Getting Around

Since I was last on, I've traveled through to Sweden, Finland, and Russia - stopping in Stockholm, Helsinki, and St. Petersburg.

I really don't remember too much of Sweden - we went on a tour to the main square, took a ferry across the water to the place we ate, and went on with our tour. We were on the bus almost the entire time, and so didn't have much opportunity to get out and explore. We did go to a nice porcelain museum that had the gold-plated royal china on display, and the city was pretty, but nothing that really made a lasting impression. Although there were a lot of really cute flower pots shaped like mini boats. Those were really neat. :D

Andrea and I both got off the ship together in Finland, where we wandered around the town for a bit before finding an Internet cafe close to the shuttle stop. We walked through and open market and bought some souvenirs, as well as a bag of blueberries that we continually snacked on throughout the day. We found some old cathedrals and buildings, and Andrea succeeded in capturing someone else's jumping photo - from nearly a block away. I LOVE her zoom! There's only so much I can do with my camera, I'm kinda jealous... :P I might be buying a new one when I get home... if I can afford it.

St. Petersberg- wow! So much to see in so little time. The first day I went to the Hermitage, and 2 hours wasn't NEARLY enough time to see even the highlights. We had to walk by so quickly that I didn't have the time I wanted to actually examine each painting or sculpture as we walked by. We only had a few minutes in front of each of the famous paintings, and that with a large crowd. It was so overwhelming - almost too much to take in. The tour guide pointing out paintings like they were nothing, saying, "oh, here's the Da Vinchi's on your right", or "all the Van Gough's are on your left"and there I was, almost dying because I actually was seeing the original paintings right before my very eyes. I couldn't believe it, and I wish I could have spent all day there, pouring over each individual painting. Not many art students I know have had the opportunity to come here and see all these original paintings, and yet we saw art students who were sketching the sculptures or painting a copy of an original Da Vinchi, right there in the museum. Like I said, overwhelming, and I wasn't even able to get good pictures of any of the paintings... I would mention other things we did in Russia, but this by far outshines them all, so I have no need. The city was beautiful - but the Hermitage was my inspiration.

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I've got a little more caught up on my pictures today as well - so here's 3 more albums - Norway and Berlin...

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47055&l=7b85e&id=658227216

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=48176&l=e5ddc&id=658227216

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=48181&l=37809&id=658227216

Enjoy!