Winter sends me into the doldrums! The only days I like in winter are ones where there’s been a big snow and I can lie down in the freshly fallen snow and make a snow angel (There is no upper-end age limit on snow angel-making!!!), then retreat indoors for some marshmallow laden hot chocolate. So, what’s a nice girl like me doing in St. Petersburg, Russia in early March? Michael and I are attending the Virtuoso Annual Overseas Symposium being held here March 2 – 6, 2007. What, you ask, is Virtuoso? It’s a “by invitation only” group of travel companies and suppliers that specialize in unique custom travel experiences. Great Getaways is the original KC member of Virtuoso (11 years and counting). Enough business plug–check out our website www.greatgetaways.travel for more info on Virtuoso!

Our visit began with lots of bells and whistles—not the glamourous kind, either! On Wednesday Michael underwent a Nuclear Stress test on his heart (and, yes, he definitely has a beating heart!). On Thursday we left for St. Petersburg via Chicago and Stockholm. We flew on SAS from Chicago–business class, la de dah, which I’ve come to realize is worth the investment for long haul flights. The plane had jazzy seats that became beds of sorts. I didn’t care for the slight angle of the “beds” although I was definitely grateful I wasn’t wearing any “slippery” clothing (alas, the satin gown stayed at home!) as I am quite sure I would have slid into the seat in front of me!

When we arrived in St. Petersburg, we proceeded through Customs, which gave me the feeling of what living in the old USSR must have felt like. As in all countries, one stands behind the yellow line awaiting their turn to be “welcomed” (aka processed) into the host country. Here we followed a narrow path to a glass enclosed booth with cheery gray walls (I’m being a wise ass). The uniformed official took our passports, stared very hard at us, checked her computer to be sure we aren’t criminals, etc., studied our visas, and then nodded us through. We were delighted that all 3 pieces of luggage arrived (in today’s travel world, that qualifies for a celebration—consider using a luggage concierge–they’re worth it!). Gathering our luggage, we headed out of the baggage area to meet our host for transport to Grand Hotel Europe. I have an annoying habit of walking rapidly at times and yesterday was no exception. After I left the baggage area, all sorts of bells and whistles and alarms went off (Did you think I forgot my lead-in sentence?). I turned back and saw my husband being escorted by a legion of “officials” in uniform to the corner of the large exit area.

They took each wheeled suitcase back through the security gates and nothing happened. Then they had Michael go through and again we were serenaded by alarms and bells. They held a machine next to Michael which did emitted a piercing high pitch sound   (good beat but couldn’t dance to it!). Suddenly, I thought, “Is Michael’s nuclear medine still in his body and setting off a radioactive alarm?” I shouted that to Michael from the safety of the airport lobby. He tried to explain that in English to officials who spoke only Russian. You try pantomiming “nuclear stress test”—not easy, eh? I went to our host and explained the situation–that Michael really isn’t sneaking any illegal radioactive material into Russia nor trying to get even for the Russian spy who died some months ago in England! She came to our rescue and explained the situation. Just to be sure, one official asked Michael to show where the radioactive dye had been injected (thankfully it was in his arm and not some indelicate location). Once again, out came the little machine that confirmed the arm was very radioactive. Next came some paperwork, all in Russian of course that Michael had to sign. We have no idea what it says and hope it will help us exiting Russia on Tuesday! As we left the airport, I put aside the image I held for almost an hour of Michael being sent to some quaint little gulag in Siberia and me becoming a travel expert on Siberian vacations!

Last night, after arriving at Grand Hotel Europe (near some great shopping, oh boy!!!) we attended the opening cocktail party and buffet dinner. I am not into the cocktail party scene–especially this type—the kind where people read my name badge before deciding to say hello! I get very tired of the lifted eye-brow comment, “You’re from Kansas? Where’s Kansas?” I responded that we live next to Dorothy and Toto and two blocks away from the Wizard of Oz (That usually elicited a polite laugh that covered the obscenities I mouthed. This ignorance of where I live helps me feel the disdain we give all too often when we travel abroad and find things so terribly un-American!).

Today the official opening session was very informative and interesting—a good thing since jet-lag and I have become fast friends! Lunch was hosted by Holland American Lines at Yusopov (aka Yussopov) Palace. This palace was the site of the “assasination” of Rasputin. First they tried to poison him and it didn’t work. So, in the interest of time and of achieving their goal, the friends of the Czar who thought Rasputin was muddying the royal image, shot him. They carried his body to the Neva River (St. Petersburg’s main river) and dumped him into the cold and frozen river. When his body was discovered a few days later, the autopsy revealed water in Rasputin’s lungs and listed the cause of death as drowing! Yusopov Palace has been magnificently restored and is a very formal, ornate edifice. Originally, the Yusopov family, relatives of Czar Nicholas, had an amazing art collection. Now the art is part of the amazing selection of art one can see at L’Hermitage. Okay–here’s some bragging–we get to go to L’Hermitage on Monday for a morning of PRIVATE viewing! Cool!

Are you bored yet? Well, I’m tired! More tomorrow or Monday! I’ll end with the favorite question people are asking Michael, “Do you glow in the dark?” I answer for him, “No, but he lights up my life!” Okay, it’s a groaner…cut me some slack!