I am visiting a friend and reader of the blog in Saint Petersburg this weekend. Maria and I visited once before in the summer of 2022, so getting to see it a second time was good. For starters, I have been in Russia longer so know my way around better than I did. Secondly, I’m wandering around with a local, so feel less like a tourist – and the city strikes me different this time. On our first summer trip, I could see that Petersburg is very beautiful, but in the same sense as a museum or a theme park. Great to look at, but not necessarily a place I would want to live. After a day of revisiting, I feel less like that.
The featured photo in this post is the Kazan Cathedral, which was completed in 1811, and because of this timing, became associated with the Russian victory over Napoleon in the Patriotic War of 1812. I will write about that and other places I visited soon. For now, here are some photos.
Ian Kummer
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Thanks for sharing the photos.
I’m glad the weather was cloudy; I find things much more beautiful in that light.
I can recognise most of these places; they don’t seem to have changed a micron since I was last there.
Did you go to Pushkin or Petergof?
May I add a general comment here. As an Americna in Russia, it would be great if you talked a bit about how people react to you (or do you speak such good Russian you’re taken to be a native?) and your impressions of how they are dealing with the current situation. You have made a big decision in moving to Russia (I presume you intend to stay 🙂 ) and as an outsider you are able to provide some interesting perspectives on the country.
Just a minor request.
Also, how is the book going? Reached the terrible morass of the middle yet? 🙂
Hi Peter. Yes, that’s a good idea for a post ill keep that in mind. As for the book, I think I am going to take another stab at it this week. Thanks for asking!
Hi Ian. Ia m boltorez the boltcutter/ alex is the real name. Anyway. First/ more than welcome in London just call me.