I'm going to St. Petersburg!

[Der Blaue Engel]

Russia, that is.

In my ongoing quest to do impractical things "just because," I have decided to spend a month in St. Petersburg learning Russian this summer. I've never been outside of North America(except to Hawaii), and I am scared silly and ridiculously excited. I think, strangely, the most trepidation I'm having at the moment (besides the cost) is that we'll be staying with host families and I don't know what to expect or whether they'll speak any English.

We'll be there during the White Nights, which I have always thought would be amazing, and I'll get to see the Hermitage and the Winter Palace among other fabulous things.

I never imagined that the first country I'd visit outside of North America would be Russia, but my latest writing obsession (a novel I'm working on loosely based on Anastasia) is compelling me to go. (And hey, if it ever gets published, I can write off the entire trip. :D )

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[xmas74]

1. I've always wanted to go.

Please post pics when you return!

[Der Blaue Engel]

3. Oh, I will definitely post pics

I may even blog from Pbg if I find any wireless there. :)

[xmas74]

4. Cool!

[EstimatedProphet]

2. Ochen khorosho!

Ya khotel be' poiti v' Russiu!

[Der Blaue Engel]

7. Don't know a lick of Russian yet

But a friend said that to me earlier today. :) (Ochen khorosho, that is.)

[Sequoia]

5. How wonderful for you!

Don't drink all the vodka. Here's one of my bookmarks you might like:

http://www.bestofrussia.ca/index.html



Advancing to Moscow, Napoleon waited outside the city gates for prominent civic authorities to greet him and to discuss terms of surrender. None arrived. Moscow had been deserted.

[Der Blaue Engel]

10. Thanks!

Great link! I'm always looking for information on the Romanovs; hadn't seen this before. :hi:

[AllegroRondo]

6. Have a great time!

I only learned one phrase in Russian, which comes in very handy.

Yanye gabaru baruski (spelling is way off, its phonetic)


It means "I do not speak Russian"

[Der Blaue Engel]

8. Lol!

I will commit that to memory! :D

[Initech]

9. Cool! I want to do something like that.

Of course, I'm having a hard time deciding which country I want to visit and how long I can stay there!