While We Were Sleeping

When we decided to hop on a 3D3N (65 hours+) train ride from Vladivostok to Irkutsk:

We wouldn’t know if:
- World War 3 broke out, because we can’t read the Russian newspapers available along the stations…even though we did see many Russian tanks being transported like ducks via cargo trains.
- Malaysia decides to cut off water supplies to Singapore
- Workers’ Party staged a coup again Parliament
- We smell nice (nice, is subjective)


But we would know that:
- PAP is almost certain to be still in power (thanks Francis for reminding us)
- It’s sensible to buy the cheaper plaskartny dorm-carriage tickets, because you get to see/talk to more people, such as this bunch of taekwondo students who made us feel much safer.
- Food from the train’s dining carriage is horrible. We didn’t try any, but the sour attitude we got from the babushka manning the kitchen was bad enough.


- Being parents must be a tiring lifelong occupation. Not to mention babysitting other people’s kids (see picture of Sharon hard at work)

- The smoked Omul Fish from Lake Baikal is largely boneless, best eaten when offered by other passengers. (these are acquaintances from China who’re busy logging the forests of Siberia…until environmental laws kick into place)

And according to our nice hostel manager, Nadya, Irkutsk is currently blazing along at -11 Deg which she remarked that it’s “hot”. I think Russians can be quite humorous.