The Epic Journey Across Russia

---

So we had our supplies of mainly vodka and noodles and started our 3 ½ day and 4 night journey to Irkutsk at the other side of Russia. We were sharing with Ryan a Flo, a chilled out couple from NZ and Canada. It was crazy stopping at all these Russian stations where people were selling anything and everything from potato cakes (which we ate loads of) to dried whole fish!! Plenty of games of cards, backgammon, monopoly and a few squabbles in the cramped compartments to pass the time. Mary nearly got thrown off the train by the mardy attendant for showing her knickers as a way of translating she was naked. Then there was a lovely woman called Natasha who looked after us and tucked Mary in during the nights and the Russian bloke we drank vodka with on the first night who broke into a rendition of ‘Yesterday’ by the Beatles - funny as!!

Irkutsk was gloomy and depressing, but after driving for 1hr we were in the mountains and stayed for 1 night next to Lake Baikal (deepest lake in the world) in a nice log cabin. FREEZING!! Went to a proper shit museum that was literally 1 small room of different fish in test tubes!! Stopped for soup and pastry which was amazing after eating pot noodles for 3 ½ days. We had a traditional Russian stew cooked for us in the evening which was ace, washed down with a few vodkas for good measure! The walk up into the hills on day 2 was awesome with spectacular views of the lake. Later that day we experienced Siberian snow aaaarrrgghhh…..

Bye Bye Russia

3 things to sum up Russia

Miserable Weather
Miserable people (except the select few)
Nice Vodka

---

Photos

On the Train
Start of the journey

Bye Bye Katya
Russia honcho see's us safely on the train

Alex
This was the pissed Russian who started singing yesterday shortly after this snap...

Please Man
This guy was ace!! He was the trolley man selling the potato cakes and everytime he left he would say 'bye bye...please'

Natasha
Train Mum

Maggie
this girl is mad - she takes about 300 pics a day, has 3 cameras, 4 phones and a video cam corder!!!

Train Pet
This Kitten ended up pissing on Lauren's bed

Katya's 21st Bday
This girl spoke really good english and got Mary out of the shit with the attendants after she flashed her knickers!!

Comments

[Lizzy and Ben the dog!]

I am soooo Jealous!!!! look likes your having an amazing time x x x x

[Katy]

Another one for framing x
Another one for framing x

[ирка]

Ты сам идиот, ни фига не понял о нашей стране!!!

[Ellie]

Lucky basterds
Hey Mary and Dim, Good to see what you been getting up to, its the first chance I've had to have a nosey. Certainly looks like you are having the journey of your life. Beats being in UK where the main topic of conversation is usually the XFactor and the fact nobody has any money. Wouldn't mind doing something similar before I get too past it. Not sure I could handle all that vodka though. Well I'll be sure to keep following what your up to and being not at all jealous! Good luck! Lots of love, Ellie XXX

[No Filth Please]

To the person who left the Russian comment
just to be clear the idiot i am referring to in the photo titled idiot abroad is me in my pyjamas in the back of the photo not one of your people. if you are referring to other comments we have made about your country then that is our opinion just as you are entitled to yours which is why i am not going to delete your comment which for the English readers went something like this; "you yourself an idiot, not understand about our country!!" Thank you and for the record we enjoyed and understand more about your country than we did before but your people were not very welcoming to us.

[No Filth Please]

EVERYONE
It is so hard to respond to everyone individually but wanted to say thank you for looking and messaging we really like reading all of your comments it makes our day cheers and much love to you all xxxxx

[Danielle Newton]

Powerful Imagery......
Hey Flawless Ones, Good to see you're having a good time! All is well here, same old. Festive season fast approaching, off to Ze German Market for some mulled wine shortly. I see you downing your voddie shots, you look right at home! xx