Saturday, 22 May 2010
Siberia Transit, Russia
Final day on the Trans Siberian Express. Which is now running over two hours late. Train is clinking and clattering all day as we speed along the tracks to make up the time with some real loud shock waves from the couplings. Literally bouncing along the tracks. Timings for the various platform stops, where the train can be stationary for about half an hour whilst there’s a change of passengers and crew at each station, are all out.
It’s only at one platform stop that it’s explained to us that the Russian Cyrillic letters we’ve been seeing at every railway station which resemble ‘BOK3AN’ are pronounced ‘vokzal’. Told that in the last century a Russian delegation visited London to learn about the railways. They were taken to the nearest railway station in London which just happened to be at Vauxhall. When the Russians asked what it was called the reply came ‘Vauxhall’ thinking they meant the station name.
So.
‘Vokzal’ is now Russian for railway station.
The stuff you learn on this blog, dear reader.
WAMC invites me over to South Africa for a safari and to visit their home in Johannesburg and farm near Durban. Have formed a new friendship with WAMC and his wife the past two weeks. One that continues ten years later as I write this. I visit them in South Africa in 2011 and again in 2013 and meet them in the UK a number of times over the years. Thank you WAMC for your friendship. We’ve had some great times over the years. This is what I like about travelling. Meeting new people. New characters. New experiences.
Creating memories.
Farewell dinner on board and the obligatory glass of champagne to toast the trip, which has been utterly brilliant. If you ever get the chance, dear reader, do the Trans Siberian in style aboard the Golden Eagle Express.
A group of travellers have been learning Russian the past few days and so treated to what can best be described as a decent attempt at singing a song in Russian. Great atmosphere on board and the party continues in the bar car. Keep ordering drinks but then can’t pay for them as the barman and pianist have cleared off to bed. It now being 0130hrs. Mr Ex-Army and I are in the same carriage so continue drinking in his cabin with the remnants of whatever we have left in our rations.
Whisky and vodka.
Until the early hours.
