The first thing I did was to teach myself to read and write cryllic, ahead of when the class did. I studied Chinese and hated having to learn in phoenetic translation, which is always wrong. Pinyin is the worst. Maybe it works for romanji in Japanese, but it makes no sense in Chinese. So I crammed the aphabet and knew how to read and write in three days. Pretty cool. That is one of the two things i wanted from the class. The other was to be able to get a grasp on the tenor of the language so I could say my basic phrase book sayings with some dignity. I ended up really liking the language, and therefore naturally the culture.
The other thing that was apparent is that all of the mafiosa-esque Russian characters I know (in Los Angeles) are a natural product of the culture. Russia seems it is about whom you know, or who knows you have money and power. It's a very expensive place to visit as a tourist, so I allocated double my normal per diem and stay in the top hotels, as convenient for me. St Pete is about high culture and history so I opted for the arguably poshest hotel, around au$450/night, the Orient Express' Grand Hotel d' Europe. I have been so consumed with planning Africa, thank Buddha I did, and thank Buddha that Helen in Cape Town had my back. Now that it is on the goodbye-Afrika stage, I am trying to think in Russian and indulge myself in the treat in store for me.
Check this exchange out. For you backpackers, this is how it is done. It's not all about nickel and diming. The Opera only costs about $100, what I normally pay for my season ticket aisle seat at Sydney Opera House, and I am betting it be the height of fabulous. Doesn't matter if it is not, 'cause in my mind, I am already there.
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On 20 May 2014 11:13, robert main <rmain@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear Grand Hotel St Pete Concierge,
I am staying at your hotel for three days next week. On the evening of 27 May, i see Swan Lake at the Hermitage. Does your private box offer apply to that theater? I couldnt follow the detail, on the road in Africa now.
Regards,
Robert
send from my ipad with a shattered screen
____________________________________________
On May 20, 2014, at 11:28 AM, Concierge Desk <concierge.ghe@belmond.com> wrote:
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Concierge Desk <concierge.ghe@belmond.com>
Date: 20 May 2014 11:57
Subject: Re: stay at ghe on 25 may
To: robert main <rmain@yahoo.com>
Dear Mr. Main,
Thank you very much for your interest to the hotel additional services!
Concierge desk will be very glad to organize for you tickets to the Mikhailovsky theater where the hotel has a private hotel box. Unfortunately we do not have a private box in Hermitage theater.
Please, find below the playbill of the Mikhailovsky theater for the days you will stay with us:
- - - - - - - - - - - -
May, 25th (Sunday)
19:00
La traviata
opera in two acts, four scenes
music by Giuseppe Verdi
production by Stanislav Gaudasinsky
Violetta — Natalia Mironova
Alfredo — Dmitry Karpov
Germont — Nikolay Kopylov
Conductor — Alexey Nyaga
- - - - - - - - - - -
May, 27th (Tuesday)
19:00
Iolanta
opera in two acts
music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
production by Sergey Shepelyov
René — Vyacheslav Pochapsky
Iolanta — Tatiana Ryaguzova
Count Vaudémont — Dmitry Karpov
Conductor — Valentin Bogdanov
- - - - - - - - - - -
Looking forward to hearing from you soon,
Kind regards,
Maria
Concierge Desk Team
Belmond Grand Hotel Europe
Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa 1/7
191186 St Petersburg
Russia
____________________________________________
On 20 May 2014 12:43, Robert Main <rmain@yahoo.com> wrote:
Zdrastvuche Maria,
The 25th is possible. What is the cost for one person? I love Verdi.
I arrive at 14:15 from Athens and Zurich and have a 15:15 taxi booked.
Is that enough time? Perhaps have dinner before, or do you recommend after the opera?
Spadibo,
Robert (in Africa)
____________________________________________
On 20 May 2014, at 12:14 pm, Concierge Desk <concierge.ghe@belmond.com> wrote:
Dear Mr. Main,
Thank you very much for your prompt reply!
We will be very glad to organize for you two tickets to the hotel box Baignoire#13 in Mikhailovsky theater for "La traviata" opera at the price of 4000 rubles per person in the 1st row of the box (two tickets available) or 2500 rubles per person in the 2nd row of the box (two tickets available).
We will be also glad to make restaurant reservation for you before the theater. For your convenience we recommend you to have dinner in one of the hotel restaurants because the theater is situated 5 minutes by foot from Grand Hotel Europe:
L'EUROPE (Open: 6pm – 11pm)
Russia’s oldest continually serving restaurant.Offering the finest haute cuisine in the most exquisite surroundings, L’Europe fires the imagination and transports diners to a time of indulgent decadence.
CAVIAR BAR & RESTAURANT (Open: 5pm - 11pm on Sunday)
St Petersburg's only caviar restaurant, experience the finest Russian cuisine in a stunning art nouveau setting. Indulge in a delightful dinner, accompanied by Russian music and live entertainment.
Grand Terrace (Open: 11am - 2am)
It’s the perfect place to enjoy light dishes, refreshing cocktails and crisp summer wines late into the evening. Choice selections from the Hotel’s other restaurants, including beluga caviar, grace the menu.
Mezzanine Café (Open: 8am – 10pm)
This delightful café serves freshly baked cakes and tempting desserts as well as sandwiches, light salads and afternoon tea. Exquisite chocolates, manufactured at the hotel’s own chocolate factory using al blend of rare cocoa beans, are also available for purchase.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon with final confirmation,
Kind regards,
Maria
Concierge Desk Team
____________________________________________
On 20 May 2014 13:48, robert main <rmain@yahoo.com> wrote:
ps, i assume you can charge the tix to my room?
r
send from my ipad with a shattered screen
____________________________________________
Dear Mr. Main,
Thank you for your letter!
I am glad to confirm for you the following program for days you will stay with us:
May, 25th (Sunday)
17:00 - Dinner in the russian cuisine restaurant in the hotel - Caviar bar & restaurant (it is not only caviar but a verity of fish dishes as well)
19:00 - two tickets for "La traviata" opera at the price of 4000 rubles per person in the 1st row of the box which will be charged to your room bill
May, 26th (Monday)
20:00 - Dinner in the L'Europe restaurant
May, 27th (Tuesday)
17:00 - Dinner in the Tsar restaurant (5 minutes by foot from the hotel)
http://ginza.ru/assets/files/20140219/e810d83a8d2664682a903c1b36638c65.pdf
or we could book the restaurant for May, 27th upon your arrival to the hotel - we could show you options with photos and menus.
As for the Hermitage theater on May, 27th could you please kindly reconfirm if you have already booked tickets for this performance by yourself or would you like to purchase it through the concierge?
Kind regards,
Maria
Concierge Desk Team
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