Grabbing a quick fix of wifi in Ulan-Ude between trains. Goodness I do miss Mongolia but it’s good to be back in Russia and so glad to have more time here. I’m so enjoying Russia! And getting the hang of how to communicate with people – who are so helpful.

My compartment companion on the train was a MAN. It was OK but I had to freeze him out – he wanted to talk presumably to while away a long boring train journey. He kept fiddling with his phone and telling me where we were, how fast we were going, etc etc. He made a disparaging comment about Mongolia which made me feel very protective but I didn’t challenge him – he just didn’t get it and I wanted him to shut up so I could just drink in my last look at Mongolia.

Waking up on the outskirts of Ulan-Ude he excitedly took pics of a falling down soviet era block muttering about soviet legacy and this is Russia. I said I’m sure you have stuff like that in switzerland – he said not so much – I said well Russia has lovely stuff too. He only saw what he wanted to see.

Delighted to report this Chinese train a massive improvement on the last one – none of the plush trappings but CLEAN and the loo quite acceptable. Can it really just be due to the fact that the attendants were women this time????

Bye bye to my Chinese train – on the right

PS I claim no credit for the title of this post – my brother’s idea! Thank you little bro’!