Nothing could have prepared me for Carriage 6, it’s been so much better than the guide books would have you believe. I don’t really want to go to bed as it means that when i wake up this part of the journey will be over. I have had a phenomenal time on this train for the last 6 days. I have met some brilliant people who are all so easy to talk to, trading stories, experiences and beers as we go.
There is a lot that i will miss about his train and a a few things that i won’t!
I will miss:
The restaurant car community – to be able to pop down to the restaurant car for lunch and come back 2 and a half hours later having made new friends and bumped into old ones for a chat over a beer
VLADIMIR – The scariest, funniest, sweetest Russian food car attendant that we had. He decided what you were having everyday, he tried to hate us but we charmed him into chatting to us and telling us all about his family. I will never forget his first welcoming words to me “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” Well i am in the restaurant car and it’s breakfast time so…
The Chinese conductors – unable to speak a word of English, they really looked after us. Making sure we knew when we could and couldn’t get off/on. Feeding us when we missed Vladimir’s last supper and providing endless supplies of Chinese beer.
Beer! Shall we have a beer? Only when it’s 6pm, but it’s only 10:30… well it’s 6pm somewhere in the world why the hell not?!
Cihan – his charisma, energy and care as i made my way clambering around and under trains
Conor – my brother from another mother, the first person i talked to on the train and relief that there was someone that i would be able to communicate with on the journey.
I won’t miss:
The toilets – they stink, never have loo roll and are few and far between especially at scheduled stops. But if you are nice to the train attendants they will let you go as long as you don’t flush the loo!
Not being able to shower… Yep, 6 days on a train and i am yet to shower. Which has not been too bad to be fair. Keeping me fresh has been OK, some delicious soap and perfume was the touch to make it all just about bearable. It’s not like we’ve been doing anything strenuous!
Not being able to wash my hair… this has been the big one! My hair now stands on end when i pop my head out the window to take pictures and catch the breeze.
I am so glad i did it all in one go, i got to see the comings and goings of the Trans-Siberian and hear about what people saw and did en-route. I met people from all sorts of places that i would never have had the chance to see before. Travelling off season has been perfect as there are a lot of people of a similar age and life stage that i have a lot in common with. I met the most gorgeous and friendly couple at lunch today. That never would have happened sat on the Virgin Pendolino to Liverpool Lime St.
Ciao from a very happy cake lady
x x
