Big.  That’s Russia in a nutshell.  Everything is bigger in mother Russia.  Stepping off the train in St. Petersburg, we descended into the underground abyss of the local metro station on the longest escalator we’ve ever seen.  Our ears literally popped as we went sank into the ground.  The buildings are also a lesson in gianormity – they’re not so much tall, as long.  Some stretch a solid half-kilometer and you have to take a breather between city blocks.  Every building looks important.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a royal palace or a McDonald’s, you’ve got columns, statues and ornate window dressings everywhere you turn.  Peter the Great must have been overcompensating for something when he founded the city, because St. Petersburg is the 1700’s version of a middle-aged guy driving a Corvette.

Nothing says welcome to Russia like a plate of Blinis and vodka.  We found ours at the Vodka Museum (oh yes, there’s an entire museum dedicated to “bread wine”). Blinis are a traditional pancake with sweet or savory filling.  We opted for one filled with sour cream and salmon caviar – which was surprisingly delicious when rolled up like a small crepe.  Although we must admit, our experience was helped by a few sample shots from the museum.

St. Petersburg backs up its gilded façade with amazing performing arts.  We really wanted to plunge into the traditional culture, and although we departed a day before Swan Lake premiered, we caught a modern dance performance at the world class Mariinsky Theater.  The touring French dancing duo left us lifting one eyebrow, but the Russians loved it.  The entire theater broke out clapping in unison for not one, not two, not three… but six encores.  It made us feel that American audiences are rather stoic by comparison.

For more St. Petersburg photos click here

While in St. Petersburg, you can also find us here:

Hostel Life – one of the cleanest, nicest hostels we’ve ever seen with *gasp* a free washing machine!

The Hermitage – featuring a mind-numbing array of paintings and sculptures housed in the former winter palace of the Russian monarchy.  The priceless works of art were saved during WWII by a dedicated staff who risked their lives during the German shelling.

The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood – constructed on the site where Alexander II was assassinated, this ornate onion domed cathedral is lined floor to ceiling with intricate mosaic murals.

Nevsky Prospekt – St. Pete’s main drag, it features coffee shops, lingerie boutiques and shoe stores on repeat.  The women of Russia love their stiletto black boots (we can only assume they love their underwear just as much).