Key takeaway: Travel is a core value of mine, and Russia proved why once again. I had so many preconceptions smashed on this trip. My exposure to Russian people, outside of the Nutcracker and some Dostoevsky novels in high school lit, has largely been in the media where positive representations are scarce. Getting the chance to see this beautiful country, and its incredibly polite people, helped underscore why I appreciate travel so much.

Highlight: The Hermitage was on my lifetime museum bucket list. I was geeked the entire time. 3 million pieces of art and 66k m sq of gallery space (second only to the Louvre) make it one of the world's greatest collections. Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Raphael, and other big name Western European artists were represented, largely through an acquisition by Alexander I, grandson of Catherine the Great, who led Russia into Paris during the Napoleonic Wars.

Lowlight: The hordes of other tourists making noise and cutting in line at religious sites.

Favorite food: Blini with salmon roe and dill.

Fun fact: To encourage low birth rates, around the time I visited, the government began providing serious financial incentives. For example, up to ~7,000 USD (in 2017) for every child after the 2nd, rebates on mortages, etc.