Blogging about adventures in Barcelona, London, Paris and Europe

St. Petersburg

Around the Neva River

ST. PETERSBURG – I’ve been able to snap some photos of myself in St. Petersburg thanks to my Russian hosts and my translator, Shuana. It’s just darn awkward when I attempt to frame up a photo of my face all by myself. I’m grateful to have another human being who can shoot a decent picture.

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The other day, Shuana introduced me to Nevsky Propsekt. This busy street has an eclectic mix of classic buildings like the Kazan Cathedral and modern, high-end shopping areas.

Armenian Church Of St Catherine
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St. Petersburg

Beyond Zayachy Island

ST. PETERSBURG – These cute Russian dogs are making me a little homesick for my baby back in Cow Town. On my first night in St. Petersburg, we met this shaggy pooch along the banks of Zayachy Island. He was hanging out with fishermen hunting for dinner near the Neva River.

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Pavel, one of my university host, said I should probably avoid any of the fish caught from the Neva River. He mentioned something about river pollution. Good to know.

Passing reproductions from the Russian Museum
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St. Petersburg

Privet

ST. PETERSBURG – I survived a 17-hour flight and checked into my hotel on the Petrogradsky Island.

Today, I played tourist with the help of my hosts from St. Petersburg State University. They gave me a driving and walking tour of the campus as well as the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and other art highlights of the Historic Heart district.

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On Monday, I teach my first journalism class. Good times.

Random Thoughts

Memories Posted on Facebook.

Craving exotic flavors…like this Moroccan lunch in Paris.

I got wrapped up in our Eurotrip from 2 years ago…So I started a
Facebook album. I also added our Europtrip to my Trips application on Facebook.

I suppose I’m stuck on these memories since I’m getting ready to leave Kansas. We’re taking another road trip West – towards home and my new job.

Some day, we’ll head back to Europe.

London

One last swinging night in London….

We left Cambridge and met Andrea, Matt (had a residency in Dublin) and Andrea’s friend Sammantha at Leicester Square…..for Mark and me…it was our last night in London….we had an early flight…we didn’t finish packing….but somehow – it seemed right to do dinner, swings and pix with the gang – one last time.

We flew back to the States on Dec. 12 – we had about 2 hours of sleep….I got sick thanks to the crazy kids running around the plane….little children have germs – especially the loud and naughty ones.
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London

Last Day in London

only a few hours before we had to the tube to catch a train to Heathrow….so much to say….so much to show….and no more time….I’ll do my best….last blog from our flat…..we loved our flat so much….so damn easy to get around and quite cozy.

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We decided to visit Cambridge on our last day in England. A bunch of royalty and smart people attended this university.
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London

Only a few days left…

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On Thursday – I went down to Leicester Square and found a cute little Christmas Carnival going on…I think this chap is supposed to be Charlie Chaplin….

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The grey statue is real. As in…a real human being….

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Leicester Square has a mess load of half-price ticket counters – so I picked up a cheap pair (22.50/each) for Chicago – for Thursday evening. If you want cheap tix – you have to buy them for that evening….I don’t think you can get cheap tix for future performances

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We had a blast at “Chicago”…..in London theaters – you can eat and drink in your seats…..and they still manage to keep everything clean. So…Mark bought some champagne for the second act.

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Last night….we thought it was snowing….so, I went home and changed out of my cute heels and into my sensible docs. I didn’t want to freeze to death or get hypothermia….all for the sake of fashion.

Then we walked out again…puzzled because it felt warm enough to be snow-free….then we noticed it was only snowing on one block…..I stuck my hand out and watched a “snowflake” plop in my palm….and dissolve like a soap bubble….wait a minute….it was a soap bubble! Just another stunt at one of clubs on the street we live.

Mark wanted to make sure I didn’t want to change back into my cute heels – since we were heading to another club…..I decided to keep my comfy shoes one. 🙂

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Had some Italian food….

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Went to Bar Rumba….great drum and bass….loud music and expensive drinks….and it was a decent crowd….the dancing kicked off around 11 or so….

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Found another drink specialty….the San Francisco….

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Then had a massive craving for hot dogs…..last week – I was looking for this guy after another night of bar hopping….and he was nowhere to be found….we track him down to Regents Street and satisifed my hot dog craving. It’s good business to have a hot dog cart for the late night party people….because you can’t get a bite to eat at any of the pubs or restaurants….they all close down so damn early.

London

Bath….by night

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The Roman Baths at night are incredible….beautiful – hot – humid – and a touch mystical….but that could be the steam fogging up my contacts…

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Yeah…the Roman did the whole taking-over England thing….back in the day….they introduced the public baths to the Brits and a new way to indulge in religion.

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