St Petersburg

It's bloody freezing.
My snot froze. And my eyelashes.

We've been in snowy St Petersburg a day and I have learnt the hard way not to wear glasses outside when it's -28 C. They freeze over and you may as well not wear them.

Last night we were introduced to the underworld of the Russian mafia. We were sat in a window booth enjoying our Nevoske beer when two Mercedes screeched to a halt outside and eight suited and booted and very stern looking men stormed into the bar. One carried a rather important looking briefcase straight into the toilets and the bodyguard waited by the main door while the others came into the restaurant area. Mr Briefcase took another guy with him into the toilets and barred entry to even the friendly cleaner.
Ten minutes later they're all sitting around a table having a beer, while a pretty damn scary looking bloke guarded over the briefcase in another booth. All very exciting. Meanwhile, four or five minders loitered around guarding the vehicles (another jeep and a shiny Daimler had also appeared) and we watched a dodgy looking exchange between the head minder and a truck driver, who was soon taken around the block and dealt with.

We soon left.

I'm sure it happens every day here - the waitresses seemed unfazed and were laughing and joking with them all. Only the bodyguard and the briefcase guard looked really menacing! Today has been slightly more easy going. We spent a few hours in the Winter Palace and Hermitage museum, admiring lots of gold and a few Leonardos. Among other things. We went to The Church of the Saviour on Spilt Blood, a pretty awesome onion top cathedral. And had a coffee. Here's some snaps...

The Church of the Saviour on Spilt Blood

Outside the Winter Palace

Over the river

Another day here tommorrow, then we board an overnight train to Moscow where we have 3 days. Will report back then!