Vilnius. The Bus Vilnius - Moscow is delayed for a half an hour. Finally, around 6 pm we are moving towards Latvia. Some twentieth time checking my visas, tickets and other documents. Convinced that everything is fine I begin to enjoy the beautyful landscapes of Lithuania, and guessing what a long dreamed trip is going to be like.
Roads from Latvia to Russia are being repaired. Found very difficult to fall asleep. But maybe insomnia is not a fault of bumpy roads at all, maybe it's only great emotions?
A seat next to me is taken by a respectable age woman from Moscow. She shyly asks me where I am from and where am I going. After the explanation about my limited knowledge of Russian, she continues the conversation in broken English. Tania had lived in Siberia for over fifty years. 'Life over there is hard', she says, 'but people get used to it'. Some time ago Tania and her husband went to Laos for work. Soon they realized that life over there was not any easier: they even had to live in forests under the handmade shelters.. Rice and meat paste was daily food for survival. After the husband's death woman moved to Moscow where her daughters live. She says it is easier here, especially for her age, when the rest is requisite.
Weather in Russia extremely hot. My cousins family allows me to stay in their flat on the 19th floor of the building. Birds-eye view of Moscow at night is breathtaking. We visit Kremlin, Red Square and parks. Surely we stop by Soviet-style refectory. Since it is located in the luxurious shopping mall, the Soviet-time details are not authentic. But My cousin promises to take me to a proper Soviets canteen. While waiting for that day to come I don't refuse to savor real Russian caviar sandwiches smeared by cousin's wife:)
Roads from Latvia to Russia are being repaired. Found very difficult to fall asleep. But maybe insomnia is not a fault of bumpy roads at all, maybe it's only great emotions?
A seat next to me is taken by a respectable age woman from Moscow. She shyly asks me where I am from and where am I going. After the explanation about my limited knowledge of Russian, she continues the conversation in broken English. Tania had lived in Siberia for over fifty years. 'Life over there is hard', she says, 'but people get used to it'. Some time ago Tania and her husband went to Laos for work. Soon they realized that life over there was not any easier: they even had to live in forests under the handmade shelters.. Rice and meat paste was daily food for survival. After the husband's death woman moved to Moscow where her daughters live. She says it is easier here, especially for her age, when the rest is requisite.
Weather in Russia extremely hot. My cousins family allows me to stay in their flat on the 19th floor of the building. Birds-eye view of Moscow at night is breathtaking. We visit Kremlin, Red Square and parks. Surely we stop by Soviet-style refectory. Since it is located in the luxurious shopping mall, the Soviet-time details are not authentic. But My cousin promises to take me to a proper Soviets canteen. While waiting for that day to come I don't refuse to savor real Russian caviar sandwiches smeared by cousin's wife:)
August 15th.
The Great Day. I'm 'flying' to the train station. As I have plenty of time, on the way we stop by the promised canteen. Just after entering the door it feels like we're back in time: beer brims over the tables, the smoke of cigarettes takes my breath away, vendors wearing Soviet style aprons with a weird facial expressions . I order some fish with boiled potatoes,pickles and fried bread. Of course we take a pint of beer. Cousin says it's necessary for a successful journey :)
Departure from Moscow. The first impression of the train cabin - how can four people possibly fit in? When all bags are put in the right places and all relatives leaves the train, seems that space widens twice. After couple of hours, when I get used to, seems that it widens even more.
Life on the train for locals runs as usual . Somebody is reading newspaper, somebody watches Russian movies, some is trying to solve family problems. And me ...Just observing people, the changing views outside my window and still trying to believe that my Siberian train dream became a reality...
The Great Day. I'm 'flying' to the train station. As I have plenty of time, on the way we stop by the promised canteen. Just after entering the door it feels like we're back in time: beer brims over the tables, the smoke of cigarettes takes my breath away, vendors wearing Soviet style aprons with a weird facial expressions . I order some fish with boiled potatoes,pickles and fried bread. Of course we take a pint of beer. Cousin says it's necessary for a successful journey :)
Departure from Moscow. The first impression of the train cabin - how can four people possibly fit in? When all bags are put in the right places and all relatives leaves the train, seems that space widens twice. After couple of hours, when I get used to, seems that it widens even more.
Life on the train for locals runs as usual . Somebody is reading newspaper, somebody watches Russian movies, some is trying to solve family problems. And me ...Just observing people, the changing views outside my window and still trying to believe that my Siberian train dream became a reality...