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Saturday, September 17, 2011

Shadows hard to find in Mandrogy

Russia's ancient town of Mandrogy was all but destroyed by war but, using the unburned stone foundations of the original village, a model of early Russian living has been re-created on the shore of the Svir River on its "Blue Route" between Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega.
In its new incarnation since 1996, Mandrogy is unashamedly a tourist attraction. More than 200 people live in the village permanently, and a similar number arrive during tourist season to help run the village, living there to show how the early populations did, perhaps as long ago as the 12th century, perhaps only since the 15th century. There is also a hotel and restaurant for tourists.

When we reached Mandrogy on our holiday with Viking River Cruises, the weather was quite dreary, and much walking appeared to be in order so, once again, my intrepid photographer went off with the rest of our tour group while I remained aboard the Viking Surkov, enjoying the comfortable library, the deliciously sinful pastries at the free coffee station, and even a nap in our cabin. At home with Dick's photos on my large computer screen, I found shadows will almost always find a place to lurk, whatever the weather.





© Photos by Richard Schear
Posted for Shadow Shot Sunday
hosted every week by Tracy at her Hey Harriet! blog.
Thanks, Tracy!
To see deeper shadows, homemade shadows, or more exotic shadows, please click  HERE!

24 comments:

One said...

Hi Kay, You were in Russia? Interesting photos in this post and the last few. Very unusual for me.

Thank you for sharing.

I have lots of critter photos but not posting any. Another time.

S K Ditta said...

This is excellent restoration of the old times, and Richard has taken some very good pictures. This post is informative and good to look at.

Ralph said...

A labor of love by a few is why such attractions are built. The passion for not forgetting the past is good for all of us. Given the warring nature of man, that the old and the look at the ways of the past are casually lost is sad. To see what the past at least looked like is a reminder that we never want to lose the heritage that helped defined us. A nice capture!

jabblog said...

Such interesting photos of a most unusual place. I like the last two particularly. I smiled at the little girl on the horse:-)

Sylvia K said...

What a lovely, different looking place! Great shots for the day! It does seem that you had a wonderful visit to Russia! Enjoy your weekend, Kay!!

Sylvia

FilipBlog said...

I really like the wooden roof.

Greetings,
Filip

Powell River Books said...

Thanks for sharing all of your pictures and stories from Russia. I am sure it is one place I will never visit in person. - Margy

Julie said...

Sometimes the recreation of village life purely for tourists can be counter-productive. However, the details of the buildings that Dick discovered are quite beautiful.

Chubskulit Rose said...

I love that matrushka doll.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Wow....that is really awesome architecture! And, I can't help but think about what went in to building structures like that. Beautiful.

Beverley Baird said...

What gorgeous carvings! Great shadow shots for the week!
Hope all is well with you.(I never got around last week - I am slowly getting back on track.)

Gemma Wiseman said...

Such interesting facades on those buildings! If you hadn't mentioned Russia, I would have thought these styles represented some Asian country...like Mongolia or China! The carved work in the first and second photo is remarkable!

Gattina said...

How interesting ! the pictures are beautiful despite they grey weather !

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Coming via Francisca's post. if you can't take your husband to Hongkong, take him to Singapore to Funan centre. I hate the place. I am no geek.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Kay girl I would be left behind in the dust too .. I can't walk too long and you would have had a partner for the pastries and napping!
Having said that .. wow ! it looks so interesting and good for them to turn it into a tourist attraction .. the last wood carvings remind me of the west coast native carvings.
Purslane is actually an off shoot of portulaca .. it is a thicker limb and doesn't look scrawny if I miss watering it .. so I would go with that choice over portulaca !
Joy : )

diane b said...

I enjoy seeing museum villages it helps you know how it was in times gone by. The timber work in Richard's shots are very interesting. Shame about the weather and a pastry and a nap sounds like a good alternative.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi Kay,

How cool! I'm glad that you both get to enjoy your vacations in the way you want to. Great pictures of the village. You are making me want to take a trip, though it won't be to Russia.

Thank you so much for stopping by to say hello. I finally am getting a story for BBF lined out in my head using your picture.

God bless,
Kathy M.

Anonymous said...

Great photos.
My eyes were busy taking it all in. What a fun trip. Beautiful architecture.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

You've been to some very interesting places and have come back with the shadow shots to prove it!

MY SHADOWY FRIEND

My shadow and I are very best friends;
We walk hand in hand, though the sidewalk ends.

No matter the time of day or of night,
My shadow and I will always stick tight.

We don’t even think of drifting apart,
For shadow and I are one soul and one heart.

To have such a friend is heaven, you see,
For I love my shadow, and shadow loves me.


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Shady Lady Aster

dianasfaria.com said...

I like your last one best! a lovely shot that reminds me of those wooden nesting dolls I loved to play with as a child.

robin. said...

what a great series of shots!!

Margaret Gosden said...

I like the first 'house' - at first I thought it was something for the birds! Interesting architecture...
My trip to the UK is over now. It began on August
22 and my blog records some of it, as and when
the internet permitted! It was a way of getting to
the UK without the stress of air travel - a world unto
itself!

Lisa said...

So very interesting and what a place to be . Im in aww.
Love the little wood doll. My Mom had a collection of them.
Thanks for taking me back to her and a soft place to land.
Love this series.

Francisca said...

The woodwork in Mandrogy is fabulous!