St Petersburg, Day 2

First Day Alone

Unlike the previous day today we planned to go around the city by ourselves. 

We'd planned the day out and set off hoping to finish it XD

Our first destination was Saint Issac's Cathedral.

Saint Issac's Catheral

We were planning on going in as well as go up but found out our student cards don't get us discounts.

We needed something called an ISIC (international student identification card), many sadness.

This lead us to just decide and go see the view from the top after receiving intel from Ksen's mom that it's not worth going in cause of our future plans visiting the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Here are some exterior shots:

After an ungodly climb of too many stairs we made it to the observatory at the highest golden dome.

Who says I'm unhealthy?

A happy Ksen going down

Bronze Horseman

Right before we got some food (to prevent hangry Ksen from appearing) we made a quick detour to the Bronze Horseman for a quick photo or two.

Lunch

For lunch we decided to go to one of many many many many many suggestions, Brinza (브른자).

A Russian restaurant chain that specializes in cheburek, a Russian pastry of sort. 

We went for classic fillings; meat, cheese and potato-mushroom.

We had dessert as well but as the theme of this trip is 'we can be healthy if we try' it will not be posted.

Kazansky Sobor (Cathedral)

Due to the unfortunate circumstances of lighting being on our side we currently have meh pictures but please understand. 

As this is a currently operational monastery, we weren't allowed to take pictures inside. 

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

Now to the highlight of the day (traditional touristy values wise) we went to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. A typical example of Russian orthodox church architecture or so google says.

Arcade Museum

Through Ksen's extreme research skills we found an old Soviet arcade museum next to the Church.

Our obvious next step, old-skool gaming.

That was pretty much it for the us on our second day in St. Petersburg. 

We had to catch an early morning train (half 6..... why Ksen....why) so we headed back with 21987 steps under our belt. 

Oh never mind, one more thing I didn't get reminded or anything because Ksen is right next to me watching me type like a hawk. We had a great time meeting up with Ksen's relatives for a Georgian/Russian cuisine restaurant. They were kind enough to introduce us to the restaurant order food that I would have never ordered and been able to enjoy without them. 

- GK