This is Russia - spot on..

Ruskeala Marble Canyon

5 hours(!) of bus trip to the Karelian marble canyon.. A few stops to see old churches and the lake Ladoga on the way.. We were accompanied by some older ladies from Murmansk... they were absolutely lovely with exceptional amount of energy! Especially the eldest 82 year old lady.. Whatever their secret is, I want to know it..
The Ladoga lake and the marble canyon (near Sortavala village) were beautiful; during 18th-20th c. the quarried marbles were used for the lavish decorations in churches and palaces in St Petersburg.

Deluxe class...super slow but likeable..

The Cross of Sorrow Soldiers - monument Russia/Finland war, two mothers representing each country; to live in peace and unite as sisters..

Ladoga lake

Presenting...Murmansk!

Ruskeala marble canyon

 

blini

Days are spent just perambulating along and around the main street of Petrozavodsk.. Prospekt Lenina...
A few things I've become fond of...food wise.. :) ... Soviet Russian apartment blocks...

mini blinis

halva

Kizhi Island

Took a boat to Kizhi on Saturday.. Amazing churches and wooden houses.. To my biggest disappointment, either of the churches were accessible; they were being restored; health and safety! then we were rained on.. Nevertheless, the churches were quite extraordinary; weird and wonderful - one for the summer and one for the winter :) - I couldn't understand the Russian guide but Roberto kindly translated most of the information for me - anyway, here's some info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kizhi

Karelian forest and waterfall..etc...dancing..etc

кивач

perfect for the uni brochure...

Lake Onega

Shortened length..me thinks..

So! Petrozavodsk.. To be fair, I haven't explored it much yet..but I can see myself getting very bored after 3 weeks... Keep me focused on studying s'ppose..First lesson was yesterday - taking individual lessons (I was the only beginner! so, no choice..) The lesson was pretty full on, with a very good teacher.. At this rate, I think I only have to stay for one month before moving on anyway..

The host family is a lady called Eereena, her 20 yr old daughter Sonya, 10 yr old son Misha (who is away most of the time) and a little dog.. Their flat is small. It seems I have been given Sonya's room and they are sharing the other.. Lovely people..Their English is very good..Thank goodness.. I can wave and point only so much... The strangest thing.. The hot water gets cut-off during this time of the year for 20 days - argh! what a timing!

Reminds me of a scene from the film Old Boy, but with a great view of the sunset

Lenin - encounter #01

Met a large group of students from Birmingham Uni.. so young.. very nice guys.. They must think I am also 20 something.. Ha!

7 hours and something to Petrozavodsk from St Petersburg

One forgets the vastness of this country.. Somehow managed to find the right station,etc with my very basic reading capabilities..good thing I made my way well in advance..

Sleepy..

Arktika - Shared the cabin with 2 others; both Russian; both business men; wow, what a long way to go for a few meetings.. they would arrive at their destination the next morning at 8am.. Alek spoke a bit of English, a kind guy with two sons, owns his own company...Andrei was very quiet, very organised, tidy.. Passengers in the next cabin had been to New York and boarded the train at Moscow...all of them wished me luck on my Russian course..

30min stop at Svir' - could buy smoked fish, wild berries and crisps. Alek offered me some berries; delicious!

We had a lovely carriage attendant: provodnitsa; she liked me I think... made me some coffee and gave me some biscuits for free..she didn't want a picture taken though..shame...she was a middle aged, very blond hair lady with gold teeth!

Piping hot!

Helsinki to St Petersburg

On the train from Helsinki to St Petersburg...a super speed train..lovely views..3 X 'customs formality'..it's a shame, only one night stopover at Simon's mother's place..didn't manage to see much..was too tired anyway..got me some kvas and blinis though!and didn't get ripped off by the taxi :) I will be back!

That was Helsinki

A ferry full of people put me off going to Suomenlinna; it's a Saturday after all.. Explored west Helsinki instead..happy with the choice..some striking buildings..revised Russian alphabet by the beach..it's the last day here..I've become very fond of the city..
So this is almost the end of the first leg of the travels.. met Three Wise Women on the way; Lis with the coolest spectacles (one square framed and the other circular, they looked absolutely NOT pretentious); the ship lady with expertise on shopping while at sea; and Eevahelena who has a shop full of all sorts from all decades...

The Cable Factory

Kallio Church

Eevahelena & her Numpty Shop

I think I could live here..

..Need to make some friends though..haven't built up the courage to sit in a bar alone yet! all in good time I suppose :P
P.S. great Kaj Franck exhibition at Design Museum