Sports management: outdoor recreational activities - Country estate "Serednikovo"

Fortunately today we could sleep until 9 o'clock: breakfast was at 9.30.

We left the hotel at 10.30 by coach with JUST a little delay, as usual.

After two hours and a "pleasant" coach travel with Victor we arrived in a farm specialized in horse breeding. Here there were many horses; the guide Dimitri (a huge farmer with long hair and good english speaking) described the horses and explained how they use them.

Then some of us had the fortune to make a short trip on a little carriage drugged by a horse: it was JUST a wonderful and unforgivable experience! And this was JUST the beginning...

Our adventure continued in the forest. After a short walk we arrived at a source of natural water. Here we "refreshed" ourselves with a very good water and made a rest.

After ten minutes of walk we arrived at a "very beautiful" green lake, where lots of people swam and had fun as Italians normally do at the seaside. We were very excited by this wonderful place.

Later we visited the country estate Serednikovo, which was restaured thanks to the famous Russian poet Lermontov. But surprises were not finished!!! Free climbing was waiting for us, but only JUST for the bravest (see the photo... it's enough!).

When we finished free climbing it was 3 o'clock p.m. and we were very hungry. At the farm extreme barbecue and some sandwiches were prepared for us.

Although some problems with rain and sausages the lunch was great... and hot!

In the afternoon some of us could ride horses (by paying) and took some pictures with them.

We couldn't imagine how different is the organization of sport activities in Russia. First of all we have to underline that this type of activities is very common in this Country. Also at the University students are invited to partecipate in sports and open air activities. This represent a good occasion to keep themselves healthy, competitive and strong. Every kind of sport is supported by the University.

Another cultural difference we could observe, was represented by the management of the manege we have visited. It wasn't such an "elite" or refined place... Everything was very simple and minimal. We couldn't compare it to European rural accomodation. Probably we can say that there weren't all the essential facilities a tourist usually need to feel quite comfortable and "at home". But this was not such a negative aspect of our visit.

Infact, despite the first impression, the manege was very famous for the variety of horse races which are breede there.

At the end we left the countryside at 5 p.m. to come back to the hotel. Aftre an hour at the level crossing and another hour on the coach we arrived at the hotel.

AND THIS WAS OUR SPORT DAY!!! ONLY RUSSIA LET LIVE YOU SUCH EXPERIENCES!!!

JUST FRIENDS... SEE YOU TOMORROW!

Elena & Giulia