What's new, part 2

Saturday we went to Tzarskoye Celo, which was Cathrine the Great's summer palace. Not only was the palace absolutely gorgeous, but the gardens were as well.

 The inside of the palace was beautiful. There is a complete room made out of Amber that was really, really neat. I was I could have taken pictures, but none were allowed.

   

  Sunday we went to the Hermitage, which was completely amazing! It contains one of the largest collections of Rembrandt's. I also had the great privilege of seeing three of Leonardo da Vinci's artworks!

 The complete inside of the palace was made of gold and marble with statues everywhere. The floors were also made out of wood in the shapes of flowers, etc.

Reception room of the Tzars in the Hermitage

     Monday we went to the Marble Palace, which is made out of 32 different types of marble (Don't ask me what kinds because I have no idea. I didn't even know there was more than one kind of marble. I always just thought that marble was marble!). Cathrine the Great gave this palace to her favorite count. In the palace was an exhibition of Modern Art, and in it I saw (guess what!) a Picasso. Didn't really care for it at all, whatsoever, but it was interesting to see.

 
    Tuesday we went to Dostoyevsky's apartment and then to another palace. Unfortunately Tuesday the apartment was closed due to electrical failure.

Dostoevsky's musuem

      Today (Wednesday) after class we went to the apartment of Nabokov, who is a more contemporary writer from Russia. Nabokov, however, lived in American longer than he did in Russia. Nabokov did not simply translate the books he wrote from English to Russian, or Russian to English, but he rewrote each book so that it could be understood by both cultures. Too bad none of his books are very moral! So that is my life. I am finally, finally caught up! Now I have some homework to do for class tomorrow. I hope everyone at home is having a wonderful week!

~Abby