Day 6

Went to Breakfast at an American style diner with Joanna and Lisa, the English girls I had met at the hostel. I had a huge Guadalajara chicken omelet which was ideal to start the long day ahead.

Breakfast with Jo and Lisa

In the afternoon we went to the Tretsakov art gallery. We got in half-price as students by flashing our driving licenses at the old Russian woman at the ticket office and saying "Students". Who says the language barrier has to be a bad thing?? The gallery was full of Russia's best modern art since 1880. We started off looking at each piece intently but it soon became apparent that this place was huge! Three hours later we were speeding past the most modern stuff in order to reach the cafe. It was a great afternoon and the art was really good but it was a bit too much.

Steve about to Board

I said goodbye to the girls and headed back to the hostel to prepare for the train journey to Beijing. I sat in the lounge reading my China book and saw someone else with a similar book. Just as we were establishing that we were on the same train, another guy turned up and so we were three! We all went grocery shopping (including Vodka and plastic shot glasses!). Steve is from Bristol and Dan from London. Our hostel manager organised a taxi to the station. Our taxi was not an official one, just a passing car that stopped to earn a few extra Roubles. Apparently that is common practice in Moscow.

I was beginning to feel really excited about the journey now. I so far knew the two guys I met in the hostel, plus Yoshi and another chat I'd been talking to it about on the net during my research on the trip.

The Tretsakov Modern Art Gallery

I was first into my four berth cabin, but very soon was joined by Malin and Kasja, two Swedish students on a two month trip to China and back. Our last berth was filled by a Chinese man who seems to have family in another cabin.

I enjoyed a few shots of neat vodka with the girls and chatted about the journey ahead. About 11pm the girls went to sleep so I went 5 carriages down to number 6 where I knew Dan and Steve would be. By chance Yoshi from my Berlin to Moscow train was in Dan's Cabin so we said hi once again.