Train Life: Life on the Rails

I haven't talked too much about traveling on the rails, but I can't conclude my blog without giving a run down on train life.  There are three classes to choose from when you buy a long distance train ticket.  First class (I think they get functioning bathrooms and have access to a bar and restaurant), second class where you get a private 4-person room, and 3rd class where I obviously stayed.  Economy for life!  My motto.

I cannot vouch for the first two classes.  But third class is quite an experience.  You get assigned a bed number and it is a roll of the die.  You are either top bunk or bottom bunk.  If you're top bunk and you're not planning on staying in a laying position for days and days on end, you best make friends with your neighbor in the lower bunk.

Once you find your assigned bunk you are given sheets and you can dress your "bed".  You can ask for a cup which you can use to get hot or cold water.  This is all you have access to.  No food, no other meals.  Hopefully you brought your own.  You can buy Ramen or instant potatoes from the staff, but who wants to live off that for days?  Days.  Gross.

There is no shower and no running water in the bathroom.  I hesitate to even call it a bathroom.  The toilet is metal and when you "flush" it, it empties its contents into the wind. Just, outside.  Note to all, don't ever plan on taking a stroll along the tracks of the trans-syberian railway, I imagine it's not a pretty sight.

Now let me give you an idea on timing here.  The longest journey you can take on the fast train is 7 days straight Vladivostok to Moscow.  One straight week.  No shower, no real bathroom, instant potatoes.  The longest I spent was 69 hours.  It was enough.

Now, there are times when the trains stop for about 20 minutes.  In this time, if you dare, (the trains are precise down to the second in terms of arrival and takeoff) you can run off the train and grab some food at the station or go to the bathroom.  In the eastern part of the motherland, good luck finding a bathroom in the train station, they're too small.  In the Western part, you have to pay to use the bathroom.

I loved being on the train, but it's certainly not for everyone.  It's also illegal to drink on the train, so naturally, people hide their alcohol under the little table they are given.  They play these bizarre unlearnable card games to pass the time.  And they whisper a lot.  People make friends, and play guitar.  Occasionally they play a random Backstreet Boys song over the loudspeaker...it's really quite and experience.  It's also a smelly and unhygienic experience.  I think everyone should do this once.