smatlanek
Barbara Smatlanek Joined: December 14th 2005
Logged in: December 31st 2011
Logged in: December 31st 2011
Attending university classes ... have bought ticket for Nederlands ...on my way in May.
Travel Blog Posts
Since the middle of March a small 'flat' has been rented. After much cleaning, scraping and scrubbing with SOS, Comet, Steel Wool and a Sharp Knife, the little space is somewhat cleaner. If the carpet is as cleaned as the stove was a redo with super carpet cleaning machine will be required. 'The Flat' is in a Presbytirian senior apartment complex of 178 units. Residence range in age from 58 to infinity and come in a variety of skin shades that would challenge the rainbow. Many friendly people have introduced themselves and have been helpful in sharing knowledge about the routine and rules of the place. Located in Scarboro at Eglinton and Danforth Road it is just 4km directly south of the YMCA at Scarboro Centre.The bus stop is directly in front of the building and ... read more
Cuba
First memories of Cuba originate with the ousting of Battista. Where I lived there was one TV station ...the CBC of old! Sketchy photos and jubilant comments definitely not including speculations of Mafia control and gamboling money and buxom girating cabaret dancers were heard. Fidel Castro became my hero ... including Mao and Jomo Kenjatta. Oh how the mighty have fallen. During the the Bay of Pigs incident I was in my last year of High School. The loss of the U.S.S.R. as a source of fuel, food fertilizer and manufactured goods in 1989 could have spelled disaster The lack of news about Cuba on American TV continues . Presently the idea that Americans of Cuban ancestry are dreaming and planning to enter Cuba at the demise of Fidel makes me want to stand at Havana ... read more
Mannheim Street in Helsinki
Five Christmas Markets - Funf Weihnachtsmarkten ...part one It began in St. Petersburg. The trees were being erected ... artificial branches stuck into triangular shapes made of steel. In most squares and in front of churches and railroad stations men in cherry pickers could be seen creating these trees that would later be lit and decorated with cardboard cut-outs of holiday decorations. On Nevsky Prospekt, in the park where stands Catherine the Great, a small village of plywood huts covered in ice blue plasticized paper began to appear late in November. Also an ice block structure could be seen taking shape at a street corner near a delectable patisserie. In front of the Hermitage a two hundred year old tree, which had been cut down in the forest amids full television coverage, was attacked repeatedly for ... read more
Been There - Done That
Two major disasters occured in Russia during my the 29 day stay in St. P.B. ... a colossal train wreck and a nightclub fire. Even though France is Paris and Paris is France, St. Petersburg is not Russia. Small incidents which happened where I usually passed or stopped made it to the evening news. Although my visit was not reported I am filing a report on St. P.B. The centre St. P.B.is laid out like the spokes of a wheel with The Hermitage at the hub. Take away the second half of the wheel, mix in the canals, add the round squares, work around historical monuments, find street signs five steps from the corner or not at all, write everything in Russian and you are ready to tour the tourist area of Peter the Great's Venice ... read more
Gallery and Skylight
Visited the Museum November 20th. There are a lot of pictures inthis blog ... see them in extra photos. The museum is dedicated to the peoples that inhabit the Russian Landt. Notes .... as written while walking thru the second floor: - entrance fee 350 rub.; little blue footsie slippers are required over outdoor shoes; people working are not wearing footsies. - finding the stairs to go up ... daunting; found service stairs; official stairway all in marble and slippery with the footsies. - Skylight above and exhibits all around second floor bulastrade - english explanations found .... Hoorah!! - sample room of a mountain dwelling outfitted with wooden ladles, tree branch hooks, and appliqued felt blanket - from Siberia ... teepee, skin drum, mukluks, papoose, birch bark utensils, suede, tools to soften skins, seal ... read more
The Singer Building
Beware of Cultural Overload Six pages ... too much to inflict on anyone ... following this shorter one and a half page version the long ramble can be undertaken if so inclined ... Braved the Metro to pick up my Ballet tickets on Monday. Was not panicked when entering the world's deepest subway via a three minute escalator ride down to the platform. Further retained my cool when there was no sign of a track or train. Eventually huge metal doors opened and there was a train. In the afternoon met a new friend, Tanya. We went to her apartment where her mother lives and were fed great soup and beet salad. During the day' Tuesday I worked my way thru the third floor of the Hermitage .... Impressionists, French and European in 19th & 20th ... read more
Canal Dredging
St. Petersburg, Russia The Church of Spilled Blood is a Cathedral that stands just off Nevsky Prospect, the main drag in St.PB. It is built upon the spot where Alexander II was assinated. The Cathedral is built in the the Russian Revival style which is unusual in Baroque and Neo-classical St.Petersburg. ... read more
Gate to the Square
The Hermitage is why I came to StPB and I will concentrate on just that. Anything else will be gilding the Lily. Have now been to the Hermitage three times and have successfully covered the first floor. The East Asian section was closed on my third visit. It may be that more 'guards' are needed in high traffic areas today. There were hordes of people coming into the place via the front entrance this Saturday . I did not see how many people came into the group entrance but the cloak room for The Friends of the Hermitage was quite full. I make an attempt to be there at 10:30 when it opens but have yet to accoplish the feat. It was past 11:30 today. I took pictures of the huge figures holding up the portico. ... read more
The Jacussi Crowd
Arrived at the Viking Line Dock and with all the other passengers walked off and headed towards the tram. Luckily a woman who spoke english and was sitting close to where I was standing was also going to the train station. We walked together to a most impressive facade. The Staion inside is not overly large. The signs showing baggage storage are clear. Decide against giving it to the man and opt for a locker. That this was a wise choice will be understood later. Wandered down the main drag ...Mannerheiminte towards Pohjoisesplanadi. Turned left here and looked for the City Museum. Along the way walked past a lovely restaurant in a glass conservatory in the style of victorian times. Such a pleasant surprise and across the street, past the shut off fountain tables covered ... read more
Building on Rock
03:00 Ontario time 20:00 Ghana time 21:00 Stockholm time 22:00 Helsinki time I am at a level on this ferry that is surely below the waterline. I did notice the trailer trucks parked right outside the door in the hallway to my cabin -2077- At this moment my bunk is shuddering, vibrating and I can hear the engines working. Being on Level 2 , I am thinking there is only one number left on the way down the scale ... i.e. 1 ... that must be where the engines are. I am under the cars ... Level 3 has a C beside the number C=car in my lexicon. The ship is full of drinking, shouting, eating, gambling, karaokeing, shopping, crying,dancing, working, conferencing and steering people; Men women children tens twenty somethings fat skinny paunchy pregnant neat ... read more
