I’m in St. Petersburg, Russia and it is Sept. 11.  It will never be forgotten and I may be even more affected by a date after visiting the remains of one of the world’s OTHER most notorious big bad.

But I am here in this city, where I can look out the window of one of the bedrooms and see the statue Dostoyevsky describes in CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.  (…dammit…guess I’ll have to re-read it now…fuuuuuuuuuuuuudge).  We were fortunate enough to get an IMMENSE apartment for a reasonable rate.  There is a real kitchen, *2* bathrooms and a giant common room.  OH, and a washing machine!!!!  There’s a milk, meat, & fruit store across the street, a couple 24hr markets 2 blocks away and McDonald’s near by.  There is NOT a Starbucks on the corner like I requested but…

We went to dinner last night with the group.  (Minus 2 who arrive tomorrow).  It was a Russian fusion restaurant.  We all tried pickled herring with Vodka (as it is SUPPOSED to be enjoyed).  I wouldn’t choose to eat the herring everyday, but with a little potato and a little onion, it was a very tasty appetizer.  Beef stroganoff for dinner.  Delish!!!

We have embarked on an interesting adventure.