Day 9- Tuesday 19th June

Woke up today and went for a wander down to the Nizhniy Kremlin, they also kind of have a few war memorials and exhibits inside and a heap of nice gardens. Their political and military stuff is idolised here.

We caught got in a massive storm that brought torrential downpour for a good 90 minutes before the sun came out again! Stopped into a little cafe and had an acai bowl. Which was essentially berry blended yoghurt with a few flakes of muesli, but still not bad for 200 ruble, $4. We have noticed that nothing happens quickly here, waiters don’t serve attentively, food doesn’t come out quickly, and getting the bill/paying takes just long. You’d be hard pressed to get out of anywhere within 60-90 minutes.

Had an afternoon train at 4pm so we endeavoured to find a taxi but whenever they came to get us, they all gave up and canceled due to the road closures and traffic, so we had to catch a train which probably was a little easier in the first instance, but he station was a good 1.5km up hill.

We splurged the extra $10 and got first class cabins which is basically 2 beds instead of 4 I a Room. No other benefits really, other than a doona instead of a blanket. We had a babe of a conductor this time. 2 of them in fact that, when everyone was in the food cart/beer cart having a bit of a party, they came in in their civilian clothes and took pics with all the supporters, pretty cool for them and us to be able to do that.

Got to sleep eventually and woke up in Samara at 9am local time