Yaroslavl

We have turned slightly to the east on the Volga River to find port today at Yaroslavl.

David and I are both better today, but weak and kinda fuzzy-headed. We take our daily dose of antibiotic and some Ibuprofen, and have a light breakfast. We go back to rest before reaching port, and are informed that the arrival will be delayed about three hours--no explantion why. So the afternoon schedule is moved to the morning. There is an interesting documentary movie about Peter the Great, the first Russian Czar. It is quite well done and very Russian in appearance. We learn a lot and that is a good thing because we will continue to build on this foundation as we learn more Russian history.
We alternately rest and move about a bit. I went to the Russian folksong class and really enjoyed it. We learned three songs, my favorite is Kalinka.
We reach the port and board the bus. Our local guide, Dimitri, is excellent.Yaroslavl is the administrative capitol city of the local province. It is 250 km north-east of Moscow. It is one of Russia's oldest towns, founded in 1010. Across the years it has become an important trade center on the river for both imports and exports. It is situated at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl Rivers. The panoramic view from this point was spectacular.
The main sightseeing destination is one of the oldest Monasteries in Russia, Monestary of the Transfiguration, founded in the 12th century. A male quartet sings for us there in perfect harmonies a Russian religious hymn.We also see the Church of St. Elijah the prophet. The first Russian theater was established in this city as well as the first Russian provincial magzine.
But the favorite spot for both me and David is the historic governor's mansion. The locals have done this up right. A lovely costumed young woman pretends to be the daughter of the governor, welcoming guests in his absence. She shows us all through the stately house, ornate, with lovley drapery and full of beautiful furniture and art. In the concert hall, there is a trio in peroiod constumes--a pianist, violin and viola. They perform beautifully while the "daughter" and a friend demonstrate the elegant dances of the times. When the trio plays a waltz, one of the couples from our group waltzes out on the floor and gives us a dazzling exhibition--wow, what great dancers they are!
Back on the ship, we eat a late light lunch-neither of us has an appetite yet. We nap again, then go top side so David can read and I write postcards.
At dinner, the table cloths are traditional Russian patterns and the servers are dressed in costumes with the ornate headdresses on. We watch the ship go thru another lock and and take pictures of the sunset. Time for bed!