Fairytale Suzdal

I hopped off the train before Vladimir, and was picked up and taken through a grimy highrise part of town then out through the fields for half an hour and to the gorgeous village of Suzdal. Its got a river winding through it, but whats so captivating is the spires, belltowers, turrets and protective walls of monastries and churches that poke up at everyturn. Think multiple onion domed cathedrals, pairs of churches (summer churhes are big decorative and winter churches are smaller and heatable, and bell towers often separate), walled monastries, and about 200 photos trying to do it some justice! And I had a beautiful room in a B&B looking out over the river and towards the monastry.

The village of Suzdal dates back to the 11 and 12th century, and was the first capital before it moved to Vladimir and then Moscow. And luckily it has remained fairly isolated and survived invasions and wars with minimal damage. And its population has also remained stable and not grown.

Being off the train diet of 2 minute noodles I was keen to try some more Russian food... so heres my summary...

• Borscht - thought I wouldn't like it cos of the beetroot but couldn't really taste that - YUM
• Honey mead - tasted like a cross between honey, beer and mouthwash... strangely ok, but one glass will do me!
• Blinis - russian pancakes - yum of course
• Russian salads - everything comes covered in sour cream no matter what the ingredients are. Still tastes good.

Vladimir also had an impressive cathedral with beautiful murals inside, and another with lovely stone carving decorations on the outside. I was kind of surprised by the layout of their churches and cathedrals- no seats like ours... all standing.