| 50 ° 14 'N, 106 ° 12' E March 9, 2010, 14:50 Today, the only "whole" day in the train, second class. It was really enjoyable to be with our fellow Dutch coupe but what a hassle! This morning we were up early, it would be a day where we crossed the border. As with the other train was also the toilets are locked at the stops. The train we are in a slow train, and it stops about every fifteen minutes for one minute. Generally a lot less so relaxed. The border with Mongolia's not like we're used to in Europe, I can almost not remember what it was when you had to be checked at each border. It started about an hour or 1. The train stopped at a small station and the petrovnika (train officers) came by to try to explain that we had the platform to the toilet and that the train would wait 2.5 hours, after passport control and that there is a small market was. Glad we went with four of the train and go to the bathroom. The French who were standing toilets, but better than nothing and we had to pay, but well, not moving the toilet and this has its advantages. Marjorie and I went back to the train standing (waiting really is not) and thyme and Michael went off to the store. There was a man at the train that was busy waving and gestures for us to become so we had all the stress because we could not see the boys. I have my very hardest man was called and gestures ... Scenes on the train without Michael played itself into my brain off. When I called, the hard petrovnika who looked at me as if were crazy and said that the train has not really left. Michael and Tijmen just came running up, and ashamed, of course broken. We have some goodies in the market place and bought because it was cold we would soon sit in the compartment. After 10 minutes the train started to drive. Apparently, a lot to be moved, we think so 20 times up and down ride on that drive. In the meantime, I think, sometimes four times to the bathroom outside. You know, if you can not ... then you constantly. By 5 o'clock the Russian cops all passports and to take all control. You should really coupe so they can check if you are not someone with bootlegs. Eventually we drove at 19:00. The view was magnificent, a sort of vast wide plain between mountains. Here and there were horses and cows on the plain. The people look directly rather different from the Russian people, a lot friendlier and more open face. After 20 minutes driving to have been told that the toilet 10 minutes and then opened again until finally we were past the next station. So all in line, because who knows how long it takes the next stop. The next station was the Mongolian border where we have again and again shunted around the train (with dog) was checked. Take back all passports etc. The first meeting with the Mongolian people was all right, they spoke English, were polite and looked some more charming off. Here and there was even a joke about the pronunciation of our names. At a quarter past nine we were off again, in the meantime no WC. As we drove away we heard from outside the train shouting followed by a heartfelt 'get the f * ck out of my way "which came from someone who har drende and tried a train to catch ... I fear that there is someone who missed the train and whose stuff now Ulaan Baatar to go ... but he does not. It's cozy in the coupe, and we read many cards with our fellow travelers, but we note that for us a little tight, we are now accustomed to more spacious. It is now slightly over 10 hours and everything will be packed. Tomorrow morning at 6:30 we arrive in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Hopefully we can use the library of the Internet and thus post messages. If everything goes as we intended to sleep at night in a traditional Ger. Again so get up early ... .. bweh I'm now just enjoying a nice cup of tea, maybe tomorrow I get eits Yak milk or similar drink. Mongolia, here we come. juutsel | Tags: border , Mongolia , train , WC
Posted in Trans Mongolian Express (Part 2) | 2 Comments » 50 ° 23 'N, 106 ° 6' E March 9, 2010, 6:00  The landscape has certainly become more beautiful. Since last night we're back on the train, this time from Irkutsk (Russia) to Ulan-Bataar (Mongolia). A crazy trip. Like we have a rather extensive customs form filled. Mongolians are apparently quite extensive set of documentation. We had to specify exactly which currency we had with us, or we wore our radioactive stuff and the radio equipment is all in our bags were. A lot of work. Fortunately, the forms, unlike the Russian, but all in English. The departure of Jane and her family in Irkutsk yesterday was harder than expected. In a short time (which seemed to last an eternity), we were quite fond of each other. We felt very welcome. The warmth and hospitality were overwhelming. Jane gave us last night escorted to the station. Because we were on time, we have her the 'Ghot express' cafe where we can show our first early hours spent in Irkutsk. They appeared to have never been there and that gave us the chance at last to her something to show. Incidentally, last night was my haughtiness note: I thought by now quite able to speak Russian, certainly good enough for a couple of pancakes with jam to order. Excited I tried blini djzamom sa '. After I briefly looked to have faded, I got the impression that she had understood the order. And settled back at the table arrived, glad I waited on my order. After a few minutes, my order: a plank of wood with cast iron bowl filled with fried dough snacks and raw onions. So good was my Russian apparently not. About half an hour passport control. I'm curious. The process takes three hours and seems quite thoroughly carried out. Some chance that in a coupe with another Dutch couple ended, so it is here discussed the life on the train and the excitement for all customs practice is shared. A lot of crazy here ... michiel Dewit | Tags: Farewell , Border , Russia , Train
Posted in Trans Mongolian Express (Part 2) | 3 Comments » 52 ° 17 'N, 104 ° 19' E March 8, 2010, 7:53  When it was time to go again, my father used often immiteerde a farmer: "There is a tit of bowls and a tit of goan." After three great days in Irkutsk, it is now unfortunately back 'boob' to go become, or in Russian 'sieska. Last night, after a nice day outside a drink and a mini-party construction. After a few glasses of vodka were people talking and there were international 'dirty' words exchanged. Sieska is Russian for 'tit' and is funny enough by many Russians as they say in the picture. A kind of "say cheese", but otherwise ... Yesterday we began the day quietly. We have a leisurely breakfast and, when the temperature outside had become somewhat bearable, a final walk. Irkutsk is a beautiful and vibrant city. Of course now with daytime temperatures between -10 and -30 at night not so busy street, but in summer it is certainly a very great atmosphere here. Everywhere in the town were thick layers of snow. Because the temperature in winter varies, you could see the snow in cross sections of alternating white and gray layers: frost and thaw. By a wide river flowing Irkutsk, the Irkutsk River called, and he is really beautiful. Very wide with large ice fields at the edges. As the river flows significantly, he does not freeze. At the water contains many statues. Deeper into the city is an urban park where previously it was always a permanent funfair. Currently (ie, summer), the park renovation, but it was still beautiful. Throughout its beautiful buildings scattered Irkutsk. Sometimes traditional wooden buildings with colorful shutters and cut beteitst keep working. But many churches and stately buildings. For the first time in Russia I saw a 'real' church: a church, the Dutch model and not in the Russian Orthodox model. After a cup of coffee and goodies in the Russian 'Coffee studio we went together with Katja (a friend of Jane) and her friend Pasha go skating on a frozen lake. It was great: ice skating in a fairytale winter landscape. Afterwards we went home and we have enough vodka in the pleasure of a nice time tonight, along with a friend of Jane. We laughed a lot and a lot of interesting words exchanged ... michiel Dewit | Tags: Irkutsk , Skating , Vodka
Posted in Irkutsk | 2 Comments » March 8, 2010, 7:01 It is now Monday, March 8, which is a national holiday in Russia. The past two days has been going live. In Russia they have no mother, but they have International Women's Day. International Women's Day in the Netherlands because it is, but here is anything actually done. Teachers, universities, schools and other public institutions are closed, since Saturday is already referenced everywhere, because even then many schools had been closed and there was already partying. It is similar to Mother's Day, only this is better celebrated. Women basically do chores all day and not the men to buy something for the women. Because we 'Babuscka' (grandmother) Jane wanted to thank you for being so good cooks Yesterday we bought her a rose. She was so happy and emotional. She took me with joy overwhelmed me with kisses and bites. The brother of Jane (17 years) and her father (who lives with her mother lives elsewhere) have already been long in the other grandmother. When they returned they had for Jane, and me Babushka flowers, cards and a cute little teddy bear included. Michael was there would agree that we in the Netherlands for us at least in the code. Anyway, sometime late February, there also international mannendag. In recent days I Egor (the brother) are rather teasing so I felt very guilty. As an exchange student, my sister sent me once Lakrisal, I find it very tasty, but the Americans did it so violently that they were crying. I told this story to Egor and said he was obviously a real man and not as weak as the Americans and gave him a Lakrisal. He hated it! Since the deal was that he had to find something vor us, he tried it with cream cheese / sour cream. Of course we know that and did not respond as desired. Then came another drink made from horse and goat, it was best described as carbonated buttermilk. Last night I herrinnerd him that we are leaving today and just came up with something. A kind of bacon on the outside with strong spices, when I took a bite left my face completely, the state is now 1-1. We are not in Irkutsk so busy with a lot of items because we have done. Below is a brief summary of the first day. On Saturday we arrived at 04.55 in the morning. We had between 9:00 to 10:00 with Jane agreed in a bar. In itself, everything was okay in the Hot express cafe (everything except the toilet, but good). The case was 24 hours a day ... that was true, unfortunately not quite. Between 9:00 and 10:00 was closed because they were making everything clean. There we were ... -23 degrees with our backpacks for Hot Express Café. Fortunately it was Jane and we were soon at her apartment. For Russian standards it is very luxurious. On Saturday we also have taught school at Jane. it is a kind of extra school where children can get extra lessons before or outside the normal school for. She gives private lessons and we have played games with the girls. The girls had a treat for all Women with him for Jane. Then we have tea with a colleague. In one way or another they find us here still very special, and I even got paid for the lessons. Converted 12 euros, but this is a considerable amount. English is in itself correct, but the Russian acccent keeps you hear. For them we are natives, though of course not entirely true. After tea we went walking around in Irkutsk (brrr..) Katja and joined us, a friend of Jane who is studying German (and speaks it very well!). We are in a sort of picturesque pub a drink, it was completely painted the inside so it seemed rather a garden. Women today because it's already Saturday they celebrated in the pub. All men (including Michael) were to mention a compliment for the women. There were also roses and other prizes to win, but the atmosphere was great. In the evening, Jane has made sushi for us (she has also studied Chinese in Beijing and one year habit), it was delicious! Because we are so early up Michael and I enjoy and then fallen asleep. It was a great start to our time here in Irkutsk. Now it's time to take a shower, because tomorrow we're back on the train all day. This time the travel second class, so I'm curious! juutsel | Tags: Irkutsk , lakrisal , Women
Posted in Irkutsk | No Comments » 52 ° 17 'N, 104 ° 19' E March 6, 2010, 13:29 Just a very short post to let you know that we are well arrived in Irkutsk and the maid with whom we stay very pleasant. She is now Suhi to the city and we have already fully explored, and I have taught English today. A more detailed story will follow soon. We do not have skype on my computer, so I hear voice mails later. If it works we close tomorrow our laptop to the internet so the posts of the train can be uploaded. (Edi: the messages are online, pictures coming soon). Anyway, this morning was -23. ... Brrrr ... juutsel | Posted in Irkutsk | 1 Comment » 52 ° 17 'N, 104 ° 19' E March 6, 2010, 5:00 The first part of our train journey from Moscow to Beijing is over. After a restless 'night' of hazenslaapjes and many on the clock staring we were for four hours last night startled by the Chinese conductor without any warning our carriage walked and mumbled something that probably "hurry, the train that meant. We were surprised, because our door was locked and we had enjoyed our Asian friends surely a knock on the door expecting. Just before five hours time, the Irkutsk train at the station. Everything was dark and deserted. Thanks to a tip from our host here, we soon knew by the cold a hot spot in a 24-hour restaurant opposite the station to get. A thermometer-cum cum-clock on a building something on the track gave the temperature: -24 degrees. Very cold. We were on the train in preparation of all our warm clothes jumped at -24 but we were perhaps not fully prepared. What is especially striking was that our noses inside soon began to freeze! The prices here in Irkutsk is clearly more friendly than in Moscow. For 26 rubles (about 75 cents) we got two hot cups of tea. Another 200 rubles (5 euros) helped us with two plates and two chips 'steaks' spicy (knoflook!) minced. A pleasant change to the improvised meals aboard the train. We are now nearly four hours in the cafe. Cards we are tired, bored and went puzzle overcome by sleep, we start it here, despite the 24 degree heat, to get a bit cold. The audience here in the restaurant is very diverse. Many types in the Netherlands we would probably avoid suspicious: large men with gray beards and heavy upper arms. But what Aziatischere types. For almost as long as we sit here, we are a blond, not so very Russian-looking boy together. On a table next to our time of death he frantically with his friends before the dawn of the alignment. No one answers and it seems his destiny as a (very bored) man to wear. Hopefully we meet within the next 60 minutes and Jane brings us to a comfortable and warm home, preferably with a hot shower and clean toilet. Sanitary is a poor relation, here in the cold Siberia. Once the morning rush was over at the restaurant, the waitresses began diligently throughout the scrub's garden and dunk, but the toilet is unfortunately not been addressed thereby. To illustrate: the thing was done without glasses, at child height and contains several footprints on the edge. Here are men in the closet? Anyway, I'll wait ... michiel Dewit | Tags: Irkutsk , Cold , Train
Posted in Irkutsk | 1 Comment » 55 ° 2 'N, 82 ° 56' E March 5, 2010, 4:00 I feel like I'm up in the night, because I could not sleep. Strange, because in some ways it is also true leaves. Meanwhile we took the train passed and the Novosibirsk is now four hours ahead of Moscow. The whole rhythm of the train is only geared towards Moscow time and is now only five to ten, while in the middle of the night. Anyway, I can not sleep. Outside it is very cold. There are frost on the inside of our double glazing. A small thermocouple gauge that we have the inside of the window to put the glass is half frozen. He does currently -14 degrees. No idea how cold it is outside, but our stop in Novosibirsk have learned that it is certainly not picnickweer ... This part of the train is a little less comfortable. Sind one hour wobbles and shakes the train more. Probably it is because of the cold. Yet it is occasionally a bit creepy how the car itself seems to want to break away from the compelling locomotive. I caught a fish today Judica. Or so it felt. A man at the station in Balabinsk sold smoked fish and Judica was very happy one. Communication was via Rubles. 100R for a fish. The man wanted to sell me really another fish, one that has been cleaned and smoked, but I - my stupid head - were the ones that are more or less intact for the show to his cart hung beautiful. That got me a fairly intimate session with the entrails of the sparteldier stand. Because by a passenger (never before seen, incidentally) were alerted to this type of snacks, we have the fish cooked in hot water from the samovar. We both have no stomach cramps, so it was probably all not as bad as the man said. My tea has been everything cooled. The duct tape that we have the ear of our mugs are wrapped aluminum helps them to make some more manageable. Just on my own a toast to the last treindag tomorrow. Tomorrow night, very late (in about 26 hours) we arrived in Irkutsk and we get out for two nights. Curious how it will be. I also learned to play Canasta. The first bottles went a bit rough and it took me quite a bit of composure to the cards in the round throwing. With practice it is getting better. All very relaxing. The cadence, then sit and do nothing now and then a chat. But I think one week on the train perhaps too much would be. A few of our fellow passengers do. Maybe we call them later to see how it was. Yet now I go back to the middle of the night and let me by my hot cup of chamomile tea to sleep ... michiel Dewit | Tags: Cold , Novosibirsk , Train
Posted in Trans Mongolian Express (Part 1) | No Comments » 55 ° 2 'N, 82 ° 56' E March 4, 2010, 4:44  The title is perhaps somewhat cryptic, but these are all things that you experience on the train. I was wondering if there is something called "train legs". If you are a time for particular have spent at sea you can still get too sailor legs? If so does the train, we train our legs long and widely received. In itself it is not as complicated or need, you can change your vaqsthouden well, the only time that trains legs ecth need is a toilet ... otherwise you shake back and forth  Hour and a half ago we stopped in Balabinsk and were again sellers. We sat in the middle of an episode "Rome" and I did not make sense to go out in the cold. Michael has quickly jumped into his shoes and pictures. In one of the last stops were the 'Australians' buy a smoked fish. I also thought it a bit, but eventually we had the train without fish. At this station there were people around again with smoked fish. After some swing instructions from behind the window, Michiel bought a fish. He was so happy that he could do the Fish Victor kiss (see photo!). When we were back in the train suddenly came from nowhere (never seen) a huge Russian warned us that the fish, eat at your own risk. I was in my enthusiasm obviously unstoppable. We had the best 'oer'mensen in our area (the Australians / Sweden), smell it and they said it could not hurt. He was still cold smoked and frozen at temperatures of -15 can also be almost inevitable. Michiel then as a real "survivor man" cut open and the fish just yet ... there was caviar. Because we are not fully alert to the wind, we wanted to hit the fish is "cooked" with water from the samovar. All in all a tasty meal. To be absolutely sure that nothing is going to live bacteria, we have some vodka thrown back. Oh, tomorrow night we get out. This afternoon I wrote about the shower that is not expired, I think the drain was frozen. As in the Netherlands organized the drainage end of the train simply on the track. Right now it's so cold outside that when you go to the toilet or just use the sink and the faucet off a cloud of steam coming from the drain. Zoiets heb ik nog nooit gezien verbaasd me, and the dan ook. Great, it seems that we just live in another time. juutsel | Tags: steamy exhaust , Train , fish
Posted in Trans Mongolian Express (Part 1) | No Comments » 58 ° 49 'N, 56 ° 35' E March 4, 2010, 4:41  The second day on the train, we have already a decent ride sitting up but still not bored. Actually I think that it's easy ergerns Sat would be locked and you would feel, but nothing is further from the truth. In some ways I find it all a great luxury to travel by train. Before we left, there were many Russians who wondered why on earth we opted for the train. You can just as easily fly. They would do everything to avoid Russian trains. Now we're strictly speaking in a Chinese train, but that's just not important to the story. In an airplane you still usually packed with a minimum of one hundred people, you often sit next to someone you do not know and sometimes habits after ongrewenste holds. Here in the train, you have your own compartment, and if you want to touch it ... but you feel no obligation and if you feel like you just pull back rest (well that's the luxury of a first class compartment). So now Michael some people from our car to eat in the restaurant while I have a shower now and enjoy peace of mind. Still an advantage, the shower. It is a hand shower and makes maybe not so much, but it does ensure that I want When I can enjoy the refreshing. In order to continue that for a moment, the water did not run away and our small bathroom is flooded. Now I just see the door will lock (we share the shower with the Chinese railway official) and I think he is the problem solving. It sounds at least a lot of splashing). The view is third point which I so enjoy, even if the view is particularly white (snow) with a lot of birch groves, it is very soothing to look at and also gives a better idea of the distance. I would say, if I can choose the train over flying. How did it go? Very quiet and relaxed, we have already managed to find our daily rhythm. Miraculously does the power it currently does, so the laptop is fully charged again, and I while typing this message does not need to rush. It seems to be related to how much power is also used on board. The arbitrariness of power which it does or does not do is we have not yet fully understood, but we welcome every bit of power. Yesterday we had some small things to eat and dink the head and tapped wonderful meal in the restaurant. Michael was just telling our American companion that he was really sorry that we did not go at once. While in Moscow was busy visiting all of this is a kind of oasis, you do not have to visit you, but it runs along and gets it is soooo relaxing. It is therefore not much to tell, the photos will be added later say more about how it is here. At each stop we went outside (except for the stops in the middle of the night). Yesterday we were at the first stop stormed arid housewives who want to sell their food to us, seemed a bit, but before Michael was convinced we had already jester inside. If a scheduled stop of 20 minutes actually means that you have about 8 minutes from the train must hurry before birth is that you need it again. Then we still almost a quarter still to go. An hour ago we had a stop in Omsk, a relatively large city ... no housewives on the platform. Here the coal added. All heating in the train was fired on coal. For me it was weird to see, I'm not used to anything that goes on coal. Every few stops there is a mini-tractor trailer driven by all train doors. On the car are two men who fill kits and coal indicate. The railway official emptying them into a pen. Het vuur voor de verwarming is de hele tijd aan het branden enmoet natuurlijk om de zoveel tijd worden aangevuld. Ik moet eerlijk bekennen dat ik nog niet voldoende onderscheid kan zien tussen Chinezen om te zien of wij nu 1 of 2 mannen in onze wagon hebben. Ze dragen beide uniforms en ik heb nog geen zin met ze gewisseld, zie ze alleen langslopen af en toe. Het zijn er volgens mij twee, anders krijgen ze helemaal geen rust want bij elk station moeten ze bij de deur staan. Lijkt me wel raar, als je het grootste gedeelte van de tijd op de trein doorbrengt. Wat eigenlijk nog raarder is zijn te tijjdszones, lokale tijd is om en nabij half 4, Moskou tijd is half 1 en in Nederland is het nu iets over half 11. De jetlag is moelijk te voorkomen, maar we proberen toch het ritme elke dag een beetje op te schuiven. Dat betekent… bijna vier uur… tijd voor een bakje noodles. De trein raast verder… en ik geniet. juutsel | Tags: douche , kolen , trein vs vliegtuig , uitzicht
Posted in Transmongolie Express (Deel 1) | No Comments » 57° 60' N, 56° 14' E 3 March 2010, 13:42  Een volle dag in de trein. Dat is me wat! Gisteravond was het allemaal nog wat hectisch, omdat we natuurlijk niet te laat wilden zijn voor de trein en geen idee hadden wat ons te wachten stond. Inmiddels zijn we gewend geraakt aan het leven in de trein. Langzaam maar zeker veranderen we van wannabe Moskovieten in treintrekkers. Wel een leuk gevoel. In ons kleine, beschutte hutje laten we de kadans van de trein op ons inwerken. Het is een rustig, alomaanwezig ritme en ik ben er zeker van dat we het zullen missen zodra we weer zonder moeten stellen. De nacht in de trein was heel comfortabel. Ik zelf sliep in het bovenste bed (joepie) en Judica lag veilig beneden. Geen slechte matrassen, hooguit een beetje aan de stevige kant en de kussens vielen zeker niet tegen. Wel gek om midden in de nacht even opgeschrikt te worden door het plotseling halt houden van de grote rollende rups. Overdag hebben we vandaag een beetje aangerommeld. We waren om 9 uur Moskouse tijd wakker en hebben rustig wat gegeten van het vaste bruine brood dat we in een Russische supermarkt vonden. Beetje jam erop, beetje chocopasta: heerlijk. Daarbij dan een kopje thee gezet met water uit de samovar (die daadwerkelijk op steenkool blijkt te worden gestook) en de dag begon uitstekend. De highlights van een dag op de trein bestaan uit gesprekken met medereizigers en zo nu en dan een stop op een afgelegen, onder een dikke laag sneeuw verstopt station. Vanmiddag stopten we op een station waar we, eenmaal uitgestapt voor een luchtpauze van vijf minuten, werden overvallen door een leger oude vrouwtjes met boodschappentassen. Ze probeerden van alles aan de man te brengen, variërend van zelfgemaakte salades tot gerookte vissen en vachten (van hondenhaar, leek het wel). Vanmiddag hebben we een paar potjes Canasta gespeeld. Dat was nog een hele toer, vooral omdat we de regels niet kenden, omdat de regels op de computer stonden, omdat de accu van de computer leeg was en omdat het opladen van de accu op de trein (de vele stopcontacten ten spijt) moeilijker is dan gedacht. We proberen zo nu en dan, als de Chinese stewards niet opletten, wat stroom op de gang te 'lenen'. Eten in de restauratiewagen was ook wel een avontuur. Met een menu in Russisch was er veel keus, maar geen idee wat. Vanmiddag aten we wat gebakken aardappeltjes en twee spiegeleieren, vanavond wist Judica een gebakken kippenbout te bemachtigen en had ik een of andere stoofpot, waarvan ik de naam nog altijd niet weet. Je kiest maar wat, zomaar; zo gaat dat hier. Inmiddels is het hier donker en bereiden we ons langzaam voor op de nacht. We proberen wat vroeger te gaan slapen, zodat de vijf uur tijdverschil met Irkutstk ons straks niet teveel op zullen breken. Inmiddels lopen we in de trein al 2 uur voor op de Moskouse tijd. Misschien luchten we straks, rond middernacht even over elf uur, nog even op het station van Sverdlovsk. Zo nu even wat stroom pikken en dan naar bed… michieldewit | Posted in Rusland | No Comments » | |
