Man, its been some journey today. Woke up 5am in Hradec Kralove (CZ), sister (still somewhat impaired after a good night at Hip Hop Kemp) drove me 90min to Prague airport and then 2h flight to St Pete. We arrived early – advantage only for a horde of chinese tourists blocking the passport control – deuce.
I opted for public transport into town. Really easy on bus 39 to moskovskaya station and then a metro to daniel to pick up my jacket. He doesnt live far from grandma larisa and so ubered over to deliver the presents from germany. Of course, she had cooked and despite protests i had to eat at least some of the chicken and cabbage. Well, given i hadnt eaten all day it was fine though i was still trying to catch a village bound train at 4.30 from Moscow station.
By the time i got to katya&hadley’s that was no longer an option given public transport is severely handicapped if you travel with a bike – no bus, marshrutka or metro. The train remains the only option and these only run every 1,5h or so from Sestroretsk. Well, then the 6pm train. I picked up the bike, gathered the stuff i need for this week and off i went.
The journey from sestroretsk was easy be it that i almost missed my train waiting on the wrong platform. Silly me! Well, i made it. Next stop finlandsky station to pick-up my Boom box from larisa – i just keep forgetting things! age maybe? She was there and the handover swift. Now just biking over to moskovsky station and that’s it. Not so fast …
I arrived at the station and went to the long distance ticket office. Google has been excellent in russia so far and suggested the 5.57pm train to volkhov. Well, after waiting at least 5min for a customer ahead of me to be served the lady behind the counter told me the train leaves from a different station – 7.20pm from ladozhski station. I asked again if there are really no trains from here. She insisted. I couldn’t believe it.
So i biked over the 5km and tried there. Again, client service was painfully slow. By the time it was my turn, i had to show passport in order to get a ticket. In the end it took two ladies to get the job done. 15min altogether. Wow!
I got myself a shawarma for dinner and made my way early to platform 2. Next problem – can you fold the bike? No. Do you have a baggage receipt? Well, i paid for one and expected it to be on the ticket i was given. Can you take the front wheel off? Yes. And the back? Yes. In the end, they let me in given i would get off next stop anyway. I made it!
The train was bound for Ekaterinburg where it would arrive noon next day. In my cabin was loads of bunk beds – i got one too though that was really not necessary i guess for a two hour train ride. The beds come with covers, towel, fresh sheets etc. There is even some kind of samovar to dispense hot water. People kept getting refills. And then there is the lady that walks around the train with a plate of chocolate and other sweets. She offers them to passengers (a little side business of the train staff). I guess thats tea time a la russe! And a first taste of how travelling on the transsiberian railway (one day) might look like.
Who cares – finally i am off to volkhov (22km from issad) where richard the farm manager picked me up (2,5h later than planned – sorry). Biking over to issad in darkness seriously no option anymore.
The train-ride was painfully slow though. How else would take some 130km more than two hours. Not sure why, probably down to poor condition of the rail network on this part. However, it was comfi and the train on time. Only one other person shared my cabin. Views were at times quite cool especially on river crossings.
After picking me up, Richard gave me a brief overview of whats to come on his routine evening check at the farm where some milking was still ongoing.
He is certainly passionate about his job and so we delved right into some basic stuff. Much to learn for sure. But more of that another day. Now its time to kill some of the mosquitos in my room and read a little inspector Maigret. Thankfully, i only start 8am on my first day …
