What can we say?!? It is a once in a lifetime experience! Sleeping, eating, drinking (mainly vodka), talking, braiding hair, nail painting, playing cards or silly word games, talking to the local Chinese (not the Russians - they are very grumpy!) and attempting to learn other languages are all common occurrences on the train - these make up for the disgusting toilets and not being able to wash!
This journey is definitely not for the feint hearted! It is hard being in a 5x7 cabin with 2 other people for 86 hours straight. Our biggest advice is to make friends - and lots of them! To us, this was our saving grace! All 18 of our group are lovely and come from such diverse backgrounds that you couldn't possibly get bored! From South Africa, to Sweden, to Australia, to Iceland and obviously to the good old Brits - we have a majorly diverse group. Everyone talks all the time and shares food, you can go in and out of each other's cabins which all makes the journey more enjoyable.
Generally life on the train isn't as bad as we thought (apart from being a bit stinky and eating a lot of cup a soups) - the time tends to slip by in hours rather than minutes.
One last bit of advice - stock up on food - things like packet mash, soups, noodles and even tinned food, as food on the train is quite expensive and very limited! Also don't forget to bring the loo roll!!!
Being off the train after 86 hours is probably the best feeling - also having a shower for the first time since Tuesday! We are currently at Lake Baikal, staying in a lovely little log cabin on a hillside with a good view of the lake. As we arrived it started snowing - the first snow of the year and it is freeeeeezing!! Again not for the feint hearted! Now for a good sleep and a cuddle :)
Next stop Mongolia..... Yaks and Gers all to come next!!
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