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RUSSIAN
CITIES - MANDROGI
JOHN SLOAN
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Mandrogi is a relatively new
'village' established by Russian entrpreneurs specifically to cater to the
tourist trade. It has already become a favorite stop for cruise ships traveling
the river route between St. Petersburg and Moscow.
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The N. Chernishevski docks early
in the morning at Mandrogi and travelers prepare for an interesting new
adventure.
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One of the first buildings the
traveler sees at Mandrogi is this shop near the river, selling all maner of
typical articles for the tourist including film as well as the usual Russian
souveniers.
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This unusual structure stands out
during a summer visit. But it is a snow-slide prepared for the winter season.
Yes, tourists are brought here in the middle of winter by helicopter when the
river is frozen solid.
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Elizabeth and Amanda making
friends with a local bear outside the vodka shop at Mandrogi.
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Elizabeth and Amanda enjoying a
joke with the local bear at Mandrogi.
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A tea house at Mandrogi.
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The post office and telephone
exchange plus it has satellite wireless internet connections.
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An outdoor restaurant - it serves
barbeque lunches to travelers flocking in by ship.
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Another view of a souvenier shop
at Mandrogi
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A new windmill under construction
at Mandrogi.
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Several of the shops at Mandrogi
early in the morning before the mass of tourists swarm in.
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Another colorful tourist shop,
Mike, Amanda and Elizabeth are looking over the attractions.
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View of interior of the long open
shed structure where hungry travelers are presented with barbeque lunch.
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The skilled potter at work at her
wheel, with some of her production displayed in background. She offers her time
to help tourists make their own bowls at Mandrogi.
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The local potter is showing
Amanda how to start with a glob of clay on the wheel.
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Amanda just getting started in
shaping this glob of clay at the pottery shop at Mandrogi.
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Amanda here is making a very
credible bowl under the supervision of the resident potter.
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With a little more instruction
Amanda's bowl is rapidly taking shape.
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The bowl is almost complete and
Amanda is putting the finishing touches to it under the watchful eyes of the
excellent expert potter.
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A wider view of the pottery shop
where Amanda is finishing a very nice bowl as the potter looks on. Note the
variety of finished objects for sale.
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Another new building under
construction. Note the well laid cobblestone walkways.
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Another view of the winter
snow-slide at Mandrogi.
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Close-up view of the snow slide
at Mandrogi - note the elaborate woodwork.
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Detail of the decoration of a
window surround at Mandrogi.
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One of the staff dwellings toward
the rear of the layout at Mandrogi.
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Details of window surrounds and
some flowers in a garden of one of the dachas for rent at Mandrogi
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A dacha for rent at Mandrogi.
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Detail of the elaborate Russian
wood carving decorations on the buildings at Mandrogi.
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Another very colorful painted
wood carving decoration on a dacha at Mandrogi.
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A very different style of carved
wood decorations - note the columns on either side of the doorway - at Mandrogi
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Another of the cottages for rent
at Mandrogi.
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The carved and painted figures
over a restaurant at Mandrogi.
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The carved and painted figures
over a restaurant at Mandrogi.
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Local Russian girl blowing
bubbles at Mandrogi.
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Display of Russian handicrafts
inside the main store-workshop. The company has brought together here at
Mandrogi expert artisans and artists creating a wide variety of Russian arts
and crafts.
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Interior of one of the many
artist-artisan work shops in the central building at Mandrogi.
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Display of some of the wooden
boxes created by an artisan at Mandrogi.
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Some of the hand-made wooden
boxes - one of the many types of Russian handicrafts made at Mandrogi.
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A Russian artist painting wooden
handicrafts at Mandrogi.
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A display of some of the gorgeous
jewelery hand made by artisans at Mandrogi.
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A display of some of the gorgeous
jewelery hand made by artisans at Mandrogi.
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More jewelery on display - made
by a very skilled lady at Mandrogi.
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Interior of another work shop
featuring clever clay figurienes including whistles, and pottery at Mandrogi.
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Two Russian artists painting
nesting dolls and other wood items while a tourist examines some of the
production at Mandrogi.
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The post office and telephone
exchange building also has internet connections by satellite.
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Even the rear side of the
buildings at Mandrogi are well decorated with Russian - Karelian designs.
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Close-up view of one of the
window surrounds in a building at Mandrogi.
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These poles are representative of
the ancient pagan idols to Perun and other Slavic gods typical in the towns and
villages prior to the conversion of Prince Vladimir to Christianity in the 10th
century
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Interior of the vodka shop at
Mandrogi.
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Another look at the display of
vodka - yes these 'crowns' and helmets contain vodka. - the shop at Mandrogi.
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Elizabeth is trying to strike up
a conversation with a patron of the vodka shop at Mandrogi.
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Now Amanda is enjoying her visit
to the vodka shop at Mandrogi.
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Amanda sitting next to a local
customer in the vodka shop at Mandrogi.
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Now Mike is enjoying his newly
found Russian friend in the vodka shop at Mandrogi
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Elizabeth is having a good time
at the vodka shop at Mandrogi.
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Even these 'guns' are loaded with
something quite potent - vodka shop at Mandrogi.
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View of the dock at Mandrogi from
the deck of the N. Chernishevski.
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View of Mandrogi from the deck of
the N. Chernishevski.
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The N. Chernishevski at Mandroga
with several other cruise ships.
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Amanda and Elizabeth at dockside preparing to depart
Mandrogi for the cruise to St .Petersburg.
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