At the Narva Gate

Privyet! I've just posted more photos from a recent walk in one of southern Saint Petersburg's industrial suburbs, starting at the bright green Narva Gate. It was a great deal more interesting there than I expected, plenty of Soviet monuments and constructivist architecture to keep me happy! It apparently isn't the best area and unsafe to visit after dark if I'm to believe Yuri, my enthusiastic and unasked-for Russian guide, told me. I made the mistake of giving him a ten rouble bill (~50 cents) when he asked for 1, which earned me not only his undying gratitude but an in-depth, 15-minute explanation of the Narva Gate, Petersburg history, Yuri's 43 years of life, and his extended family... argh how to get away?? Through a great deal of nodding and feigned comprehension I somehow endured and managed eventually to take my leave after four handshakes and all the best for my time in Petersburg until my return to Amerika (what I had to tell him since, judging by his uncompreheding stare, he'd never heard of Canada). What a character... a little drunk I think, but I'll have to take back what I said about all Petersburgers being rude I guess!

Well it looks like I am to be a prisoner in Russia a bit longer. Today I was supposed to be getting my passport back finally after a long month of waiting while they processed my visa extension to the end of February. An entire month to register, during which I don't have a passport and so can't go anywhere - unbelievable! But today when I was told to pick it up, the lady at the office didn't show for some reason, grrr..

I'll probably continue posting more on my photo page than on my blog while I still have a computer at home (ie. until I leave Russia to begin my grand tour of Europe at the end of February); I think photos and captions together work best to give you the most accurate idea of what it's really like over here in this wild Russian world!

Today's weather forecast: -10 to -18 by Tuesday!