trans-siberian express day one

Well here goes thousands of miles sitting on a train. Please don't misunderstand me, this was something I wanted to do. I know it'll be a challenge but one I will wrestle with and overcome. Countless miles, countless time zones. Misha acquired a first class ticket for me. When I embarked the carriage supervisor ( a pretty thing) informed him food wasn't included. This, despite, the travel agent having said food was part of the deal. But the good thing was that I had the cabin all to myself. This was good as I feared being holed up with some weirdo, or someone who snored, or someone who incessantly farted. My only fear was on the food front. I had few roubles, only dollars. Misha said they would change it and not wishing to lack faith in him, I just lacked faith in whether these people would actually change the dollars to roubles. I had some salami, cheese, and water but that was it. I would wait before putting the assertion to the test.

The train set off . I went to check the facilities. One toilet in operation, the other not. When I tried to use the wash hand basin, the god damn tap head fell off. No sign of the shower hose mentioned on websites. Now, don't get me wrong, I do not have unrealistic expectations but this was a kick in the head. I went off to the dining carriage, not exactly the ritz, more like a greasy spoon in Peckham. Had a beer and returned to the cabin.

I was worried about the financial situation. About the fact that no one spoke English. About whether I would cope with 5 days of just talking to myself. There were two other people in the first class carriage. Russians. The carriage staff, a woman and a man, seemed surly. The smoking area is the section of the carriage that joins to the next and it had little snow flurries. My God, to think of those train spotters types who probably dream of such a journey and then to be confronted with this! Maybe they have special carriages laid on.

The rib enoyed annoyed me as I tried to sleep.