As our days have averaged 13-14 hours each, it is difficult to write much. I also have fallen a day behind. On Sunday, Yaroslava took us to many many places--each one more wonderful than the last. We first went to the common market. Fish, vegetables, meats, common household items and many flowers were for sale. The plastic flowers are unique to this season as people place them on the graves of those whom they have lost. I have included many photos, but for video footage of live fish at the market, and a butcher with a giant axe, please look on my facebook page.
After the market, we walked about Minchurinsk. This is agricultural town with a rich history in architecture. What is it known for are its decorative window decorations.
We also visited a village church. We were able to participate in the service and meet the priest. Yaroslava told us all about icons and their importance. We also were blessed with holy water. Well, soaked was more like it. The priest took a rather large mop on a stick, dipped it into a bucket of holy water and then...splat! We were soaked and happy After church, we went to a small cottage where several women, cooking on a traditional stove, cooked us a traditional Lenten meal--no meat, dairy, or eggs. It was a simple and rustic, and quite frankly, the best meal I have probably ever eaten. Borscht, pickles, potatoes, stewed tomatoes, cakes, buckwheat honey, homemade raspberry jam, cabbage salad....it was truly perfect, and forgive the multiple pictures. But trust me...it WAS really that good. Oh, yes, we also had blinis---more PANCAKES!
After our meal, we visited a local dance studio to see a dress rehearsal of truly brilliant Russian folk dancers. They were very talented, and it was a most enjoyable performance. Then, after shopping, we traveled to meet with English teachers from Yaroslava's school for a BBQ. We ate, drank and were happy. It was a great and exhausting day! Thank you Yaroslava!