Life in Galich - A once prosperous northern town

This morning we were heading north of the Golden Ring town of Kostroma and heading further into northern Russia where most tourists probably do not venture. This was one of the reasons I picked Tony as my guide as I wanted to see real Russia and not just the regular tourist route.

It was an hour or so further north, the road was less busy and more older or Soviet era cars as we ventured into the northern wilderness.

Breakfast with Army

Storage Garages

Crashed Car

Country

There were warnings along the highway for deer or foxes though we didnt see any. Northern Canada can have wild moose which can hit cars at night causing vehicle damage.

The town centre of Galich was a smaller version of Kostroma with the trading arches. We were going to goto a local history museum. Entrance was 100 Rub + 50 Rub for the camera ($3 Cad total).

Despite being a small town that foreigners probably do not come to there was a quite a bit to see in the two storey museum.

The town once prospered from the lake and grew in wealth. There seemed to be a middle class who had a comfortable lifestyle.

We then went to visit the old site of the Kremlin which overlooked the lake on top of a hill. There was lots of climbing I wasnt too keen on. There wasnt really anything to see from the top.

For lunch we were to get some local smoked fish from the lake. Impromptu we later stopped in a park by the lake and devoured them quite fast.

Walking around town were vintage cars. The trading arches was one large general department store on the inside. Some of the homes had precarious gas lines that could rupture at any time.

Tony then took me to a backstreet that was not paved and had many traditional homes. Some were nice and colourful, others were abandoned and collapsing. As they are designated historic people can not destroy them. They may have moved away or do not have the money to upkeep.