Photos of the week in St. Petersburg

As I mentioned in my last post, we were preparing for the big White Nights celebration in St. Petersburg, which is normally celebrated on the summer solstice (longest day of the year), or on a close day to coincide with the weekend.  Every year, they hold a big event called the Scarlet Sails;  a big boat parade on the Neva River held from 11:30 until 2am.  We've missed it the past 2 years & really wanted to see it in 2013

We missed it again!

June 21st was on a Friday, so we assumed the big events would be on Friday or the following Saturday.  In fact, every site that I checked on the Internet confirmed that it would be on Saturday, as did a few locals from the office.  So we had big plans:  sleep in late, enjoy the city during the day, take a tap, dinner reservations at 9:30, then head to the river for the festivities.

So what happened?  In short, the Russians changed the date of the event & didn't publish the information beyond a few comments in the newspaper.  They moved it to late Sunday night.  And we had an early Monday, so we missed it AGAIN. 

Who holds a big festival at 2am on Sunday???   Now I know the answer - Russia!

The weekend wasn't a complete bust.  It was still nice & warm, and people were everywhere.  Here are some pictures from the week..............................

It's wedding season.  Russian weddings are very different from what we are accustomed to in the West.  For one, it's typically only a civil ceremony held at the Department of Public Services (called ZAGS in Russian).  You make an appointment, show up with your witnesses (usually what we would call the Best Man and Maid of Honor), and the ceremony lasts 15-20 minutes depending on the crowds.  After the service the bride and groom, along with their witnesses and some close family & friends, go on a tour or drive around their city.  Taking pictures, drinking Champagne, and celebrating.

So here are a few brides that I saw in the park

It was also graduation weekend.  More champagne

We went to dinner at Mansarda, one of our favorite places.  It can be a bit of a "scene", and it's expensive, but the food & service is always good (a rarity in Russia).  Mansarda means attic in Russian, and this restaurant is on the 6th floor of an old palace.

I was photo-bombed in my picture.  Or Pat intentionally snapped the picture when this lady was walking by........

After dinner, we went to the Neva river to watch the light show that happens each evening between 11:30pm - 1:30am in the summer.  They open the bridges, and boats travel through.  There are lots of people out enjoying the night, & most of the kiosks & cafes are still open.