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!!

Topaz  Blog  Friday 14th October

The day started with a final planning and training session for our event at Gymnasium No4, A school we visited today to support Marina in her quest to set up new Girl Scouting units in Astrakhan.

Three of us had a bit of excitement on our erratic journey to the school when the taxi driver was pulled over by the police and following a heated argument taken off to the police vehicle, he eventually returned with his tail between his legs and deposited us at the school a few minutes later much to our relief!

We were welcomed by school staff and met 30 students aged around 16-18 years. Based in a classroom we presented an information session about WAGGGS and did team building activities and a question and answer session. Marina Interpreted for us as we discussed the ethos of girl Guiding / girl Scouting.  This session was designed to enthuse adults to become leaders of new units and younger people to become members of the association in Astrakhan.

The pupils participated enthusiastically in the activities and challenges and were a joy to work with.  It took us ages to get away as they all wanted photographs with the team.

After lunch with Marina we had a very intensive afternoon of planning for our next sessions in Saratov and Rovnoe.

During our stay we have been sharing the hotel with a number of Russian Gymnasts, here for their national championships, so we decided to visit them at the competitions and were enthralled by the skill and agility of the girls.  We did discuss trying it out as a new TG challenge!

Tomorrow we pack up again and head for Saratov by overnight train.

All for now.

The team

Photos from yesterday!!


    

Astrakhan Thursday 13th October

We arrived at the Astrakhan Kremlin by bus 1c. ( a very dilapidated mini bus)


A very old and elegant walled area of the city. The white buildings and walls reflected the sunshine and stood out against a clear blue sky.

We visited a beautiful Catherdral after climber yet another steep flight of stairs, but it was worth it!!

Ladies were expected to cover their heads and noticed another visitor choosing the correct colour of scarf from those on hand to suit her outfit!!    Around the gardens we saw Clergy in traditional golden robes.

We really wanted to climb the 300 steps up the tower but unfortunately it was locked!!  - NOT!!

This morning we made friends with Cyril in the hotel and in the gardens of the Kremlin we met him again and he invited into an international exhibition he was organising to promote Social Responsibility in trade in Russia.

He fed us Savouries and cakes, tea and coffee and we visited the exhibits including artisan pottery making, weaving, dollmaking and other crafts.

This was a wonderful impromptu experience for us all.

Marina took us to a Grand Cafe for a very elegant light lunch.

Some of the team went in search of shops and visited Tetu Shinoff house, a traditional wooden house with exciting dressing up opportunities!!

Accompanied by Marina some of us visited hospital following a mishap to one of our members.  All was okay but we were really impressed by the speed of service.  50 Minutes for registration, consultation, x-ray, consultation and treatment.

One staff member wore a delightful combination of flowery dressing gowns and hat!!

Re- united at the hotel we did the planning for tomorrow and found a very slow bite to eat.

All for now.

Wednesday 12th. October Volgograd

Early session at the local school -  we had 25 scouts and prospective scouts full of energy and enthusiasm. They were really competitive when playing some of the games.
They tried arts and crafts, challenging each other to build jelly baby towers, team games, Parachute games an introduction to the ethos of girl scouting, even for the boys!!

These teenagers and their leaders were so enthusiastic, thanking us all profusely and presenting little gifts.  We got lots of warm hugs and they wanted us to stay!!

The new people all told their teachers and leaders they wanted to join as did the teachers.

We had a TV interview for local television which Marina and Elizabeth attended.

The pupils took us shopping and we bought lovely Cherry pie for the train journey and some souvenirs.
We visited the post office and Faith retrieved a bag of shopping left behind the day before.

Arriving at the station we found our train with very narrow doors at 4 high steps up to the carriage - OH Dear!!!

With a lot of help from other friendly passengers, another example of the kindness of our Russian friends, we clambered into the train and collapsed on seats.  It was an hour before we managed the cake!

When we arrived at Astrakhan it was almost midnight and we were pretty tired and really appreciated all the people waiting for their friends helping us of with the luggage once again.

Now to bed!!

A photo for Judy

  

Russia Topaz Blog

Tuesday 12th October 16 

Our first excitement today was a visit to a local radio station Mrningwith Marina to meet the presenters Sergei, Max and Natalia who has been involved in Russian girl Scouts with Marina.

Volgograd FM 3/4 morning show.

We had been provided with a set of possible questions but had to go with the flow when these were changed as we went along!!

One of the questions asked was had we had any funny experiences.  Susan related a very funny story of her climb into the top bunk of the Train!!!!

Listeners were calling in throughout the interactive programme. And later in the day people were stopping us in the street to tell us they had heard us, we were almost famous for a day !

If you would like to hear the programme go  

   WWW.volgogradpm.ru 

Most of us had a chance to answer a few questions with Marina translating for us.  

We finished the session by singing campfires burning  -  in a round!! to cheers and applause from the presenters.

It was a really great experience all the presenters were really friendly and welcoming.  

We climbed the 200 steps to visit Mother Russia !  Who stands tall over Volgograd, then took the metro to visit the war museum where the story of the Siege of Stalingrad (now Volgograd) took place in 1943.  91% of the city was destroyed and this was demonstrated graphically.  We all found it an emotional experience.

We ended the day on Skype to Judy in UK.

Susan cannot get into her case, the lock has jammed!!!

We are being accompanied by a lemon.  The zest for our adventure!!

We have 5 keys for our room and only one works but at £13.00 each it is not a surprise!!

We are very happy with the room lots space for us all to drink tea and sing camp songs!!

All for tonight!!

The Topaz Gems!