life along the russian rivers

no matter what the rivers flow, they no nothing about politics, changes in the systems... even the geography do not effect on them. in 10 days almost without even remarking we rise 80 meters up.

I have been to russia many times but never sailed in the rivers . this is a very pleasant way to experience this gigantic country. the small villages and hamlets look innocent from a distance.
it is like watching a film rolling from a rear window. scenery changes all the time while you sit still with your what ever you are drinking in your hand .
early in the morning the mist brings even more picturesque view in front of you. no sound no color yet not even a bird around everything is sleeping only the river flows on , you stay still.

here and there more hamlets , some times a tiny path takes the family down to the beach.

one is always near to the beach as we watch from the back side of the villages only the spires or the onion domes of the churches give away where the center lies.
the sun goes down with majestical colors , asking you to wait for the next glorious day with excitement.





bridges binding two side of a village . a nudist in the midst of a

green beach, people enjoying the cool water in the river or burning the rubbish... a still and peaceful life.

constructing the lock-chambers are sometimes costly , you realize this when you see a church ruin in the midst of the river.

but life goes on the rivers no matter what, it runs so deep and free.

I wish the river had tongue so it can talk and tell stories or read a poem may be even tell the story of the " bronze horseman " by pushkin ;

" out of the gulf the neva turned back, angry,turbulent and swamped the island. the water raged more fiercely neva swelled up and roared......."

while gribojedov , our ship sailed along villages

hamlets, beaches where friendly people waived, sun went down moon came up the river flowed away deep and free as it did thousands of years.