Dec. 2 – Irkutsk

I’ve now reached Siberia and have to catch you up on the journey from Beijing. I’ll do it gradually, so I won’t be dumping it all in this post.

But first I want you to help decide my next destination among the three below. They’re all on the route to Moscow, but I only have time for one of them. Research if you want, or pick at random, but all votes (informed or uninformed
doesn’t matter) must be in by 12:00 noon Irkutsk time on Dec. 3 so that I can book departure on Dec. 4. Vote by email, Facebook message, or blog comment. Looking forward to seeing where you will send me!

KRASNOYARSK (far from Irkutsk). Lonely Planet says “Vibrant, youthful and backed by attractive spikes of jagged, forested foothills, Krasnoyarsk has a much more appealing setting than most typically flat Siberian cities.

My comment: “Sounds promising. But can I get out to those attractions (which aren’t in town) and in winter? And makes for a heck of a long next leg of the trip.”

NOVOSIBIRSK (very far from Irkutsk). Lonely Planet says “If you want a night on the town, restaurants with big town glitz, or a choice of countless Irish pubs, Novosibirsk might be your Siberian dream come true.”

My comment: “I’m not a nightlife aficionado. But this is a big city and I’m surely up to the challenge of finding something worth writing home about.”

OMSK (very, very far from Irkutsk). Lonely Planet says “Vast and sprawling, Omsk’s industrial suburbs look off-putting, but the gently attractive central core has some fine centuries-old architecture and is dotted with parks, museums, restaurants and quirky public sculptures.”

My comment: “Could be good, since I like quirky. A long trip there, but on the other hand a shorter next leg.”

Now back to the journey. Two entries today covering Nov. 30 and Dec. 1!

Nov. 30 – K3 Train from Beijing to Irkutsk – At Erlian, China-Mongolia border

“Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him,” his heart said. “We, people’s hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later, we simply let
life proceed, in its own discretion, toward its own fate. But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them – the path to their Personal Legends, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed to be a threatening place.

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

 

I’m on a warm train on a cold night, headed towards a new country. I’ve met fellow travellers, I’m one day closer to old friends and I have a good book to read. Life can get better than this, but not by much.

More to follow…