Yesturday Arrived in St. Petersburg, nice and sunny. By the end of the day it was sprinkling.

Had a full day of touring with Red October which Ngaire had set up for her group. We first went to Catherine's Palace, then onto the Hermitage & Gold Room, and then quick city tour. Was an interesting and tiering day.

Definitely some changes since I was last in St. Petersburg 30 years ago. No Communist propaganda speach from the tour guide, plenty of McDonald's, KFC, Subway Sandwich, Sony, Mitshubishi, Toyota, Ford, etc. Definitely has been westernized with material good, but was surprised in the 10 + years of change that there weren't more modern buildings, big shopping malls, nicer apartments. The lifestyle has changed, but the people just don't look any happier.

David