Bye bye Europe

Hello everyone.

Just before we pulled into the station yesterday we passed the Europe/Asia border (nothing's really changed yet though). We arrived in Ekaterinburg, Russia's 5th largest city last night and with help from our overnight train buddy Oslo we hailed a random Lada that took us to our hotel where, to our surprise, they checked us in.

Bliss.

The surprise was due to the fact that in Moscow we had similar (worse) problems than in St Petersburg with our hotel. Suffice to say that we spent a day of our short stay with rucksacks on wandering around the city looking for a place to stay. We've now been in two separate hostels so are feeling proper hardcore travellers. I think we were lucky - Moscow is notoriously difficult to find accommodation and supposedly the most expensive city in the world.

Red Square, the Kremlin and St Basil's were all great as was wandering through GUM - the posh designer shopping arcade. Moscow is unbelievably busy with traffic. It can slightly spoil some of its charm - but I suppose this is true of many Capitals - of which Moscow is identifiably one.

We've met some really lovely people who've been really helpful. Still surprised about how few Europeans or other foreigners are here - only heard English spoken a few times - although more than St Petersburg. More Americans, Japanese and French than English (although there was a lady from Kent we overheard in the Kremlin while we waited for one of the stunning Cathedrals). Its mostly "older" people on tours here.

The train was well above both our expectations - I think it was brand new - the bedding seemed untouched and Jo was happy with the state of the toilets. Our unhealthy picnic of peanut butter (Emma - we crumbled in the end) and crisp butties was supplemented by lots of tea and coffee - perhaps the reason for a late night reading.

Ekaterinburg is a quick stop. Nicer than we expected, but we're really just passing through (Sorry Oslo). Another night on the train tonight and Novosibirsk tomorrow...