My not at all stupid WOVO trip to the FSU

[Seeker]

Okay, I guess I really have to write one of these things.  Self moderation is going to be strange.  Sort of like when I was a teen alone with a Playboy magazine or the most recent Fredricks of Hollywood catalog... and you all know what that is called. 

I am currently sitting in the most amazing city I have ever visited.  And I have seen quite a few, of course they were all American... North American, Central American... you get the idea.   

I had read lots about St Petersburg... but nothing prepared me for what it is really like.  I only got here yesterday... but after only 2 days I already I feel I have found a new home.

In my 'alone time' I have been wandering the streets in sort of a random pattern... when I get to a corner I look in each direction, and go where my eyes guide me.  So far, I haven't gotten lost.     But I have always been good with directions, so that isn't really a problem.  Still a little shy to try the metro alone (To say my Russian is poor would be giving me too much credit) but after being taken down to see it, I am amazed. 

And for a place that has 1,000's of people wandering it every hour (smoking, eating, drinking), the streets are clean and the crowds quite friendly and easy to navigate (thank god I walk quick and can spot a path 15 feet in front of me as it forms).  For those of you that know Tampa, it is like Friday night in Ybor on steroids AND acid.  Okay, for you Californians, Hollywood Blvd on a Friday or Saturday night with the same multipliers.  A truly amazing place.  And forget all of the stereotypes... the people are nice (even before I speak and they peg my point of origin).  Now I admit the taxi from the airport to Nevsky during rush hour almost made me wet my pants.  How they can fit 4 moving cars and a row of parked cars in 2 lanes is beyond comprehension.  And forget the "honor the pedestrian" etiquette.  The drivers do, so the peds learn to move quick.   

Okay, enough for now.  It is late and I have a beer to finish and a bed that is calling my name.  More tomorrow...

[Daveman]

Glad to hear you're having a great time so far, Sphynxie, don't forget to post some photos of those... um... churches!

I'm jealous as hell... that's one city that I really want to spend some touristy time in...

Good luck!

Dave

[Seeker]

Glad to hear you're having a great time so far, Sphynxie, don't forget to post some photos of those... um... churches!

I'm jealous as hell... that's one city that I really want to spend some touristy time in...

Good luck!

Dave

And you know, just to be different, I will get permission from the churches to post the photos.     I talk to buildings all of the time, you just have to know how...

And you know I dig the Sphynxie thing.   

Dude... come here if you can... as just a tourist if you have to.  It will blow your mind.  Okay, bad reference from the 60's aside... it is more than I ever could have imagined.

Guess what?  The people actually smile and laugh... they dress colorfully, and tastefully, and in interacting, they seem genuinely concerned that they have made a good impression on the naive American sex-tourist the friendly smiling laughing guy from the USA.

The apartment is bigger than my house, and costs less than a night in Orlando in a "cheap" hotel.  Still haven't tried the jacuzzi in the bathroom... just haven't had the time yet.  Not kidding, there really is one!  And the prices for things reminds me of 20 years ago in the US.  I was expecting (because of the city's size and culture) that it would be similar to modern US pricing.  But no... I am the type that chooses what to buy/do and then asks the price.  I got the Ruble conversion down... and I am shocked when they tell me it will be half (or less) than what I expected.

Okay, probably a bad example... but name brand cigarettes, $1.50 - $1.91 USD compared to $7.00 where I live.  And don't even get me started on how cheap the food and beer are.   

Thanks for the good wishes.   

More details will follow.  I need to sleep now.  I have another big day ahead of me tomorrow.  Lucky for me, I am the "typical Russian woman" as described in RWD.  I sleep till noon.   

[GQBlues]

I talk to buildings all of the time, you just have to know how...

And you know I dig the Sphynxie thing. 

To Sphinx that statement out...

"Those who mastered to talk to buildings all of the time, will only have buildings to talk to all the time." LOL.

Have a fun trip! Go to Peterhof...

How the heck can you sleep under the light of day?

[CanadaMan]

Good luck Seeker! You know I'll be rootin' for ya.

[innakrug]

I had read lots about St Petersburg... but nothing prepared me for what it is really like.  I only got here yesterday... but after only 2 days I already I feel I have found a new home.

St-Petersburg is my city. I am from "Grazdanka" Subway station "Grazdanskiy prospekt" How is the weather? Should be good at the end of May.

[Daveman]

And you know I dig the Sphynxie thing.   

At first I had typed in "Sphynxter", but thought better of it... the quasi double entendre would be just about enough to get me banned... then where would I go to annoy people?  :evil:


If she's not workin', and if you sleep until noon, you'll probably have already eaten breakfast and toured half the city before you get the call wondering where you are...  the Russian Ladies Synchronized Sleep team would take the gold every time.

To Sphinx that statement out...

"Those who mastered to talk to buildings all of the time, will only have buildings to talk to all the time." LOL.

 

[FredC]

John,

Sounds like you are having a great time. I know when I took my trips, I would just pick a direction and start walking...... I would take my camera with me.....I got some really nice photos.......Enjoy your trip and time with Tatiana.......Fred

[I/O]

Glad to know you made it safely buddy. All we want to know is if the doll puts out?

[Seeker]

To Sphinx that statement out...

"Those who mastered to talk to buildings all of the time, will only have buildings to talk to all the time." LOL.

Have a fun trip! Go to Peterhof...

How the heck can you sleep under the light of day?

You are a warped and twisted man.  I knew I liked you!

It is definitely on my list of places to see.  I will ask her if she knows where it is.

I can sleep through anything.  Years of experience.   Remember, I have been married and have kids. 

[Seeker]

St-Petersburg is my city. I am from "Grazdanka" Subway station "Grazdanskiy prospekt" How is the weather? Should be good at the end of May.

The weather is fantastic!  She says it is too hot, but being from South Florida where the temperature and humidity match somewhere in the high 80's/low 90's this is perfect for me.

You have a beautiful city.  I don't see how you could leave it.  Oh yeah... love.  Okay, that is a good reason.

[Seeker]

At first I had typed in "Sphynxter", but thought better of it... the quasi double entendre would be just about enough to get me banned... then where would I go to annoy people?  :evil:

Yeah, that was probably good thinking.   

[Seeker]

Glad to know you made it safely buddy. All we want to know is if the doll puts out?

Yeah, it was a long ass trip... but it went well.  As far as details... I will get into the stories later.   

[Seeker]

Sounds like you are having a great time. I know when I took my trips, I would just pick a direction and start walking...... I would take my camera with me.....I got some really nice photos.......

That is exactly what I have been doing.  I feel like such a tourist!  At least I am not the only one... looking out my bedroom window I can see several right now.  It looks out on to Nevskiy and some palace I don't know the name of.  Yet.   

[Seeker]

Good luck Seeker! You know I'll be rootin' for ya.

Thanks Dude.  It is nice to know you are all cheering me on.

[Cast10]

Hi Seeker,

nice TR, please, check your PM.

[wiz]

St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia after its capital - Moscow, with the population of about 6 million people.

It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world that I have ever visited. I found the city on the Neva river more amazing, more beautiful, and more impressive than Paris.

The Palace that you can see from your window, is probably the Hermitage and it's an amazing place to visit!

I don't know how long and how much free time you have staying there but you will regret it for the rest of your life if you do not visit:

The winter Palace, Peter and Paul's Fortress, you have probably seen already the winter cana and the Kazan cathedral on Nevsky Prospect, General Headquarters, The Smolny Convent, The Admiralty and finally the amazing Peterhof (Petrodvorets).


Have a good time there and you choosen the best time to visit!

[Seeker]

St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia after its capital - Moscow, with the population of about 6 million people.

It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world that I have ever visited. I found the city on the Neva river more amazing, more beautiful, and more impressive than Paris.

The Palace that you can see from your window, is probably the Hermitage and it's an amazing place to visit!

I don't know how long and how much free time you have staying there but you will regret it for the rest of your life if you do not visit:

The winter Palace, Peter and Paul's Fortress, you have probably seen already the winter cana and the Kazan cathedral on Nevsky Prospect, General Headquarters, The Smolny Convent, The Admiralty and finally the amazing Peterhof (Petrodvorets).


Have a good time there and you choosen the best time to visit!

You are right... it is the most beautiful city I have ever seen.  I am a bit further down Nevskiy... at 64.  I was thinking of going to the Hermitage today though.  It is one place I do want to see. 

And thanks for the tips.  My list is long, and there are not enough hours in the day to see it all.  I am only here a week.  I know, I know... take more... but I can't, I have pets that need me and miss me... and can't impose on friends for too long if I still want them to be my friends.   

[Shadow]

The city is on my list when we get the time to travel.... in 20 years or so 

Hope your good time will continue and remember many great people came from this city.

[Seeker]

The city is on my list when we get the time to travel.... in 20 years or so 

Hope your good time will continue and remember many great people came from this city.

I know the feeling.  But now my kids are grown and have kids of thier own so it seemed like the perfect time to finally travel.  Plus (of course) meeting a very special woman helped.   

Funny thing is (and I know this goes against the grain of the forum) I wasn't even looking for someone.  We just met on-line and became friends.

And no matter what happens, I know I will continue to have a good time.  I am not the type to let anything get me down.  Life is too short, and getting shorter by the minute.  Why waste it being gloomy and depressed?  Of course if I end up in a Russian prison my story could change.   

[dogspot]

Hey Seeker,

I'm also enjoying this beautiful city right now. It seems you arrived at the perfect time...the weather the past few days has been amazing! I've been here for 3 weeks now and have had to endure a little rain and typical springtime weather. But it is now beginning to look and feel like summer.

I have been spending my days walking around the center while my lady is at work. I've found the sites to be quite nice around the statue of Ekaterina on Nevsky. I am amazed at the amount of gorgeous women I see sitting alone on the benches. I watched as one guy approached a hot young blonde and engaged her in conversation. 5 minutes later he was putting her digits into his phone.

Anyway...I'm headed over that way for a stroll and to meet my lady for lunch. If you see a young California looking dude wearing shorts and a white Volcom shirt, please stop me and introduce yourself. I know it's a long shot but...who knows.

[I/O]

It's 9.00 pm here for me right now which makes it 3 pm for you 2 and you're both sitting in front of PC's? Ya both want floggin'.

[Seeker]

It's 9.00 pm here for me right now which makes it 3 pm for you 2 and you're both sitting in front of PC's? Ya both want floggin'.

I've been out... I just stop back in once in awhile to drop off a few things.   

And we just had a few beers together...  You're a great guy dogspot.  Glad we got the chance to meet.  Funny, we grew up in the same area but had to go to St Petersburg to finally get to shake hands.

[Dave13]

Seeker, I agree, Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city, if you have the time, check out Peterhof, the fountains will blow your mind!

Have fun!

Dave

[innakrug]

The weather is fantastic!  She says it is too hot, but being from South Florida where the temperature and humidity match somewhere in the high 80's/low 90's this is perfect for me.

You have a beautiful city.  I don't see how you could leave it.  Oh yeah... love.  Okay, that is a good reason.

  Yes, it was only the reason. After ten years being in USA I still miss St-Peterburg, but...America is my home now.