Watching ice-hockey in Moscow

[tryfanstone]

People, q_i and I went to Russia. We came back yesterday from Saint Petersberg - the sun was shining, but all the flights to Kiev were cancelled.

This post, though, is about small, stunning moments of beauty in a country I loved.

Comments

[unovis]

So much better than our horrible trip last year.

The museums sound wonderful. I've always wanted to see the Pushkin and the Hermitage. (and the amber room!) Thank you for the birches picture.

Sorry, feeling bilious this morning. Glad you're home safe.

[tryfanstone]

I just wish I'd been well for last year's trip - I hate being ill, and that totally threw me for at least a week. I'm so sorry, because it must have been miserable for you too.

- but we did get to see the Peabody! I still think it's one of the most attractive museums I've ever been to - I *loved* that Chinese house with passion, and the imported Asian artwork was just stunning. And Nova Scotia iced and beautiful!

There will be another time for Boston MFA. It will happen! Athough I am still holding out a small slither of hope for Italy... A little sadly, because I could not but think of how much you would have loved Russia, and all the art museums I did not go to that you would have absolutely loved. You'd need a month. More.

Very much hope all is well.

[unovis]

Ugh, sorry, so not your fault; I was pounded by previous travel plus work plus months of crazy stress. Will write about Italy (no chance with parents, but I'm plotting for myself).

The Peabody with Chinese house was terrific, and I kept thinking about it when I binge-watched all the Ip Man movies. And the Necco factory!

And -- Shishkin and Levitan birches. There are more famous birch paintings by Levitan, but I love the snow and the horse and the little bird house.

[tryfanstone]

Oh, wow. Gorgeous, gorgeous paintings.

The sky was amazing. I think, it may be a little like Nantucket? Big sky. The only thing I can liken it to is the sky over the Essex marshes, where I lived for a while - big, big sky, big sunsets and sunrises, emptiness. Even over Saint Petersberg, which is very definitely city.

The one thing I really regret is not seeing more of the countryside. But I am looking longingly now at websites. As a country (I'm not sure if you really can put aside the politics, but, not the place, although I have lots to say next time I see you) I really, really loved Russia. And now I want to learn Russian, which is such a bad idea because I'm rubbish at languages, but I did at least have Cyrillic sorted out by the end of the holiday - negotiating the metro was awfully useful!

- keep me up to date on Italy? I could come and help with luggage?

- take care. Hope you're feeling better.

[tryfanstone]

And adding, quite honestly, I missed you every time I walked past a picture. There are so many small house museums for painters as well - eh, I just think you'd have loved every moment.

Birches were hard to find in central Moscow! But there is another picture for you too, of the small stand opposite the tomb of the unknown soldier below the Kremlin walls. I just need to label everything and then upload. I'll send you a link when it's done.

- sorry you're not well. Take care, please.