Scooting across the middle of Germany,
we saw a sign, south of Potsdam:
'Alexandrowka',..."Russische Kolonie".

"Hmm,,.? Maybe a pedestrian-zone?"

We took the bait.

Nö pedestrian-zone.
,...a waggon full of bees.
,...fields of tourist.
,...a good story.

, . . . . . . . . . . . &. . . . .*. .

In the early 1800's, Zsar Alexander, of Russia,
sent his buddy,
Kaiser Friederich of Prussia;
a group of 'singing Soldiers'.

Alexander was happy that Friedrich had joined the coalition,
against Napoleon.
It was a hard deal to sell the Prussian people,
because Freiderich had been preaching
"...peace. love. cheese-cake. beauty. and Art."

The russian soldiers were actually a group of accapello singers.
In Russia, they would sing in the Streets,
giving the Russian army, a more 'family-friendly-image'.
This group was Alexander's favourite.
Friederich had them sing in the Streets of Berlin,
hoping for 'acceptence',...

https://flic.kr/p/UNuMyn

After Napolean sang HIS,...last song,
at Waterloo,
Alexander died.
Friederich liked the 'singen Soldiers' so much,
he had this 'Russian colony' built,
in Alexander's honour;
and gave them,..
and their off-spring,..
"the rights of life."

Wooden log houses were built in 'russian style'.
,...unchanged to the day.
https://flic.kr/p/Tw8YJ3

https://flic.kr/p/Tw4Qs1

The 'singing Soldiers',
no longer soldiers,
planted apple orchards,
...large gardens,..
https://flic.kr/p/Tw8YHw

.......and continued singing in the Streets of Berlin,
for their 'bread'.

Today, relatives still live in the houses(!)
Names of each generation are on the house fronts.
https://flic.kr/p/UNuMAr
https://flic.kr/p/UNuMB8

, . . . . . . . *. . . . , . . . ß. . . . . . . ! .

We had the brilliant idea, of setting up in the fields,
...and playing for strolling tourists...
Not one of our better ideas.
There WERE tourists(!),..
......hoping to hear Russian soldier songs!

We died.

Coming back to our waggon,
a families of bees,
from the orchards,
were starting to move in.....(!).
Our dog, Dooley, was hiding under a blanket,...
we had to get three gardeners,
to calm the storm,..swarm.

As nice as the place was,..IS(!),..
we put the wheels back on the road.

Still,.....
Alexandrowka,.. a 'Busker's paradise'!

Comrades,
have a good one.
gallagher

Gallagher, that was fascinating. I read it twice. You seem to be having some great experiences. In my mind, Learning something about the history of the places you're visiting is the way to go. Keep posting.

Another picturesque post! thoroughly enjoyed, write on Gallagher!

Thank you for including pictures with the account. Very interesting read.

Thanks for telling your journey. I always love seeing your posts