The Winter Palace and Palace Square. Probably the most impressive place we saw on a long list of impressive places. Absolutely mobbed with people, and with good reason. If you ever go, try not to go in summer at the height of tourist season. You'll have a lot of company.There's a great 360 degree view of the square here.
The Alexandrinsky Theater, where we saw "Swan Lake" performed. I have to admit, it was the first time I'd ever seen a full ballet performed, and it was great.
One thing St. Petersburg has, is canals and cathedrals.
The throne room in the Winter Palace. Easy to imagine how intimidating it must have been to have an audience with the Czar here.
My memories of the St. Petersburg subways are obviously mixed, as I had my camera stolen there, but the stations certainly had their own beauty.One of the things I noticed about Russia is the contrast between public and private spaces. The public spaces are elaborate and ornate, while most of the apartment buildings we visited were pretty run-down and poorly maintained. The apartments inside were nice, but the common spaces (hallways, elevators, etc.) were very poorly maintained by American standards.
The canals in SP were just incredible. Taking the boat tour was definitely worth it.
Micky D's rules the world. They're everywhere.But I have to say... one of the things I was craving most by the end of the trip, was a large coke with ice in a paper cup. You can't get a really cold drink over there... anywhere.
The Kremlin's version of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Interesting that the flame and the 24-hour guard used to be at Lenin's tomb, but now it's here... on the other side of the Kremlin from Red Square. The two guards stand perfectly motionless while they're on duty.
Saint Basil's Cathedral at one end of Red Square. This is the building I thought of most when I tried to picture Red Square. Odd that a cathedral dominates a place we so associate with "godless" communism.
Red square at dusk (9PM) I convinced Lena to walk back through Red Square at the end of the day, after we had already walked through it twice earlier in the afternoon. I'm glad we did though, as the light was gorgeous.
A closer view of St. Basil's Cathedral.
Lenin's Tomb, with lights from the building across the way reflected in the polished marble.The building across the square you see reflected is actually an upscale shopping mall, and was during Soviet times as well. Strange that such an obvious symbol of capitalism has such a prominent place on Red Square.
The mountains near Bishkek, in Kyrgyzstan.
Another view of the Tien Shan mountains from downtown Bishkek. We had dinner the last night on a rooftop restaurant in downtown. It was dark so we couldn't see the mountains, but one can imagine...
Lake Issyk-Kul.
An amazing spot with so much potential. It's starting to be developed, and although I'm usually in favor of keeping such places unspoiled, the country can so use any kind of economic stimulus that I hope it attracts some big international resorts. I kept looking around at all the beauty and open land and thinking "why isn't there a golf course here?" :-)This place could be Lake Tahoe East, no problem.
One of the many roadside camps you see in the countryside. The locals sell Kumis, a national specialty made from horse milk, to travelers. I tried it a few times, but it's definitely an acquired taste.
One of the kids in the festival showing off his horsemanship.
Koshoikorgon... the centuries-old fort that the backdrop for the festival.
Tash Rabat. One gorgeous place.
An old woman in her traditional costume having tea. The Kyrgyz people drink a LOT of tea. And they love their watermelon too. You see it for sale everywhere.That's it for now... check back in a few weeks (or months) and I'll have the video done.
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