Mosques in Kazan

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We visit many mosques

Over the previous two days we had visited most of the major tourist attractions that were within walking distance of the city centre so the next morning Daniyar said he would take us to places further out.

We went to many, many mosques. Some of them were quite small but nonetheless exquisite old buildings. They are all painted that familiar light blue colour which is so energizing and bright.

At each mosque you need to remove your shoes upon entering. Ian and I were wearing lace-up joggers so of course it took us a couple of minutes each time to unlace and then lace ourselves back up again. Daniyar wore sensible slip on shoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Russian Orthodox church has some questionable standards

At one stage the three of us were entering the grounds of a Russian Orthodox church when a church security guard babbled something in Russian which didn't seem very nice.

We asked Daniyar what he was saying. Daniyar told us that Ian and I were permitted to go in the church but, because he was a Muslim, he was not allowed in.

 

 

How unbelievably rude and intolerant! In every mosque Daniyar had taken us to we had been welcomed and the Muslim clerics were well aware we were not Muslims. We were still welcomed though. Daniyar politely told us to go in and look around the church and he would wait outside for us. We took a very brief look and then retreated. We didn't much want to be in there under those circumstances anyway.

 

 

Daniyar took us to a fascinating market. Here they sold huge quantities and varieties of dried fruits, nuts and spices amongst many other things.

We bought some nuts and dried fruits. I would have liked to take some of the spices back to Australia but they might have got confiscated so I gave up on that idea.

We strolled through fruit and vegie sections of the market and really enjoyed seeing what was on offer.

 

 

 

Lunch in Bauman Street

For lunch Daniyar took us to a fast food Turkish restaurant in Bauman Street. It was extremely busy in there and also very hot. We had delicious kebabs, salad, bread and a large serving of lasagne which we shared.

 

Next page - Temple of all Religions

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