Psst, I'll do you a trade

Europe » Russia
September 25th 2007

Published: October 3rd 2007

Sadly we said farewell to UB on the 18th Sept and boarded the train to go to Irkutsk and Listvyanka in Siberia, Russia. There was a lot of activity amongst the various traders in the carriages after we boarded. My cabin-mate was a Mongolian lady who was carrying numerous boxes filled with paper-wrapped packages. When I enquired what she had, she told me it was tea. After I had stowed my backpac... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 42, Displayed: 21

Autumn colours

Wooden Architecture Museum

Wooden settler's cottage with a low door and small windows to keep the heat within.

We were on the Number 9 train, which is the A1 train. Very comfy and clean.

Swanky Russian dining car

Beer or Vodka?

Our friendly restaurant car waitresses - Tatiana & Svetlana. Check out the huge hair. If you didn't know it you'd think you were in a drag show.

Samovar

Filled with piping hot water for tea and pot noodles.

Drinks

The group enjoyed some locally brewed Lake Baikal vodka for evening sundowners; and drank copious cups of tea provided by the provodnitsas (female carriage attendants) in these decorous silver tea glasses for 3 roubles each.

Platform shop

You can buy anything in these shops. Passengers mostly bought beer & cigarettes.

Platform vendor

This lady was selling cooked yabbies, salami's, and beer.

Another platform vendor

This one had a decent selection including chicken drumsticks and fruit.

Potato dumpling

Delicious snack for 15 roubles (approx than A$0.60)

3rd class

They really pack them in in 3rd class. There's no privacy unlike our cabins in 2nd class where you could at least shut the door and there were only 4 berths.

Scenery gazing

My cabin-mate Antonina passing the time

Siberian Taiga

Marshy bogs & birch forests in the morning mist

Siberian countryside

Tiny platform

Paul, Ray, Julie & Maura stretching their legs on the smallest platform we encountered. We were very disappointed to find no snacks on this one.

3rd October 2007

V
non-member comment

Neat entry
Funny writing :) Keep more coming!

4th October 2007

Louise
non-member comment

Hi from NAB
Loving your latest installments Gus. Xmas party tentatively set for 7/12. See you then (assuming you do eventually come home!).

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Psst, I'll do you a trade

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