My not at all stupid WOVO trip to the FSU

[Gator]

Hi Seeker,

Have fun.  Lovely city.  Been there three times.

I am certain that you will see everything at the top of the must see list.  If you have time, try to see the Siege Museum (no English so hopefully a dyev will help translate).

My favorite restaurant was a Gypsy place not far off the main drag on a canal (sorry, not much help).  They had smoked carp and bear, not the usual fare.  The live music was indeed lively with dancing and singing and musicians.

Catching a ballet at the Marinsky Theater can be touristy if busloads of foreigners attend in June, yet worth it in my opinion.  I went during the off season and enjoyed it immensely.

The canal boat ride is good on a sunny day.

My apartment had a spa, so I started to fill it one evening.  Yuck!
The city water contained a lot of iron so the spa had an uninviting look.

If I knew you were going to St. Piter I could have introduced you to a friend who guides "big shots" through the Hermitage.  Her charge is nominal and she skips the lines plus explains the best pieces and art in the museum. 

[Shostakovich]

Hey there, your T.R. brought back memories. 

I'd go back to SPB in a heartbeat.  Wandering the city is the best, as you say - letting your eyes guide you. 

Living it up on Nevsky is always fine but don't forget to check how the other half (majority) live.  I'd travel out to the Soviet era apartment blocks - and if you can manage, swing an invitation for dinner.  That's a different world and will tell you far more about the lives of the average Russian than gawking at the Church on Spilled Blood.

One spot that I found to be very special was the Dvoryanskoe Gnezdo (The noble nest) restaurant near the Mariinsky theater.  It's spendy but you'll ask later: "Restaurant or time machine" -- it's like a trip back to the 19th century.

[Seeker]

Hey there, your T.R. brought back memories. 

I'd go back to SPB in a heartbeat.  Wandering the city is the best, as you say - letting your eyes guide you. 

Living it up on Nevsky is always fine but don't forget to check how the other half (majority) live.  I'd travel out to the Soviet era apartment blocks - and if you can manage, swing an invitation for dinner.  That's a different world and will tell you far more about the lives of the average Russian than gawking at the Church on Spilled Blood.

One spot that I found to be very special was the Dvoryanskoe Gnezdo (The noble nest) restaurant near the Mariinsky theater.  It's spendy but you'll ask later: "Restaurant or time machine" -- it's like a trip back to the 19th century.

I know what you mean...  My 'new' best friends in the city are the so called "Street people", and I even got hit up by the punks demanding my money.  To me, it was funny... to take my money would have been harder than they imagined.  But I was kind,  I left them confused an bewildered.   

God, it reminds me of where I grew up.  Damn I miss that place.  But now this new place has history and a life I never could have imagined before.

I am hoping for a huge volcano eruption that keeps me here for months.

[Seeker]

Hi Seeker,

Have fun.  Lovely city.  Been there three times.

I am certain that you will see everything at the top of the must see list.  If you have time, try to see the Siege Museum (no English so hopefully a dyev will help translate).

My favorite restaurant was a Gypsy place not far off the main drag on a canal (sorry, not much help).  They had smoked carp and bear, not the usual fare.  The live music was indeed lively with dancing and singing and musicians.

Catching a ballet at the Marinsky Theater can be touristy if busloads of foreigners attend in June, yet worth it in my opinion.  I went during the off season and enjoyed it immensely.

The canal boat ride is good on a sunny day.

My apartment had a spa, so I started to fill it one evening.  Yuck!
The city water contained a lot of iron so the spa had an uninviting look.

If I knew you were going to St. Piter I could have introduced you to a friend who guides "big shots" through the Hermitage.  Her charge is nominal and she skips the lines plus explains the best pieces and art in the museum. 

I think I am staying in the same apartment as you did.    But I have lived in cow country, 15 miles north of Plant City on a typical short drill Florida well.  Carrot juice was clearer, even with a filter.  I just wish it took less than 45 minutes to fill the damn jacuzzi here.  It sort of cramps my style to wait almost an hour to bathe.   

[Seeker]

Hi Seeker,

Have fun.  Lovely city.  Been there three times.

I am certain that you will see everything at the top of the must see list.  If you have time, try to see the Siege Museum (no English so hopefully a dyev will help translate).

My favorite restaurant was a Gypsy place not far off the main drag on a canal (sorry, not much help).  They had smoked carp and bear, not the usual fare.  The live music was indeed lively with dancing and singing and musicians.

Catching a ballet at the Marinsky Theater can be touristy if busloads of foreigners attend in June, yet worth it in my opinion.  I went during the off season and enjoyed it immensely.

The canal boat ride is good on a sunny day.

My apartment had a spa, so I started to fill it one evening.  Yuck!
The city water contained a lot of iron so the spa had an uninviting look.

If I knew you were going to St. Piter I could have introduced you to a friend who guides "big shots" through the Hermitage.  Her charge is nominal and she skips the lines plus explains the best pieces and art in the museum.  

Forgot to add:

Canal boat ride is tomorrow... after I finish the last 2 thirds of the Hermitage.  They sure rush you out quick when it is close to 18:00....  I made it through the Egyptian, Roman, Grecian, and about half of the 18th century Europe.  Of course I have to read EVERTHING, and take videos and pictures of EVERYTHING... so it is my own fault.

[Seeker]

A few more additions...

I just had an interesting experience.  I was sitting and drinking a beer about 2 am and two VERY drunk younger men came up to me and said something I didn't understand.  I said "I don't speak Russian... nimnoga parrusski..." one of them said "nimnoga English... give me money for vodka."  I said "nyet, nimnoga money."  He said "I am street punk, give me money now for vodka."  I said "give me money for beer."  The other guy said something I didn't understand (as the people around all got up and walked away) and the first guy said "you have money for vodka, give to me."  I said "no, I have money for beer."  The second guy again said something I didn't understand (this time it was English, but they were VERY drunk).  First guy said "I want money."  I said "so do I."  He said "I want you to give me money."  I said "I don't want to."  He said "I'm street punk."  I said "so?"  His friend came closer and first guy said something to him and he stopped.  First guy said "I need vodka".  I said "sorry, I need beer."  They both looked very confused at this point.  Guy one laughed and put out his hand in a "high five" type way.  I smacked it, and they walked (stumbled) away still looking very confused.

The next night I sat and watched some street performers (jugglers and dancers).  And then a guy I heard before (across the street from my bedroom) that played the guitar (electric blues like Hendrix, Clapton, Muddy Waters, Pink Floyd) started playing again and I was on the street to see him.  I recorded a lot of it.  Then I made friends with a guy that always asked me for cigarettes... met his pregnant wife... (the guitar player is their cousin) and partied with them.  They live on the street and have no money.  So I said I would be right back, and went and bought them food, cigarettes, and beer (for the non-pregnant guys).  We sat and talked, (sort of... only she spoke broken English and was our translator) for the rest of the night.  As I left I hugged them and called them both my friends.  I still stink of street people.  But they were very nice and very kind to me and everyone around them.

It helped remind me what is really important in life.  Being good to others... and allowing them to be good to me.  They bought something labeled
777 and wanted me to drink with them.  I hope I don't die tomorrow.  It tasted like shit.  I drank a little, and then went back to the beer.

And the two street punks... the second one wanted to attack.  Someone that was there told me tonight that he was saying to kick me over (?) and grab my bag and run.  Funny thing they did not know.  After what I have been through, I fear nothing (except women that can steal my heart) and they would have been broken and on the ground within seconds.  That is why I am so passive now.  I have found that trusting in my inner strength always works for me.  Except with women.  Women always confuse me.    In general, it has always been a problem for me.  But after my childhood and early adulthood, I fear nothing (but you damn women).   

And the smell of the street 'people' is gone.  But the memory of the time with them will live with me forever.  A private treasure that will always be mine. 

And I want to see the street 'punks' again.  I know, I am sick... but I want to demand money from them.  It would be fun to turn the tables and make me the predator.  Of course I wouldn't take it.  I would probably buy them vodka and ask in return they stop being assholes.  It would do no good of course, but it would be fun for me.

I know... I am demented and destined for a white coat that buttons in the back where my hands are tied (what they put insane people in), but until then, I will live life to its fullest.

[GQBlues]

Cool. Let me put a little on that....

"...Then I made friends with a guy that always asked me for cigarettes... met his pregnant wife... (the guitar player is their cousin) and partied with them.  They live on the street and have no money.  So I said I would be right back, and went and bought them food, cigarettes, and beer (for the non-pregnant guys).  We sat and talked, (sort of... only she spoke broken English and was our translator) for the rest of the night.  As I left I hugged them and called them both my friends.  I still stink of street people.  But they were very nice and very kind to me and everyone around them...."

Anyway, I'm certain you didn't fly 1/3 of the world's girth to feed some street folks now, right? Give us some juice, man and get to the good part!

After all, RWD stands for Russian Women Discussion not Russia's Winos and Derelicts.  

[Shostakovich]

and they would have been broken and on the ground within seconds. 

So, Seeker, are you a martial artist?  Most martial arts people I know find an excuse to use it sooner or later.

As for women -- no need to fear.  Read Jung's 'Aspects of the feminine": (paraphrasing) What men fail to understand about the feminine is the yin, the void, the need to be filled.  But do not confuse "women" with "feminine".  All know that there are plenty of masculine women and visa versa.  Feminine women operate from the principal of emotional strength and need.  They can wrap you round their finger with that.  That is because of the masculine's need to fill, and because of their emotional paucity, or, expressed otherwise, their need to be accepted.  Get the dynamics straight and you'll free yourself from Nature's ruse - made powerful through the fact that you are unconscious of it.  Psychologically, the quest for the mate is the quest for balance, but it can trap you into the game of the lover's cruel -- probably what you are afraid of.  There is the problem -- it's the romantic ideal, the projection onto the other of the other's need - the hope for satisfaction through another.  But it's just another human being who does not have the power to satisfy.  That's a terrible moment when illusions of love get shattered, often, another one bites the dust.   

Judo moves will not avail you here. - time for the psychological karate chop.   

[JR]

Wow, sounds like you are really enjoying yourself. I am glad to hear it!

I clearly remember the Hermitage. I was the only foreigner there...I hid my camera in a fanny pack and took photos . I was mesmorized by the doors! I decented the stairs to the empty basement alone...just me and those magnificant columns. I'll never forget that.

Hope the time with your lady is going as well as the time with the city. Gotta respect your silence on that.

[dogspot]

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.

Likewise Seeker. It was great to hang out with you and discover that you are exactly as you appear on the forum: A little bit like a Sphinx and a genuinely nice dude. I look forward to meeting up with you again on future visits to Piter. Something tells me you will be back.

To continue on the theme of safety in the city that we explored the other day...I wanted to mention the importance of protecting your valuables. After parting ways with you I headed to the metro station and met Elena after work. We took the green line to the yellow and as I was stepping foot on the train I felt a hand in my pocket - the pocket where I had my passport. I quickly swatted the hand away and turned to see who it was. There were a few different guys and I was unable to determine who the culprit was. There was nothing I could do but continue to protect myself and my belongings. I wanted to take action (especially after the few beers we had) but Elena comforted me and conviced me that I should and could do nothing. Fortunately, the thief was not successful but I could've easily have lost my passport and more for being so careless.

[Daveman]

Cool. Let me put a little
...
After all, RWD stands for Russian Women Discussion not Russia's Winos and Derelicts.  

LoL... wait a minute... aren't those mutually inclusive? 

Okay Sphy... er... Honorable Asskicker Of Street Punkednesss .... Get to the good part before I'm forced to fuel up on legumes... 

[wiz]

I am sure you loved in the Hermitage ..... wonderful place to visit, a memory for ever!

[Gator]

Seeker,

What bothers me about the street people is the fact that they are so brazen.  I don't think it is a bluff. 

Midday in St. Piter on a crowded street 25m from its intersection with the main drag - a man in front of me throws a brick through a BMW window.  He reaches in, grabs a cell phone and walks away at a normal pace.

Fearing for me, my sons once showed me video clips of street fighting in Russia.  These punks fought without restraint, kicking downed opponents in the face with winter boots. 

Over 30 years ago I brawled with three Iranians on a ski slope, a brawl that started because of language and cultural misunderstanding.  As we were wrestling  while still wearing my skis, one tried to gouge out my eyeball with his thumb .  I still think how lucky I was to escape injury, although one of the Iranians did not.  A Swedish friend who was there and helped break up the fight still reminds me how bad that day could have been.

In other words, St. Piter is not a place for a tourist to be foolhardy.  If you get into a fight, something bad could happen. 

[Gator]

Give us some juice, man and get to the good part!

Yes!  Show me the women!

[BillyB]

Yes!  Show me the women!

I agree! I'm another one of the many posters than has been to St. Petersburg and reading about buildings and museums there are boring! Seeker, do you know what "RWD" stands for?

[facetrock]

 Come on Seeker, fess up and tell us about the women or woman.

[Gator]

Seeker

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGQ-ISsDm8M[/youtube]

[CanadaMan]

I am sure you loved in the Hermitage .....

If he did, we've definitely got some juicy stories awaiting us!

[CanadaMan]

What bothers me about the street people is the fact that they are so brazen.  I don't think it is a bluff. 

Midday in St. Piter on a crowded street 25m from its intersection with the main drag - a man in front of me throws a brick through a BMW window.  He reaches in, grabs a cell phone and walks away at a normal pace.

...In other words, St. Piter is not a place for a tourist to be foolhardy.  If you get into a fight, something bad could happen. 

 Yeah what bothers me in reading about all of this is the way the public reacts.
In Seeker's tale of the two drunks, he mentioned the crowds quickly cleared away when they saw the punks making a move on him.
And then with your cellphone story, it doesn't sound like people were too anxious to get involved with the fellow.

So yes, something bad could happen if you got involved, but sitting back and watching or running away makes the thieves feel even more empowered.

[Seeker]

Anyway, I'm certain you didn't fly 1/3 of the world's girth to feed some street folks now, right? Give us some juice, man and get to the good part!

Still, it made me feel good.  And yes, I do the same type of thing at home.

Need comes on many levels.  For some it is just "me" and what "I" want.  For others it is a matter of getting what they "need" to survive.

Yeah... I know... The Sphinx has needs to.  And helping those worse off is one of them.  I am getting there buddy... I has been a long weekend and I have been very busy (not with street people, though we have chatted since then).  It is hard to keep up.  The damn sun stays up past 11:00 pm, and rises at 4:00 am... my schedule is just getting set, and I leave for home tomorrow.  Now typing that really makes me sad.  I don't want to come home.  I want to live here.  This is the coolest place I have ever been.

[Seeker]

So, Seeker, are you a martial artist?  Most martial arts people I know find an excuse to use it sooner or later.

As for women -- no need to fear.  Read Jung's 'Aspects of the feminine": (paraphrasing) What men fail to understand about the feminine is the yin, the void, the need to be filled.  But do not confuse "women" with "feminine".  All know that there are plenty of masculine women and visa versa.  Feminine women operate from the principal of emotional strength and need.  They can wrap you round their finger with that.  That is because of the masculine's need to fill, and because of their emotional paucity, or, expressed otherwise, their need to be accepted.  Get the dynamics straight and you'll free yourself from Nature's ruse - made powerful through the fact that you are unconscious of it.  Psychologically, the quest for the mate is the quest for balance, but it can trap you into the game of the lover's cruel -- probably what you are afraid of.  There is the problem -- it's the romantic ideal, the projection onto the other of the other's need - the hope for satisfaction through another.  But it's just another human being who does not have the power to satisfy.  That's a terrible moment when illusions of love get shattered, often, another one bites the dust.   

Judo moves will not avail you here. - time for the psychological karate chop.   

No special ops training.  Just and an abusive step-dad that gave me a high threshhold for pain, and being the intellect-geek type, a target for bullies.  I learned to defend not attack.  And they were so drunk a 6 year old could have put them down.

Now as far as the women part... you are VERY wise, and know exactly my issue.  Been there too?   ???  As you said "Judo moves will not avail you here. - time for the psychological karate chop." yet I can't bring myself to be harsh when it comes to feelings between two people.  Especially if I am one of them.  I have to admit if mistakes are made they are as much mine as hers.  Yes, I feel I am as responsible for what happens to me (if not more so) than I can blame others for.
 

[Seeker]

Wow, sounds like you are really enjoying yourself. I am glad to hear it!

I clearly remember the Hermitage. I was the only foreigner there...I hid my camera in a fanny pack and took photos . I was mesmorized by the doors! I decented the stairs to the empty basement alone...just me and those magnificant columns. I'll never forget that.

Hope the time with your lady is going as well as the time with the city. Gotta respect your silence on that.

I have really enjoyed myself.  And I will be back, sooner than I would have thought.  And you all must know by know I am discrete in what I say...

She is a wonderful person, and has been great towards me.  She has shown me a lot of the city, including a canal ride last night where the boat died half way through it.  It was a bit disturbing when boiling water gushed up out of a pipe a meter in front of us... and suddenly the engine sputtered and then died.  Still it was amusing.  I kept hearing the theme song from Gilligan's Island.... 

Oh, and I paid the extra 200 rubles to take pictures.  I wanted lots of them and videos too.  It was more than worth it.   

[Seeker]

Likewise Seeker. It was great to hang out with you and discover that you are exactly as you appear on the forum: A little bit like a Sphinx and a genuinely nice dude. I look forward to meeting up with you again on future visits to Piter. Something tells me you will be back.

To continue on the theme of safety in the city that we explored the other day...I wanted to mention the importance of protecting your valuables. After parting ways with you I headed to the metro station and met Elena after work. We took the green line to the yellow and as I was stepping foot on the train I felt a hand in my pocket - the pocket where I had my passport. I quickly swatted the hand away and turned to see who it was. There were a few different guys and I was unable to determine who the culprit was. There was nothing I could do but continue to protect myself and my belongings. I wanted to take action (especially after the few beers we had) but Elena comforted me and conviced me that I should and could do nothing. Fortunately, the thief was not successful but I could've easily have lost my passport and more for being so careless.

Yeah, I feel the same about being on guard.  I ALWAYS know who and what is around me, and prepare for any attempt to hurt me or someone I care about.  I watch in front, to the sides, and behind without being obvious about it.  The sun here really helps.  The shadows from all sides are easy to track.  And she was right... In that case action would have landed you in trouble.  The actual culprit was probably already out of sight.  I like to sit and watch people... makes for an intersting diversion during my morning coffee about 20 meters from where we had our beers.  It is amazing how the "locals" protect themselves almost as if it was instinct.  It probably is by now.  I watched and learned from them.  Sort of like walking through an erupting gang fight that never really develops.  Sigh, it reminds me of home in So. Cal.     

I learned that in the old days, walking around Arleta, Van Nuys, and Pacoima in the 70's, acting like I belonged instead of being the naive white/gringo/non-gang member.  I found attitude works most of the time.  And the rest of the time, act crazier than they can deal with.     Still, being the long haired hippie freak always helped.  I sort of fit in with all of them as I was non-threatening.  In fact, I did get to a point where I did fit in with all of them.  Hey, help a few "street" people (or illegals, gang members, social outcasts) and you become one of them and they help you.  Now that sentence explains a lot about me!   

I am/was worried most about losing my passport.  Money is easy to replace... I can get that anywhere (well, unless I lose my bank card too).  Then I have to make an annoying long distance phone call to an automated help line.  Damn, I would rather be beaten in an alley by street punks.

Still, like we talked about, I never have really felt threatened here.  At least not in a way I felt was serious... to me it was just humorous.  How could I be afraid of the situation when it seemed so absurd and easy to deal with if I just keep my common sense and pay attention to what is happening? 

And you are right... I will be back, and we will sit again and exchange war stories.   

[Seeker]

LoL... wait a minute... aren't those mutually inclusive? 

Okay Sphy... er... Honorable Asskicker Of Street Punkednesss .... Get to the good part before I'm forced to fuel up on legumes... 

Are you threatening to fart?  Or just reminding everyone that I am a vegetarian?  Either way, pass some over here while I continue... the rest of the story is coming.  Sheesh, I have some much crap to go through first.   

[Seeker]

I am sure you loved in the Hermitage ..... wonderful place to visit, a memory for ever!

You are so right... and I still have two thirds of it to see!  And the Church of the spilled blood blew me away.  I am not religious, but I do think of myself as spiritual... and I spent hours there examine every detail of the architecture, the art, the presentation of it, and the hot women looking at it too. 

That is part of the reason I only saw a third of the Hermitage.