Pictures of the Russian South

[Vladislav]

Had 2 day trip about some business to the city of Astrakhan. It's a southest city of "Russian" Russia (next to the south is Dagestan and Chechnia). This is also the region where the river of Volga comes into Kaspian sea. Haven't seen the sea, it's 100 km further from the city.

The age of it is nearly 600 years, the Kremlin dated of 16th sentury. Most old buildings are from 19th but haven't keep well during Soviet Union times. So look like after some great disaster. Although it was interesting for me to see them as they were 100+ years ago. Like a life was stopped for a while around this place. During old times the city was a key trade point from Kaspian and Persian countries into Russia so there are many traces of musslman culture there. Many people from Kaukaz and neighbore Kazahstan live there now also. A friend of mine who was born this city and lived his yourth, met me and provided excursion. He liked everything ancient and old iron especially.

The first bunch of pics - the house I rented the appartments for tonight.

Night time - the view from the street (parade) side, daylight - from the yard. Note wooden floors of the balcony and stears. The flat I lived (was good inside) had the door just from the balcony. Next you can see the Kremlin of 16th century and the monument of 1917 Revolution local fighters.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2018 by Vladislav

[Vladislav]

Continue with the bridge over Volga river, steam boat of nearly 1910 (tracktor boat, wheeled), water tower of 1911, another bridge (there are only 2 over Volga there) of nearly the WW2 time, made with rivets, and the ex-army amphibian tracked transporter.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2018 by Vladislav

[Vladislav]

Next you can see different street shots of half ruined old buildings, some of them are still habitate.

Restored house related to a governor before the Revolution.

Last pics - the camels walking aside the road.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2018 by Vladislav

[Vladislav]

The really sad picture - disaster that took part some years ago - the building destroyed by a gas blast.

Don't know how many were gone that time...

 

Edited October 22, 2018 by Vladislav

[mack mhe9]

wow nice to see over there, its like a personal tour guide.

[Apple dog]

_{Nice pictures Vlad. Keep up the good work.}

[Green Dash]

wow nice to see over there, its like a personal tour guide.

I agree. Great pictures and info. Thanks for sharing them, Vlad.

[Vladislav]

Bad guy Olivetroat is not with us now.

He wondered too much about personal tour guidence.

Hope you folks enjoy seeing the stuff.

[mackniac]

thank you for sharing , some very nice and some very sad but I guess this is in all country .

[Freightrain]

That's for the picture tour. Interesting to see another persons "world" they live in. TV and such don't do it justice til you see it like this.

The ol boat is really cool!

[mike69mackman]

Cool pics Vlad! I also like the boats. It's a shame those buildings are in the condition they are because I'm sure they would be beautiful restored .

[hatcity]

Nice to see the old architecture and building styles from another country.

looks to me, with some lots of money, some of them could be redone

[41chevy]

Thanks for the photo trip! Never knew Camels live in snow and cold. I always picture them in the Middle East and Africa. Paul

[farmer52]

_{Nice pictures Vlad. Keep up the good work.}

Yes, nice pictures Vlad. Interesting architecture.

[vision386]

Thanks for the photo trip! Never knew Camels live in snow and cold. I always picture them in the Middle East and Africa. Paul

Funny you say that Paul,i thought the same thing! never knew Camels were "winter animals"......................................................Mark

[vision386]

Very interesting pictures Vlad,thank you for sharing them with us!.........................................Mark

[Reuhlz]

Great pictures and history. Thank you for sharing. Keep them coming!

[other dog]

Thank you very much indeed Vlad, great pictures, and your kodiakatronomy of the week award will be in the mail.

[paul roncetti]

Thanks Vlad, To set us back in time a few hundred years, then to see new cars next to those old beautiful buildings, like Freightrain said, you don't get this perspective from any TV Documentary, or anywhere else for that matter.........Paul

[Vladislav]

Glad to know you like it.

It was a happy chance to meet my friend there.

I visited that city once before and with a car but didn't note and see so many interesting.

He was a real "aborigen" groving there (he's in Moscow for last 20 years I know him).

When he met me in airport he told "I rented an appt. for you in some special old house you'd like to see".

And he sorried too much that those old buildings going off with constructing new ones of concrete and glass in the same places with no general style and great tasteless.

Some of old houses are just burned off from time to time probably specially for acceleration of wasting, you can see it on pics.

So that was a beautiful chance for me to see it now when it all still exists and for my friend to tell many stories about what he really love.

Starting to make pictures I thought it would be good to put them all here for a show. Because you are all guys shure like everything ancient and uncommon.

I also was surprized too much seeing camels on a snow surround so we made a turn over to get them photo fixed.

Here's a shot of the Kremlin from my previous summer trip.

[paul roncetti]

Hi Vlad, I was suprised about the camels too. I don't understand, I thought there was only one Kremlin in Moscow?.............Paul

[Mike]

Yes Vlad, thanks for showing photos. Many interesting things. I guess we all should show you, with photos, our parts of America. It has many interesting places to see and visit also. I'll start working on my photos to show you the State of Tennessee and some of what was known as the SOUTH.

Thanks mike

[leversole]

There is a guy around here (central PA) that has camels...I suppose they have a heated place to sleep but I have seen them outside when cold! Someone told me that camel milk is worth upwards of $100/gallon!

[Vladislav]

Paul,

Kremlin is Russian word (or maybe Greek or Arabic) that means fortificated city. So there are many of them still in existence. Most cities those had importance more than 200 years ago had walls and towers. Some of them were wooden, and Moscow Kremlin was not the exception. Later they were rebuilt of stones, Moscow one also furnished with bricks from outsides. So you can see many Kremlins in Russia and many old monasterys those have the same look but aren't Kremlins because aren't cities. Usually they are kept in good condition because of historical value and representation of modern city's face. Those were occuped by Germans were partly destroyed and restored after the war. Such as Smolensk, Novgorod, Pskov and many of less size.

Mike,

I see much interesting about the US each time I'm here. And don't only see. Lots of facts in articles you post or links to, movies, just frases in posts. And when I see any truck pictures there are also different things at the background. It's nice for me touching life of your country and it's not only pictures but your minds, language, weather, and everything else. Looking your life I better understand my one. Would be glad to see shots from you. Thanks.

Leslie,

I'm starting to think camels live everywhere!

[JTFormula]

Vlad большие картины. Ваша страна интересно посмотреть. Я также не знал, верблюды были в России и жили в холоде. Те, избили домов выглядит разделы Detriot. Пожалуйста, размещайте фото, когда вы получаете шанс. Ваша страна является не то, что мы увидим много и аккуратно, чтобы увидеть маленьких деревень, которые вы обычно не видите смотрит телевизор.

For those of you who have no idea what I just wrote:

Vlad, great pictures. Your country interesting to see. I also didn't know camels were in Russia and lived in the cold. Those beat up houses looks like sections of Detriot. Please post more pictures when you get a chance. Your country is not something we get to see much of and its neat to see the small villages that you usually do not see watching television.