Russia

It may have been a low-key Christmas but it was every bit a fabulous holiday.

I discovered that daily saunas are an amazing thing when you’ve been trudging through deep snow in the bitter cold.  I learned that no-one - not even a tsar - sits in an Orthodox church; it’s standing room only. 

It was a holiday filled with music - from the Christmas carillon that chimed regularly from the tower on the corner to the impromptu performance staged by four singing priests; from the folk musicians who played during dinner at night to the orchestra at the Mariinsky Theatre where we watched the Kirov Ballet; from the student choir singing carols whilst we sipped mulled wine to the harpist who entertained us every afternoon in the hotel lobby.

We ate fabulous food (caviar for breakfast, anyone?) and saw wondrous things (the newly-restored Amber Room at the Catherine Palace is a sight of astonishing beauty). 

Late at night on December 24th, we found a velvet bag hanging on our door filled with chocolates and nuts and tangerines.  Someone had remembered it was Christmas, after all.

Comments

[Chesteraud]

This all sound like a fairy tale, a dream. pleased you had a fabulous time. Love you taking us around the world like this

[Kate Godin]

I agree with the comment above. The magic in this experience feels so thick that I got chills reading the post. You dwell in fairy tale realms, friend.