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Train no 9
21:20
Outside temp -7
Inside temp 23
Got to train ok with plenty of time. Our driver gave the providnista our tickets and we were let on the train first. The providnista's seem very friendly so far. Immediately when we arrived in our cabin we were accompanied by 2 guys who were trying to be very helpful with our bags. Fortunately our guide tunda had warned us to be wary of pickpockets. Tunda told us a story about how she was helping an Australian couple on the train when 2 blokes offered to help the bloke put his backpack up above in the shelf. Being the trustworthy Aussies they were they were glad for the help. When the aussie guy reached up to place his bag one of the 'helpful' gentlemen flogged his wallet. Fortunately the bloke felt his pocket once he'd finished putting the bag up and realized it was missing. The aussie dude said that his wallet was gone and Tunda chased after the pickpocket, grabbed his shirt and thumped him one. The pickpocket returned the wallet without anything missing. Very lucky for that dude as the next stop from ulanbataar is a few hours away. Lesson learned! Luckily for us we were awake up to pickpockets. It seemed funny on a sparsely occupied train that right from the word go we had 4 people in our carriage, possible but very remote. The next thing that was funny was that they were so keen to help us with our bags, alarm bells starting to ring. The other thing that was funny was that here we are starting a 2.5 day train journey on a train that doesn't have a dining car and they have no luggage with them, possible but rather strange. Fourthly, I didn't see a ticket. The little bloke was also continually checking his watch. This bloke even hung up his jacket in our carriage. The hide. I was being the ever present guard dog of both of our daypacks and Michelle was mindful of the food and her other valuables. Even when they're trying to help us I was acting dumb, getting in their way and I wasn't letting them get between me and our packs. They even man handled me around the carriage a but but lucky I'm a big lummox, especially in my sleeping bag jacket so they couldn't move me far. Eventually we had our big packs under the seats (all locked of course) and I was sitting with our day packs boxed between the window, the table and me. They again offered to place them up the top but again we refused the offer. Next came the other distraction techniques, putting the bunk down, showing us the light switch, still we were wise to them. It was at that stage that the bigger bloke left. The little guy sat there for another minute or so, again looked at his watch then stood up, retrieved his jacket and told us he was going for a smoke. Kinda a strange time for a smoke 5 moms before the train is set to leave the station. It was then that Michelle and I could talk about the blokes. We were both pretty sure they were pickpockets as it all seemed a little too dodgy. It's kinda hard to think the worst of people as your first impression but you do have to protect your interests, particularly when you're so far away from home Suddenly the train began to move away from the platform and surprise, surprise our new mates didn't come back. Suck it losers! We're so the best at pickpocket evasion! Trust me, if they had come back I would have felt pretty bad and it would make for an uncomfortable trip, but alas, our instincts were right and we live to fight another day, and another border crossing (can't wait for that one).
- comments
Daniella Go Girls!!! It's a sad but true tale of international travel.
Noni Well done girls....all these things make the adventure...lucky you are such a wise pair!!! Loving the armchair travelling!!!! Enjoy every minute!!! Stay safe love the Collins Crew
mags Sounds like you are well trained (ha ha!!) for our travel in Italy then. From what I hear there are a few pickpockets there too.