Tolstoy the Russian Hippie, Frustrations and StPetersburg

Feel free to shun me in the blog world for being a horrid blogger. So much has happened the past few weeks it’s a good thing I keep a private journal! So, here are a few highlights. I saw another wonderful ballet; French classical this time. I am not sure if I mentioned in a past post but it has been since I was four that I saw classical ballet and loved it. I also saw a play at the theater located near Pushkinskaya with a Russian friend, a comedy based on Gogol’s Dead souls. It was fantastic; although I had a difficult time understanding more than just the overall story. My language at this point need a great deal of work and is the only thing that really has made this travel experience less enjoyable. I need a more positive attitude I suppose. When I started learning Russian, I was a music major, performance to be exact. I was learning Russian for my own personal challenge, but not really retaining anything and it really shows here. The only evidence perhaps of my three years of study is pronunciation. When I can say something, I can say it pretty well, but I have shed quite a few tears these past few weeks over my lack of understanding and speaking and I am unsure if I will take the National Exam. We will see…

Another wonderful highlight was our visit to Tolstoy’s house located near Park Kultulry(English spelling?) So, I had read Anna K and had absolutely fallen in love with Levin, one of the main characters who according to Tolstoy, possesses the characteristics of a “true” Russian. Levin is hot tempered, romantic, a bit emotional, in love with Kitty, nature and has a deep “Russian soul” we could say. That’s why I love Levin. Anyways, I didn’t know quite as much before this visit to Tolstoy’s house, but not only was he a vegetarian, but his house in Moscow, he refused to be built with any of the “luxury” amenities available at the time. For example things like running water and electricity. Tolstoy also loved to ride his bike around Moscow and loved the country. Total hippie. I didn’t take pics, all apologies.

So, onto Petersburg, which after the first two days was cold as heck! We rode the midnight train and had a blast. A train ride in Russia, how romantic! We stayed in a hostel, which made me miss the dormitory, yes it was that bad. I have mosquito bites to show and the Petersburg water reeked of iron. But I loved the Hermitage, Peter and Paul fortress and Dostoevsky’s apartment museum. The venture to the apartment museum was just a few of us Dostoevsky lovers. Not the whole group and we went inside Our Lady of Vladimir Cathedral where Dostoevsky attended when he lived in this apartment. There was a small wedding service, which was my first. No pictures allowed of course, but try to use your imagination! Another highlight, something I had been thinking about before I had even left the country, is the Idiot! The Idiot is a restaurant in Petersburg, which is exclusively vegetarian/ vegan. I myself do not eat meat, so this was something I had on my list of things to do. I would recommend it highly to any traveler, meat eater or not. I had a great mushroom soup and I know my friends liked their borsch. According the restaurant “Dostoevsky loved this place!” I am happy that my vegan friend and I made a point of going there. They also speak English and the menu can be available in English, fyi. So that’s about all I am wiling to write considering there is too much to keep a blog reader interested. I have 5 more weeks left. More coming soon enjoy the photos.

Oh! Almost forgot! The same Russian friend who took me to the play also took me to meet his friend, who has land out in the country, north of Moscow. There are pics of Kelly and I in the Russian countryside. Another great experience. Cold though.

“Ther Idiot!”

Petersburg

Outside the Peter & Paul

Peter & Paul

Nevsky Prospect

I usually don’t like posting pictures of myself, but this one isn’t so bad ( Hermitage)

More of Petersburg

Bad girl

Hermitage

Hermitage

Inside the Hermitage (I have tons of photos, but I am just too lazy)

Hermitage

Petersburg

Petersburg

Hermitage

Petersburg

Petersburg

Kelly and I at the horse farm

Horse farm

Horse farm

Horse farm

Russian horse farm

Horse farm

Random in Moscow

Outside Tretyakov

Anya, my bff in Moscow and I infront of the Tretyakov Gallery