Kostroma: Thursday Sep. 20

 

         This morning was chilly and rainy, but after breakfast we got off to a good start with a talk on Russian Vodka - lots of interesting facts and some recommendations.  That was followed by another lecture on Russian history by Liliana – she is so easily tempted to stray off topic, but has many fascinating stories.  After a delicious lunch, we boarded buses into Kostroma.  This was a wonderful tour – the first one the Russia I was hoping & expecting to see!  Kostroma is a lovely old town, with a thriving linen manufacturing industry.  The Ipatiev Monastery is closely tied to the Romanov family history & is a lovely place.  There we heard 

a most amazing choir sing the Volga Boat Song and ( I think ) the Lord’s Prayer, admired a beautiful church & toured the small Romanov museum.  It is now a functioning monastery after many, many years out of business under Communism.  Then we toured Epiphany Cathedral, where there are many ikons, and relics.  It is run by a community of very strictly-ruled nuns whose convent adjoins etc.

          The next stop was the downtown market.  It’s prosperous now, with a wide variety of fruit & vegetables, meat, poultry & fish as well as clothing and small house wares.

          We picked up some wine and vodka at the liquor store.  The walk across the central square was most enjoyable.  It’s a pretty place.  Back at the pier there was a small market set up, so many of us shopped.

          Dinner tonight was Ukrainian, and most delicious.  Then we had a Russian dance class in the lounge.  The dancing was had enough to master, but harder still was the particular Russian sound we had to learn – across between a shriek and a whoop.  It was fun and good exercise.  We have an early day tomorrow, so hope for good sleeping tonight.

Photos 20 Sep Kostroma