cathedraled out

 Full disclosure:  I got real tired of cathedrals.  They all started melding together in my mind.  I like to call it "Cathedraled Out" Syndrome.  However, we had one last "must see" cathedral in St. Petersburg.  It is St. Isaac's Cathedral.  They allow you to climb to the top of the dome.  The views from there are amazing.

 After climbing the 262 steps to get to the top of the dome I was out of breath (huffing and puffing) and sweating from having way too many layers on.  After I caught my breath, I turned around and a women in 3" stileto boots was making her way up the last step...not breathing heavy...at all...and she probably had like 5 cigarettes before starting the steps.  Ok, I'm totally out of shape.  By the way,  ladies in Russia wear these type of boots, even in the winter and even on coblestone streets.  Crazy!

 View from the top of St. Isaac's.

 Wes rubbing Peter the Great's bronzed shoe.  It's supposed to be a good luck charm.

Peter the Great statue.  He's everywhere!