When we booked this vacation several months ago, I had an open mind with no expectations of what it would be like. After a few days in Russia, the fog of Jet-Lag is fading and my mind turns to this enigma called Russia and to a lesser degree, this train trip.
We have been in Russia for four or five days so I am certainly not qualified to really understand this country, but I have opinions, or more to the point, I have questions. I enjoy history, and as I get older I have more interest in history. I followed WW II seriously and understood the German invasion of Russia and the eventual havoc that the Russians later turned back onto Germany.
What I never understood was the Russian Revolution in 1917, during WW I, when the Russian Army, who were fighting the Germans, rebelled and turned on their Tsarist Government, eventually murdering that entire Royal Family. [Oddly enough, that exact spot is where we are visiting today, Yekaterinburg].
I do not know how the average Russian feels about those murders: would they be ashamed; or proud of the fact or would they say that was done by the Bolsheviks?
Our guide yesterday was a student of history who told us at lunch bit about the White Russians who fled Kazan after the revolution and headed east to escape the Reds, [Bolsheviks]. I believe the book and Movie 'Doctor Zivagho' was telling that story which I still have difficulty understanding.
Maybe after the tour today it will be clearer
PS: Tzar and Tzars are the same thing.
The Train:
Train travel is not for everybody but Fellette and I have an interest in trains and train travel for some strange reason. This train, known as Tzarengold, means 'Tzars Gold Train' in German, it is operated by a German Company and is considered a Luxury Train.
We have been on a Luxury Train in South Africa called Rovos rail. That is our only experience with Luxury Trains. It was exceptional in every way, over the top actually. Craig and Sister Moe experienced that with us several years ago.
This train is very, very nice, but not at the same level as Rovos Rail. There are about 175 passengers, all elderly well travelled folks. Mostly German French and Italian. There are 10 of us English speaking folks, two Aussies six Americans and us two. There is a crew of about 75 on board, 30 'conductors' two on each passenger car and the rest as cooks, cleaners and train crew. None are good at English so communication is the biggest issue.
The train is clean with no signs of wear and tear, the tracks are welded so there is no fast click, click, click but there is clicks. The train travels faster at night, much faster. Bedding is super clean and very comfortable except the bed is moving at 50 miles an hour a rocking back and forth!
Fellette sleeps up on the top bunk even though the lower bunk is much wider. Even the lower bunk is much narrower than out home bed.
The food is a bit different than we are used to, good but sort of Eastern European good, if you know what I mean. Even the restaurants we have been in are the same. Coffee is excellent everywhere it seems.
People:
I enjoy people watching but am baffled by them. I seem to be able to spot what I call 'Russians': whitish in appearance, either tall or stout, men are muscular and older women are solid, younger women are usually attractive and slimmer. There seems to be another more slightly built mix in there as well.
Then we have the Muslims, the women are obvious with their head scarfs, the men usually bearded, often with head caps, the Tatars have a distinctive cap, easy to spot. The muslims seem to be more gentle and approachable than the 'Russians' as I call them.
Obviously the population has a more complex makeup than I can sort out. It is to me a bit obvious that these people I am talking about are not new immigrants to Russia such as we have in Canada, but have ancient roots in the area going back hundreds of years.
My Conclusions… I am more confused than ever!
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