Entries about train

Siberia is a mysterious mythical land that has no name in the cartographer’s lexicon. It lies somewhere east of the Urals and west of the Pacific, south of the North Pole and north of almost everywhere else. With its dense birch forests, its vast grasslands and its inhospitable tundra, it is both alluring and menacing. To a traveler it seems almost endless and timeless, rich yet poor, cold yet hot. And to a Russian it has either been home or hell.
A few threads of steel have stretched unbroken across this land since 1894 and the railway will be forever linked with Stalin’s ignominious gulags, but travelling across Siberia by train today is a wonderful experience...

The carriages and sleepers are warm, comfortable and very clean; the staff (generally) helpful; the other passengers a complete cross-section of everyday Russians. While most took English at school few are willing to risk embarrassment, but they are all pleasant and respectful - one lady even nudging James aside and making his bed when she felt he was underachieving in that department. There have been many pleasing surprises on this journey but perhaps the greatest has been the warmth, generosity and attractiveness of the people. Forget the sergeant-majorly stereotypes of the Soviet era women; forget the Bolshevik images of fat farm workers singing patriotic songs as they harvest the grain. Today’s women are just as chic, coutured and manicured as any in London or Paris. The cafes, restaurants and stores teem with hordes of beautiful young women and hip young men, while the older generation have mostly sloughed off the pounds and their drab clothes, bought themselves cellphones, I-Pads and Audis, and caught up with the western world in every respect.
However, as we progressed further into Siberia, and deeper into Asia, we expected to see changes. Krasnoyarsk may be nearly five thousand kilometers from the sophisticated boulevards of St. Petersburg, and may lack the grandeur of that city, but at street level we hardly noticed the difference – apart from the snow.

Yes, dear blog reader, winter’s icy hand has finally dealt us a blow. We don’t mind – after all it wouldn’t seem like Siberia without snow, and we have woolly socks and warm boots. Unlike many of the young women who, like fashionistas anywhere, are suffering in their stockings and high heels.

This mammoth in Krasnoyarsk's museum is also feeling the cold, but he lost his woolly coat 100 thousand years ago.

Worried about language difficulties in Russia? No need. All you really require are a few tips on the cyrillic alphabet and a basic knowledge of international signs. For instance - you will find this very important sign everywhere except when you desperately need it...

And this is the word for cafe ...

So now we know that k is c and ф is f it is easy to figure out that this is a cafeteria...

However, in today's Russia it is just as easy to look for KFC, Burger King or T.G.I.Fridays - no translation necessary...

Now that you have mastered basic Russian we progress to road signs. Whilst most are exactly the same as at home the Russians have come up with a few teasers we can help you with. For example:

This sign means... "Right turn for Orange Trucks only".

While this cartouche warns... "Don't sit on the car you lout".

This directional symbol means... "Overhead Parking available".

... and, owing to the sheer ubiquity of this particular pictogram, you should have no difficulty in identifying it as meaning... "Corkscrew (or bottle opener) available 50 metres ahead".

This pavement sign is more obtuse and it advises... "Beware of Cracked Eggs."

While this one is obviously... "No Parking for Old Farts' cars".

Which only leaves us with this conundrum...

At first we wondered if it meant... "Heavy Showers expected on left at 11pm". But then we realised that it must mean, "Turn left for 2300 Car Washes."

So now you're fluent in the language and fully conversant with the road signs you will have no trouble deciphering the name and purpose of this
indigenous establishment...

But what on earth is this place doing in the middle of Yekaterinburg? Answer tomorrow when we tell you more about this fascinating city in the heart of the Ural mountains.
Slangevar!