When we stopped at all the places I have mentioned we got out for a bit of a walk. At most stations there were wonderful old steam engines proudly restored and displayed. So far we have not seen any as old as 1913 but there is time yet
Also there have been local people selling food and the goods they have made. Beautiful shawls finely knitted, smelly smoked fish which so far we have not tried. It is everywhere we go here in Siberia and is a staple food. We did buy, on Andreas recommendation, Pieroggi which are little pies. Filled with all sorts of things. Cabbage, potato, meat or fish and some sweet ones filled with a sort of curd. They ranged from delicious to NOT DELICIOUS. But we did try them
On the train too we were offered the knitted goods that ladies boarded the train to try and sell. They got on at one station and off at the next which was always at least two and sometimes 4 hours away, and presumably travelled back on the next train.
At the stations the ladies had their goods in boxes on wheels with lids. The treasures inside were revealed when they whipped off the tops for us to see.
Late one night we were eternally grateful that we were not sharing a carriage with one chap who bought six of the smoked fish and several other less smelly items. We thought sitting near him would not be great. Bear in mind that he was in one of the "hard" class carriages with 40 bunks! Talk about lack of personal space!!
When we were planning this trip I met a lady who had done the trip in "hard" class. I admire her constitution but would not recommend it to anyone of a nervous disposition!
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