Strange Neighbor's Behavior on Crimea-Peter Train Due to Luggage Storage Anomaly
In the heart of Russian train travel, the compartment cars offer a unique experience for passengers seeking a glimpse into a world apart from their daily lives. These cars, equipped with lower berths, are a key part of the sleeping arrangements in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class compartments.
Lower berths, typically two in 1st class, four in 2nd class, and six in 3rd class, are assigned during booking. For added security and convenience, 1st and 2nd class compartments lock and have additional security latches. Women traveling alone can request ladies-only compartments or ask to be moved if they feel uncomfortable.
Underneath each lower bunk, there lies a metal box for storing baggage, accessible only by lifting the bunk itself. Bedding is provided by the conductor in sealed packages, and passengers make their own beds, except in 1st class.
The cultural norm is that men and women share compartments unless a ladies-only compartment is requested. Safety features around lower berth areas focus on passenger security and personal belongings rather than usage rules.
During the journey, passengers on the lower berths immediately went to sleep, showing no intention of providing a seat for dinner. According to new rules, a passenger occupying a lower berth must provide a seat at the table for the passenger with the upper berth for dinner from 19:00 to 21:00.
Traveling in a compartment car is like immersing oneself in a micro-society with its own rules and unwritten laws. RZD experts note that these journeys offer opportunities to rest, listen to fellow travelers' stories, or watch changing landscapes.
The author's journey began with the purchase of a ticket for a top berth to Rostov-on-Don and a lower berth for the journey from Rostov to St. Petersburg. The total cost of the two tickets was 7034 rubles. At the end of the compartment were two bio-toilets, accessible even during stops, and a boiler with hot water.
The compartment was well-equipped, with each berth having its own lighting and power outlets. However, buying train tickets during the shoulder season (early October) can be challenging due to increased demand.
The author managed to buy tickets in advance, but with a change of berth in the same compartment. The journey was not without its challenges, as a conflict arose due to luggage space, with a passenger from the upper berth attempting to use the space under the lower berth, leading to a dispute.
Despite these challenges, compromises and a positive attitude can make a long journey more enjoyable. The author also encountered various passenger characters and habits, as is common in train travel.
In Rostov-on-Don, a young woman occupied the upper berth and exhibited puzzling behavior, such as sitting on other passengers' lower berths for meals without permission. However, the author found that it's important to remember mutual respect, tolerance, and the ability to assert one's rights when they are violated during such journeys.
Train travel has become a common practice for transportation to Crimea due to temporary air communication unavailability. As the author discovered, train journeys offer a unique experience, a glimpse into a world away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Traveling in a compartment car presents an opportunity to immerse oneself in a unique lifestyle, different from everyday routines, with train journeys offering insights into diverse passenger cultures. For those booking a lower berth, the added security and convenience of lockable and latch-secured compartments ensure a comfortable experience during overnight travel.
