| mutantsushi said: What is it like travelling on trains there? You mentioned that is a major way to get around. EDIT: To the above topic, the purported number of deaths sounds majorly unrealistic, but from what I've heard, hazing/abuse HAS been a major problem in Russian army post-USSR. Even if most cases don't result in death, that is just the tip of the iceburg, and many more people were negatively affected in some manner. Last I heard, the government has directly recognized that problem since at least several years ago, and has been making serious attempts to address it, changing the training regime and so on... |
Trains in Russia is strange. I like it but it can be strange for foreigners. Its 2 basic types of train vagons - 'plats' and 'coupe'. In 'Coupe' the vagon divided into 9 parts with a 4 places for sleep and 1 table, also a place for luggage. Every 'coupe' has its door, which can be locked.
Another type - is a 'plats' - basically - its the same 'coupe' but with no doors and with 2 sleeping places with 1 table opposed to each coupe. So vagon becomes a big place for 54 people.
Usually train travels are more than 24 hours. Some of the directions (like a Vladivostok) can be up 14 days.
I personally like trains, like 'plats' vagons. You meet a lot of people there, thay like to speak to tell a stories, which is fun.
Also a funny fact on Russian train travels. Every train has so called 'restaurant' vagon, where you can eat. But its a tradition in Russia taking food for travel with you from home. So 'plats' vagons fast become a place where people start opening their bags and taking out some home made food... THIS can be really strange for a foreigner! )))
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On the army matter. It was very bad in 80s-90s-start of 2000s. But now situation on the army abuses changed to better. My friend returns from army last year and he tells me it wasn't even one case of somebody trying to abuse him. (Also now young guys in Army allowed to have mobile phones with them. So if something happens and the seargant didn't react - they can call parents/military police and it will be a LOT of problems for officials). So situation very much changed to better.
