Irkutsk, Siberia, Russian Federation
October 17, 2013
While climbing into bed the previous night, I was impressed to find that someone had spilt what appeared to be an entire can of beer across my bed. Great I thought, but everyone was sound asleep and there was no way I was going to wake up a cabin full of drunk Russians to complain so I slept on top of my covers and avoided the damp patch the best I could.
After another restless night, as it’s so hot in the cabin and stinks of stale beer, I awake to see Igor’s lovely face right in front of me already tucking into his first can at 8am! I’m offered one, which is very generous however I decline gratefully. After a coffee and some breakfast I return to find the lads packing up ready to get off at their station. I’m not sure exactly what they do, but I know it’s some sort of manual labour in Siberia and the way they are acting you can tell it must be a tough job as they are huffing and puffing and psyching themselves up. You can tell they are not looking forward to it.
The restaurant car is the best place to sit, more room to stretch out….no stench from Igor and his friends and I can sit and watch the scenery better and relax more. Siberia isn’t what you expect. This is the 3rd day on the train…..and it is flat, all of Russia seems to be flat. I haven’t seen a single hill or mountain, nothing. It’s a never ending blur of Silver birch trees, pine trees and flat plains, broken up by run down towns and villages. The train is such a mix of people who get on and off and I’m pretty sure there is only myself, Steve and Jackie who are going the whole way from Moscow. It’s really hard to get any decent photos as well through the moving window and I’m not sure how many photos of trees I’m that keen on taking but it is most definitely an experience that’s for sure
Later on I’m sat chatting with Steve and Jackie and reading their Lonely Planet guide to the Trans-Siberian when I spot a bit in the front about Visas. Now when I booked my Visa I was told I only need to register it if I stay in one place for more than 7 days, which I’m not …..however apparently everyone who enters Russia needs to register it once within the first 7 working days of arrival …..and I get off the train on day 8 …so by the looks of it when I get to border control to leave and enter Mongolia from what I can gather I may face a £1,000 fine, be detained or instantly deported. This is great news! Hopefully I can sort something out.
While we are sat there we get chatting to a young Russian newly married couple, Roman and Karina. They are very nice and friendly and Roman speaks excellent English. He is also very clever as well and tells us how he is studying and that the state these days do really support the younger generation if they are keen to do well which is refreshing to hear. He gives both me and Steve & Jackie a button each from his old army coat when he did military service a few years ago which is a very generous gesture. We sit and chat away and buy him and his Karina a few beers until it’s time to turn in again.
