Lake Baikal, Russia, 5-8 August 2007
People (and bicycles) on the beach at Severobaikalsk on Lake Baikal.
Ron and the physician he met on the beach, examining the mushrooms she and her father had gathered.
Retired electrical engineer, father of the physician.
Ron labeled this photo, "I don't know, part 1," and the close-up of the trees below as "I don't know, part 2." A friend's speculation the scene (thanks, Hudson!) seems a likely possibility: "The handkerchiefs tied to the trees would seem to be some sort of 'make a wish' thing. The woman would be selling the rudiments for prayers in her little baskets. Babushkas, of course, in Russia having special power. Reminiscent of the paper prayers sold at Shinto shrines in Japan, Tibetan prayer flags, any number of puja elements in India, Catholic indulgences, carbon-offset credits.... From all the lacy frillies in part II I'm guessing she may be a match-maker capitalizing on young girls' or their parents' hopes for love, babies, etc." He also says, "The only other clue is that Shamanism is HUGE in Siberia, and Baikal is especially sacred."
Ron labeled this photo, a close-up of the trees behind the woman above, "I don't know, part 2." See explanation above.
Dachas on the shore of Lake Baikal.
Dachas on the shore of Lake Baikal, same as above but closer.
Dachas on the shore of Lake Baikal, even closer.
Garden and greenhouse at one of the dachas.
The man in the middle is the one who gave Ron the fish.
Shoreline of Lake Baikal near Severobaikalsk.
People (and bicycles) on the beach at Severobaikalsk on Lake Baikal.
Ron and the physician he met on the beach, examining the mushrooms she and her father had gathered.
Retired electrical engineer, father of the physician.
Ron labeled this photo, "I don't know, part 1," and the close-up of the trees below as "I don't know, part 2." A friend's speculation the scene (thanks, Hudson!) seems a likely possibility: "The handkerchiefs tied to the trees would seem to be some sort of 'make a wish' thing. The woman would be selling the rudiments for prayers in her little baskets. Babushkas, of course, in Russia having special power. Reminiscent of the paper prayers sold at Shinto shrines in Japan, Tibetan prayer flags, any number of puja elements in India, Catholic indulgences, carbon-offset credits.... From all the lacy frillies in part II I'm guessing she may be a match-maker capitalizing on young girls' or their parents' hopes for love, babies, etc." He also says, "The only other clue is that Shamanism is HUGE in Siberia, and Baikal is especially sacred."
Ron labeled this photo, a close-up of the trees behind the woman above, "I don't know, part 2." See explanation above.
Dachas on the shore of Lake Baikal.
Dachas on the shore of Lake Baikal, same as above but closer.
Dachas on the shore of Lake Baikal, even closer.
Garden and greenhouse at one of the dachas.
The man in the middle is the one who gave Ron the fish.
Shoreline of Lake Baikal near Severobaikalsk.