Rain

I never thought my dictionary and my umbrella would be my best friends. I take them both with me wherever I go and use them constantly. - Note to self- buy waterproof attractive shoes. I’m pretty sure the summer is over and the rainy season has begun. I enjoy the rain enough, but when my socks and shoes are soaked the whole way through, it creates a little discomfort. Russians don't seem to mind having wet feet in their high heals and flats.
Walking on crowded sidewalks with an umbrella is another art I have not yet mastered. It is much harder to pass people when you are playing bumper cars with their umbrellas. I am somewhat surprised to see so many bright and decorated umbrellas. Bright and colored everything for that matter. Coming to Russia, I was expecting everything to be dark and monotonous. People do wear black, but hot pink seems to be another favorite for Russian tops. The buildings are colorful and the streets are filled with colorful stands selling colorful flowers. Every so often while walking on Nevsky, there are people dressed in circus tent looking pants and handing out little papers. I’ve never accepted them, but they these people add a nice pop of color to the city.