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I am excited to say the bicyclist paid for the damages she inflicted on my car in Kaliningrad. YAH!

I went to the Danilov Monastery, the Orthodox Church’s administrative center. Older women dressed conservatively with their heads covered entered with reverence. Then, a young lady wearing a “barely there” dress walked by. One of the ladies staffing the religious store barged out of her shop to chide the girl for being scantily clad in a revered placed. The “girl” stood in shock while her mother defended her. They left, the woman returned to her shop all the while continuing her tirade with the customers who agreed with her. I left the shop with a smile at the generational struggle. The rest of the compound filled with older people bringing a calm setting to the monastery. The Cossack dressed guards completed the scenery with their clicking boots.

The round market became my first stop. Wonderfully hung baskets welcomed me. The warm Uzbek bread stand called me. I LOVE THEIR BREAD! Warm…warm…warm. I entered to immediately see a large spacious chandelier in the middle of the very open building. Round…round…round. Vendors sold cheese, vegetables, and fruits. I saw the same tomatoes being sold so many times from so many vendors. The Uzbeks seem to be the most aggressive; No…no…no.

I set out for the Donskoy Monastery after a nice walk through the long avenue type of park. This is soooo very nice compared to the harsh winter. I will take it any day. The park atmosphere continued into the monastery. I sat on a bench with an older lady. We didn’t speak to each other but enjoyed each other’s presence. My feet asked me to walk a bit more. I meandered among the headstones learning more about Russia’s culture. The small plots came in different forms and designs. Some had beautiful flowers and plants while others had weeds and more weeds. People came to manicure the plots with borrowed containers and mini shovels. History for anyone to see.

I guess I wanted to trade the serene to the chaotic. I definitely received it and more. SO MUCH MORE. I visited the Ashan grocery store. I doubt I will ever be the same again. People pushed their carts like they drive their cars. CRAZY!!! People stopped in the middle of the row without notice. Carts bumped into carts. Carts moved from here to there. I walked in shock. I couldn’t believe people didn’t get into arguments. I had to hold myself back and breathe deeply. I was going to make it. My reward for this experience was chocolate ice cream. I needed it more than anything!

Tsartyno Park; my last stop. Where other parks had overgrown grass, this place was manicured and tasteful. Tons of people entered through its gates. Wedding parties abounded vying for the best shot. One even braved being near the nice water fountain and its sprinkles. The Grand Palace, once abandoned by Catherine the Great, stood stately over the park. The ballroom stood out the most. Inlaid wood, opulent chandeliers, and gold overlay with Catherine’s statue headlining the room. Then, I met the costumed people. The rented costumes from Catherine’s time period to prance and preen around pretending to be the rich and famous. The girls loved play acting but not as much as their grandmothers did. I had a blast watching them! The hilarity continued when I went into the rooms housing movie paraphernalia about her reign. Apparently, people LOVE to film her highness’ life.

The day ended with a wedding ceremony activity. The groom and bride held a piece of bread, with a cloth underneath, in an arch at the building entrance. People congratulated the couple, tore a piece of bread, and then walked underneath there arch. Cute all the way!

 
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