Hello from Russia!

Well I'm in shock.

I did not expect a huge cultural difference between the geographically close cities of Helsinki and St. Petersburg. For me, the cultural shifts between Norway, Sweden and Finland have been small. I was wrong about Russia! When I got off the train I could find no one (including the information desks) that could speak any English at all.

Pretty much everyone under the age of 40 speaks some pretty good English in Finland.

After getting off the train I literally did 3 circuits of the train station trying to absorbe -something-. I then wandered around outside, to try and get my bearings and see if it would become obvious where the hostel might be from where I was standing.

Eventually I went back in to the train station to try and figure out a subway to the Moscow station (it is still in St. Petersburg). Again the clerks could not speak any English. I was lucky though and found a Finn who could speak some Russian and German (German being their second language) who was going my way. He helped me get to the right part of the city.

The Finnish guy was impressed that I would go to Russia with absolutely no Russian or Cyrillic knowledge. He was intimidated by only being able to speak some Russian.

After leaving the Finn, I was able through pointing at my book and doing three sets of charades for three different audiences, get myself to the hostel.

After about 4 hours here, St. Petersburg gives me the impression of a very big city, like New York. But at the same time a 3rd world city: with stray dogs and warnings not to drink the water.

Once I settle down a bit I'll decide if I'm staying here for much longer. I may just try and find a ticket for a train to Estonia from here.