After breakfast, Anya met me in the lobby of the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg for the drive out to Tsarskoe Sello (Pushkin) to see Catherine the Great’s Summer Palace and Pavlovsk Palace. I was excited about our day touring the lavish home of one of my historic heroines.
As we pulled into the parking area I quickly realized that we were the only vehicle. After opening the passenger door, Anya helped out of the van and as I stepped onto the frozen, snow packed ground I heard a very familiar song, The Star Spangled Banner. Astonished, I looked up and there in a snowy grove of trees stood a brass band playing my national anthem.
To this day I have no idea how they knew to play that particular anthem and when asked, my guide Anya was not forthcoming with an answer. It remains a mystery.
Mary Beth I have a passion for creating and experiencing unforgettable moments and sharing those with others. I hope that this story has helped you experience one of those moments.
