This week in our city came a cold snowy weather. There was a snowstorm, and the streets were covered with snow. I dressed warmer, put on thick-soled shoes and went for a walk. I started my walk from the main streets of the city. The snowplows started on the main avenues usually, and I hoped that these streets had been cleared of snow enough for me to walk easily.
I got off the bus near the Kazan Cathedral on Nevsky Prospect. This place is popular with tourists and locals alike. On the square in front of the cathedral, a Christmas tree was being mounted. It seems to me that in previous years such work began earlier, in the first days of December, not in the tenth. But perhaps I am mistaken.
In any case, we cannot say that preparations for the holidays began too late. In Russia, the main winter holiday is New Year's Eve, and we still have some time before that holiday. On New Year's Eve it is customary to make wishes, and most people wish that all the bad things would remain in the old year, so that the new year would be good and happy. The holidays begin on New Year's Eve and continue until Orthodox Christmas (January 7). Very few people celebrate Catholic Christmas, so December 25 remains an ordinary day for most.
The small square in front of the cathedral looked like quite a busy place. People went in and out of the cathedral, souvenirs were sold in front of the entrance, artists in historical attire offered to take pictures with them. The central avenue was cleared of snow, but the side stairs had not been cleared, and the snow was lying on them in beautiful waves.
I decided to walk to St. Michael's Garden, which is nearby. Near the entrance to the garden is a large bright red pavilion offering mulled wine to passersby. It's a topical drink in December - when it's not only cold, but also gloomy. The daylight hours are very short, and even at astronomical noon, it can be not too bright on overcast days. But mulled wine easily corrects a bad mood.
The garden was sparsely populated. I walked along the garden paths, admiring the quiet winter nature. At the far end of the park, the gate was open, leading to the gardeners' workspace, where all sorts of household equipment was stored. This discreet still life seemed appealing to me for some reason, and I photographed it, too.
On Sadovaya Street I met a retro sightseeing streetcar.
After walking through the garden I went to the Fontanka River embankment. Up to this point my assumptions about where the streets that had already been cleared of snow were correct, but next I had to walk through some narrow streets. At times it was not easy to walk, I had to tread carefully along the narrow path.
On the door of the Winter Stadium, I saw a poster that caught my eye. It said: "Even cats do track and field! Do you? Classes for children and adults. Free."
At the end of the walk I took a picture of several trees decorated with lanterns, their warm light illuminating the winter twilight very nicely.
| ā | ā |
|---|---|
| Smartphone | Google Pixel 3a |
| Location | Saint Petersburg, Russia |