Monday, April 16, 2012
Coming Home!
Hey,guess what? Free Internet at the St. Petersburg airport! Guess I'm still in business. Have about a two hour sit here in St. Petersburg before we board the plane for Copenhagen. Card games, books, iPods, magazines, and nodding heads all around me. Think I'll try to get comfy and read a little. See you soon!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
The End!!
Sadly, this is my last post to the HHS Orchestra Tour 2012 blog:( This has been an incredible experience, one I think will be fondly remembered forever. The kids behaved (for the most part:)) like wonderful young adults. You should all be very proud of your children!!
So, today was one last free time to explore the beautiful city of St. Petersburg. When we left this morning it was a snow/rain mix and windy. But once again, the kids were troopers, and didn't let a little Wisconsin-like weather dampen their spirits. We split the kids into groups of what they wanted to do. Since today was the Orthodox Easter, several children and adults wanted to re-visit the monastery to attend a service, while others went to the city market, the Curiosity Museum, the mall, or just explore. We had to be back and ready to go at 2:00. We then left for the town of Pushkin, to visit the summer palace of the Czars, Katharina's Palace. It is the most impressive palace I have ever seen, and I have seen a few on previous orchestra tours. By the time we got to the palace, the sun was shining brightly. The palace was spectacular. The grounds would have been too had everything been in bloom. I'm sure you will see lots of pictures, as the kids were clicking away furiously with the cameras and cell phones.
After we left the palace, we drove a couple of miles to the border of Pushkin and the town of Pavlovsk, where we had a fantastic, 5 course dinner at Restaurant Podovorje, which just happens to be Prime Minister Putin's favorite restaurant! I have some pictures of that that I can show you as well. You won't believe the simplistic beauty of this place. The meal began with breads, meat, cucumbers, and some sort of spread with thin strips of meat. Don't know what it was, but it was very good. There were also stuffed tomatoes and pickled vegetables. Next came cream of mushroom soup, followed by more rolls and Borsch. Now, that word alone has given me the willies for years, but it was fantastic!!! I checked with my boys Ben, Tim, Noah, and Tom, and they loved it as well. They showed me the empty urn that they shared:) Next came something that we concluded was either a stuffed cabbage roll or a stuffed grape leaf roll, but, believe it or not, that was awesome too. Dessert was a crepe-like pastry filled with pommegranets, (?), which was, yes, you guessed it, fantastic! What a farewell dinner! Then the kids had a few minutes to play on the playground equipment outside the restaurant before having another group picture and then boarding the buses to go back to the hotel. A couple of hours of free time at the hotel, bed check, and here I am. Can't believe this is our last night. From what I can tell, everyone has had the time of our lives. We leave the hotel tomorrow morning at 10:00 for the airport and leave in the afternoon for our journey home. See you all a few hours from now!
So, today was one last free time to explore the beautiful city of St. Petersburg. When we left this morning it was a snow/rain mix and windy. But once again, the kids were troopers, and didn't let a little Wisconsin-like weather dampen their spirits. We split the kids into groups of what they wanted to do. Since today was the Orthodox Easter, several children and adults wanted to re-visit the monastery to attend a service, while others went to the city market, the Curiosity Museum, the mall, or just explore. We had to be back and ready to go at 2:00. We then left for the town of Pushkin, to visit the summer palace of the Czars, Katharina's Palace. It is the most impressive palace I have ever seen, and I have seen a few on previous orchestra tours. By the time we got to the palace, the sun was shining brightly. The palace was spectacular. The grounds would have been too had everything been in bloom. I'm sure you will see lots of pictures, as the kids were clicking away furiously with the cameras and cell phones.
After we left the palace, we drove a couple of miles to the border of Pushkin and the town of Pavlovsk, where we had a fantastic, 5 course dinner at Restaurant Podovorje, which just happens to be Prime Minister Putin's favorite restaurant! I have some pictures of that that I can show you as well. You won't believe the simplistic beauty of this place. The meal began with breads, meat, cucumbers, and some sort of spread with thin strips of meat. Don't know what it was, but it was very good. There were also stuffed tomatoes and pickled vegetables. Next came cream of mushroom soup, followed by more rolls and Borsch. Now, that word alone has given me the willies for years, but it was fantastic!!! I checked with my boys Ben, Tim, Noah, and Tom, and they loved it as well. They showed me the empty urn that they shared:) Next came something that we concluded was either a stuffed cabbage roll or a stuffed grape leaf roll, but, believe it or not, that was awesome too. Dessert was a crepe-like pastry filled with pommegranets, (?), which was, yes, you guessed it, fantastic! What a farewell dinner! Then the kids had a few minutes to play on the playground equipment outside the restaurant before having another group picture and then boarding the buses to go back to the hotel. A couple of hours of free time at the hotel, bed check, and here I am. Can't believe this is our last night. From what I can tell, everyone has had the time of our lives. We leave the hotel tomorrow morning at 10:00 for the airport and leave in the afternoon for our journey home. See you all a few hours from now!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Being Tourists
Today was the first day that the weather wasn't quite on our side, but that didn't dampen our excitement. After breakfast we headed for the Sts. Peter and Paul Fortress. This is where Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg. It contains a church that we visited that contains the tombs of all of the Czars of Russia, including Nicholas and Alexandra and their children. Only the bones of Alexi and Maria were never found. Anastasia is there. I have included a picture of the monument room of Nicholas and Alexandra and their children. There is also a picture of the tomb(including picture) of Nicholas's mother, who was out of the country when the massacre took place.
Next we stopped at the park by one of the canals. It has the two red towers that are now used as light houses. After that we went to the Church on the Spilled Blood. This church was actually erected exactly on the spot where Nicholas the 2nd (I believe) was assassinated on the canal. The church actually juts out into the canal where the murder took place. The incredible thing about the inside of this church is that almost all of the walls inside are mosaic. I have several pictures of the walls and ceiling. Absolutely stunning! They only hold services in this church twice a year...on the date of Nicholas's birth and the date of his death.
After the church, we visited the cemetery at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. Because this is the day before the Orthodox Easter, many, many people were going to the monastery to buy their traditional Easter cakes and have them blessed by the priests. Many of us bought Easter cakes to eat. They are similar to a stollen, but with less fruit, but very good. Next we visited the cemetery, where we saw the graves of some of the Russian composers and writers. If I could spell them I would tell you who they were, like Peter Illych T.............who wrote the Nutcracker. Sorry! Next we came back to the hotel to eat supper (again, very good) and head out for a concert especially for us at one of the palaces. We were entertained by a group of singers who sang some religious Easter songs, and some old Russian fold songs. They were awesome. Wish I could find the program so I could tell you who they were. Ozzie and Doris had a little Q&A with the kids, and then Anastasia, one of our tour guides, played some classical pieces for us on the piano. She is, besides a tour guide, a concert pianist. She was wonderful. After the concerts, we took the kids out to the canal park to run off some energy before we brought them back to the hotel for an hour of free time before bed check. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some pictures for you of the concert tonight.
Next we stopped at the park by one of the canals. It has the two red towers that are now used as light houses. After that we went to the Church on the Spilled Blood. This church was actually erected exactly on the spot where Nicholas the 2nd (I believe) was assassinated on the canal. The church actually juts out into the canal where the murder took place. The incredible thing about the inside of this church is that almost all of the walls inside are mosaic. I have several pictures of the walls and ceiling. Absolutely stunning! They only hold services in this church twice a year...on the date of Nicholas's birth and the date of his death.
After the church, we visited the cemetery at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. Because this is the day before the Orthodox Easter, many, many people were going to the monastery to buy their traditional Easter cakes and have them blessed by the priests. Many of us bought Easter cakes to eat. They are similar to a stollen, but with less fruit, but very good. Next we visited the cemetery, where we saw the graves of some of the Russian composers and writers. If I could spell them I would tell you who they were, like Peter Illych T.............who wrote the Nutcracker. Sorry! Next we came back to the hotel to eat supper (again, very good) and head out for a concert especially for us at one of the palaces. We were entertained by a group of singers who sang some religious Easter songs, and some old Russian fold songs. They were awesome. Wish I could find the program so I could tell you who they were. Ozzie and Doris had a little Q&A with the kids, and then Anastasia, one of our tour guides, played some classical pieces for us on the piano. She is, besides a tour guide, a concert pianist. She was wonderful. After the concerts, we took the kids out to the canal park to run off some energy before we brought them back to the hotel for an hour of free time before bed check. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some pictures for you of the concert tonight.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Bravo!!
Today was another fantastic day! The sun was out most of the day. Still needed a jacket, but a sweater besides was too much.
Our first stop today was to the Hermitage museum. This is one of the spots that I really wanted to see. The Hermitage used to be the Summer Palace of the Emperors and Czars., but is now a museum of fine art. And we saw some "fine" art. We saw works by Da Vinci, Michelalgelo, Rodin, Matisse, Picasso, and more. (Hope the spelling isn't too bad!) After the tour of the palace, we had lunch in the palace cafeteria, then boarded the buses for the Smolny Cathedral. When we arrived, the students from Mravinski School of Music were already practicing for our performance, so our kids got dressed for the concert and watched until they were ready for the combined practice. That left John with about 35 min. to practice with the kids before the concert started.
The concert was awesome. The Russian children began with about a half hour concert, and then it was our turn. You would have been very proud. The kids did a wonderful job. Solos by Ozzie, Ben, and Monique had cameras and cell phones flashing away! After the concert, John was surprised to have a visit from the American Consulate. The head guy (?) was at our performance and met with John after the concert. No one was allowed to know that he was there, so John didn't even realize who he was talking to until he was presented with a pin of the American and Russian flag. It was so cool!!!
After the concert, John had the kids get together in front of the Smolny Cathedral for a group photo. The sun came out just for us, so the photographers got some great shots, but all I can load on here are the ones that I took. The professional flash drive has too much power for my iPad. Rats!! Went downtown for dinner tonight. Had a salad, a beef stew, and rhubarb cake. VERY GOOD! At least I thought so:) So anyway, the kids have some free time now for about another 10 minutes and then we have bed check. Get to sleep in tomorrow, at least until 7:00. WooHoo!!! Tomorrow is another busy day. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Sorry, they don't want to stay in order.
Our first stop today was to the Hermitage museum. This is one of the spots that I really wanted to see. The Hermitage used to be the Summer Palace of the Emperors and Czars., but is now a museum of fine art. And we saw some "fine" art. We saw works by Da Vinci, Michelalgelo, Rodin, Matisse, Picasso, and more. (Hope the spelling isn't too bad!) After the tour of the palace, we had lunch in the palace cafeteria, then boarded the buses for the Smolny Cathedral. When we arrived, the students from Mravinski School of Music were already practicing for our performance, so our kids got dressed for the concert and watched until they were ready for the combined practice. That left John with about 35 min. to practice with the kids before the concert started.
The concert was awesome. The Russian children began with about a half hour concert, and then it was our turn. You would have been very proud. The kids did a wonderful job. Solos by Ozzie, Ben, and Monique had cameras and cell phones flashing away! After the concert, John was surprised to have a visit from the American Consulate. The head guy (?) was at our performance and met with John after the concert. No one was allowed to know that he was there, so John didn't even realize who he was talking to until he was presented with a pin of the American and Russian flag. It was so cool!!!
After the concert, John had the kids get together in front of the Smolny Cathedral for a group photo. The sun came out just for us, so the photographers got some great shots, but all I can load on here are the ones that I took. The professional flash drive has too much power for my iPad. Rats!! Went downtown for dinner tonight. Had a salad, a beef stew, and rhubarb cake. VERY GOOD! At least I thought so:) So anyway, the kids have some free time now for about another 10 minutes and then we have bed check. Get to sleep in tomorrow, at least until 7:00. WooHoo!!! Tomorrow is another busy day. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Sorry, they don't want to stay in order.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
We are here!
We made it to Russia! It was a long, bumpy ride, but we made it. Because of the Boarder Patrol and the roads we were about 2 hours late getting to the music school, but the Russian children greeted us with their school band and played us a couple of songs (very good), and then played us up the stairs to the music auditorium where they had a presentation with video, a young student playing the clarinet (unbelievable!), and two high school girls sang for us. They were awesome! After the presentation, the two groups of children got to meet in the hall for fellowship. You won't believe how many questions the Russians had for our kids. Lots of emails and Facebook addresses were exchanged. As promised, here are some pictures from yesterday. The first one is the Sibelius House, and the second is the villa Kokkonen. Oh, Wendy, Gordy wants his grandfather's email:)
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Big Day!
This morning we began our adventure by visiting the Villa Kokkonen House. It was the home owned by Finnish composer Joonas Kokkonen. It was designed by his friend, famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. We were greeted at the house by Finnish opera singer Antti Pesonen and his wife, pianist Elina Viitaila. They entertained us with several Finnish folk songs. They were wonderful. After a tour of the house, we were off to visit the home of Jean Sibelius. We toured the house and grounds, where we visited his tomb.
After a short stop at the hotel to change into concert wear, we were off to the Rock Church to rehearse for the concert. The students performed shortly after 7:00, and were spectacular!! You would not believe the sound that your children produced! They received a standing ovation from over 225 guests. I can't tell you how proud of them we were.
Tomorrow we are off to Russia. Should be quiet the adventure!
Sorry, my iPad died last night and I'm still low on power, so there won't be any pictures right now, but I will try to get some out when we get to St. Petersburg.
After a short stop at the hotel to change into concert wear, we were off to the Rock Church to rehearse for the concert. The students performed shortly after 7:00, and were spectacular!! You would not believe the sound that your children produced! They received a standing ovation from over 225 guests. I can't tell you how proud of them we were.
Tomorrow we are off to Russia. Should be quiet the adventure!
Sorry, my iPad died last night and I'm still low on power, so there won't be any pictures right now, but I will try to get some out when we get to St. Petersburg.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Good Morning!
Today is our first concert! I think the kids are getting excited. The basses arrived yesterday and they did some sound checks last night after dinner. Dinner last night was at a southwest/Mexican restaurant, again buffet style. Pretty mild, thank goodness. This morning we will have breakfast here at the hotel and then head to the Finnish countryside to Tuusula Lake. We will have explore time in Jarvenpaa, and then visit the Ainola house (Sibelius home.) Around 2:00 we will come back to the hotel to get ready for rehearsal and the concert at Temppeliaukion Kirkko (Rock Church.)
Right now the joggers are out on a run. Left quite a while ago, so I expect them back any time now. Then we'll head down to breakfast. Oh, they just got back. Ruth, Zach went with the group. They snuck into the Olympic stadium and took two laps around the track, then out around the lake. John took lots of pictures...maybe he will share with us!
Looking forward to the day ahead. Should have pictures later!
Right now the joggers are out on a run. Left quite a while ago, so I expect them back any time now. Then we'll head down to breakfast. Oh, they just got back. Ruth, Zach went with the group. They snuck into the Olympic stadium and took two laps around the track, then out around the lake. John took lots of pictures...maybe he will share with us!
Looking forward to the day ahead. Should have pictures later!
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