St. Petersburg this week

Here are a few pictures from the past week.  We're still enjoying great summer weather - mid 70's, sun.  By far, the warmest (and sunniest) that we've seen in 3 years.  No complaints from me!

On Saturdays, Pat & I go to "our" market.  It's not the largest in town, but it's "ours" because we have vendors who know us & treat us well.  I'm sure they laugh as "those strange Americans" as soon as we leave.  But who cares!

Over the past few years, we've learned that the only way to consistently get fresh fruits & vegetables is at the market.  It's more expensive, but worth the variety & freshness.  The grocery stores are a little dicey. 

The sign says it's the Vasileostrovskiy Market, "Only Fresh Produce".  In addition to fruits & vegetables, we normally buy our chicken and pork here, and sometimes dairy.

Our main vendors are 2 guys from Uzbekistan.  I wished I could have gotten their picture, but it wasn't going to happen willingly!  You can see one of the guys behind of the counter.  I never knew before how great the produce was in the Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan.  Cherries, pomegrantites, apricots.  The Uzbek melons are awesome and we are already eating amazing tomatoes.

Pat & I joke that they are 2 of our closest "friends" in Russia.  They actually let us pick out what we want & put it into our own bags.  I try talking with them a little, but it's a challenge.  They always wonder where we are when we miss a week, so I try to tell them.  When you tell them you are from the US, they want to share their view on politics (of course!).  I do know that they loved President Clinton, hated GW, and don't understand Obama.  Too funny to even comment on!

Here, they sell dried fruits & nuts (so much cheaper than the grocery stores), and they will fresh squeeze juices (соки on the sign).

We went to the Philharmonic as well.  The season (symphonies, as well as Ballet & Opera) ends in early July, and they do their summer tour in Europe in the US.

 After the performance, we stopped at the Grand Europe for dinner & drinks.  I love that it was still so light at 10:30pm

Now for some semi-creepy photos..... cover your eyes as needed. 

Once a year, we take a summertime walk around the Peter & Paul Fortress.  The fortress itself is a great place to visit.  It was founded by Peter the Great, and built between 1704-1740.  It's the burial place for most of the Russian Tsars, including Nicolas II & his family (the royal family that was murdered in 1917 by the Bolshevieks during the Revolution).  At noon each day, they shoot off a cannon. 

We didn't go inside any of the building this time, but here's a picture of the Grand Ducal Burial Vault

Peter & Paul Cathedral

Lots of nice walking paths in the fortress as well

So what makes it creepy?  The sunbathers.  Trust me, they are not French Rivera worthy!   They are not even Erie Peninsula worthy!  But it's like a car crash & I can't resist checking them out (& taking pictures). 

The men love to stand while they tan themselves.  And the thongs!!!!

Let's end this posting on a more pleasant note & with a more picturesque image......