It was a good visit to the Hermitage today. Lots of paintings in there.

But Belgium is never get away. There is an exhibition of works by Jan Fabre from Belgium.

And of course some Belgian beer.

I just arrived at the Mariinsky theatre, ready for the performance of the Nutcracker ballet tonight.

I wanted something to eat, and the choice was between the Shamrock Irish bar or a touristy Russian restaurant. I went for the Shamrock.

For some reason, sushi bars are everywhere in St Petersburg. Even if a restaurant is not really japanese, they often have a sushi section in the menu.

 

Dmitri Mendeleev was born in Siberia, but he worked for many years in the university in St Petersburg. His house and office here have been turned into a museum:

He was a man of many parts. To quote the museum guidebook, “The same individual who composed the Periodic System also battled local Spiritualists, created a smokeless gunpowder, attempted Artic exploration, consulted on oil development in Baku, investigated iron and coal deposits, published art criticism, flew in balloons, introduced the metric system, and much more.

Also, there is a story I hope is true, that he invented high alcohol vodka for Russia.

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