“Let’s go for a walk.” I readily agreed. The weather had been grey-scale and rainy for most of the day on Sunday, and it was depressingly cold for a summer’s day. Only around 8 pm did the stormy clouds part to blue skies and sun. Tanya, my host mom, and I set off for Palace Square (Дворцовая Площадь) from our house, passing by the Mariinskii Theater and the Cathedral of St. Isaac’s on the way.
Исаакиевский собор
On our way back, we took a small detour in Aleksandrovskii Garden. Leading me by the arm, Tanya took me to the fountain that was in the center. “Look at the arc in the middle. If the sun hits the fountain in just the right spot, a rainbow appears. If we had left just a little bit earlier, we would have seen it.” I leaned against the fountain and stared up at the sun, in disbelief that it was almost 10:30 at night. Reaching into my bag, I fished out two 10-kopeck coins, one for her and one for myself.
“Ah, you have to throw the coin as far as you can, you know that?” The farther the throw, the better chance that the wish will come true, right? The wind up, and then the throw. I watched as my coin disappeared into the sunlight and somewhere into the fountain.
“Your coin practically flew!” Tanya exclaimed gleefully.
I wished that I could stay in St. Petersburg, not only for the summer, but for the year and more. In the past five months that I have been here, I realized that I still have so much to see and learn, and that I have barely scratched the surface. I am just beginning to understand what it is like to live here and I have finally adjusted to the daily rhythm of the city. I am finally beginning to understand the Russian character and soul, and at the same time, I am finally beginning to realize that I still know nothing at all about this enigmatic and historic city. It’s not just my wish to return to Russia, it’s my goal, and I will find a way to come back here.
St. Petersburg, for better or for worse, I have fallen deeply in love with you.
In St. Petersburg 