Elbrus Expedition Dispatch
June 29, 2015 – Our First Full Day in Russia
The team with Lina inside the Hermitage. We arrived first thing Sunday morning and Lina had special tickets for us that allowed us to cut the line.
On the way into Palace Square we saw the runners from the 10 KM race leaving… the marathons still have a long way to go!
Palace square is always beautiful. It always seems to inspire.
There is a party atmosphere outside. But inside those walls, the world’s largest museum Todd reminded us of one often repeated fact; if one were to view all the cataloged items of the Hermitage Museum for one minute each, spending 8 hours each day, it would take 15 years!
Your eyes eventually adjust to the grandeur and beauty as you walk from room to room in the Hermitage.
Catherine the Great started this collection and we saw her private room where she received her many lovers.
Michelangelo’s Crouching Boy
Many tourists like to pose in front of the masterpieces
Rembrandt’s
Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Young Man with Lace Collar
Modern art in one of the temporary exhibit rooms
“The Doctor’s Visit” by Jan Steen, 1643
The Three Graces, Antonio Canaova, 19th Century
Library room of the Romanov’s. The books are originals.
We looked out a window in the Winter Palace to see some finishers coming across the line. The clock read 3:53 as we saw runner’s finishing – not the elite runners by any means but strong marathoners.