Irkutsk - Russia

Once again we were met at the station from our guide Eugine and taken to our accommodation for one night. The Hotel Angara was flash - well the lobby anyway, and Ian's call about "you can always tell what you room is going to be like from the hotel lobby" was wrong. The rooms were only O.K. and a lesson in not getting overly excited until you see your room. This place was founded as a military outpost in 1652. Tea caravans from China would pass through here, fur traders sold here and the town quickly developed into a centre for trade in Siberia. Gold was discovered in the early 19th century, and on the 16th of August 1898 it was linked by rail to Europe with the first Trans Siberian Railway. The population is approx. 594,000. We visited one of the exciled "Decembrists" house - of Maria Volkonskaya (you remember the unsuccessful political coup and they were exciled to Siberia). Exciled? The house was flash!!! We once again experienced some lovely food and partook in some meat dumpling soup and dark, sweet beer. This town is apparantly champions of a game like ice hockey. They have a 17,000 seat outdoor stadium and the spectators take vodka to keep warm. I guess most people think that it is really cold in Siberia. Well at the moment it is really hot! One of the highlights would have to be getting a phone call to our room around 11.15pm. Ian answered and was asked whether he spoke English, and then asked whether he would like beautiful Russian girls to visit his room. Of course he replied that he had an Australian one in his room already. Even with this response he was asked whether he wanted her to come up. I heard him say no. Well - 10 minutes later there was a knock on the door. I was determined that I would get up and answer it! There was 5 of them! Ladies of the Night! All standing there looking somewhat confused, looking at me, looking at the room number and looking at each other! I suggested that they had the wrong room and they left. When we tell others this story, all the boys want to know is whether they were good looking. Much to their disappointment, I didn't take much notice, as I was more stunned at the fact that they still bothered coming to the room when they were told no. Cheeky, I say! Good story though!