... Россия, India, Italy: 9/14/14

Flea Market

I spent most of the day at the Izmaylovo market. During the week this is a giant tourist trap but on Saturdays it becomes a giant tourist trap + flea market where you can find anything from nesting dolls to 15 century icons, antiques, stamps, and coins.

I spent most of my day discussing the Calgary Flames, their Stanley cup win, Fluery, the Saddledome, Rocket Richard, Bobby Orr and who ever the goalie in the '72 series was.

This costs 200 roubles or $6. A $1 bill costs 100 roubles or $3. I wonder if the $1 bill is worth more here or at home.

Here is my loot from the day: professional Russia themed patriotic poker cards (they assure me there are 52), a coin from Catherine the Great (re-struck - originals go for $75) and Pushkin's Fairy Tales with traditional illustrations designed for the black lacquer boxes.

Moscow

I took a quick freebie orientation tour this morning. It was an English language tour of about 40 people; only about 5 of us were native English speakers. The guide said that because of the situation in the Ukraine tourism had dropped 40%, mostly from North America, Australia and New Zealand. They call Russia a Putinocracy. There's a saying in Russia: visit Russia before Russia visits you.

I videoed the changing of the guard at the monument for the Eternal Flame and Tomb of the unknown soldier for The Great Patriotic War (WWII). That's the red brick wall of the Kremlin behind them. The guards are 183 - 185 cm tall and of the same general size; they are paired to look as much alike as possible. It is a great privilege that is only granted to those with the best grades; it takes 18 months of training to prepare. There is a guard in either side of the flame (in a heated booth) and a 3rd guard to the left who blows a whistle if the crowd step past the barrier. Periodically, someone tries to roast marshmallows over the flame. The guard changes on the hour 8am-8pm.

This is someone else's video because mine is too big to upload easily.

Photo on the war monument for the Napoleonic wars. The monument is constructed from the rubble of all the buildings Napoleon destroyed when vacating Moscow.

Photos of the GUM shopping mall known for its designer items since 1890. A great location to spot millionaires in 6 inch heels with body guards.

My feet and the ancient stairs in the building I'm staying in. Each stair has 5 inch rise and you can see where they are worn and pitted.

Red Square at Sunrise

Kostroma

Kostroma is mostly known for being the residence of Mikhail Romanov when he was selected to take the Russian throne. He was chosen because he wasn't too bright or too dumb and was, therefore, mostly harmless. It's a small, orderly kinda place. Even the goats know their way.

Church Photos

Most churches don't allow photography but for whatever reason Yaroslavl is not very restrictive.

Annunciation Cathedral

Church of Elijah of the Prophet

Yaroslavl Pictures

Chess pieces found during the arky dig.

Stairs to the monastery bell tower.

Bell tower.

View from the top.

Icons

The outside pictures on the icons tell stories usually about the saint or the finding and saving of the icon. Here are the stories without the icon.

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

Differences

Convenience store lock their fridges. You need to signal to the cashier and they unlock the fridge with a remote.

The vodka brands most likely to be found in better traditional restaurants is Finlandia, Smirnoff and Absolute in that order.

Product selection is limited everywhere. There are plenty of malls with designer brand stores and plenty of department and grocery stores. But your chances of finding the brand, size, flavour etc. of what you want seems rare.

There are free coat checks everywhere.

Many of the supermarkets have lockers at the entrance.

Contrary to rumour, vodka, beer and other liquor is not cheaper than water. There is a premium on bottled water in a restaurant but that is no different than at home.

You can get a massage for about half what it costs in Canada but you can't induce them to touch your feet. Maybe if I try a pedicure?

Kazan

The last few days I've been in Kazan. See here for history etc.

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

It's kind of an odd place the sideways are modern, wide and completely empty.

While it is the Muslim capital of the country it's built to look very much like the rest of the country. There are still the pastel buildings with white trim and the wooden architecture with fancy framing.