21 May 2010

All got up early this morning and packed out as we had to put luggage for 14 people in 1 room and leave hotel for our intellectual activities today. It was nice of the hotel to provide this room for us. We went with a friend of Andrei's to a health care products research firm. It was warm as 17 of us were packed into a single room for this event. The firm is trying to keep a low profile and has moved three times to avoid pressure from criminal elements. From there we went to the largest, oldest daily business newspaper in St. Petersburg (also was featured in the latest Iron Man 2 movie). We received a great deal of useful information on the small business climate in St. P and in Russia from a very informed and knowledgeable source. WE then went to lunch and went back for another boat trip through the canals of St. P.

Yesterday we had a canal trip, but it was in Russian and most could not follow what was being said and our interpreter was not allowed to speak--so our travel agency rebooked another tour just for us today and our guide/interpreter gave us a great tour. Folks are now enjoying their final hours in St. Petersburg as we leave tonite on an overnight train to Moscow and then to the airport for flight home. It is the last chunk of time for final gifts and sightseeing. In Moscow we part ways, I head to England to meet MBA group (and give an address) and rest of group head home to Maine.

Please watch for more photo and video posts as I need a faster and more reliable connection to do those.