Swan Lake

 

We went to the Ballet, which seems to be the “right” thing to do when in Russia. And, we saw the “right” ballet...Swan Lake. 

 

 

 

 

We have not been to many ballets over the years, but we do know a good performance when we see one, and the St. Petersburg Ballet Company and National Orchestra of St. Petersburg gave us a good performance. We left the theater with smiles. The last time we left a theater in St. Petersburg it was earlier in the summer and the nights were still light. Last night, it was dark...summer is winding down.

 

 

We also had a chance to see a bit of St. Petersburg going to and from the theater. Originally planned by Peter the Great (hence the name), he wanted to create a city that was equal to any city in Europe. He chose Venice as his model, and his city would be built along the  Negev River. He planned that the waterway be lined with elaborate buildings showing the style and richness of his northern empire. Along the river you can see the Hermitage and several big churches among other fine old buildings. There are 17 bridges decorative bridges crossing the river, nowadays they are are lighted and very pretty at night. Peter had a good plan.

 

 

The cruise terminal, which is another way of saying customs (and/or inspection), is outside the perimeter of the river bound city. Still there is development in the form of many high rise apartment blocks. Not as austere as some soviet style apartment blocks, they are still plain. The oldest apartments inside the river are more elaborate; the Soviet style apartments built between 1918 and 1989 are square/boring/dilapidated and not well-cared for; the new apartments, built after 1989 are modern, not as blocky as their predecessors and huge. Most are over 10 stories and cover a lot of space. Thousands of folks must live in these huge apartment blocks outside of the city.

 

 

Drivers are crazy, much like I remember from previous visits. Even our bus driver was a speedy fellow. Based on all the housing, I don’t think everyone has a vehicle, as there’s not a lot of parking available. Public transport is the norm. Given that, the streets in the new part of the city are wide.