White nights continue

Trip Start Jan 12, 2008
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Trip End Oct 01, 2008


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Saturday, May 24, 2008

After a few hours of sleep I go on a most beautiful walking tour of the city that takes me through some parks, along the river, over a bridge and spits me back out at Palace Square to see the Hermitage.  There is a lot of military presence around the city (even more than Moscow somehow) and I realize they are setting up and guarding a parade.  The St. Petersburg bride by St. Isaac's
The St. Petersburg bride by St. Isaac's
 After a few questions I discover that I am about to witness the celebration of the city's birthday!  The entire city swells with people as the parade begins and the streets stay absolutely packed with people all day. 
Nevsky Prospect with parade
Nevsky Prospect with parade



I find a lunch spot and meet up with Veronika, another couch surfing contact, who takes me to a museum exploring the scary history of St. Petersburg's founding and development.  The coolest part of our brief time together was the hall of mirrors. 
In the hall of mirrors
In the hall of mirrors


We go our own ways and I check out the parade downtown again as it is still going because they are also celebrating the St. Petersburg professional soccer team's UEFA Cup championships the day before!  Talk about perfect timing!!! Midnight fireworks
Midnight fireworks

I wind up meeting two girls, Helena and Natalie from Moscow, and we walk around before seeing a concert staged on the neighboring island at the Peter and Paul Fortress.  Talk about a cool venue for a concert... under the light sky of the midnight sun!  Next they take me to one of the hottest clubs just after midnight as it is getting dark.  The club was fun and we danced all night... I got home just in time to pack and head to the train station to grab a 7:30am train to Helsinki!

St. Petersburg leaves it mark on me as one of, if not the, most beautiful cities I've ever seen!
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