I should stop watching so many travel programmes

[inulro]

There's not a lot that I'm unequivocably and irrationally shit-scared of. One of these very few things is the vastness and emptiness that is most of Russia. Probably brought on by reading too much Russian literature & staring at maps at an early age, and encouraged by my Russian history professor who liked to freak us out with tales of how in rural Russia, nobody cares if you live or die. Zero points for the wit who points out I grew up somewhere nearly as empty and open. There's a world of difference, goddammit.

So, I'm watching Russia: A Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby, Siberia episode, and he goes to Tomsk. (Map here. Zoom out till you get the general idea.)

Those old wooden buildings are simply one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I'd wonder why I've never heard of it before, but it's a three-day train journey from Yekaterineburg!

Doing the Trans-Siberian Express was always my brother's aspiration, not mine (not that I've even checked that Tomsk is on the TSE, I meant the concept).

Fortunately I can claim poverty and ill health as a reason not to do this, not abject & stupid fear. Honestly.

PS - If I'm ever insane enough, who's in?

Comments

[wehmuth.livejournal.com]

As you may even be aware, I've been wanting to do this for a while and have been thinking that I might do it next year.

Also, thank you for the Christmas card.

And I was also rather taken with the idea of New Year in Vienna next year.

[nwhyte]

One of the Wombles was named Tomsk. Apart from that, I know nothing about it.