My train left Saratov on Friday morning at around 10:50 am. The Institute kindly arranged a car and driver for me, and Valentina texted me that she and the car woul gather me at my apartment at 9:30. They were right on time I was organized so we were off quickly. Train station was uneventful, except the driver was able to drop me off in a very convenient, secured, prohibited parking area.
We entered the station and quickly determined that my train was at track 4. One has to find the correct train car....the number is usually on a card in a window. When you find your car, you wait for the providnitsa...the lady who works your car....she takes your ticket and confirms your passport. As we were waiting for her, there was an older woman waiting withwhat looked like her grandson and a little dog...a chihuahua. Valia emarked jokingly that she hoped they were not in my berth. We found my compartment, I said goodbye to Valia, and started to settle in. The young man from outside soon entered my berth be with a lot of bags and what looked to be a dog carrier. The grandmother soon showed up with thelittle dog, the kid brusquely said "poka"...goodbye....and it dawned on who my neighborsin close qquarters would be for the next 26 hours. I had been told in many guidebooks, the ticket website, and by Russians themselves, that berths are usually gender segregated. Apparently not if is a babushka and a dog.
We entered the station and quickly determined that my train was at track 4. One has to find the correct train car....the number is usually on a card in a window. When you find your car, you wait for the providnitsa...the lady who works your car....she takes your ticket and confirms your passport. As we were waiting for her, there was an older woman waiting withwhat looked like her grandson and a little dog...a chihuahua. Valia emarked jokingly that she hoped they were not in my berth. We found my compartment, I said goodbye to Valia, and started to settle in. The young man from outside soon entered my berth be with a lot of bags and what looked to be a dog carrier. The grandmother soon showed up with thelittle dog, the kid brusquely said "poka"...goodbye....and it dawned on who my neighborsin close qquarters would be for the next 26 hours. I had been told in many guidebooks, the ticket website, and by Russians themselves, that berths are usually gender segregated. Apparently not if is a babushka and a dog.
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