Category: Trans-Mongolian Express

Bits + Pieces

James Whatley says Hi

Moleskine entry: April 13th, 2011

QotD:
“How western are we? After an hour on a train in a communist state, we’ve already created a democracy!”
– said on the group deciding on a bar name for my room. Which, incidentally, was ‘The Czar’s / Tsar’s Retreat’
“Time doesn’t matter, we’re on a Mongolian spaceship!”
– on discovering that, even though we’re crossing four time zones, the time on the train stays on Moscow time. Amazing.
“There were some larger bottles of vodka, but they were more expensive.”
– more at eleven.

 

New Friends

Moleskine entry: April 12th, 2011 (cont)

We did a lot today – much I want to cover but first I need to finish off what happened last night – I called the Honcho, Marina, as requested –

Note from the honcho
–
– and managed to get directions to the restaurant where they were all grabbing dinner. 10mins later (and one short hop, skip and a jump down the late night snowy streets of Moscow) and I’d found them. Awesome.

Two brothers, Ben & Oly (on a vodka-drinking YouTube mission – more on that one on a later date) and two friends, Sally & Mel. The latter pair used to live together and Mel, the Aussie of the group, is on her way back home (Sal’s just along for the ride). They’re a good bunch and I reckon I’ve landed on my feet quite nicely…

We were joined by another group of travellers last night too. This bunch are headed off to Mongolia later today (we may run into them there, but if not then we’re definitely meeting up in Beijing) and they were more than happy to join us for post-dinner vodka and beer.

It was… a late night, a lot of fun and – as first nights in Moscow go – not bad at all.
– – –

Today, Tuesday, we woke up around 10am local time and remembered we’d agreed to go running before breakfast. Ben & Oly were committed (or at least should be) and I joined them. 3.5miles-ish, in total. With our loop point being St Basil’s Cathedral.

Look, I even made you a map –


View Larger Map

–
Like I said before; Madness.

Post-morning workout we headed out in search of food and – what with it being 50yrs since Uri Gagarin took man’s first step into space – we made plans to visit the Moscow Space Museum (along with pretty much every other resident of Moscow for that matter), but that can wait for another day.

Basically today, my first 24hrs in Moscow, has been fantastic. I’ve got a smile on my face and four new friends to travel with.

19052011190

It’s snowing in Moscow

Rainy nights in Moscow

Moleskine entry: April 11th, 2011

It’s 9pm local time, I’m staying at the Godzilla Hostel which, while not being shaped like a 240ft tall old school feature creature, is certainly covered from head to toe with numerous bits of Godzilla-themed paraphernalia.

Interesting.

I’m staying with a group of four others: having arrived late to find four of the six beds in the shared room already taken one can assume the number but, hopefully [aside from being the spare wheel], plus the Honcho* we should be a good healthy six-some.

We shall see.
…
..
.

The others are all out at the moment, I’ve only just settled. I guess I could go out and find them..
Actually, think I will.

–

*The word ‘Honcho’, is the name given to the local guide that we’ve been given in each city.
Basically, they rock.

 

Moscow 0.1

En route from Moscow Intl.

Moleskine entry: April 11th, 2011

There’s a larger entry to come later today I’m sure but, it’s 19:50 local time, I’ve been in this taxi for nearly an hour and if the Godzilla Hostel doesn’t actually look like the Japanese legend of old, I am going to be thoroughly, thoroughly disappointed.

That is all.