St Petersburg, Day 1

First, a bit of background about St. Petersburg. It is Russia's principal port. The city did not grow up gradually, instead, by the wishes and design of Peter the Great, it was built up from the boggy marshland along the coast, fast and furiously, to become an imperial capital. Peter the Great had visited Amsterdam and other European capitals and wanted to surpass them in grandeur. He sketched out actual design plans and supervised most of the construction.  He barked out orders and spent huge sums of money. Workers could hardly keep up and many died during the construction. It is considered to have begun in May of 1703. Becasue of the boggy area and underground lakes, the city is full of rivers and canals and hundreds of beautiful fountains. It has 360 islands, 550 bridges, and eight bridges cross the Neva River--seven are drawbridges, one is suspension.
We arrived in port early morning and got up early for a long day of sightseeing. Fortunately, David is feeling better. After breakfast, we board the tour busses at 8. Our local guide, Marina, is outstanding. We have been priviledged to have such great local guides on this entire trip. Her English is very good and she has so much to show us, we literally can't rubberneck fast enough. "On your right", then "On your left." This is indeed a beautiful city with ornate buildings, gilt finishing-very classy. St Isaac's Cathedral is the largest church in town and more than 200 pounds of gold was used in the gilding on its dome. Today is the inaguration of St P's new governor and many streets are closed. Dignitaries are in town and security is high. Traffic is jammed. We are not able to get to the Fortress of Peter and Paul.
The ship has packed box lunches for us as we are spending the day touring in town. We are to eat in a lovley little park and a picnic sounds great--except it is raining. Nevertheless, the driver says strictly no eating on the bus, so we emerge enveloped in rain gear, carrying umbrellas and box lunches. We pick out a few things to eat and toss the boxes in the trash--as does everyone else. Then we head for the souvenier shops and toilets. (I wrote a complaint about this picnic in the rain on my final tour evaluation form.)
At the appointed time, we are back on the bus and drive to the Hermitage, where our guide will conduct a guided tour. She issues us earpods and a mini reciever so we can hear her tour. They only work marginally well-especially if you get very far from the guide.
There is no way I can really describe the experience in this museum. The Hermitage is spectacular! It has 1142 rooms, 117 staircases and over 2000 windows. Beyond any expectations. So much opulence, statues, art, everything covered in gold. To begin with, each of the buildings was originally created as a palace--with huge rooms, ornate decor, opulent draperies. Then to top it off, there are displayed here  the world's masterpieces in art. Imagine walking through room after room of Monet or Rembrandt. It is humbling--incredible to be that near each of these treasures. And just when you think there can't be more, here is another wing full of Egyptian art, or Art from Japan, or Roman statuary, or Antiquities from Siberia, or Dutch Masters. Truly too decadent to describe. Our guide is amazingly knwledgable and never stops talking--what a treasure she is! We have walked so much and climbed so many stairs that whenever the guide stops to talk, people look for a place to sit down. Still she moves us onward, hurrying through galleries and finally to the exit. Whew!
We board the bus, go back to the ship for dinner and then those of us on the optional tour tonight leave at 7 to see a traditional Cossack Show called Bagatitsa. The theater has two Cossack warriors  with spears at the doorway-standing stationary--like guards at buckingham palace, but fierce! The performance was a spectacle. Live music from the stage, bold costumes, and high energy dances by both men and women.The level of fitness of these dancers is like an athlete-what stamina and energy. The men hold difficult poses on one hand while kicking their feet high in the air. Two held whips horizontally in front of them and jumped forward and backward over the whips. The performance lasted over two hours before an enthusiastic and appreciative audience.
We were tired after such a long and active day, but have to be up early tomorrow.