Mandrogy

Wednesday 31 August

I was really looking forward to our stop in Mandrogy as it is a recreated craft village.  The original town was destroyed during WWII and it disappeared off the map for many years.  In 1996 and enterprising Russian rebuilt Mandrogy as an open air museum – it is located on the banks of the river Svir, between Lakes Ladoga and Onega.

In addition to the atmospheric village, we indulged in the tradition of a Russian Banya.  So - we paid money to sweat in a wet sauna and then go jump in the river! Lol! Brian said he’s been telling me for years to go jump in the lake!  Lol!  They did split men and women up, so once again B & I were unable to experience this together.  In any case, it was a terrific time.  We went in and undressed and wrapped ourselves with a kind of large cotton tea towel.  Our banya boy, Constantine, then came in and escorted us to the sauna.   My group had 6 ladies and we all sat up in a very hot sauna – I prefer to lay down, but this was a bit small for that.  

The banya changing room

Constantine poured water on the rocks and then went down the row with a bundle of oak leaves, waving then around our bodies and lightly tapping them on our backs, arms and legs.  It was calming and sweaty and spiritual all at the same time.  He repeated this process twice with all 6 ladies, and by then, our sweat was puddling on the floor.  Then he opened the door and said, “Run! Run! Run, jump in the river!”  It was about 20 yards from the banya  to the end of the dock, so we ran & 5 of the 6 of us jumped in the river.  1 used the ladder, which had to have been worse…  When I jumped off the dock, it was so cold, I literally was breathless!  I probably went too deep and felt panicky fighting my way to the surface.  However, even when I reached the top, I still could not breathe, it was so cold..  around 45*!!  Then I had to fight a very strong current to swim back to the ladder – I actually jumped to the right, but found myself to the left of the ladder when swimming towards it.  The ladder itself was metal and quite slimy so it was difficult to climb up.  I think I finally breathed on the 2^nd rung – lol!  This experience was supposed to be repeated 2 or 3 more times, but I waited to watch the men jump in and take a photo so I missed the 2^nd time.  Then we had tea and I was content to have just one banya session.  Found out later that B decided not to jump as he thought climbing back up would be too hard – so his Banya boy poured buckets of river water over him…lol!  It was an exhilarating experience and I would highly recommend it.  Even though we had to get up early, ugh!, I was refreshed and able to explore and shop Mandroy without feeling sluggish.

                                   Tea in the Banya

Mandrogy is a charming village with brightly painted houses, windmills, a bakery that sells petrozhki (Russian hot pockets-lol!) a windmill that is a pokestop. The village is  filled with costumed craft people.  We saw potters, quilters, felters, a blacksmith, and painters.  It was a lovely morning and the sun was shining and we enjoyed the freedom to walk about the village. 

B reaches for a pirozhki

I do think, however, that it is NOT a typical Russian town, as it is more a reenactment center, like Williamsburg, VA.  I did a bit more shopping and, OH!  I WON my first Pokemon battle!  There was a virtual gym just outside the bakery that belonged to Team Instinct but is now mine!  My Pokemon character currently sits atop the gym – Go Team Mystic!  I am having such fun playing Pokemon Go overseas and I think it is awesome that the first gym I conquered is in Russia.

So we are back on board just after noon and sailed  for St Petersburg.  I am excited to see this incredible city but a bit sad too, as it means our river cruise is almost to the end.  We have a hectic pace for the next 3 days, so I will likely not post until we are off the ship.  When in St P, we will visit the Heritage, Catherine’s Palace, take a city tour, a canal trip and visit the Fabrege’ museum.  It will be exciting, but exhausting…lol!  Later my friends