Adieu to Russia with Love

And 2 more things…

A weekend cruise on the Volga with destination at Uglish is just a wonderful thing to do. We boarded the boat in time for dinner on Friday evening. We returned Sunday evening. The Volga is said to be the longest river in Europe. I would say it might be the widest, too. The boat was moving quite fast but it never felt like it. We had to pass through about 5 locks which was perfectly fascinating. Our view on the banks did not give the impression that they were very populated, but they were clean and green. The boat’s female activity director, une dame d'un certain âge, seemed very concerned that we were properly taken care of because we were the only foreigners. The staff was indeed very nice to us in the dining room, the cafe-bar, the state room, etc. She wanted us to stay with the guided historical tour in Uglish, but I’m afraid we lost them when we got interested in the music. The tour was in Russian, after all, and the music was a language we understood much better. JJ was critical of the food, but it was quite edible and he’s a snobby French gourmet. The food shouldn’t stop anyone from going on this tour. The passengers were mostly families with school-aged children and senior Muscovites: very kind, well-mannered people, & again the kids were well-behaved. 

Once when we were in the state room with a beautiful, expansive view all across the prow, two sisters, about 12 and 10. Dressed like a pair of night-sprights in a black ruffled dress and green satin shift respectively with braided hairdos, the oldest asked me directly….something..., but she was holding a camera. Son #1 translated that she wanted to take a photo of us. “Why?,” I asked. He said, “Because she says you are the only foreigners on the cruise!” Now how’s that for special treatment? 

Cruises on the Moscow River

Old Moscow; a "pectopah" is "restaurant" in cyrillic.

…….that flows through the city leave regularly from the designated quay. There’s never a shortage of passengers whether foreign or native. We took the 8 p.m. in which the sun was slowly setting  by 10. There were less tourists than Muscovites who seem to enjoy a restful cruise at the end of a work day. Drinks and snacks are served until the bar must close just before docking. It’s truly a couple of happy hours. I took a lot of photos of the various buildings, marvelously interesting architecture of different historical periods and and landmark statues. For whoever goes to Moscow this cruise is a must-must do. It presents Moscow at its best, & it’s magnificent.

Still old Moscow

New Moscow

Impressive, huh?

I was pretty nervy. I spied a beautiful young woman with a most intricate braided up-do. I asked her if she coiffed herself. She told me, “No, I am a TV announcer, and my hair is done for me everyday by the studio hairdresser.” What a wonderful perk! Of course, she was quite used to having her picture taken, and readily posed for a few photos. Since this is something I haven’t mention, I will tell you that the braided hairdo has not disappeared. Amazingly, one observes it frequently on women of all ages.