trans siberian on the train

Russian trains are perfectly designed for a long haul journey. Each sleeping carriage is equipped with 2 toilets and a samovar and there 2 train attendants. They are in charge of everything on the carriage, checking a ticket, delivering linens, cleaning the toilets and floor, maintaining the samovar, selling tea and snacks etc.

This time I bought third class Platzkarta tickets on the entire Trans-Siberian route. Platzkarta was more comfortable than second class Kupe, in a way. You have lots of space if there are few people on the carriage. You might use one bed and a seat. Fortunately I did not met drunk people who disturb my stay on the train.

Talking to local people on the train was a good Russian lesson. Despite my poor Russian skills, they were trying to communicate with me in Russian so patiently. Generally speaking, I realised that Russian people are so kind and friendly, but little simile, if you try to communicate with them in Russian. They sometimes smiled when I spoke to them with my strange accents and grammar.

room hunting in Germany

In the end of September, I stayed in Germany for a week and managed to find a room for October. Room hunting in Germany was so exhausting, the university and its services did not helped me find a flat and the halls of residence were full. They just said, you should find a flat by yourself on the internet although I did not have an internet connection so often. I bought a phone and got in touch with several people at an internet cafe, then finally found a room on Friday. It took 4 days to secure my accommodation. It was the first impact on me in terms of cultural differences. I realised that Germany is a country of 'Do it yourself' as Japan is a country of 'everything is organised'. But I would like to enjoy the difference as much as possible.