The Life of Diana

We were very productive on our last day in St. Petersburg. We went to class. Got our certificates of Russian Culture from St. Petersburg University. We went to the hermitage, saw a few other things... and then headed off on the train back to Moscow.


I thought you might like to see a photo of our gorgeous accomodations from the outside hahaha.


Lindsay and I are ohhh soo sad to say goodbye to our hotel.


This is the chalkboard that they use in one of their largest classrooms in the university. Interesting.


Size of the chalboard from the very front row.


Me preparing to go into the Hermitage... see the Alexander Column in the background.


ohhh look I'm like Lindsay... taking photos of myself.


Dvortsovaya Ploshchad (Palace Square) which has the alexander column, the hermitage is to our backs if we are looking in this direction... and this is the former General Staff Building of the Russian Army. On top of the arch is a chariot of victory, a monument to the wars of Napoloeon. In 2000, some kids set off fireworks for new years and caught the wooden monument on fire, causing lots of damage. awww see this is why kids should not play with fireworks.


Me in the palace square.


Closeup and personal... oh baby!!


And the hermitage!!!


Its soooo big that even my super awesome camera can't fit the whole thing in one shot.


hehe gotta love my money belt that looks like my tummy bulging out since its the same color as skin haha.


AHHH too bright... must squint.


Lindsay in front of the hermitage.


This portion of the Hermitage is called the Winter Palace... The Hermitage is made up of five buildings linked together actually... the winter palace, the little hermitage, the old hermitage, the new hermitage and the hermitage theatre. It is something like 10 times the size of the Louvre... may have the number wrong, but WAAY larger than the Louvre, and we all know how overwhelming the Louvre is.


A horse drawn carriage... gorgeous... if I were only a princess haha


Yes I even paid to be allowed to bring my camera into the museum... I was NOT going to check in my nice camera at the bag check!!


This is by far the most amazing museum I have EVER been in... partially because it is a palace that they turned into a museum... so the building itself (the rooms, the light fixtures etc.) is stunning even without the gorgeous art and pieces inside.


What art museum looks like this????


Amazing chandeliers.


Really special and unique peacock clock... don't remember exactly how it works, but super cool!!


And we found Picasso!!


The following are just a bunch of painting Lindsay or I really liked :)


















Ohhh look I am a mummy.


Ok don't look if you have a weak stomache... but this is a real mummy that they unwrapped and have preserved... you aren't allowed to take photos ;) but I did it without flash so don't worry!!


Lindsay's favorite room.


Real stuffed horses in armour with knights in armour (hope those aren't real stuffed knights!!!)


Some more amazing paintings...






Cute statue... apparently it is good luck to put change in its hand.


Windows looking out...


Entrance to Dvortsovaya Ploshchad.


St. Petersburg has really gorgeous subways.


The photos don't really show how pretty the subways are!!


A gorgeous yellow building we passed on the way to the Dostoevsky Museum.


Finally reached the Dostoevsky Museum... but it is closed :( why do things close so early and we have SUCH bad luck always missing it by 15 minutes or so!!


But since it was closed... we got to take more photos of the yellow building ;) I think it might be Our Lady of Vladimir Church.


Dostoevskaya subway stop.


If I had to live in a church... I just might pick this one because it is pinkish!!


Reminds me of candyland!!


The candcane stripped church!!


Pseudo-Gothic Chesma Church as the lonely planet guide calls it


And we are slowly approaching the door...


Lindsay with the church...


hehe sorry no photos inside the church... it was boring though... they were praying... and the interesting thing is that they have to stand when they pray. Oh an by the way... I think this is Lenin... someone correct me if I am wrong please!!


Big Communist building


The streets of St. Peteys!!


Lenin, again I think... CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG PEOPLE!!!


ohhh look I am a statue.


Closeup of the emblem of communism on top of the building.


Who thinks this looks JUST like starbucks???


Come on... you know it does!!!


Ohh look at that... the periodic table...


The periodic table is different in Russia... how funny??? And on the side of buildings!!!


Mendeleyev... creator of the periodic table... the reason I will never be a doctor haha.


Gorgeous sunset


In a few years once St. Petersburg is all cleaned up, it will be one of those places everyone wants to travel to... like Paris... except more beautiful.


Oh man I forget the story... will have to ask Lindsay... ohhh or Lindsay can write it here!!! But basically some important dude they kept trying to kill here, but he wouldn't die, so they tied him up and drowned him in the water.


haha look at their police cars.


Some more sunset photos.


Oscar and me getting ready to board the train.


Train heading to Moscow!! That's my train!!


Excited... and nervous... about the train ride... I am praying I won't pass out from it getting overheated and stuffy again... we did figure out how to open the windows... but as soon as the train started, these workmen came around and closed the windows and bolted them close with special tools!!! How horrible is that???


Lindsay preparing for the journey.


Lindsay eating bread in bed... that rhymes!!


Me eating one of Lindsay's super yummy cookies... these are freshly baked in russia, not prepackaged like in america!! it makes ALL the difference


Lindsay is sleeping awwww.


I am sleeping... oooor am i??


Yup we took the quiet car... we planned on getting sleep!!

The train ride wasn't too bad... I did sleep eventually... but wow I do not like the lack of air flow in trains in russia!!!