We're outta here

17.10.06

Well it's been a somewhat difficult four nights in Vladivostok. There's not a helluva lot to do here, the language barrier has made it hard and just generally settling into the travel vibe has also been kinda tough. Plus the prices are not anywhere near as cheap as we'd been led to believe (about double what the guidebook says, eg: $40 for a normal dinner for two - not that much cheaper than Sydney!!)

Still, we're both understanding more Russian, have managed to puzzle through a few Ruski-only menus and have eaten some tasty meals, as well as sampled plenty of cheap Piva (beer)... so that's good.

We hop on the Trans-Siberian in a few hours' time and are both looking forward to sitting around not having to dream up where we should spend the day tramping to/from for a bit! We have stocked up on supplies and are hoping the restaurant car won't be too dire. Also hoping the money holds out!!

We sat around central Vlad people-watching today for several hours. It's interesting how different the people look here. All the women wear these amazing 3-6 inch stiletto spike heel boots with all manner of buckles, fur, bedazzlers, tassels, pom-poms, lacing, etc. on them. Footwear is definitely a local obsession - with heaps of shoe shops and shoe repairists around town. The guys still look like spivs, they wear sneakers or weird flat leather, toes-turned-up shoes. heh.

The Hotel Vladivostok has been nice. Once we realised no one here was trying to rip us off or was actually being that b*tchy (it's the Russian way), we have quite enjoyed ourselves. There is a cozy upstairs bar that we spent a fair bit of time in, although we never made a single friend here. I guess it's partly our shyness with the language, partly the locals' reserve. Anyway, I reckon the train will be different... rock and roll all night and party every-day, right?