The Way to Russia

Monday, June 28, 2010

UK: Tower Bridge

This is the bridge that leads to London Tower. And on a side note this is NOT London Bridge.

View from Tower Bridge

The Battleship Belfast.

View from Tower Bridge

UK: The Globe Theatre (Shakespeare's Theatre)

The theatre was built by William Shakespeare's playing company, Lord Chamberlain's Men. However, when Oliver Cromwell, Prime Minister and Puritan, came into power he banned any type of performances because it went against his beliefs as a Puritan. Hence no more Globe Theatre. (The Theatre also burnt down in 1615) In 1997, the Theatre was rebuilt as a replica of the original Theatre and has daily performances to this day.

Reproduction of The Globe Theatre in Shakespeare's time.

Costumes used in Shakespeare's plays

Box Seats for the Wealthy/Noblemen

The Stage Meaning

Top part of the stage represents Heaven.

Middle Part of the stage represents daily life.

Below the stage represents Hell.

The Globe Theatre Stage

Saturday, June 12, 2010

St. Petersburg: Peterhof, General Thoughts

Peter The Great built Peterhof because he was inspired by the Palace of Versailles and also wanted to create a more impressive palace than Versailles. Peterhof is located next to the Gulf of Finland and west of St. Petersburg. It is about a 30 minute boat ride from St. Petersburg to Peterhof.

Now that I have been to both Peterhof and the Palace of Versailles I don't know which one is more impressive. In general, I find that the Peterhof palace is more lavishly decorated, but then again, the Palace at Versailles was ransacked during the revolution - so this is an unfair comparison. As for the gardens, each has their on characteristics. At Versailles, the gardens are much more organized and designed while Peterhof is more natural. To try and compare the two is impossible and unfair, because they both are breath taking!

St. Petersburg: Peterhof, The Gardens

I think we only covered one third of the gardens. But they ware amazingly beautiful especially with the back drop of the Gulf of Finland.

St. Petersburg: Peterhof, Inside the Palace

Here a few snippets of the inside of the Palace. Sorry I don't know what exactly each room is because the tour was in Russian and there were no audio guides available. So here is my best shot.

Entering the Golden Room. It almost looks like the Mirror room in Versailles, but it is much smaller and minus all the mirrors.

This room is just off from the Golden room. It was some kind of study area or recreation area.

This is a main gathering room

Dinning area with all the necessary china.

I think this was a ladies sitting area for entertaining other women. It was feminine like with all the female portraits and piano.

This is a woman's sitting room.

St. Petersburg: Peterhof, The Palace

The Palace

Fountains in front of the Palace

A fountain off to the side

First view of Peterhof

Walking to Peterhof

Up Close and Personal to the Palace

Friday, June 11, 2010

St. Petersburg: White Nights Bike Tour

Jenn, Christen, ME

PS. Awful photo!!

One of the FIRST communal buildings built in the Soviet Era
This building was just across from a factory. This area was known as Factory row, because both men and women were working. Hence the idea of communal living, making home life simpler (small living area=less to clean, and sharing the cooking between families).

This is the area, both park and building you can barely see, where the Bolsheviks celebrated their victory of overthrowing the Czar.

This building was originally built by Peter the Great as a nobleman school. Then Catherine the Great took over the palace, and it was converted into a nunnery. After the fall of the Czarist regime, it was used as a government building.

This statute is a representation of Stalin's regime, Stalin's purgatory. It is a really creepy looking statue.

Hermitage at Night. (About 2am)

Hermitage (Winter Palace)

History of Peter and Paul Fortress

Opening of the Bridges.

At 2am, the bridges are lifted open so that oil ships can pass through St. Petersburg and bring the world oil. It costs $10,000 per day for the upkeep of the bridges.

General Thoughts about Moscow

As a tourist I liked Moscow, but if I had to live there - I wouldn't make it for very long. There are just way too many people, both tourists and residents!! However, even as a tourist Moscow gets a bit frustrating.

For my second visit to Moscow, I booked a new Hostel - The Hostel from hell. I get to the hostel and come to find out there is no running water and no electricity on the second floor. Ridiculous-ness!!! The only upside to this story was I only paid $35 dollars instead of $50.00 for 3 nights! Again the only upside to this story!! To take a shower, I had to walk about 6 blocks to another hostel, and well, to use the bathroom, I had to be savvy/take advantage of every opportunity!! Again, Ridiculous-ness!!!!!!

So, the first time I was in Moscow, I didn't get to go into Lenin's Mausoleum due to the Holiday. At that point I was okay with not going because I figured I'll see it the second time I go to Moscow!! Well, no such luck the second time around!!! As a side note, Lenin's Mausoleum is only open from 10:00am to 1:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. I'm in line for Lenin's Mausoleum on Tuesday, ready to go, and then come to find out it is CLOSED!!!! I'm so incredibly frustrated after hearing this because I am leaving on Wednesday morning and there is no time to see it!!!! It is just one thing after another sometimes!! I guess there is always next time, hopefully!