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.