Yaroslavl

This is a nice little city about the size of Calgary. The historic areas are peaceful on the waterfront and the rest of the city is in a mad rush. 

This also seems to be more of a market town. There is a sort of open market just a block from my hotel. It feels much like being in the Middle East with hawkers trying to pull you in. In fact there seem to be a wider range of skin tones. English is much more common in the market and as anywhere whomever can communicate the best gets the sale. And before you know it I'd bought a fur hat. 

Everywhere I've been so far has a strong sense of order. Even going through a museum your're told what order to go through the exhibit and any variation causes much upset. Each room in a museum has an attendant to help you on your way. In the smaller museums they follow you from room to room turning on the lights and making sure you behave. I am really looking forward to a few days in Istanbul next week (I don't think they will touch my feet either tho). 

Yaroslavl is one of the larger historic cities in the Golden Ring area. The Assumption Cathedral recently underwent an archaeology dig for the 1,000 year anniversary of the original settlement and found lots of good stuff including the usual assortment of tools, jewellery and weapons but also a few leather and fibrous shoes.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaroslavl

The Golden Ring is a ring of cities northeast of Moscow, including Kostroma, Suzdal and Vladimir, as well as, Yaroslavl (plus four others officially and 5 unofficially).

These ancient towns, played a significant role in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church and played a part in the most important and significant events in Russian history.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Golden_Ring