Summer of Slow Travel

This is how the Hermitage greets you.and then before you get your breath back you are just delighted at every turn.

And the off to the Summer Palace. I asked our guide why Stalin paid to repair the damages from WW2- to glorify the era he had removed. She thought it helped to restore a national pride. If these had been left destroyed then Hilter would have won.

I wonder if it also reminds everyone of the incredible excess of that time. When you have free labor and LOTS of slaves the top one percenters can literally gilt their houses in gold.

What a day. Perfect weather, minimal crowds and a great tour guide. I could repeat today exactly about 5 times and be happy.

Love