Russian Visa: 1700 kroner
Plane ticket: 1600 kroner
Taxis: 1000 kroner
Spending the weekend with your best friend in one of the most beautiful cities: Priceless
Even though we failed to bring our winter coats, got limited sleep, and had to communicate mostly through google translate, Saint Petersburg did not disappoint. I wish we could have had more time, but we only had the weekend to get away. We made the most of our time and hey, anything is better than nothing, right!? We also got to check Riga, Latvia off our list! We both have traveled through the airport many times, connecting from one flight to the next, but we both have never been outside the airport.
Two countries in a little over 58 hours. We’ll take it!
Hoda booked our stay at the Silver Sphere Inn, which was located in Nevsky Prospekt. I don’t know about her, but I’m pretty sure the journey from the airport to the hotel was the funnest/scariest taxi ride I’ve ever experienced. The entire 30 minutes from the airport to Nevsky Proskept, our taxi driver weaved between buses and cars, while also multitasking and communicating with us through google translate. He also made sure that we got exactly to where we needed to be! Even if that meant calling the hotel and carrying our bags (basically to our room)!!!
It’s time! Let’s explore the city…
Our evening out in Saint Petersburg involved lots of beer, cocktails, DANCING (until the early hours), and mingling with the locals! Friends were made while we were out, but most of the communication was done though google translate. You obviously won’t get by very well without knowing the language. Something I take for granted living in Oslo, Norway. It was amazing to have people make the effort to communicate and engage in a conversation with us, even if it was through google translate or broken english. Going out dancing was one thing, but being able to communicate and connect with locals made the night that much better.
Sunday’s are for adventures…
First on our list: FOOD AND COFFEE! After last night, make that a triple espresso!
Second: Sprint to Mikhailovsky Theatre for the ballet. We made it JUST as the doors were closing! PHEW!
We didn’t explore the museum, but instead climbed the 262 steps to the kolonnada.
Fun fact: The cathedral was built from 1818 to 1858 by a french designer, not an architect. It is the largest cathedral in Saint Petersburg and the third largest domed cathedral in the world!
CONFESSION: We didn’t go into the Hermitage. Poor time management skills on our part! Hopefully there will be a next time!
Our last night in Saint Petersburg.
We were told to go to the Wild Duck Irish Pub for food and drinks. It was described as a hole in the wall, but with good food, drinks, and a duck that walks around the bar! The ONLY reason we went was to see this damn duck, but of course he was “sleeping.” What a bust, but maybe he needed to recover from a crazy Saturday night.
I travel because I need to…because my wild, adventurous spirit can’t live according to the “norm.” I travel to regroup, to reinvent myself, to be the best me I can be, to find joy in the ordinary and peace in exploring, I travel to be.
Be sure to brush up on your Russian speaking skills before traveling or have google translate ready when you are out exploring!
Here are a few words to get you started and the only words I remember!
спасибо
pronounced “spa-see-ba”
thank you
Да
pronounced “da”
yes
Нет
pronounced “nyet”
no
Until next time.
Beyond the Fjords 