St. Petersburg, Russia - DAY 1 - The Wedding

The wedding of Carlo's brother, Luciano, took us all the way to St. Petersburg, Russia last weekend!!! We didn't know what to expect from the city, its people and the weather... We were positively surprised on all accounts!!!

First I would like to post some pictures and will then get around to describing our stay in more detail....

So, here you go:

DAY 1 - After the wedding: Limo-ride around town!

After the wedding, both families piled back into the white stretch limousine and we took a tour around St. Petersburg and it's most famous sights for newlyweds to be photographed. It was a loud & happy ride with lots of singing and laughing (probably due to the countless bottles of "Champansky" we proceded to consume).
Carlo and I jumped out with the newlyweds and took our own pictures at various sights. It was C-O-L-D outside, yet we somehow couldn't stay in the Limo.... It was an amazing time with the winter sun illuminating the various golden cupolas of the nearby churches. The river Newa, frozen and still, looked like it had been sprinkled with giant coco-rasps, which were in reality sheets of ice that had piled on top of each other in many places. What a sight!

DAY 1 - After the wedding: the reception

The reception was unlike anything we had ever experienced! The setting and the food served were very much royalty-like! There were waves of antipasti consisting of smoked salmon, various fish and meats, salads...there were roasted piglets, salmon filets, and ever more wine and "Champansky"!!!
During a lull in the waves of food, several entertainers consisting of a Vladimir Putin impersonator, a transvestite singer&dancer, and a belly dancer kept us laughing and on our toes. (Literally!) It was an evening I will never forget! I think the pictures say more than a thousand words!

First snow of the season!!!

The first snow has arrived! On Sunday morning we woke to a world in white. It stuck around for a day or so and was beautiful to look at! Today, again, it snowed over night! Oh boy, now it's really time to get those winter clothes out and to buy some heavy boots and a new coat! Carlo and I are travelling to Russia next weekend and it will be just a bit colder than here-so we'll have to bundle up!!!!

Our apartment

Here a few other pics from our recent furniture move and improvements.
Dining room (green), hallway (yellow) & office (brown)