Train 377 - across the Urals

This train was truely bad (are they getting worse as we travel West?). The train was so old I think Lenin himself could have travelled on it. And we had the students again as attendants so it wasn't real clean. We crossed the Urals into European Russia sometime in the middle of the night. Also went through another two time zones. Despite that we had a long sleep, waking at 11am!

Arrived into Kazan around lunch time. Our Hotel was accross the road from the railway ($43 per night). Verry odd facade.

View from our window (not my photo)

This is the capital of Tartarstan a region dominated by the Tartars (traditionally muslims related to Turks). They have a unique culture, dress, achitecture and food. What an amazing place!

First stop - the Kazan Kremlin (there are many Kremlins in Russia - it simply means a fortified walled city)

And some general wandering around town

Had a great dinner at an Uzbeki restaurant ($30 for two).

A cultural 5 star day.