The final leg and finally some pickled herrings

14th Oct 2006: We got on the Transiberian train for the last time. It was kind of sad. We finally got a train under the 20s. We wanted the no 2 train (supposedly one of the best) but that didn't go the day we wanted but we got the number 8. We ended up sharing with these two Russian gentlemen. Andre (40) and Kirse (19). They were a bit dissapointed when they found out we didn't speak a word of Russian. But our train began it's journey at about 2pm, and the boys were already starting on the vodka. They offered some, a very russian gesture.
These guys epitamised the sterotypical Transiberian train hospitality. They had their lard for snacking inbetween shots. And of course their pickled herrings. They thought the vodka , Graham bought was ok but didnt have much respect for mine (Baikal vodka). They said it gave headaches and hangovers. They wouldn't even sip it. They didn't seem paticulary impressed with any of my food offerings of pringles, pot noodles and cake either.
We had a bit of a laugh with our dictionary and phrasebooks. Andre pretended that kirse was a killer, an assasin but turns out he drives cars from Vladivostok to Ulan Ude. Finally the boys wore themselves out with vodka and went to sleep at about 8pm. The next day they kind of ignored us and found a new Russian drinking partner, probably someone with better vodka. I tried to get some vodka at different train stops but to no avail. I did get a chance to buy some food though, from the various Babuskas selling their homecooked specialities. It was very good.

On the last day, our travelling companions didn't even say good bye, which was a little dissapointing. So I guess we didn't make much of an impression. Oh well at least we had 1 day doing the vodka drinks with real Russians, on the Transib...