Vici is one of the girls I got to know in Irkutsk. I prefer to call it Irkoootsk now knowing that this is such a fun place. Seems like when I am leaving irkoootsk I am taking a bit of the local people with me. Vici on my mind is my way of remembering this nice town.

After the late night, we had a late start to the day. Irkutsk has a good bit of history especially related to religion and we planned a quick tour of the churches before heading out on the next leg of the train journey.

We went around to the frozen river where a towering statue of Alexander III stood. Good photo op with lots of people taking strolls. I shoot a lot of street images and Irkutsk gave a lot of opportunity for that. People are very fashionable and dress with a lot of style. And I have tons of good images.

We then hit some orthodox and catholic churches and they were stunning. The murals in the Greek orthodox church was particularly beautiful with murals and frescos all over the walls and cieling. Well worth the time spent to get there.

The light was good for photographs and I guess I made good use of it too. We grabbed a quick lunch at a local pizzeria. The pizza was well made, had tons of veggie options and cheap to boot. We had to rush to catch our train after that and now am lying on my bunk bed as I write this.

Irkutsk ia a good base to get to lake Baikal but our schedules do not allow a longer stay. I wonder if a day is enough tine to spend in this town. It probably isn’t, but the memories of the day are good enough to leave a lasting impression of this place. And it is plesant memories I carry away from here.

Next stop, Ekaterinburg.

Irkutsk station was a bit of a cold place. Drunks walking around everywhere and very crowded. No one looks at you unless they are selling their wares, hotels, taxis or begging. It was surprisingly warmer though doing about -10c, which is bearable without jackets for a few minutes.

The hotel staff speak good English though and after the formalities, we were looking for a place to eat. Lonely planet suggested Liverpool Pub as a decent place to hang out and out we went. The hotel receptionist was kind enough to book taxi for us and even asked us to give a call to book a taxi back. Nice.

Heading to liverpool pub was a bit seedy… The streets got smaller and dimme until we turned into a dead end with the pub being the last house.

It is a beatles themed pub playing stray cats music and very empty. But they could make some vegetable food and rice (which incidentally is the proper solid food in 5 days). We parked ourseles in a corner listening to rock and roll and waiting for food. We were all literally staring at the stunning waitresses and didn’t bother when the meal came.

The food smelled and tasted great. A plate of mixed vegetables with potatoes in some tomato sauce. Along with it a small bowl of rice flavored with onions and tomato. Very tasty after a long time Mid way through the meal, the manager tol us that the corner we were in is going to be used as a danse floor and young people were expected. Well that was our que to sit ourselves down.

We spent a while there and no one came. Just the DJ testing his stuff and nothing else. The fun started when we were just leaving. A bunch of 20yr olds were just coming in a we were leaving and they struck up a conversation as some of them could speak English.

It was a pity we had to part company, and mid way through the cab ride, we decided to turn back and head to the party again. By the time we returned the music was in full swing with Russian hip hop and reggae. We happily joined the group. It was a good bunch of kids, mostly students and an above par photographer.

It is nice to have met a bunch of friendly fellers on the first proper evening in Russia. Irkutsk rocks and hopefully the rest of out trip will be fun times like this.