Training

A four night trip from Moscow to Irkutsk, sharing the coupe with Ruth and Wendy, both experienced travellers ... although everyone else in the group is as well, now that I think of it.




Several stops each day, although only two or three when it is long enough to get out and purchase food from kind women selling on the platform, sometimes clearly local produce ... cucumbers, tomatoes, roast chicken ... other times the usual water, beer etc.




Sometimes the competition for boiled potatoes with dill or for hardboiled eggs can get a wee bit fierce, leading to minor gloating by the successful hunter/gatherer.




People fall easily into their natural roles: drug provider, delinquent, upstairs maid, industrial accident, talent spotting supervisor etc.




Outside of the activities associated with these roles, a variety of recreational options are available, including competitive appliance charging, chess (Russia 11.5, England 5, New Zealand 2.5), bridge (when cheat sheet provided) and the increasingly international games of 500, Revolution etc.




More extreme sports include being scared by trains going past and playing spot the birch. Harry Potter made a welcome appearance, at least for those who could share earphones; how could we forget to take a splitter.


- Posted at another Starbucks, probably.