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RUSSIAN CITIES - MANDROGI

JOHN SLOAN

 
 

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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