Leg one of journey completed.

One train later we're in Irkutsk, somewhere in Siberia next to Lake Baikal, the worlds deepest lake and fresh water reserve. Though groggy from very little sleep, arriving at the trainstation at 6am this morning was amazing. As we walked to our hostel we kept exclaiming things like : "There is no time limit to how much fresh air we can have!", "OMG! Can you believe we've walked for 5 min without having to open and slam closed a single door?!" "Clara Clara! No more noodles! We get to eat on plates today!", which got "I think being able to drink tap water is the best thing about Irkutsk!" as a reply.

So how was the train journey? Well, anyone who thought riding on a train for 3 days can go stuff it. Adapting to a new culture is definately an emotional rollercoaster, and especially when most of your energy is dedicating to find something (which might or might not be where it is supposed to be) and communicating. Despite all this the trip went fairly well. We shared a cabin with 40-something couple called Lena And Sergej and were Irkutsk locals. They spoke as much English as we spoke Russian and still they managed to teach us a card game (which we still don't quite understand the rules of but Clara in her never endig talent managed to win anyway) and we taught Lena how to make friendship bracelets in return. We shared food and laughs and they definately thought we were mental for volentarily exploring Siberia. Lena did start to get on our nerves trowards the end though as her motherly instincts got a bit to much. Enough said.

At the of the second day when Clara and I were just starting to feel a bit shit about this whole train thing we stumbled upon an Australian on the platform! oh the joy! Clara and I were starved for english speaking company and wanted nothing rather than to hug him then and there (thankfully we refrained.) So we spent an evening with Russ, Liam and Michael in true Russian style which we were severely punished for the next day. Surprisingly we're on the same train to Ulan Bator together so that will be fun.

Right. Of to the market to grab us some food. Clara's and my stomach haven't been at it's greatest of late so we figured we'd cook our own food tonight. Cheers!