Trans Mongolian Rail Journey

Finally I am on the long train ride from Beijing to St. Petersburg.  This one is broken up by the Naadam Festival, lot of time in Gers, Lake Baikal and then the train.  These Gers/Yurts are upscale from the ones on the Silk Road.  Yes, indeed.  Satiny fabric all around the interiors, crystal chandeliers in the restaurant Ger, not a cooking pot in the Ger.  The train varied from the Chinese, Mongolian, Russian.  Mongolian had the best interior, carved wooden arches, Russian the worst food and most expensive.  I did not partake of any of it.  I knew better.  Tried to get a cup of tea from the Mongolian one, but the waiter was drunk and was accosting the young women.  Could not be bothered with us older ladies.  Does not know what he was missing, experience counts.
     The compartments were set up as bunks all the trip.  That meant that we all stayed in our beds so we did not interfer with the others.  Us top bunk ladies read a book a day.  Drawback was that we did not see the landscape go by.  Now, the steppe is actually the same all along.  Does not mean it would have been cool to watch it between pages of the: who done it books.
    Mongolian flag:  I think it is very interesting: Had written this before, then Goodle decided that my internet connection was a naughty one with the Russian hotel and-poof-it was gone.  I really do not like this interference in my life. Flag: top is the sun, moon and fire.  Ying yang means relationships. side bars mean protection, Mongolia is like the juicy burger meat of a burger and China and Russia are the buns.
     On to Moscow: what a difference since I was here in 2011.  There is ice cream on every corner and  Gum department store is full of very big name brands.  And, skyscrapers abound. Our hotel was built for the Olympics-Las Vegas size. Our tour bus has orange LED lights sweeping along its side. 
   ST. Petersburg.  I could not see the Church of The Spilled Blood last time I was here and this time: It is the most fantastic interior ever.  Covered floor to multiple storied ceiling with
mosaics.  Jaw dropping, fantastic work, amazing in the real sense of the word. Hermitage: another place of unimaginable art works, means place of hermits. What a place to be one.The Mariinsky  theatre is named for a Maria.  Different mosaics, huge vases and columns coverd with Malekite, or Lapis. Many palaces, and ballet, opera, theatre.  Best view is a night cruise on the Neva, marvelous. 

Naadaam Festival in Mongolia

     Throat singing originated here, I am told. I hear it everywhere, during the festival and at dinner as background music. We have heard many variations of it at a special concert along with the national orchestra, several folk dances and a contortionist of jaw dropping moves. Ouch.

    The Naadaam opening ceremony was of epic proportions in the number of people involved. The colors of the costumes, designs, fabrics- so rich. Was able to see the wrestling, ankle bone throwing, archery, horse racing. The revered white banners were brought from the government offices to the arena with much ceremony on many horses rode by men in ancient costumes.  This part is from the Gengis Khan days. He is much honored and his outline is inscribed into a mountain outside of Ulaanbaatar. Families were wearing their finest costumes to honor this festival.
     Hundreds of wrestlers came on to the field, and two by two they came to a winner. How that happens is a mystery to me. Somehow the same one can win this multiple times and then acquires the title of: Giant.  Well done.  Yes, they do wear blue or red  bikini's, tall boots, leather off the shoulder bolero jacket and a cap. The winner then does a dance that mimicks an eagle, flapping his arms and prances around a bit.
     Horse racing is done by children ages 5-12.  After they have gathered a distance away from the grandstand, they are taken over the hill to start the race. All we see is the finish.  They come over the hill racing as fast as they can, creating a dust cloud so you can really see-the Mongol Heard.  In the days of Ghengis, that would have been terrifying. The last horse in is called-Full Stomach.
     Archery is done by men and women.  The target is not the round one we are used to, instead it is a flat one, on the ground, with the center colored red.  The judges hang around the targets to indicate the score, and, I am told that no one has ever been shot.  So, the contestants are very good. I have seen a man on a racing horse hit a very small target.  They do have the gens of Ghengis.
    Ankle bone tossing.  It was, or still is the bone of the sheep. Rather like Tiddly Winks.  Very loud cheering as the shooter sits on a stool about 4 inches high, a good ten feet from the target of more bones on a little altar like goal.  He flicks it off his 4th finger with his thumb and can hit it dead on, and fast.
     The table of honor has on it a 'foot print' shaped, rather sweet, hard bread.  About 6 high, stacked in a circle, with some salty yogurt balls on top.  This is eaten with milk tea.  I did spring for our group, they did not seem to like it as much as the President of Mongolia did.  I was within feet of him at the festival.  He came to see every event.  Bravo for him.  
      Upturned toes on shoes means they do not harm the soil which is so important. 
     Now, you know the rest of the story.

Tallinn, Estonia Aug. 2013

     Far, far different from Russia, where I have come from. Much has been rebuilt from indiscriminate bombing and destruction from occupiers.  Old town looks much as it did in its glory day. Was a busy trading city.

     Very much a coffee and cafe culture and, my favorite  coffee-Lavazza  is available.

     Blankets available for you to wrap up in at the cafes. 

     Movies are: €4

     SKYPE came from here, thank you.

     Free Wi-Fi is a personal given

     

     Been to the grocery to try new foods. It is all a guessing game. Hope tonight's dinner is sesame coated schnitzel. Really wanted a beef steak, I must have missed beef amount the seafood. Picked herring etc. 

    I am so tired, enough churches etc. cannot figure what to do next, staring st the guide books, so, have gone to the movies-twice- and had popcorn. 

   Cannot check in for flight to Scotland, will go early to sort it out. Aaarrgg.