3. Life in movement along the Trans-Siberian railway

By Filipe Morato Gomes	Where is the trans-siberian railway?
Travelling along the mythic Trans-Siberian railway was a memorable - although sometimes tough - experience. But three and a half days on a Russian train, travelling for thousands of miles, right in the beginning of an around the world trip, might well not be the best choice. With a Trans-Siberian ticket in my hand I jumped on a train for that long… and that made me think too much.

Holding the Trans-Siberian ticket and thanks to the experience and kindness of Irina - a Siberian friend living in Moscow -, I decided to go shopping in a street market to buy some food for three and a half quiet days aboard a non-stop train heading east. It wasn't an easy task to communicate without any common word except the basic ones learnt in a rush, although I must say each gesture, each pointing of one's finger, each head wink sometimes proved to be enough to communicate with the vendors. Having a local companion, everything looked extremely easy so very quickly I was ready for the great Trans-Siberian journey, with a bag full of fruit, water, milk, yoghurts, bread, biscuits, instant noodle soups as well as plastic cutlery and small towels for personal hygiene.

Buying food during a quick stop at a train station, Trans-Siberian railway, Russia

Moscow was dark when the train left the train station, at the exact time, without any alarm. Unfortunately, I soon realise I was travelling alone in a compartment for only two people. I had no travel mate. Well, that greatly increased my privacy but, on the other hand, the chances to build up friendships with other travellers during the long journey were much lower. Obviously, there were the corridors, the smoking areas at the ends of the carriages and the restaurant-carriage, which quickly became meeting points of people who pass by and greet in different languages, people that get used to the presence of strangers - just like neighbours that tolerate each other without being friends - and some other people who were really willing to interact, to talk, to know each another.

Under these circumstances, there were too much time left for other thoughts and that, in my case, because I was still getting used to this new situation of lonely global nomad, made me think, as I looked at the empty place next to mine, that this temporary solitude may not have been the desirable tonic for a strong start in such a long around the world journey as the one I had just begun. Short-term thoughts, obviously, because it didn't take long till I realize that the spontaneity of the decisions and happy coincidences tend to gather all the time lonely travellers who share in common the wish to discover and the will to share those discoveries.

Inside a Russian train along the Trans-Siberian railway

On the train, during the day, I looked through the dirty windows which never open, and realise that on the outside the landscape was monotonous and repetitive, although if somebody would pay enough attention for long periods of time, he or she could see some spots of considerable beauty on that discoloured painting.

And so the greatest emotions were concentrated at the stops at the train stations, which lasted between two and twenty minutes. On those moments it was possible to buy very cheap and tasty homemade food - like pies made of cabbage, potato, rice or eggs - and fresh vegetables, drinks and yoghurts. Everything was sold by extremely active and strong-looking ladies with a very respectable age. Life was happening in these places. Some persons were trying to do their business with passing-by clients, the passengers were trying to supply themselves with what they need for some more hours aboard, life was happening during these exciting moments.

You know, the funny thing about the journey along the Trans-Siberian railway was that, even though the long distance, time passed surprisingly quickly. And so, arriving in Irkutsk, although welcome after three and an half days aboard, was not a relief at all. We had a good time in on the train. I felt fine. And now I can't wait to explore the Siberian treasure called Baikal Lake.

(originally written in Portuguese)

» Read In Moscow with two lovely Russian hosts
» Read Moon of unusual honey on the Trans-Mongolian railway
» See Photos - Moscow, Russia
» See Photos - Baikal Lake, Russia

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