when we wanted to visit one last place where we could have a nice overview of the whole city, BUT the view and all the pathaways were under the construction so we couldn't see a thing. Wonderful, right? Enough of the bad luck already pleeease! That day we managed to walk for about 20 miles. I swear :---)
The third day was rather calm. We finally went on that desired boat trip on Moscow river. Then, unfortunately we wanted to visit Kremlin, which was closed that day (see my father's disappointed face in the third picture). In overall we were just wandering through the streets in Moscow and enjoying the sunny weather.
Last day we visited Kremlin, finally. It was freaking hot outside, the best weather to spend the whole day under the direct sunshine. When we got inside the areal, we were lucky enough to arrive just before the beginning of the change of the guards. Which was huge, it was a ceremony/ performance almost an hour long. There were horses, guns, gunshots, soldiers, men, guards, dancing, amazing choreography and timing. After, we visited all of the small cathedrals and chapels within the area. And then continued into the front area of Kremlin, which is full of beautiful gardens and fountains. Lovely lovely lovelyyyy. An amazing end to our Moscow's adventure!
SAINT PETERSBURG
To sum up, Moscow was beautiful, the culture and history could be seen and felt on every corner however, people weren't as welcoming as I had expected and most of them were a little rude and not willing to help (language-wise: as I don't speak Russian, I managed to learn the basics and read the Azbuka but when speaking English, most of the people were not willing to cooperate...but oh well, hey, this is probably most likely to happen in Czech Republic as well). On the other hand, Saint Petersburg was more European if I may say. Almost everyone there was more polite, friendly and definitely more willing to help. It also wasn't as guarded as Moscow was. In Moscow you could see police and soldiers or guards on almost every corner, but in Saint Petersburg very rarely. But this is just my point of view (and mostly at people). Both of those cities boast with splendid history, culture and architecture. Neither of them is more beautiful, both are marvelous and worth visiting.
Third day in Saint Petersburg we went to Hermitage and Winter Palace. It was huuge. We spent 6 hours in the museum just walking and watching pictures, sculptures and exhibits of famous artists. Except from the never ending queues it was amazing. What irritated me the most were organised groups of Chinese people. With all respect to all my fellow Chinese students and friends, BUT when you are standing in front of Da Vinci's picture of Madonna and suddenly group of furious Chinese rushes in and starts pushing you and everyone else in order to somehow get closer to the picture AAND starts putting their cameras, ipads, selfie sticks, iphones and computers or whatsoever in front of the picture so no one can see. I mean reaaally?! Looking back at it I have to laugh, it was kinda funny....Moving on, we saw work of Rembrant, Rubens, Goya, Michelangelo, El Greco, Botticelli, Monet, Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh, Gogain, Da Vinci and many more plus the whole interior of Winter Palace and antient exhibition. I was surprised how much information I managed not to forget from school about all of the above.
To conclude, Russia was amazing indeed. I am so glad my dad took us there and we had a chance to see and explore this country a bit. Even though it is relatively close to our culture, there are still some very crucial differences. And unfortunately I cannot share the same opinion about Russia as my parents do, as it is noticeably closer to their hearts than mine. However, we had a lot of joyful moments in Russia and I hope it can be seen from the pictures attached.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this post and got a clearer picture of our adventure there. I hope I will talk to you soon.
With love,
Michaela