A TASTE OF RUSSIA

I made this post back in June while we were on the Kenai Peninsula, then didn't have a chance to post it in a timely fashion because we ran out of good Internet.   We loved this experience and the memory is part of Our World! 

 

 

 

The Alaska Territory was purchased from Russia in 1867.  There is a lot to remind residents and travelers of the State's Russian heritage.  Especially while on the Peninsula, we often saw old-style Russian Orthodox churches, with their distinctive blue onion domes.     This one was open for tours.  

But our most interesting Russian-related experience was the night we spent in the Old-Believer's village of Nikolaevsk, up a mountain road a few miles North of Homer.     We reserved our RV  space for the night along with a Russian dinner at the cafe  -- we really didn't have a choice about dinner.  When Bill inquired about a vacancy for the night, Nina (the owner and chef)  said "yes, we have an RV space.  What time do you wish dinner?"  

 

 

Nina's Restaurant and the Nikolaevsk Church

 

   So she cooked a typical Russian meal for the two of us as we watched  -- there was only one other table of people (who were tourists from Russia), so for a brief time we felt like we'd had a short visit in another country.    (I didn't get a picture of the first course, a borscht soup, which was our favorite part of the meal -- too busy slurping!).  The tea is fireweed tea -- made from that wildflower that grows everywhere here in Alaska.  (That's probably not typical Russian tea.)

 

 

 

 That is, of course, Nina Fefelov in the collage above -- and after dinner was cooked, she was gracious about answering questions (although she was a little bit hard to understand).  Nina was an electrical engineer in Russia before she met her husband and emigrated to Alaska, where her father-in-law was the priest for the church.     She currently teaches Russian in the parochial grade school in the village as well as running her businesses.

 

 

   

 It was a rather primitive RV Park -- really just a place to park in a vacant lot next to the cafe  (there was an electric hookup).  But there was this beautiful view and we had a completely different and unexpected experience.  We were glad we found this place!

 

 

Linking to OUR WORLD on TUESDAY.  (Thank you to Lady Fi, Arija, Gattina, Sandy, Sylvia, and Jenn.)

 

 

 

Comments

[Joe Todd]

Another wonderful memory.. thanks for sharing

[Ramblingwoods]

I love to learn about other cultures..

[orchid]

Great you posted this to show us, Sallie. I love how you arranged your lovely experience in here♡♡♡ Starting with cathedral, sweet looking Nina with delicious looking food, and beautiful view♪♪♪ Oh, Nina Fefelov must be a busy lady having more than one jobs. I smiled the 'note'(*^_^*)

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

[Marie]

I just loved this! What fun it would be to have the opportunity to see some of Russia if you can't go there. I love the little church! The meal I bet was wonderful, and I just loved Nina!

[Pat]

If you had stayed at a place with full-hookups, you wouldn't have had the great experience (and memories) of this place. Great post! Photos and a good story...

[craftygreenpoet]

Fireweed tea? I wonder if that's easy to make! Certainly enough fireweed round here!

[Linda W.]

Wow! Sounds like a fun experience.
Love the exterior of the restaurant!

[Priyashi]

Wonderful Photos Sallie....Loved them all especially the snow mountain....lovely...:)

[diane]

That sure was something different. What a great experience and boy! What a view.

[Rajesh]

Beautiful place. The view of the snow covered mountain is awesome.

[ann nz]

I like the Russian doll painted on the wall.

[Lindy]

What a wonderful experience! I love the 'Do not talk to Nina' sign! I need one like that with my name on it! :D

[Halcyon]

A home cooked meal is always delicious! And it's nice to hear you got such personal service too. I think I would like this place, although I really don't know much about Russian cuisine.

[Clair Harris Zarges]

Honestly, this trip of yours just gets better and better.

[Stewart M]

I have often wondered what would have after WWII if the Russians had still owned Alaska - the world would have been a very different place I'm sure!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

[Gattina]

It's never too late to learn something new ! Blogging enlarges the general knowledge ! I didn't know that Alaska belonged to the Russians before ! The Russian kitchen is very rich and not really for weight watchers, we have a few Russian restaurants in Brussels.

[Hazel]

I did not know this part of Alasca's history!
Fascinating part of your travels and the diner too. Alaska must be photographic heaven.

[Aimee]

Lucky you! It's been a long time since I've eaten any Russian food (my favorite being kissel) and that was in Portland years ago. Love the photos-a friend of mine recently drove me by three Old Believer churches down in the valley. It was quite a wonderful trip:)
Blessings, Aimee

[Gaelyn]

This is such a wonderful and perfectly unexpected surprise. So you really did almost get to a foreign country for your birthday.

[Lady Fi]

What a lovely town - that church is charming!

[Penny]

I'm so glad you found this, too, Sallie, and I've loved seeing these photos and hearing about this portion of the trip. We tend to forget Alaska's earlier Russian history.
Now I'm hungry for the Russian Tea Room in Chicago. :)

[Gail Dixon]

You seem to find so many gems on your travels. The view of the mountain, meeting the Russian host/cook, and the old churches. Oh, and the funny sign! You have seen and shared so many delightful experiences. Thank you.

[Photo Cache]

how wonderful was that experience.

[Lavender Dreams]

How spectacular...the views AND your adventures. You just never know what to expect when you travel in Alaska. It's so unique...like another country entirely! Sweet hugs!

[Linda]

I just love your trip...thank you for sharing with us!!!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

[Sondra-SC]

Fascinating!! And that view is to die for!

[artmusedog and carol]

Wonderful trip and gorgeous photos! What a gift! ~

artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

[DeniseinVA]

These photos are great Sallie, such a very interesting area. Nina sounds like a very friendly lady. I had borscht in North Dakota last year, in a Russian-stlyle restaurant Gregg's cousin took us too. It was delicious!

[Eileen]

Love the images of the churches, the domes are pretty. The dinner sounds delicious.. Sallie, what a fun trip! Enjoy your new week!

[Carver]

Great shots. What a wonderfully diverse trip you all had.

[TexWisGirl]

what a unique experience! laughed at the sign! what a character!

[Penelope Puddlisms]

Yummy food! Interesting that the Russian presence is still being felt in Alaska. From the Russian perspective, they made a regrettable choice all those years ago.

[fun60]

An unexpected delightful stopover.

[sylviakirk]

Oh, a great experience indeed!! Such a beautiful place and wonderful memories!! I do love your photos for the day -- as always! Thanks for sharing! Glad you are home safely for the winter!! Have a great week!

[Al]

What a great experience - I would not have expected that in Alaska. But it makes sense given the state's history.

[Phil]

Sallie you have so many wonderful memories of your trip to Alaska, the people, the scenery and lots more. It really was the trip of a lifetime.

I wonder if the Russians regret selling Alaska. I bet they do and wouldn't mind also betting that they wouldn't sell it now!

[Mick]

The dinner especially sounds interesting and the view of the mountains is really beautiful. You have so many great memories from your trip.