Writing from the train now. Like I mentioned the trains are very comfortable and has a nice pantry to boot. Unfortunately, the menu is in Russian and the only thing o could order (coffee) was pretty lousy. I guess I will be eating my rations of peanuts and packed soup for the rest of the days.

The nights sleep was good though the place is warm. It is difficult to tak of layers when inside the carriage and then wearing them all when trying to walk out. The train stopped for 30 mins at a big station in a place called Khabarovsk. An I tried to venture out without head-gear or gloves. The place was 20 below at 10AM and impossible to bear even for a few minutes. Like I said, difficult adjusting to inside vs outside weather quickly.

Everyone seems to be on the same schedule. People are up and about at 10 causing toilet congestion and not at 2PM, the whole train seems to be sleeping. The best way to ensure u don’t have to compete is to go out of sync with the populace

My drawing plan seems like not a good one as the train is too shaky and j cannot keep my lines straight (and this before bingeing on Vodka). I will probably ease in the drawing.

There is a nice British couple next door. Elderly folks and friendly. They are frequent travellers and good company to chit chat.

Overall seems like it is going to be a lazy journey