Final Day

Today was our last day in Russia, and all of us really didn't want to leave.

We began by visiting the Peter and Paul Fortress, which was built by Peter I, to protect the city. We got to see the resting places of past Tsars, as well as the burial room of Nicholas II and his family. We then got to go to the Prison on the island, where political prisoners were held up till 1917, we saw Trotsky's cell, as well as many other radical revolutionaries.

After this, we drove out of the city and went to the Tsarskoye Selo, which is the Tsar's village outside the city, where they spent their summers. We just walked around all the huge palaces, and frantically tried to remain on our feet without falling on the ever so icy ground.

It was then a mad dash to get lunch in 20 minutes, so KFC and Mcdonalds were pretty common purchases. We then headed towards the airport to fly back home.

After arriving to warmer England, we were all already badly missing Russia. But we cheered up when awards and anecdotes about the trip where given out, on the bus journey home. Some of the best included best fall of the trip to George Cook, as well as him also winning the Rasputin Love Award, for being chatted up by some Russian women.
Leila Sabatti also won for her incredible puns of the trip, including Where does Nicholas II go to get his coffee? tsarbucks.
As well as Ben Pryor winning the Cult of Personality award, for beginning the standing ovation at the Ballet, before the show had even ended. Also Harry Ruffles winning the Social-realism award, for looking exactly like one of the paintings on the metro tour earlier this week.
Many more people won for countless awards, and it just reminded us all for how amazing the trip was.

On behalf of us all, I would like to thank Mr Dickens, Dr Cokewoods and Mrs Harris for helping to organise the trip, and having to put up with us all for a whole week. Without your speeches, historical insights and general greatness, the week in Russia wouldn't have been the same. Thank you!
Overall it has been one of the amazing school trips, and I just wish I could go again.

See you soon!
Daisy :)

Pics from Wednesday

Lenin's office

Yusupov Palace

Nikolavesky Palace

Final full day...

Thursday started with a visit to the Piskarevskoe Cemetary, which we were allowed to walk through at our own pace, taking in the reality of the devastation caused by the 900 day siege of Leningrad during the Second World War. I found the sights particularly evocative.

The phrase "Undistirbed blanket of snow" came to mind many times here.

Next was a quick visit to the Finland Station, which housed the engine of the train that carried Lenin back to Russia after his long exile, and where he started writing the April Thesis.

Then we went on a tour around the Winter Palace, which was absolutely amazing in its splendour. We learnt much about the various Russian monarchs who had lived there, and about the treasures they had left behind.

Everyone thought it was incredible, and was intrigued by the tonnes of information provided by our guides.

Finally we went to the Ballet 'Don Quixote', one of the major highlights of the week. The skill and physical prowess was phenomenal, all (even those less knowledgable about ballet) found the performance impressive and funny.

I for one thought it was spectacular, and thoroughly enjoyed all of it

The last act of the day was a wind-down in the hotel bar, where we took the chance to really saviour the precious moments still left on the trip!

Good night!!

- Shem Jacobs

Day 5

Today we had a packed day in St Petersburg, with it being extremely foggy and snowing in the morning.

We began our day at the Political History of Russia museum, where we learnt all about the Bolshevik takeover, and got to see Lenin's desk, where Esther/Mrs Harris may have broken parts of the room (as well as Mrs Harris breaking the hotel lift). We also got to visit Peter I's log cabin, where he lived whilst he built the city.

We then got to spend lunch on the Nevsky Prospekt, where many went and bought CKA ice hockey jerseys, and ate at the Stolle bakery. The cheesecake pie was incredible!

After the long lunch, we went to the Yusupov Palace, where Rasputin was murdered. The rooms were stunning, and decor was beautiful, as the family who owned it were richer than the Tsar family.

With much excitement we went for dinner at the Nikolaevsky Palace, where we had a lovely four course meal, accompanied by a pianist. We then got to go to the Folklore show, and watch traditional cossack dancing, we wanted Harry Ruffles to go up on stage, yet sadly he wasn't picked.

Once the show ended, we went back to the hotel and just had some free time.

See you soon
Daisy :)

A few pics from Monday

One of the Moscow Kremlin Churches.

Moscow Kremlin.

Cathederal of Christ the Saviour.

On the balconies of the Cathederal of Christ the Saviour. 

- Shem Jacobs

Day 4

Day 4 had been a long day, with our final day in Moscow and the dreaded train journey.

We began our day at the armoury museum at the kremlin, looking at all weapons, dresses worn by tsarinas, and the crowns of all the tsars. It was incredible to see such wealth in the museum.

Afterwards we visited the kremlin and visited all the variety of churches, dating back from the 15th century. All contained amazing frescos and icons, plated in gold.

Since its pancake week in Russia, for lunch many of us ate pancakes, covered in Nutella, sugar and strawberries.

Then we got to the visit the church of Christ the Saviour, and looked out upon the panoramic view of Moscow, over the frozen river, St basil's cathedral and Stalin's skyscrapers.

To prepare ourselves for the dreaded train, we got free time and got to go bowling, with became very competitive, yet everyone had a great time.

We boarded the coach and travelled to the station, and got onto the train to St Petersburg. The cabins were not as bad as expected, they were relatively spacious, and meant that people could actually get some sleep.

After the 8 hour journey, we finally arrived in St Petersburg to a crisp blue sky.

We are all looking forward to spending our last few days in St Petersburg!

Daisy :)

Tuesday (edited)

First of all, apologies that there was no blog yesterday. This was due to the fact we were piled onto the overnight train and could not write it! 

Anyhow, our arrival in St Petersburg was heralded by a glorious sunrise, whose beams burst into our train cabins on the early morning. We later left train station to meet our new guide, Oleyssa. She led the tired tumult of students on a trip round a few key areas of the city, emphasising the geography and symetery in architecture. A few stops made were the Tauride Palace (which was home to the Dumas and later the Provisional Government and Petrigrad Soviet after the abdication of the Tsar), the Cathedral of Spilled Blood (which marked the point on which Tsar Alexander III was assassinated), and a few of the beautiful frozen rivers crisscrossing the city.

We stopped for lunch across Nevsky Prospect, which a couple of comrades used to visit the 'Best doughnut bakery in the world'.

After a secondary short walk around St Petersburg, visiting places such as the Smolny Institute, we were relieved to finally get to the hotel. Dinner was followed by another expedition into the city, to truly appreciate the buildings at night. Most notable was The Winter Palace, where Mrs Harris told us the tragic and thought-provoking story of Bloody Sunday.

We also visited the Kazan Cathederal which Dr Coke-Woods graphically depicted the events if the July Days of 1917, and a few various spots of historic note.

Now, we are back in our beds, and VERY ready to sleep. Goodnight! 

-Shem Jacobs

Day 3

First thing today was the Contemporary History Museum, which from as far as Alexander II's reign to Late-Stalin USSR. Though tired, we found the exhibits very interesting, especially due to the commentary from Natasha - who was particularly useful due to all there being no English translation for any documents.

Next was the Art museum, where we admired paintings and sculptures from the 20th century.

It was fascinating to see the development of the Supremecist and Contructionist styles from Cubism and similar abstract movements. My personal favourite was 'phenomena', which was so massive, detailed and supernatural.

Final activity for the day was the much-anticipated Ice Hockey! 

It was incredible, the atmosphere was brilliant and the plays were awesome. Right behind us were a group of Russian Soldiers chanting which only made things more heated! Unfortunately, there were only two proper fights, and the team that most of us were supporting, CSKA, lost.

However, it was still an amazing experience and I'll be looking out keenly for any Ice Hockey matches closer to home!

After dinner we've had some free time to relax. Awesome day, enjoyed by all! See you soon...

-Shem Jacobs