Thursday 15 May 2014

The long train west, part 2

Day 45, 8:00 am local time - Train 81, 1,419 km from Moscow - 15,894 km traveled

I haven't a clue where we are. All seemed good at about 3:00 this morning when we stopped in what was presumably Yekaterinburg, though we were awoken there by someone trying to open our compartment door and thought our days of privacy might be over. They seemed to quickly move on to the next compartment, however, and the train carried on into the night.

Now that I'm awake, though, none of the kilometre posts line up with the descriptions in the guidebook anymore and I've realized that none of the remaining stations on the schedule posted in our carriage appear on the guidebook maps or vice versa. Either Russia, over the past few years, has systematically renamed all the towns within a day's travel of Moscow, or I guess we're taking a different route.
It seems a curious route though as we're currently crawling along a section of only single track that is crossing what seem like new bridges. We also keep passing little guard huts surrounded by barbed wire. Where are we I wonder? As long as the numbers on the posts keep going down, we at least know we're still heading for Moscow...


I took a walk to the back of the train yesterday—the second train I've tried this on—and got the same result in both cases: strange, almost intimidating looks from a few passengers in the open carriages and unfriendly glares from the carriage attendants at the back of the train, even when I made it clear I was just stretching my legs or taking a photograph. I guess Russians don't walk around trains, a fact confirmed by the almost deserted restaurant car last night.

They had an English menu, but it had only three choices on it so we decided instead to decipher the Russian menu with the help of Google Translate and our phrasebook. Identifying sections called Soups, Salads, Second Dishes, Sides, Sauces, and Desserts (how's that for sibilant alliteration?) we picked out two promising second dishes: one talking about pork tenderloin and onions, the other potatoes and mushrooms. Despite [thanks to?] the layer of oil, they tasted quite nice, but we may have misunderstood something and it's a good thing we don't mind sharing because, as you can hopefully tell from the photograph, neither was large enough to constitute a meal and a dish of potatoes can't really count as a more than a side dish, surely. At £18, we didn't feel we were getting great value. For now I think I'm just going to stay safely in my compartment.


I suppose we'll need to start adjusting to higher food prices though, as we should be officially back in Europe now: the obelisk marking the highest point in the Urals is at kilometre 1,777; we basically crossed the Urals in darkness but should have passed that point shortly after leaving Yekaterinburg. We're really looking forward to four days each in Moscow and St Petersburg and only a few meals of porridge and instant noodles stand between us!

[We are now running at a reasonable speed again and back on dual tracks... still a mystery where though :-)]

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds quite of a cultural challenge! Btw when Russians stare at you just stare back; do not smile, they find it threatening or provoking:) you will be fine, your height is a big advantage:) how is your carriage lady? Is she friendly? Have tried to converse with any Russians? As for food, I have a bit of a method - never go into a restaurant that has a guard or a uniformed waiter at the entrance - not worth it. Look forward to your take on Moscow! Big hugs from all three of us!

Anonymous said...

I odd not mean to be anonymous! It's Olga of Nick and Sasha:)

Honey said...

I found that webpage extremely usefull and this study is exceptionally cirious, I " ve never observed a blog that request a study for this activities, extremely inquisitive...
Train Live Running status

Daniel Lisa said...

The train is the biggest source of transport in any country, and I think the most enjoyable way of transportation also. I often had to travel by train during my childhood and during school time. Now, working as an academic writer for cheap assignment writing services, I have bought my car to travel. I really miss the train travelling.

John Hardy said...

Look you really enjoy your beautiful trip and take very good photos for us. Keep posting are going to be expecting your next blog. Now it's time to avail Shutter Repair London for more information.

Ellie Cross said...

The train is the most widely used mode of transportation in any nation and, in my opinion, also the most pleasurable. Throughout my childhood and school years, I was frequently forced to travel by train. Now that I am employed as an academic writer by low-cost assignment writing services, I have purchased a vehicle for travel. I truly miss the train voyaging.

Thomas More said...

With a strong commitment to meeting deadlines, Thomas understands the importance of timely delivery. Clients can trust him to complete pay someone to write my dissertation within the specified time frame without compromising quality.