Kislovodsk May 27

A bit behind on the blogs.  We are now trying to get everything we possibly can into our last few hours here in Pyatigorsk.

On Friday, Nonna (one of our interpreter's) and her son, Roman, took us to the city of Kislovodsk.   So, we are told that Kislovodsk is the Sun City, even says that on the sign coming into town.  Evidentally they have 330 days of sunshine a year.  We did not pick one of those days.

It was quite foggy when we left.   And while it would have been nice to have seen more of the mountains, the fog did make for some mystical looking places.

The first stop that we made was at a women's monastery.   The church was beautiful, and the inside was amazing.  I was not allowed to take any photos inside, but the Icons were incredible.

Walking up to the Monastery

Roman, Dave and Nonna

Looking back at the Monastery.

Sure enough when we arrived, the city sign did indeed proclaim it was a Sun City.  In the picture below you can see the symbol for the sun on the top of the sign.

The city is a lovely mountain village.  There are lots of little shops and restaurants.  In the city center, there are artists with their paintings, and normally many other little vendors selling their goods.  As it was raining pretty good when we got there, not as many artists were out as usual. 


Kislovodsk has traditionally been where many famous people have come for rest, relaxation, spa treatments, and to get away.  It has hosted many authors, musicians, politicians, and ballerinas over the years.

This city is also in the mineral springs area, so they have a place where you can drink their special spring water, with an option of hot or cold.  

Monument to Lermentov



Demon in the cave under the Lermentov monument



Drinking the mineral water.

Fountain in front of the mineral water house

Lenin watching over the town square

After exploring town, we drove up to the castle of Love and Betrayal.  Nonna, in her humerous, straight forward fashion, tells the story of the castle.  In seems there was a young maiden who lived in the castle.  Her father wanted to marry her off to a very rich, but also very old man.  She, as young maidens are oft to do, fell in love with a poor but handsome sheep herder.   Her father refused to let them be together, and so they planned to jump to their deaths to be together for eternity.

When they got to the top of the hill, the young man jumped first.  When the maiden saw that he did indeed die after jumping, she decided that was pretty stupid, and so went down the hill, married the old man, and was rich for the rest of her life.  The end.  

I am still laughing as I write this story.

The hill they were to have jumped from.

One the way back to town.  We stopped by a mineral water spring, and had Nonna's world famous Lavash bread sandwhiches.  They were amazing!  She also brewed tea from fresh herbs, honey and other secret ingrediants.   It was a fantastic lunch.