Blogs from Centre, Russia, Europe - page 5

Prior to our arrival PP attended his second Russian language session and returned to the cabin lucid in Russian conversation. Well perhaps not entirely, but his efforts to learn the Cyrillic alphabet before we left and his further boning up since we arrived in Russia meant that he developed a credible skill in interpreting printed material that looked like cooked spaghetti to CS. He became surprisingly adept at reading the words, and because Russian is apparently quite phonetic, ultimately managed to interpret quite a few as well. CS was off the hook trying to decipher street signs, for example, phew! We arrived at Kizhi at 3pm precisely. The programme so far (and throughout) was followed with military precision and explained at each stage, delightfully and clearly in English and German, by the ever competent and entertaining ... read more

Suzdal is a chocolate-box town, known as the "Jewel in the Crown" of the Golden Ring. Every building is pretty and different to the ones around it, and although Suzdal is famed for its churches, the real pleasure is just in walking around the town and taking in the sleepy atmosphere. Arriving on a quiet, sunny morning was unreal, and I felt like we were in a model village. The highlights of my day were both musical, and both in the St Euthimius Monastery. Firstly the hourly chiming of the bells, playing a chaotic, lively dance tune over a steady droning beat. Overall it reminded me of Hitchcock soundtracks, which was eerie in the quiet, deserted monastery grounds. Later we were looking around the church, the only people there apart from one couple, when three monks, ... read more

Moved on to Vladimir today. Although the journey was only 3 hours, and was in the middle of the day, we are now officially on the Trans-Siberian route, so were in a sleeper car (3rd class, since we were only sitting). Even during the day on the Trans-Siberian there are many people lying around on their beds, and we were issued with bunks and bedsheets, even though we had no intention of using them. And, of course, the radio is playing (music and, apparently, comedy programmes) and many sales people are passing through the train, selling food and souvenirs. Excited for the forthcoming longer journeys! The Winter Olympics are coming to Sochi next year, and Russia is excited. The official kit is prominently displayed in shop windows in GUM, and it is not uncommon to see ... read more

Étape #3 – Tomsk à Vladimir (56h et 3409 km) Pour notre troisième et dernier tronçon du transsibérien, nous avons cette fois-ci emprunté un train russe et il n’était pas bien différent de ses homologues chinois. Même configuration, mais plus récent et beaucoup mieux chauffé, ce qui n’était pas tout à fait un luxe avec le -30°C rencontré au départ de Tomsk. Nous partagions la cabine avec un couple russe assez sympathique de l’âge de mes parents. Malheureusement, pour une raison inexpliquée, la dame à passer le trajet en entier couchée sur sa banquette, nous privant par le fait même d’une place assise. Mais comme nous ne voulions pas être de mauvaise humeur à cause de cela, nous nous sommes imaginé qu’elle devait être malade et que ce n’était pas de la mauvaise foi. Nous ne ... read more

Now arrived in St Petersburg for the second phase of our travels. The Intrepid tour started this evening with a meeting and dinner together. St Petsrsburg has changed remarkably since our previous visit in 1988. Thestreets are different with advertising and activity everywhere. Today wento the Hermitage Museum and to St Isaacs Cathedral. A walking tour tomorrow at 10am and we see what the rest of the day brings. In two days sego to Novgorod the ancient capital of Russia... read more