Week 3 in Russia

Last Sunday we went on another excursion, this time to Peterhov's Palace. It was about an hour drive from downtown. It rained at first and I was a bit soaked from walking to the bus. But then the sky cleared up and it got sunny as the day progressed. We had a tour guide show us around the palace grounds. I was too memorized by the beauty and for most of the time daydreamed of what it would have been like to live in this place. I especially enjoyed all the magnificent gold statues in front of the palace.

The Peterhov Palace was Peter the Great's summer escape place. It is often referred to as the "Russian Versailles." 

This is how the palace looks before the fountains turn on

There is a  mini show at 11am for when the fountains turn on accompanied by music. What is unique about the fountains is that they do not use an electric pump but rather the pressure of elevation and is supplied form the natural springs around the palace. 

Samson tearing open the jaws of the lion. From the lions mouth shoots out the tallest jet, about 20 meters high. 

This sign made me laugh. This is how all tourists look apparently...

"Attention! Look after your things." 

Peter the Great was very sneaky. He had made it that some of the fountains go off surprisingly if one gets too close soaking some of his guests, ballgown, wig and all. This mushroom cabana goes off when someone enters to take a seat. 

I took a walk away on the North side of the palace and noticed that it is not so manipulated by man. It is more wild and has a simple path that goes through it.

On Thursday after classes I met up with my new Russian friend, Vlad for a fun evening out on Nevsky. We met on Mayakovskaya and grabbed some dinner. I suggested a real Russian meal but for him that is nothing special since he can get "free Russian food at home." So we settled on lovely gourmet burgers at a cool place called the "City Grill." We then caught the new release "Runner Runner" at the keno-theater or as the movie is called in Russia,"Va-банк." (Which by the way translates nothing close to "Runner Runner" and I still don't understand the meaning behind the Russian translation). It was hilarious watching a movie with Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck in Russian. After the movie, we grabbed some refreshing cappuccinos and strawberry blini at a restaurant called "теремок." We realized that for the price of buying a single blin, we could have made a stack of them at home along with an unlimited amount of jam. But we wouldn't be able to put a price on the experience of eating in the center of St. Petersburg, so to me, it was worth it. It was a pleasant evening out on the town and I would like to thank my friend Vlad for showing me this side of the city. 

A couple of the guys from my program met a Russian dude who invited them to watch him compete in a break dancing contest. Sergey (is his name) led us to a door that I pretty much pass everyday because it is off the main road. However, I never would have guessed that this type of world existed in St. Petersburg, Russia. Young people dressed in all kinds of baggy clothes or skinny jeans and piercings come together to show off their wicked break-dancing skills. The atmosphere is very friendly and they bring along positive attitude. I very much enjoyed watching them all compete against each other while cheering each other on. Rarely was there a sore loser if at all.