Yaroslavl

Sunday 28 August 2016

We found out we had such an early start because the afternoon involved more locks and we had appointed times.  So up and at ‘em by 8am! – I didn’t realize such an hour existed…

Our buses were once again right outside the ship and we are in Group 1b.  Brian managed to snag the front seat and we were soon off on a city tour.  Being Sunday and early morning, there was NO traffic.  Yaroslavl is a large city about 4 hours from Moscow just off the Volga River on the Kotorosoi River.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a university town. 

We went to several churches including the Church of Elijah the Prophet.  There was a service happening but we were able to enter the church, and even take photos if you paid 100rubles and did not use a flash.  The inside was continuously painted with colorful frescoes and the front of the church was covered in beautiful  icons.  Today was a special day and we got to see the Arch Bishop arrive and perform part of the service.  This church currently has no bell tower, so the bells are on the ground behind an enclosure.  Two men were ringing the bells to call everyone to church.  One rang only the largest bell by walking back and forth INSIDE the bell.  The other rang the remaining 6-8 bells using a pulley system.  The sound was amazing, melodic and registered deep in my soul.  I have it recorded and may try to upload it if possible.

We proceeded onto the Governors’ Mansion which is treated like an historical theater.  Young girls present themselves as the Governor’s daughters and act as hostesses.  We were guided through the mansion and given facts about the art, rooms and history.  Upon entering the ballroom, the musicians played and we were invited to imagine a fancy ball.  After several dance performances, they approached audience members to dance.  I was filming the first dance but the next was a waltz and I volunteered.  My dance partner was charming and complimented my dance prowess saying I must be a professional…lol!  We managed to do some spins and twists, before the music ended and I curtsied my thanks. Watching some of the others dancing, I realized I was a bit more accomplished thanks to my college dance classes and RenFaire.   It was such a fun experience to imagine myself at a ball with Catherine the Great - I felt transplanted…

  I forgot about visiting the local food market before the Mansion.  Typical set-up with fruits & vegetables, meats, cheeses, and fish all artfully displayed in a kaleidoscope of colors.  The vendors willingly gave out samples encouraging you to buy their product.  We had a special tasting provided by Viking and then wandered the market.  I purchased a surprise for Aging Gracefully and B bought some dried apricots that are quite tasty.

Upon returning to the ship, we had about 15 minutes in the pop-up market to shop…lol!  But we didn’t buy anything there – honest!

Lunch was served right away and we enjoyed meeting some new folks from England and Australia.  I ate a muffelatta – which is a toasted, cheesy sandwich and one of Jess’ favorites at RenFaire.  Overall the food is yummy – breakfast offers a buffet meats and eggs, a- made-to order omelette station as well as a menu;  lunch is similar but with a salad buffet and pasta staion along with the menu;  dinner is only ordered and includes a first course appetizer, and choice of soup and salad as well as 3 entre options:  a meat dish, a fish dish and a vegetarian dish.  Chicken and steak are always available.  So far I have had the fish most nights, but getting tartar sauce has been a struggle.  The first night I ordered it, I said if they didn’t have it, to bring me mayonnaise.  So when dinner arrived I got a miniature jar of mayonnaise as well as what the chef thought was tartar sauce.  Now it had pickles in it as well as chopped onion and spice, but it was mixed with sour cream??  I used the mayonnaise lol and spoke to the  maître d’, Daniel,  about the American version – now the chef has tartar sauce ready for me every night.  Last night I had lamb, but B ate salmon telling our waiter, “I’ll have her tartar sauce”…lol

We are once again sailing the Volga and will arrive in Kuzino Monday. 

Do svidaniya