Novgorod and St. Petersburg

So I am basically providing a rundown of my itinerary according to the website...

Day 5 Moscow to Novgorod
From bustling capital to ancient fortress city. Today we travel to what was once the stronghold of the early Tsars, Novgorod.(Also known as Lord Novgorod the Great...yes that was the name of the city... you have no clue how much confusion that caused on one of my tests in my Russia under the Tsars class) Visit the old Kremlin with its imposing fortress walls and touching World War II war memorials (B,D) (I am pretty excited to go to Novgorod, the travelogue I read said that there was a really comfy hotel that they stayed in here...)

Day 6 Novgorod to St. Petersburg
Today we travel to what some still consider the true capital of Russia, St. Petersburg. Named after Peter the Great, the city was built to be Russia's "Window on Europe". (It was also built to be a seaport to allow Russia greater naval power and access to trade routes) We visit Peter's summer palace, Petrodvorets, famous for its baroque architecture and intricate gardens.(but apparently we don't get to go inside...) (B,D)

Day 7 St. Petersburg
Our local guide takes us around St. Petersburg this morning. Step back in time as we tour the Hermitage which now holds what remains of the personal art collection of Catherine the Great.(that is amazing! But it is also where the Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government in 1917.) Later, take a stroll along the busy Nevsky Prospekt and perhaps take in a performance of the world famous Russian Ballet tonight. (Not planning on going to the Ballet, it is kind of expensive and I don't love ballet...) (B)

Day 8 St. Petersburg to Helsinki (Finland)

Today we farewell the former Soviet Union, making a short stop in the medieval city of Vyborg, before entering Finland. We travel through pine forests and reindeer sanctuaries to the quirky capital, Helsinki. (B,D)

The following are included in the tour cost:

Novgorod: Guided tour of the old town; See the Millennium Bell.

Petrodvorets: Visit the garden and see the fountains of the Tsars' Summer Palace

St. Petersburg: Guided tour of the Hermitage; See the St. Peter and St. Paul Fortress; See the church of the Spilt Blood and the Admiralty. (The Church of the Spilt Blood is where Alexander II was assasinated in 1881)

Vyborg: Orientation of the town

These are the extra tours that I can choose to do or not...

St. Petersburg

Guided Tour of Siege of Leningrad Memorial (Euro 8.50) ($13)
Visit the World War II memorial to the one million people who lost their lives during the Siege of Leningrad. Our guide takes us through the memorial and explains the historical significance of the siege, and the impact on the people of the city. (I cried like a baby during the video we watched in class about the seige. It was a horrible time. I want to go, but I think it will be a somber experience...)

Evening Canal Cruise (Euro 15.00) ($23)
Join us on an evening cruise weaving through the canals of the Neva River to discover why St. Petersburg is known as the "Venice of the North". Glimpse the famous Aurora battleship and the drawbridges that are opened every night. (Sounds like fun, I will go on this one!)

Guided Tour of Peter and Paul's Fortress (Euro 11.50) ($18)
We visit Peter the Great's original fortress which was constructed over 300 years ago to protect the newly built city of St. Petersburg. Our visit includes entry into the Cathedral to see the final resting place of all the Tsars from Peter I to Alexander III, and the tombs of the last Tsar Nicholas II and his family.(ANASTASIA!) An interesting journey through Russian Imperial history. (Hezzeck Yes, I am doing this!)

Mumu Traditional Dinner (Euro 23.00) ($36)
An evening at a traditional restaurant named after Ivan Turgenev's famous story of Mumu the dog. Your chance to try beef stroganoff - a dish created in the Stroganoff Palace of St. Petersburg. The dinner consists of a three-course meal including a glass of champagne and coffee. (Thereare a couple pros and cons for this...First the Pros: I <3 Beef Stroganoff, I even know how to say "I love Beef Stroganoff" in Russian! This is the biggest pro. The Cons: It is a restaurant named after a dog, this concerns me; it is kind of pricy for a meal that I can make at home for 10 bucks, I don't love champagne... I will probably see when I get there)

Russian Ballet Performance (Approx. Euro 60.00 - 70.00) (roughly $100)
This is your opportunity to see world-famous Russian Ballet in the city where the 'Nutcracker' & 'Swan Lake' came to life. For over 270 years St. Petersburg has been the home of ballet, producing such greats as Anna Pavlova and Rudolf Nureyev. If there is one place in the world to experience ballet, St Petersburg is it! (not gonna spend $100 to watch a ballet, I could use the evening to do laundry I am sure)

Up next in my countdown to Russia (and other fun countries... days 8 through 12 Finland and Sweden!

Moscow

My room looks a lot better thanks to the help of Denise....

Yay!

So I have been looking at my trip itinerary and noticed that I get to "discover" Moscow kind of at my own pace...

Day 1 (July 23rd)
Depart for Europe (Fly from LAX to NYC then NYC to Moscow: I have to be at LAX at 4:30 a.m.!!!)

Your exciting European trip begins.

Day 2 (July 24th)
Arrive Moscow (Yay!)

Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. This evening, meet your Tour Manager and get to know your fellow travellers over dinner. (D) <- (This means they feed me dinner!)

Days 3&4

Two full days to discover all Moscow has to offer. Vist some of the city's popular museums and enjoy a ride on the famous Moscow Metro. Walk through the Kremlin or shop at Russia's largest department store on Red Square. (B)(B,D) <-(Breakfast on Day 3 and Breakfast and Dinner on Day 4)

This is what it says for Moscow: These things have already been paid for!

Moscow: Guided tour of the Kremlin; Visit Red Square (Department Store and McDonalds) and see Lenin's Mausoleum (I am extra excited about this and I don't know why)and St. Basil's domed Cathedral (The thing that everyone takes a picture in front of and u know they are in Russia!); Travel on the Moscow Metro (Supposedly the most beautiful and clean subways in the world); See a performance by the Moscow Circus (more famous than Ringling Bros.)

These are the extra tours that I can choose to do or not...

Moscow Metro Tour (Euro 9.00) ($14)(I will do this one)
See the local view of Moscow on a guided tour of Stalin's "Palaces for the Workers" -the stations of the Moscow Metro. Underneath the city is one of the world's largest and most intriguing galleries where the icons of Communism can still be seen.

Guided Tour of Armoury Museum in Kremlin (Euro 24.00) ($37)(This one is pretty pricey and I have been told that it is skippable... The only thing I would really want to see are the Eggs, and I saw some at the Bellagio art Museum a few years ago... But at the same time I am torn, I <3 the tsars...but 40 bucks is riddikulus!)
Experience the full glory of the Kremlin with a guided tour of the Royal Armoury to see the collected treasures of the Tsars. The museum houses a collection of priceless Faberge Eggs, and personal possessions of the Romanov dynasty from the time of Peter the Great.

Guided Tour of Missile and Military Museum (Euro 12.00) ($19)(I probably won't do this one... although souvenirs are always awesome! Actually maybe I will, I do <3 the Cold War!)
A chance to learn about the awesome military power that existed in the USSR. See missiles, tanks, fighter jets, and an array of military nostalgia from the Cold War era and take the opportunity to buy souvenir pendants, flags and other trinkets.

Tour of Statue Park and Gorky Park (Euro 10.00) ($16) (I will do this one too...)
Enjoy an afternoon south of the river as you visit two of the most famous parks in Moscow. The 'Statue Park' surrounds a famous art gallery and contains many statues from the communist era, including the only remaining statue of Stalin! Our guide will make history come alive with personal accounts of life behind the "iron curtain". Then time to explore the world-famous Gorky park. Entrance into both parks is included.

Up next in my countdown to Russia... days 5 through 8 Novgorod to St. Petersburg! so I will actually only be in Russia a week but I am sure it'll be worth it...

Exhausted...

and I don't know why...

I shouldn't be physically tired...

and I am not really depressed...

I am kind of blah...

But enough of that...

I had my first dream about school last night. It was pretty vivid and makes me kinda sad it is the summer. I am suprised it took this long to have one...

and...

Church last night was amazing...

I love how God uses the seemingly random to speak to us...

(spy-see-bah)

So, I feel like I haven't posted something in a while so here goes...

I got a new computer... It is blue, which was an unexpected bonus!

I don't know why my pills have decided not to work lately but it is getting on my nerves. I was quite content to be in less pain...

I have gotten two of my 4 grades and so far I have an A and an A- which is good. Am expecting another A and A- or possibly two A's...That would be fabulous!

I had a good time at my teacher's party yesterday... I tried ratatouille and some yummy quiche... The lunch was a thank you for all those who helped with the French Film festival and so it had a French theme...

I scored some cute new underwear at Torrid... and a really cute tray at Urban Outfitters...

I have seven hours until I go to work... and should clean during those hours....

Eeew

I woke up at like 4:30 to the most horrible noise that a squeemish person who is cat sitting can wake up to. One of the cats decided to forget that it is house trained and randomly start peeing everywhere.... On my stuff... So I had to wake up ungodly early to clean up a huge mess of grossness....

Today is my last final... :(

Last night seems to have gone pretty okay. I didn't really think so until I was discussing worship with Sarah afterwards... But we agreed that worship was amazing...

Tomorrow I get to move back home and I rejoice at that....

I need to study so off I go...

A breather....

I am kinda very excited to be at home sitting on my own bed, not having to worry about anything but getting ready for tonight and being able to breathe....

I don't dislike the girl who lives with my cousins, but we are not super compatible personality wise, and I am glad to be home just for a break...

I have one final left tomorrow and then my first year at CSUDH is over... This is both exciting and sad. It is exciting because I am finally making some progress towards my future. I completed my junior year of college, after 4 years of trying lol! I am signed up for summer school and will technically be done with my first semester as a senior when that is finished. I am looking forward to next year. I am taking Colonial Latin America, US Colonial Period, US Recent Period, and my Senior Seminar for sure and am toying with taking Intercultural communications (one of my Upper Division GEs) and Emergence of Modern Europe...


It is sad because it means I only have one year left at CSUDH a school which I used to feel was inferior to other schools in this area, but have discovered that looks and opinions can be deceiving. This school has captured a special place in my heart and I will end up one of those crazy Alumni who still maintain connections at their school. I am recieving a HIGH quality education with faculty and staff that genuinely care about the students at the school, and if nothing else were different about DH than other schools, DH would still be superior...

Tonight is my night to talk with the youth. I think it will be pretty interesting... I do however, need to jet over to school at 430 and wont be back until approx 630, which means I need to go get everything set up early...

House Sitting

is going well, but I have no internet...

Russian Final tomorrow....

Wed. I am giving a message in the youth group.

Thursday is my last final :(


More later...