In’s & Out’s Of Train Travel In Ukraine

While my mom was visiting I had an interesting opportunity to realize how much I have integrated into my new home and how many things have become normal for me.  I have learned so many things about how to function in everyday life, and I thought I would share a fun one today.

Train travel is one of the scariest things a Peace Corps Volunteer does, at least the first time you ride by yourself.  The first couple of times I was on a train I was with Ukrainians or other volunteers who had much better Russian skills then I.  Now I have ridden the train alone many times and it has become a normal activity for me.  And yet, even as I took these pictures I realized how much I have learned and how comfortable I am.

I prefer to ride ‘Platzkart’.  It is somewhat second class and the lowest class available.  I like the lower bunk because I feel more comfortable being able to sleep on top of my belongings that are stored below me.  The platzkart train sleeps about 65 people and has bunks not only set up in sets of four, but also sets of two along the corridor.  Everything is open, so if you happen to get a group of people looking for some fun at their given destination, it can be a bit loud.

The table in the middle picture below lowers to make a bed.

     

Here you can see the number plague for assigning bunks to match your ticket and the step that can be used to get into your upper bunk should you need it.  Yup, I am definitely a lower bunk person.

     

The train provides rollout beds for your bunk, a pillow, a packet of clean sheets, a wool blanket, and tea for 3UAH if you would like some.  I have ordered the tea several times and it fairly good.  Many people bring their own cups and coffee packets.  Cup-of-Noodles is also popular as a part of ones train picnic during the winter months.

It took me a couple of train trips to realize that you have to ask for the wool blanket.  Huh!!  And the first couple of times I had to call a friend for the Russian word for blanket.  LOL!!!

In platzkart the bathroom is not always available based on the stops it makes.  In the middle picture below you can see the toilet schedule posted on the bathroom door, down to the minute of opening and closing.  And in the last picture is one of the most helpful items on the train.  It is a time schedule of where the train stops and for how long.  This allows for one to know that the train will stop for 42 minutes in Poltava at 233AM.  Now you may not want to get off the train at 233A in Poltava, but at least the option is there.

     

I love to travel by train.  My phone service is intermittent, but I enjoy the wonderment and romance that is attached to train travel.  On most all my trips I meet interesting people and have some wonderful conversations.