Subway and train stations in Russia are clean, quick, beautiful BUT have a lot of stairs! Allison has had to carry both these 45 lb. duffels up and down stairs (the little one on her back). Sometimes Russian men have grabbed the bags and hauled them for us. We thank them but rarely get a smile. They are also courteous giving up their seats on the subway. A security/police/military man, (hard to tell them apart) carried my bag and took us through gates and tunnels when we took a wrong turn looking for the train station. I shook his hand. He didn't smile but did pat my hand. That was something.
It took 4 hours. The countryside was flat, marshy and mostly smallish trees, ?birch and conifers. Houses lined the sides of the tracks, small, bleak, mostly old and wooden. Every house did have a large veggie patch which looked to have been ready to plant or just planted. We arrived at our hotel, checked out the indoor pool and ventured forth to a "hopping"cafe for a light dinner.
Our hotel in Moscow was teeming with security and although I smiled at every opportunity never once was it returned. Eugene, our waiter, explained that was the nature of Russian people not to show emotion to strangers - I wonder?
The "fast train" to St.Pete. travels up to 250Km/hr.
Our hotel is right on the canal and apparently we are going on a boat cruise to the Peterhof Palace and Gardens later in the week.
A long day!
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