Topaz Russia Blog

Saturday 15th October - Astrakhan

A later start today and because it is Saturday we had no Guiding / Scouting session to do.

Susan and Elizabeth set off hot foot to visit the historical wooden house at the edge of the city, let loose all on our own with a trusty map!  We followed the route past the amazing opera house, this like so many buildings are very large elaborate structures for such an apparently minor city.

W were welcomed at the Lovely wooden house like special visitors,  and the history described thoroughly!  It was built by a wealthy shipping merchant who brought salt in great barges into the city.  The house is now a museum and a centre for crafts.  A teacher was set up to teach quilting to a group that morning.  It also housed a collection of theatre costumes and hats much to Susan’s delight.  We were introduced to a fearsome looking bear, a reminder of the traditional hunting and fishing done in the area.  We were both given little home made gifts to take away from our visit.

A quick march back to the hotel to meet the others who had been supermarket shopping for resources for the next days sessions.

Packing for the next stage of the journey reminded us of how heavy our bulging cases were,  we placed them into the hotel storage for the day before stopping no. 1c bus to the City Kremlin.  We  started with a little light lunch at our favourite cafe.

We headed out on an expedition along the impressive embankment of the Volga river.  We were the only people there until we met our special friend Cyril and his wife once again and took a few more photos.  Our next encounter was with some local fishermen who too great delight in showing us their catch.

We crossed the canal a number of times on ornate bridges where we encountered at least 5 bridal parties having romantic photos taken.  There was a suggestion that we should join up with one but no invitations came up. 

We visited a select supermarket where we bought Russian chocolate and dried fish!

We found a lovely artisan Russian craft shop where a number of purchases were made - more weight for the cases!!  Then stopped again for late afternoon tea at “The Veranda” where Muriel tried out a bike which did not take her very far!

As we started the journey home we Visited the Cathedral, dedicated to the Bishop Vladiir who brought Christianity to Russia in 10th Century.   The attendant read out loudly from the bible all during the visit while mobile phones rang out in the background.  - not ours!

Swans seem to be a important symbol for Astrakhan and found these on our journeying some more real than others.

Major restoration works have taken place in Astrakhan in the past 5 years, much traditional housing had been replaced by modern blocks funded by business / organisations who also funded the waterfront developments.

Like other days on our visit we have been made feel really welcome by the people who have befriended us along the way.  Lots of little kindnesses have made us feel so welcome.

We walked 15K today and were quite glad to get back to the hotel for an evening meal before loading our cases onto the train with much help from Marina and friends and some fishermen returning home with their catch.  Another sleepover on a train!

You will be pleased to see I have learned a new skill, uploading photos to the blog!!