To Russia With Love......

It has been interesting so far in Russia. Caught the train yesterday from Helsinki and arrived in St. Petersburg around 2:30pm. Must have gone through 3 passports checks and a couple of forms before I arrived. When I arrived they kinda herded us through a gate and we ended up out on a street with no English signs or information places around. Got a Russian guy to point me in the direction of the metro and I was off. Found it and managed to get on the right one and then transfer to the next line. Got off in the right spot and headed to an ATM to get some money. Kept declining me and I asked a bank lady for help. She found me a newer ATM and it worked. It would only give me a certain amount so I need to get more. Followed the directions to the hostel and there I was in a room with 6 guys and a girl. The fun begins.
Got up this morning and left early to go to the bank and try to get a SIM card for my phone. Found a coffee shop and had a ritual Cappucino with a croissant. Ready for the day! Got my SIM card but it won't work. Me being kinda illiterate about these things doesn't really help. Have to go back tomorrow to try to get them to figure it out. Went to the bank and got more money, but the machine just gave me a $5000 ruble bill which nobody will take so I went into the bank to get smaller bills. After 3 people and about a half hour I got my money. Okay time to go to the Winter Palace! Wow what a place. St. Petersburg has so much and it is all done on a grand scale. I will have no problem filling up the 4 1/2 days I have here. Anyway, the key to the winter palace is to buy your entrance from a machine because the lineups are about 2 hours if you don't. Arrived to be 2nd in line for one of the machines. Guy in front bought his ticket on a credit card and I was going to pay cash. Took my first 500 ruble note and then wouldn't take anymore cash. Big lineup now behind me, so I cancelled the transaction thinking I would get my money back and pay with a card. Screen went blank and no money back. Everyone behind me went to a new line and left me standing with a dead machine. Finally gave up and went to the back of another line. The machine I just left comes back online and works perfect for the next

guy and he paid cash. So I went back to the machine and tried again. Same thing happens it takes my 500 ruble but again won't accept the next one. Only need 200 more rubles so found someone who had 5 - 100 ruble bills. The machine accepted those and I had my ticket. Was still down 500 rubles so I went to the admin to get my money back. After an hour and countless people to talk to I got my money and into the Winter Palace I go. All the hassle and crap was worth it because this place is an incredible place full of artifacts from all ancient civilizations. Lots of 1500 BC Egyptian relics. The place was massive and I spent 2-3 hours roaming around inside. Finally got tired of looking at this wonderful stuff and headed outside. Sat and watched a rock band perform in front of the palace for a while before heading to St. Isaac's Cathedral. Another massive church with all the rich exotic furnishings that would rival any church in Italy. After climbing to the top for a view and a look inside, went to sit in a park outside the cathedral for an hour just marveling about the day and all

the things I saw and experienced. Crazy day and can't wait to see what happens tomorrow as I think i will take a day trip to a site just outside the city.