The train to Irkutsk was a pleasant experience. Getting on the train was not ( Read more... )

After hiking to our hostel, which was just a lady’s apartment, we were greeted by a voice over the phone “One double bed?” “No. Two singles. It says it on our paper.” “Oh...” Sister knocks on our room door, dude walks in, “Hello!” “Good morning!” He picks up the phone. “Yes, okay.” Hangs up the phone. “My girlfriend and I have food poisoning. We ( Read more... )

Our final roommate configuration came to us as a gentleman clad entirely in camouflage. He was rather stinky and a little distant. It’s awkward coming into a train car. Who knows what to expect? Who are these people you will be spending such close quarters with for the next 50+ hours? I dubbed him Ol’ Stinky and he seemed a good humoured fellow. ( Read more... )