My Walk to School

As many of you know, I walk to and from school each day. The walk is actually close to two miles each way so I am getting my exercise. This has led to a drop in close to fifteen pounds already. No Chick-fil-A here!

My walk takes me by some of the most beautiful sites. Every day I ask myself if this is real and I truly live in such a beautiful place. When I exit my building I walk across Palace Square and the Winter Palace (see above). My walk then takes my down Millionnaya Street, where the millionaires once lived. From there I pass the Field of Mars and head across the Neva River on the Troitsky (Trinity) Bridge (see below).

Then it is past Peter and Paul Fortress, built by Peter the Great in 1703. That's right, 1703! The fortress houses the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the burial place for many of the Russian tsars. My next stop is to visit the friendly fisherman along the Neva. He is always very excited to see me, especially if he has a big fish to show off. I wish that I had our interactions on video tape as we attempt to communicate in our native tongues accompanied by elaborate hand motions. The last site on my walk is Peter the Great's cabin, which is enclosed in a brick structure to protect it from the elements (see below).

All in all, I have enjoyed my walk each day. Though often rainy, at least it is not snowing...yet. I have even found a great little Italian restaurant that I pass each day. This is not necessarily a good thing!