Reflections on Siberia...

It is said that new lands need to be created inside us first, before emerging from the horizon.

It truly feels that these territories which I am marching through, reflect the wild and desolate image of Russia that lies in my heart:

At times peaceful and calm, then again vibrant and furious, full of controversies, full of new life and decomposed dreams.

Still, I have found russians to be very hospitable and helpful, ever so keen to share their thoughts ...in their language, and despite me informing them that I do not understand a word they say!

Notable landmarks on the way included an obelisk at the top of the Ural Mountains to mark the border between Europe and Asia, and a huge pillar at the entry point to Siberia.

Apart from that, the landscape was rather monotonous, changing slowly from dense taiga forests in European Russia to vast steppas in Siberia.

Even without looking outside the window, life on the train is quite interesting in itself.

For two days I travelled in the same coupe with Valery (ВАЛЕРИ) and Ina (ИНА), an elderly couple returning home from a visit to their son in Moscow. The only other thing I managed to find out about them was that Valery is a professor of Physics in the local university. They taught me quite a few russian words, and I even got a grasp of a conversation they had about politics, which included the names of Lenin, Putin, Zuganov, Chrustsev and mighty Stalin!

All in all, about 26 people were in my wagon, many of which were coming knocking on my door to return things I had forgotten all over the place, such as my camera(!), my transiberian handbook, pencils, my notebook etc.

Quite clearly though, the locals' favourite passtime was gulping all types of strong spirit from what seemed to be an endless supply of bottles they produced out of nowhere! To refuse would be to insult them, according to russian etiquette, and when a bottle opens it must finish :0 At the stops, I was quite happy to treckle off the train for some fresh air and to maintain my sanity...

There, on the platforms, were the ever-present babushkas, selling freshly made food and - guess what - more alcohol. (Un)fortunately, no bugs, lizzards and snakes were anywhere to be found, but I am certain I will have the opportunity to fulfill your requests while in Mongolia and China...

Meanwhile, you can have a look at the pictures I have uploaded (see link on the side bar).

ДО СВИДАНИЯ!