Irkustk

Upon arival Eugine our new gude metus at the station, his English was near perfect from his work as a guide and he studies Manderin for his degree.

When we got to the hotel the loby was fantastic, which of course made us think the rooms would be as well. Basic in every way, I had to carry out some emergency repairs on the toilet. I'd place it on my top ten list of shit hotels. Never mind.

A quick look round town and a visit to the house of Maria Volkonskaya who was one of the Decembrists who follwed her husband into excile after the unsuccesful coup in 1825. Considering they were exiles and were sent to Siberia as a punisment they still had a goo standard ofliving with servant quarters in the house and stables.

The five hour time difference really set in in the form of train lag so I had to get back to the hotel and sleep.

That evening Eugine took us out to a Russian resturant, the food was excellent and they served free vodka with your dinner that was made on site.