Around The World w/Scott 2011: These are the Days of my Life

A Day for Remembrance. I am spending the Day of Remembrance in St Petersburg, Russia. I was a BAD Boy last night (Sat) as I went out for almost my first Guys night out since I was in Thailand earlier in the year. Just wasn't interested in the bar scene in every country. But I learned that there was a bar just minutes from my Hostel in St Petersburg so what the heck. It is called Central Station. It has three floors of entertainment. First floor is quiet bar, second floor is the dance floor, rather small but packed and the 3rd is the cabaret stage. It was really fun and there was a special guest at 4am. Some French music star??? I didn't get the name but I have endless videos of her performance which was what kept me out until 4am. It was a blast. i never screamed so loud in a lot of years and it was good to be out with the boys. Funny how when you make going out a special occasion that it can be really fun even when you head out solo. I spent most of the night saying I don't speak Russian but quite a few practiced their English with me. Guess i was the new meat in the market and everyone wanted to sample....lol

St Petersburg is similar to Moscow in the architecture, except it feels alot more cosmopolitan. there are huge street with alot of pedestrian only side streets. Ok..observation #1...The real Russian men have huge hands. Just an observation. Observation #1 Real Russians have dark hair and piercing BLUE eyes. Observation #3 They are all tall or maybe just the ones that caught my attention. I love being 5'6' but I love to look at 6' and taller and there is a plethora of subjects to observe. The women love their heels. 4inch spikes are common place and these ones with a 2 inch sole allows them to go even taller. The women are strikingly beautiful again those that catch my eye. No wonder the Russians are the new Fashion Models making a big hit on the runways. The city of St. Petersburg is cross crossed with canals. The main streets are similar to Moscow and china as they are 6-8 lanes each way so you spend alot of time going thru underground cross walks to get to the other side of the street. Russia is a country on the move and if you don't get out of their way they push you. No not an ugly shove but just a friendly reminder that you are in their way. The first time it hapens you excuse yourself but after walking a ways on the crowded sidewalk you just take the hit and return the favor to the nest unsuspecting pedestrian that isn't moving fast enough out of your way.

I guess that i find it interesting that on a Saturday and Sunday that there are not more people out and about. At home the weekend is the time for everybody and his dog to hit the streets, the malls, or just amelessly drive in circles. I have found that alot of other countries are much more home bodies...could it be that gas prices are too high, could it be that they cost of living is significantly lower that ours....could it be that their social lives are more directed to those at home, families??? Speaking of out and about, those that are are relatively younger, 20's to 30's and they just love to stop on the sidewalk, on the bridges or on the corners waiting for the light to hange and just full on mug. I'm talking get a room kind of kissing. It is everywhere that you look. on the bridges, on the park benches, on the buses....It's kind of Hot. Speaking of buses, they are electric driven with the cables and funy contraption on the top of the bus...oh and needless to say they are quiet and non-polluting. By quiet I mean those big lumbering things will sneak up on you while you are jaywalking and not thinking about which way to look to cross the street and not slow down but blast their horn to make you jump out of your skin as you dive for the nearest curb.

I have just about walked the soles out of another pair of shoes. Not my new tennis shoes but a pair of casual street shoes that I bought on the street in Thailand. They were $12US so what did I expect, but they have been interchanged with my tennis shoes and flip flops over the last 9 months. My second pair of flip flops are about to go as well. I love them but they are almost flat on the bottom and allow no ...none...nothing at all in the way of comfort or support....my poor feet. I need a pedicure. Well my hair is growing in from my UK head shaving so I don't scare young children any more. I am glad that I bought a G-star jacket for $12US from a street vendor as I feel one of these days it will be getting cooler and well that will be money well spent. the evenings here get cool but definitely not cold.

Parking...Russian style...if it don't fit, force it...if the curb is two car widths away at lest park as close to the car next to you so you only block two lanes of traffic on a skinny street that 2 lanes is all there is...Oh wait what is that vacant spot over there yeah right it's called a sidewalk or additional parking depending on your interpretation...lol

I have an infatuation with the detail of doorways.

From the look on that lady on the right's face I am not the only one curious...Yes she is walking her hawk who just was flapping it wings and decided to hang upside down for this pic...Yeah a HAWK?!?!?!

I just love the Arts...that and Hot guys in tutu's...

Yeah I'm a rebel...St Petersburg has directional arrows on the crosswalks...not that anyone is looking down to follow...more rules to be broken...Welcome to Russia.

Stairway to the Dome only 211 more steps...got my aerobic workout today.

Panoramic View of St. Petersburg from the top of the Dome.

Can anyone say...."vertigo"

Where do the Catholics spend their tithes? they sure don't decorate like the Europeans...Oh that's right... their pastor/minister decorate their palatial estates where the common folk can't view the the good works of their giving....silly me.