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Critical Bill Dooley
Just Starting
Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Norwich
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 Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject: Why travelling by plaztcar is great!! |
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| Just before i took the 2 day trip from Ekaterinburg to St Petersburg 2 days ago i loaded up with food for my journey at the supermarket by the train station.Big Mistake!! because i was forcefed vodka, pivo , chicken ,eggywegs and all kinds of tasty treats by my droogy platz car companions who i had never met before.Typical Russian hospitality!! oh my brothers. Has anybody got any more similar stories? |
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camarks
Moderator
Joined: 30 Sep 2005
Posts: 258
Location: Richmond, VA USA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:46 am Post subject: |
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| I've experienced great hospitality in the second class kupes, but never had the pleasure of a platzcar. Sometime when my health and well being aren't so critical for a few days I'll have to give it a try. The rewards are great, but I believe the risks are too. |
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charles
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 179
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:03 am Post subject: platzkart |
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Critical Bill, that's good to know. I'm planning to travel by platzcart this summer and your report makes me more sure of it.
Question: what could I bring along with me that I might be able to share with my fellow Russian passengers? What kind of thing would be appreciated, or accepted? |
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Keeper
Frequent Guest
Joined: 28 May 2005
Posts: 12
Location: Russia
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:50 am Post subject: Re: platzkart |
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| charles wrote: | Critical Bill, that's good to know. I'm planning to travel by platzcart this summer and your report makes me more sure of it.
Question: what could I bring along with me that I might be able to share with my fellow Russian passengers? What kind of thing would be appreciated, or accepted? |
Actually you don't have any need to bring something  Because of russian hospitality one can travell for long distances with no money and there will be russians around who will feed him
But if you want to bring something you can take whatever you want, something what you would like to eat by yourself.
Anyway don't think that you have to share anything with your fellows, they can be very hospitable but they don't wait it from you in responce. |
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camarks
Moderator
Joined: 30 Sep 2005
Posts: 258
Location: Richmond, VA USA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Bringing some food you like, with enough to share, is a nice thing to do, but you won't need anything else and don't be surprised or offenended if your offer is turned down. My experience is that the Russians won't drink your vodka (you are their guest) and will say they prefer their vodka if you offer them anything else to drink (I tried to share some Virginia Gentleman once). |
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Critical Bill Dooley
Just Starting
Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Norwich
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Actually , I can't promise that you will share your compartment with hospitable Russians but 9 times out of 10 i have.It is also a better option for women travellers because in a platzcar nobody will risk doing anything nefarious when there are loads of witnesses about.My compartment were all eager to listern to my walkman and i gave some small English change as souvenirs.Here is also a top tip ..Even if you don't smoke , carry some cheap cigarettes and matches on you as you will get stopped often on the street by somebody wanting a free smoke.Sometimes the gratitude i get is zero but i feel awkward if i can't oblige. |
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charles
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 179
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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| camarks wrote: | | Bringing some food you like, with enough to share, is a nice thing to do, but you won't need anything else and don't be surprised or offenended if your offer is turned down. |
I wouldn't be surprised. I know a 90-year old Russian/German woman who would rather have her eyes scratched out than accept anything from anybody. Still, it's nice to be able to offer something in return, though I know it's not expected, and may not be accepted. I was trying to think of something that's maybe difficult to find or not seen in Russia, that people might appreciate. This may apply more to being invitied to someone's house, I don't know. I'll take your advice and not bring my own vodka - or any other drinks.
Speaking of eating on the train, does everybody bring bowls, plates, utensils, etc. with them? I assume a bowl and spoon would be the minimum if you want to make soup? |
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camarks
Moderator
Joined: 30 Sep 2005
Posts: 258
Location: Richmond, VA USA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:22 am Post subject: |
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| charles wrote: | | I was trying to think of something that's maybe difficult to find or not seen in Russia, that people might appreciate. This may apply more to being invitied to someone's house, I don't know. |
The only thing that I know of that falls in this category is fresh fruit, and that's hard to carry with you  . My adopted daughter (Murmansk oblast, April 2004) seemed to eat her weight in fresh fruit every day when we first brought her home.
When I visit homes I often take things like a picture book of my home state or city and try to bring some fresh flowers.
| charles wrote: | | Speaking of eating on the train, does everybody bring bowls, plates, utensils, etc. with them? I assume a bowl and spoon would be the minimum if you want to make soup? |
I always buy the meal/snack in my kupe, so there is always a tea cup and utensils. I don't know what you will find in the platzcar. |
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natasha1982
Frequent Guest
Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 46
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 5:10 am Post subject: |
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| Charles, vodka is nice, but you don't want your companion to be pyking all over your cot at night (esp if he is on top), or singing songs on top of his lungs. The best is some pickles and dried fish (vyalenaya vobla). Oh, the good old memories of the platz. |
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charles
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 179
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:53 am Post subject: |
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| natasha1982 wrote: | | Charles, vodka is nice, but you don't want your companion to be pyking all over your cot at night (esp if he is on top), or singing songs on top of his lungs. The best is some pickles and dried fish (vyalenaya vobla). Oh, the good old memories of the platz. |
Pickles and dried fish? No wonder everyone tries to give their food away  I'm joking -actually that sounds not too bad. Getting puked on - no thanks. |
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natasha1982
Frequent Guest
Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 46
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Haha, actually, that salty dried fish was pretty damn good. My husband, who is an American, was utterly disgusted at the sight of it, and refused to try it for a long time. Now he loves it. Goes with beer the most. |
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