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Where Anthony Makes An Appearance

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

It is quite easy to spot other backpackers on the trans-Siberian.  Even as out of practise as we have been through lack of opportunity these past few weeks.  So while waiting for 11:15pm to roll around it is a nice surprise to see a young guy come into the waiting hall and stand beside his green pack.  The ability to differentiate is possible because locals travel in one of three ways.  No luggage at all or maybe an overnight bag.  Even if the journey is nearly two days long.  Otherwise they will be lugging one of those ungainly square rice bags, the largest size only.  Or else it may be a collection of string tied boxes.  Rarely a suitcase and never a backpack.  So Anthony, for this was his name, really stood out.  A Scot who lives in Northern Ireland as we found out in the preliminary conversation.  Then our train was finally announced but we would see him again soon enough as he was booked into the same Irkutsk hostel.  Yes a hostel, and we know where it is.  This time was going to be easy. [read on]

Womble Town

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

  While I freely admit to having a bit of a boner over trains, being forced to take a bus really makes you realise why.  My poor cycled out knees ache when forced to stay in one position for too long and with seats this tight I cannot even get into my usual sleep sitting up position.  Maybe this love of the locomotive stems back to when I was a kid and our family won a trip in the cab of a steam train.  Or that there are so few trains back home which is such a shame as they really are the best form of transport.  It just feels so much more civilised than being herded into some metal tube.  Another advantage that trains have is that once you board at a usually central station it just goes.  None of this tedious getting out of town through traffic and intersections just two rails pointing in the direction you want to go.  Even just boarding is fun.  Stand on the platform as a mighty piece of engineering pulls in.  The immaculately presented providnista’s stand ready to welcome everyone aboard.  Once underway there is so much more freedom to move around and looking out the window is far more accessible than a bus and more interesting than a plane. [read on]

The Artist and the Dictator.

Thursday, May 7th, 2009
One of the most prevalent questions encountered so far has been Moscow or St Petersburg, which do you prefer?  As the title of this post alludes to one is based on the premise of beauty and the other power.  One ... [Continue reading this entry]

Memorial wanderings

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
  It truly was quite a challenge to even come up with some sort of comprehensive plan to fully explore a city as diverse and interesting as St Petersburg.  Like all the truly great cities history is layered on top ... [Continue reading this entry]

Cultural grind

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
All I can recall of Tuesday through to mid afternoon is lying of my top bunk wishing the world would stop trying to force its way into my head in quite so insistent a manner.  With a pressing list of ... [Continue reading this entry]