This week I am travelling home, back to Saint Petersburg – a city in the North-West of Russia, located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, close to the border with Finland.
I grew up in this apartment complex in the outskirts of the most beautiful city in Russia. This is what the larger part of Saint Petersburg looks like – a concrete jungle framed by blue construction fences, a place where people come it after a long day of work to buy groceries, cook dinner, watch TV on a couch, and fall asleep to wake up the next morning and repeat the routine all over again.
</a/In contrast, the historical centre of Saint Petersburg – the Venice of the North, the pearl of the European architecture – is what usually stands for the whole city, a postcard view sold to tourists and those who "made it in life".
Honestly speaking, I think I missed my part of the city more than the postcard view, even though I greatly admire its beauty and grandeur. For me, these two different faces of the city make up its unique character and are equally worthy.
Have always been fascinated with St Petersburg, particularly its founder Peter the Great. Thanks for the insight!.