We spent a few hours talking and learning about each other’s countries before going to bed. It was really cool because I had never met someone from Syria before! After we got off the train, we exchanged numbers and hung out while I was visiting St. Petersburg. Trains are a great place to meet people from all over Russia, and even from all over the world!
I also love walking around the city because that's the best way to discover new places like unique restaurants, cool stores and unusual architecture. I keep a list of restaurants I want to try in my map app, that way when I want to try something new, I have a list of where to go! Walking around the city makes me feel grateful to live here because I get to see more of the beauty in nature and everyday life. Something unique to Russian cities is that they often have narrow "parks" in the middle of wide roads, so you can walk among the trees without going out of your way!
Taking overnight trains make me feel like I have stepped back in time. Something I love is that you can ask the conductor for a podstakannik, or glass holder with a drinking glass inside. This holder allows you to drink hot beverages from a regular drinking glass that doesn't have a handle. See my photo to the right! Drinking tea out of a podstakannik makes me like I'm in an old fashioned movie! Another fun fact is that the glass that goes inside is a glass that they started making back in the Soviet Union in 1943, and the design hasn't changed since then!
