I have always romanticized Russia. Growing up in the cold war, watching John le Carre’s “Smiley’s People” and Dr. Zhivago have left me with many visions… So this Christmas I went to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

There was a major ice storm so needless to say it was freezing. The picture above was the first view I got outside my hotel of St. Peter’s Church and The Kremlin. MAGICAL.

This is me jet lagged at 3am eating breakfast. I stayed at the Hotel Kempinski for 3 nights, which I highly DON’T recommend.

For one night on New Year’s I stayed at the Hotel Ritz in Moscow which was filled with a ton of gold gilt modlings (very Russian). But overall the best choice in Moscow. In St. Petersburg I stayed at the Hotel Taleon for 4 days, that was definitely the best of all three.

An ice skating rink at night.

Shot in front of The Kremlin.

Close up of St. Peter’s. I think the most powerful memories I have are of the Russian Orthodox Services. I’ve never seen such a beautiful mass. I myself was brought up Byzantine (Melkite). My church was in English, Russian and Arabic.

A young boy (about 13?) who had just become a soldier. Poor kid…