The train trip to Nayabrsk, Siberia

29/12/07- We boarded the train in Yaroslavl at 4.30 pm, arrived in Moscow at 8.20, and then took the Metro to another train station for our 10.20 train to Nayabrsk. We are in a second-class compartment (4 bunks) on our outbound trip since all the other ticket were sold. Our cabin mate is Ullya, a girl from St Petersburg who is heading for her grandmothers funeral in a village outside (1.5 hours) of Kotelnaya. Her father, a merchant marine out to sea, has not yet been notified of his mother’s death. Ullya was a very nice woman who spoke excellent English. Lisa instantly likes her because of her long fingernails and fashionable attire. We enjoyed her company for the 12 hours that she was on the train with us and luckily, we had the cabin to ourselves after she got off.31/12/07-Today is Monday and we have been on the train r about 36 hours. Nayabrsk is the 35th stop and we just left Tumen (19th stop). It was a nice stop as we were there for 50 minutes and we could get out and walk a bit. Therefore, even though the stop was at 6:17 am we set out clock so that we were up and ready to leave our cocoon for a while. Most of the stops are either 2 minutes or 20-23 minutes. I think we have stopped longer here because Tumen is the capital of the Tumeniskaya region and a large city.A few observations from our trip so far-----1) This train is hot- almost too hot to sleep. Just what you need when you are skipping a few baths :)2) There are 2 attendants per car. One works while the other sleeps/rests. They work 18 straight days and then are off for a week.3) The scenery is fantastic-we pass many snow-covered villages where the smoke from the chimneys is the only sign of life. Most of the view is birch/pine forest covered in snow.4) We have been traveling east for the first 36 hours on the Trans-Siberian route but now we are heading north.5) At Tumen another trained stopped while we were there. It had originated in Mongolia and was headed to Moscow (5 days).6) At each stop of over 2 minutes, street vendors appear at the side of the train selling goods from sleighs. They are a welcome sight and sell everything from homemade pies, cakes and bread, water, beer, toys, smoked fish (pictures to follow), and stuffed animals (mostly mice since 2008 is the year of the mouse).7) All trains in Russia run on Moscow time, which is two hours behind Nayabrsk (and 11 hours behind the east coast).8) We were disappointed that we went south of the Ural mountains and did not get to see them.9) The final stop for this train is Nova Uregou, the 42nd stop, and is 12 hours past Nayabrsk.10) The farther we get from Moscow the fewer people there are on the train. People are getting off but very few are getting on.11) I am looking forward to the changing scenery as we head North.12) I get off and walk at all the 20 minute stops (6 so far). I have only come close to missing the train once so far. As it started moving, I still had a track to cross. I am glad it takes a while for the train to pick up speed. My Dad, a lifelong railroad man, is very experienced at jumping on moving trains---I am not.13) I cannot sit up straight in the trains because the upper bunk prevents it. I need about another 4-5 inches. In 3rd class, which we have for the ride home, the beds are also about 6-10 inches too short. All part of the experience.14) We brought in the New Year between Ostrovnaya and Corgut Siberia and arrived in Nayabrsk early (around 8) New Years Day.2/1/08-We have been here for 24 hours. The temperature was -22 when we arrived and -33 when we woke up this morning (about -28f). We walked over to Nadia's stepmother's (Volya) daughter's (Leanna) apartment for Tea and it turned out to be a New Years Feast (A Russian Tradition). I enjoyed some more wonderful Russian hospitality by Leanna and her husband Volaire. The walk (25 minutes) over and back was great as we are on the edge of the city surrounded by heavy forest.3/1/08-Cold can be dangerous. I got my first white spot toady on my cheek while Nadia and I were out walking. The wind was blowing and it was COLD. After she noticed the spot on my cheek (we check each other about every 5-10 minutes), we went into a pharmacy for a while to warm up. White spots are the first sign of frostbite.4/2/08- We went to the orphanage today where Volya and Anatolie (Nadia's father) work. She is the director and he tutors orphans that are mentally delayed. He retired as a director of another school last year but wants to stay busy. It was great to spend time with the kids, staff and she the place. I will post pictures.5/2/08- Surrounded by 2 story buildings, we never actually see the sun from the apartment even though we are on the third floor. It never gets high enough in the southern sky. It is a long evening when the sun sets at 2:00.7/2/08- My first Russian Christmas and I am lucky enough to get to spend it in Siberia with wonderful friends who make me feel so welcome. 8/2/08-At 1.56 am, 11.56 pm on the 7th Moscow time, we board the train for the ride back to Yaroslavl. A great trip.