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Published: January 25th 2011
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So I haven't decided yet how I'm going to divide my journal entries into blog entries so I guess I'll just do it on an ad hoc basis (kind of like the Bolsheviks just after seizing power). I'm basically just going to copy what's in my journal and add some notes here and there. Journal copy will be in italics and any notes I make along the way will be in this type. Just to set the mood for my first day on the train (an 8 hr train ride from St. Pete to Moscow) I'll say that the night before we partied with the departing Americans and some Russian friends for most of the evening so I was a bit...uhhhh..."tired" the next day. This didn't make for a very pleasant morning, but I think I adjusted quite well given the circumstances. Anyway:
Part 1 - Poka Piter! Privyet Moskva!
12/10
So I'm sitting here on our train from SPB to Moscow. It's a 3 digit numbered train so it's not as nice as the Krasnaya Strela (Red Arrow), but not as expensive either. We're riding platskart (6 people per berth and open cars) so we're in a rather large wagon with lots of people. I'm not sure I'd like going all the way to Siberia like this. Djib and I had a loooooong evening yesterday so it was no surprise that we were running late this morning (afternoon). We made a last minute grocery run and then got to the Moscow station (the train station in St. Petersburg where trains departing for and arriving from Moscow are) around 1430 to catch our 1448 train. Thank god there's nothing like airport security to pass through!
Platskart is interesting and not as bad as I expected. Although we're in an open car, it's more isolated than I imagined because there are still divider walls and nooks along the outer walls where people sit and sleep. I was picturing more of an open space with cots or bunk beds. Like the kind of open boxcar you would see a hobo riding in in a Depression-era movie.
I'm quite tired from my excessive partying last night but I don't want to sleep just yet because then I'll never be able to get to sleep tonight on our train to Irkutsk. There is a fat Russian man wearing VERY
Djib's Final Metro Ride
Technically our first train of the journey I guess... tight shorts sleeping across from us and snoring quite loudly. His shirt is a bit too short for him and his belly is hanging out underneath. The whole car is full of people and we have the last berth before the bathroom so there are people constantly walking by us but I guess he doesn't really care what people are thinking about him. I kind of admire that.
Djib is also sleeping away. I don't understand how some people can sleep and sleep and sleep and are still able to go right back to sleep when the time comes. I wish I could do this! Sadly, it's a talent I lack (but which would probably come in handy during this trip).
It was a weird feeling leaving Irina's this morning. I was still "tired" first of all. Also, I don't think I was totally prepared for the parting. I only knew them a couple months, but I felt quite sad leaving. She and Dima made my homestay experience enjoyable and memorable. Although I won't miss the commute to school...much. They are really good people and I wish the best for them. I'd like to think that I'll see
Down the Escalator
Ready to go with a stupid thumbs up! I usually can't think of anything better to do in a photo... them again, but who knows.
I don't want to dwell in the past when there is something interesting on the horizon...and something interesting this way comes. I'm not entirely sure what to expect from this trip, but it's sure to be something I'll never forget and probably never repeat. I am REALLY starting to regret not taking the SAPSAN (high speed train). It is $60 more expensive, but 4 hours less travel time. It would have given us 5 or 6 hours in Moscow. So we saved money, but lost out on exploration and experience. Oh well! What's done is done and now we each have $60 more to spend in Irkutsk, Vladivostok, and Riga.
I can't help but wonder how Djib is feeling about departing Piter. It must be bittersweet because we're going on this trip and then he's going home for xmas, but he may never be back here again. My heart breaks at the thought of my own parting from this wonderfully odd city, but I do look forward to seeing my family and friends again...I REALLY don't like this guy across from me! Put away your belly! Hope this train is on time since
Departure Board at Yaroslavl Station
We are #44 "Khabarovsk" - that's the train's final destination. we are already cutting it so close...and I hope I didn't just jinx us...
In case you're wondering, I didn't. We made it on time and more, Russian trains are famously punctual. We even had time to have some really bad shawarmas at the train station in Moscow. Well, that's it for today. Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about this entry, or any others, please write it in the comments or send me a message and I will try to answer, although I can't promise that it will be satisfactory!
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Adam Yosef
Pics to come!
My internet is not so good at the moment. I'll add pics as soon as it begins working properly again.