On the evening of March 13, when the Dutch government imposed a lock down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were offline enjoying the swimming pool at Hotel Sterrenberg. Our planned activities were cancelled, including a visit to the zoo and museum. Fast forward to July 2020, against wisdom and the government’s advice, we booked a weekend getaway back to Gelderland as a make-up trip. Gelderland is becoming our favourite Dutch province, escaping to the nature of the Veluwe whenever possible. Armed with face masks and two bottles of alcohol gel, we drove to Wolfheze on Thursday morning.

‘m not sure if I will ever come to Bergen purely for leisure. So far my first two visits were for business so I was only able to see the city in between meetings and flights. Despite the very limited time, the city did not leave me wanting.

For business travellers like myself or for those who only have a few hours to explore, here’s how I manage to see Bergen in a nutshell.

It started snowing heavier when I left the Church on Spilled Blood, a feeling of being incredibly amazed by something so beautiful still throbs in my heart. The lamp posts along Griboedova Kanal burned bright, making the snow-covered canal and its entire surrounding shimmer under the yellow light.

I started taking photo, wishing to capture this breath-taking scenery with my humble digital camera but the snow falling into its lens quickly melted, creating spots on my photos. I gave up after a while  and put the camera away.

I thought the best and only way to remember this scenery is to feel it.

There was a young couple before me walking hand in hand in snow-covered pathway.

I heard him telling her, “You finally got your white Christmas,” and planted a quick kiss on her forehead.

My heart started to get warm as I watch the couple walking away, the shimmering lamp posts, the colorful lights on the towering buildings around Kanala Griboedova and the falling snow – making this moment all the more dreamy and magical.

I slowly walked towards Nevsky Prospect, taking my time to enjoy this rare moment of happiness. I started thinking about my life back home where I never dreamed of a white Christmas but got it anyway. I uttered a prayer of gratitude to my parents who raised me with so much love and inspired me to be proud and ambitious. If not for them, I would never have the chance to enjoy this beautiful life. I also thought of Robin, who never restricted me, even if my travels usually mean that we will be separated during special occasions like Christmas and anniversaries. And my co-workers who allowed me to leave my Herculean responsibilities on their shoulders for two weeks. Their love brought me to this place, a place that feels so much like home. Their hearts be blessed.

I felt my throat tightening and warm tears started rolling down my checks. Have you ever felt happiness so intense that the only way you can express it is by crying?

That was exactly how I felt while walking along Kanala Griboedova, my face buried in my snow-covered coat, my body so warm and my heart throbbing with happiness. It was almost perfect, if only my loves ones were with me.

Who are you?

This chart answers it for a Russian lady or man. They are their father’s son daughter and follows the lineage of their family which is descriptive of their family names. That’s why every Russian name ends with either ович евич овна евна, following their father’s name. Russian names does not have much variety because they are not allowed to use many foreign names.

Needless to say, they are also very family-oriented. In this modern times, a lot of Russian men still demands that their wives stays at home and take care of the family while they work and provide for them. Many Russians start to built a family at their 20’s unlike in West where marriage is unthinkable in this age (except of course for the strict religious). I am finding this strong family values very similar to the Philippines. Maybe that’s why I feel at home here.

I was already frustrated. I thought I could pull it off but in the end I was just actually walking around in circles. I faced a diverging street and took the one on the right leading to a well-lighted road. I was walking for at least half an hour and was already exhausted. I was not paying attention that the pavement under my feet is thick with slippery ice.

Suddenly I felt my body sway to the right, my right boots started slipping to the left and in a second it was dragging me to the ground. I tried to resist my fall but ended up hurting my arms and knees. I slumped on the ice for a whole two minutes, unable to find my bearings and wallowing in embarrassment in front of about 30 elementary students crossing the bridge on the left side of the street.

A few minutes, when I finally found my street, I almost fell again, this time on a small patch of ice on the sidewalk of Nevsky Prospect. I was very thankful that I did not because I could have hit my head and break my hips on the hard pavement.

When I got home I had a huge bruise on my knees but thankfully, no broken bones.

Winter in Saint Petersburg is tricky and dangerous for people who are not used to snow and ice.  There are large icicles on the roofs which can fall any minute. Most of these areas are cordoned-off to prevent people from walking under it but you can never be sure. The pavements are very slippery and you really have to watch your steps. You can’t hurry here otherwise you will end up hurting yourself. It is essential to have a pair of boots that has a good profile or better yet, have spikes on the soles. I thought my boots were good enough but it failed on that one instance of inattentiveness.