Moscow Dogs

So the whole thing about photographing dogs was fun in Paris was fun because French dogs are fun and happy and they get to go to restaurants and in the metro. But Russia...um, not so good for dogs, or Jews, as Case would say. I guess there are bigger things to worry about, but as it turns out there is no place to keep strays, so strays roam the streets. That is, the smart ones roam the streets. The not so smart ones get run over. Which could be in itself as good as any a description of life in Moscow.

Moscow skyline

Moscow is like this....beautiful, beautiful, beautiful...holy crap!wha the hell?

Peterhof

Inspired by Versailles, but 10,000 times more ornate, Peterhof sits on the Bay of Finland, and is at the same time rustic and elaborate. We took a boat there since the traffic makes moving impossible, but somehow approaching it that way made it feel perfect. The boat ride back was not, however, as we missed the boat by 30 seconds and they wouldn't wait (the first thing we have experienced in Russia that HAD to run on time, and then the second boat was held 2 hours to wait, as apparently they can't leave with less than 20 people on board all of a sudden. Our host gave us a very interesting lesson in kicking some bureaucratic ass when we got back, though, and that was fun to watch.

St. Petersburg

Built by imperial degree on a marsh, this city defies all the notions one has of a city...European, Nordic, Central Asian. The pastel colors of the buildings change with the light, and the light changes every 15 minutes. We spent our short time there experiencing the white nights, when night is the most beautiful time of day, and the river reflects the sky and the wind dies down just a bit. Many people compare it to Paris, because of the beautiful streets that line the river like the Rue D'Orsay, or to Venice, because of the canals, or to Rome, because of the Italian statues and opulence...but it is like none of those things because all of this is done through the prism of Russia...so it is so much more.

More Paris

Les Journees des Chiens

Ile St. Louis
Marais
Versailles
Les Bois aux Versailles

Sacre Coeur

Les tres gentiles chiens de Paris!

Things You See When You Walk in Paris

Paris is like a museum...everywhere you look is a piece of art. A 25 year break between visits does nothing to diminish the surprises that wait around every corner and the feeling of familiarity once you get there.

Delices de France

Everywhere ..food, food...delicious french food! And everyone can sit and enjoy.

Linus Gets A Haircut

Last day - this time

One the last day of this first trip, we went from one end of the island to the other. And the variety of sights, sounds and smells was clearly just a sample of things to come......